A lot has been said about the subject matter of late and judging from the responses on social…one can see that artists still do not fully understand the manager/artist relationship. Especially the commercial and remuneration aspect of the relationship.
For Namibian artists…a manager is supposed to baby them at every step. For Namibian artists…a manager is supposed to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their brand without expecting anything in return. For Namibian artists…a manager is supposed to do all the work while they sit back and chill. For Namibian artists…a manager is supposed to be their “yes” man, cheerleader and hype man all at the same time.
For Namibian artists…a manager is supposed to baby them at every step, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their brand AND do all the work FOR FREE?
This is why I do not even entertain the thought of managing artists in this country. I’ve been approached hundreds of times and the answer remains the same every time…a big fat “NAH”! I’ll never do it. Because artists refuse to understand what a manager is supposed to be. I’m saying refuse because honestly, with the internet being there for everyone…information on how things work is honestly just a click away!
A manager is your administrative and official arm of your brand. A manager needs to make sure that your marketing, PR, commercial and legal affairs are solid. A manager will use their connections and know-how accumulated from years of experience to get you onto the biggest platforms. A manager will assemble a team for your brand. However, artists need to understand that a manager needs to be remunerated.
It’s either you agree on a fixed remuneration package or we agree on a commission-based package. Either way…you will have to pay a manager for their work. Because it’s work, no manager takes on that type of responsibility because they like you. F**k a like! It’s a lot of work that is time-consuming.
So before you approach someone to manage your music…ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I understand the exact role of a manager?
2. Do I have music that is worth managing?
3. Will I be able to compensate this manager for their work?
If you have a “no” for any of these questions…bruv, los net kao.
Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM
Need an MC? Contact NSK for a quote at naobebsekind@gmail.com
@naobebsekind (Twitter)