Don't Call it Afrobeats: How to Empower the Continent Through Music
Conference
Don't Call it Afrobeats: How to Empower the Continent Through Music
Speakers: Shiba Melissa Mazaza (Music Journalist), Joey Akan (Afrobeats Intelligence), Selina Chowdhury (Warner Music Group)
Moderator: Gracey Mae (MAE)
Presented by HOMECOMING
This panel brings together prominent journalists and media professionals, offering a deep dive into the relationship between journalism and African music. Panelists will explore the evolving landscape of African genres, the challenges of covering these genres in global media, and the role of journalism in promoting African music internationally. The session will touch on how journalists discover and research new African music, the barriers to getting African music recognized, and the critical impact of media on its global growth.
Conference FAQ
ADE PRO
Join us at the Felix Meritis for the full ADE Pro programme. The conference is set to be extended by an additional day, taking place from ADE Wednesday to Saturday. Just down the road the prestigious Andaz Amsterdam by Hyatt Hotels is transformed to a buzzing network & business hub from Wednesday to Friday.
ADE LAB
ADE Lab returns with a four-day programme from ADE Wednesday to Saturday at the Brakke grond and many more venues around the Amsterdam Nes area.
We do not sell ADE Conference only or Day Passes. The only way to get access to the ADE Pro Conference is the ADE Pro Pass.
Tickets for the specialist sessions and ADE Lab can be found on the ticket page.
✓ Valid all five days
ADE Pro conference takes place from Wednesday through Saturday, but the ADE Pro Pass benefits go well beyond those four days. The ticket grants access to ADE’s full offering, including all conference programs as well as all ADE Festival and Arts & Culture events* — read on below to get an impression of everything included with your ADE Pro Pass.
✓ Full access to all conference keynotes, panels and locations
ADE Pro is the ultimate business and inspiration gathering for the electronic music industry. The four-day conference returns to live action at our iconic home base Felix Meritis and features dedicated programming at the forefront of our industry. In addition, ADE will also continue to host conference programs dedicated to young creators and aspiring professionals.
✓ Year round access to ADE Pro's networking platform & database
Get a head start on connecting with fellow music professionals and companies with the ADE Pro networking database, available throughout the year. The online networking tool enables you to find and connect with all ADE Pro delegates, showcase your business with a dedicated profile page, plan meetings during ADE and much more. Over 50.000 messages are being sent on the platform yearly, with new professional connections being made on the regular.
✓ Join dedicated networking events and sessions
With over 9.000 music professionals from around the globe gathering in Amsterdam, you’re almost guaranteed to find who you need. An abundance of networking events and opportunities with fellow ADE delegates and industry leaders provides an advantageous base for dealmaking and career advancement.
✓ Access to all official Business Hubs
Whether you’re planning a meeting with fellow delegates, looking for a comfortable spot to work or simply want to hang out between conference events, your ADE Pro Pass grants access to all of ADE’s official Business Hubs.
✓ Access to the complete ADE Festival and Arts & Culture program*
With the entirety of ADE Festival and ADE Arts & Culture accessible with the ADE Pro Pass, your ticket enables you to explore the full spectrum of electronic subgenres in over 200 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces — with 2.500+ artists performing at 1.000+ events during five days and nights.
* Limited capacity at high-demand venues – read more at our FAQ.
✓ Receive the official ADE 2025 Bag
Your ADE Pro Pass comes with the limited edition ADE 2025 Bag, an ADE Pro Pass exclusive included with your ticket.
Our conferences are accessible for all ages in general. Do note that when alcoholic beverages are served, access can be denied.
Happy to see your interest in enhancing and contributing to our Conference program! To submit your conference ideas or panel suggestions for ADE 2025, we kindly ask you to fill in this form: https://wkf.ms/4gUA9oW
Our Conference team will review all proposals. If your idea stands out and sparks their interest, the team will reach out to you. Keep in mind that we receive numerous submissions, so using this application form doesn't guarantee selection. We appreciate your understanding.
Haven't received your ticket(s) or cannot find them? You can easily find them by following the steps on this page.
NOTE: This leads you to a page of the Eventix website, where you can find your ADE passes, as well as some ADE festival tickets - only if the tickets of the event are sold via ticket provider Eventix.
Related Events

ADE Cycle - London to Amsterdam - 500km - 4 Days
Bridges for Music

Empowering Underrepresented Voices in Dance Music
Kenny Eshinlokun (Taboo), Andreea Magdalina (Shesaid.so), Mayola Charles (Social Impact Lead for Global Creator Partnerships, Meta)

How On Earth Do I Get My Music in the Right Hands?!

10 Years of shesaid.so & Nurturing Micro-Communities in Global Markets
Phiona Okumu (Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, Spotify), Aluna (Artist), Andreea Magdalina (CEO & Founder, shesaid.so), Dean Koend

Meet the Professionals from the Central & Eastern European Region
Alexander Vladimirov (Fonoteka Elektrika, BG), Bianca Iulia Simion (Club Guesthouse, RO), Edin Skenderi (Lacuna, RS), Gabija Liaugminaitė (Vilnius Night Office, LT), Jan Nedvěd (Freshtracks Music, CZ), Lene Ma Rue (Artist, EE), Liliya Lazaryeva (CTS Records, UA), Razvan-Adrian Ailenei (Shatyr / MUZE Artists Union, RO), Sergio Mega (CTS Records, UA), Stadiumx (HU), Thea Zaitsev (Tier Music / Tier Music Publishing, EE), Virtual Geisha (DJ, Creative Consultant & Founder, PL), Aga Górka (Dusha, PL), DJ MAX (Welcome To The Club, HR), Bogdan Nita (Forward Agency, RO), Tomáš Kvasnička (MÄSOKOMBINÁT, SK), Marius Onuc (Dance FM Romania, RO)

'Senna Driven' - Celebrating Ayrton Senna with the New Generations Through the Lens of Music
Bianca Senna (CEO, Senna Brands), Claudio Mattos (Creator of Senna Driven - Business Development, Bulldozer Network), Edo van Duijn (Creative Director, Bulldozer Network), Nicky Romero (DJ and Producer)

Deep Dive with Marlon Hoffstadt: Behind the Scenes of His First-Ever AV Show and Upcoming Daddycation Project
Marlon Hoffstadt (Artist), Ben Hindle (DJ Mag)

Demolition XXVII
Bloody Mary (Artist / Owner, Dame-Music), Cinthie (Artist), Dave Clarke (Artist), Joseph Capriati (DJ,Producer), Phiona Okumu (Spotify), Sinca (DJ, Producer)

Synthweavers Workshop by Secret Artists in Residence (Online-Only)
Secret Artists in Residence with Sie Medway-Smith

Dancefloor SOS: Enhancing Safety in Nightlife with SafeNow and Jägermeister
Tilman Rumland (SafeNow), Olivia O'Leary (Jägermeister)