I am not comfortable with established artists doing covers or skits on international songs. It just does not make any sense. I have seen repeatedly how some Namibian artists upload covers of international songs to their channels on YouTube. As if, you are crying out to be discovered. When and if you are discovered, let it be for your original songs. Not because of some cover you did.
What irks me the most is how some Namibian artists do choreography on international songs during their performance sets. Look, hear me out! I am not questioning the quality of these uploads or the choreography thereof…I am questioning the need to do it! Aren’t you a brand? Music currently has breathed life into the saying “world is a global village”.
International artists are working with African acts at an incredible pace. You have an identity; consolidate your brand at every chance you get. Ees is currently killing it on X-Factor Germany doing ORIGINALS. Gazza did not get that Nyanda breakthrough by doing covers or international skits during his performance sets. Heck Nasty C is not getting international features because he did covers or international skits during his performance sets. You need to be original at all times.
I once witnessed an established artist doing covers of international songs during an acoustic session and for the life of me, I could not wrap my head around it. The worse is when it is a popular international song. It is a worst-case scenario because than you run the risk of not doing it right according to how the fan of that song is accustomed to. It is terrible! In Hip Hop, from time to time they have freestyles on international beats. That is probably a different scenario but I would still want to see more Namibian beats used during these freestyles.
For the rest of the genres…please stop. Just do not do it. You are spitting on your brand and everything you worked hard for. What happens if you go viral for doing a cover instead of an original song? You will forever be known as that “cover” artist. Upcoming might be a different scenario but my goodness it is a definite no for established artists. Do remixes, get features etc. but not covers.
Until the next loop, we say “GMTM”!
NSK is a professional MC. For bookings, email naobebsekind@gmail.com
@naobebsekind (twitter)