EENHANA – Upcoming artists here mourns about the lack of promoters and instruments which has been a hindrance to many of their likes making it difficult for many to find their feet in the cut-throat but lucrative local music industry.
According to a Kwaito group, Vuzie Kings, lack of promoters and instruments have hindered progress in their career as they cannot hold shows to promote their music. “We started singing in 2011 and we have been facing difficulties because we do not have management and instruments of our own. We have been relying on hired instruments to record our work and it is not easy to operate that way,” says the young kwaito group leader, SdoubleH (21) , who is also an entrepreneur in Eenhana.
Vuzie Kings have recorded four singles which culminated in an album titled Young Generation last year. The album has been receiving wide reviews on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC)’s Oshiwambo radio station and the Ohangwena Community radio station (OCR) since its launch last September. “We are currently working on the second album despite challenges we have been facing as a group,” SdoubleH says adding that they started singing at secondary school, but decided to record after they were blessed and given a go ahead by their parents since some of the members of Vuzie Kings are still going to school.
Members of the young Kwaito group feel that well established Namibian producers and promoters should support local musicians, despite their different genres and challenges. However, Knowledge Ipinge, the Chief Executive Officer of Mshasho has his own views about music promotion in the country advising that when the production is more sophisticated and the target market large, then the artists require other professional people to play other roles to ensure growth and improved quality. “This does not apply only to musicians alone but all art forms like films, literature, dance, theatre and visual arts. Generally, the musician is the creator of the music and all the other people will add value to the creation”.
Ipinge further advises that in order to ensure that the welfare and business of singing becomes profitable, the band through its leader may employ such promoters as may be necessary to ensure the music group and its members benefit. Such staffers differ from one music group to the other. However, one position that is very critical and necessary for the growth of any music group is the band manager or the promoter. The manager deals with the public and all the people who require the service of the band. The band management team must be small or big depending on the size and resources of the band. Ipinge also says that what is generally accepted in Namibia is that the band manager is one who looks for jobs for the music band and makes all the bookings and public statements on behalf of the musicians and the group. “Other wealthier music groups may have an accountant, a publicist/communication personality and other such roles that may be required by the band on a permanent basis. The band manager usually works with the promoters. These are business people who invest in the arts for a profit. The promoter is the one who carries the risk in a show,” he explains
The promoter is the one who also pays the band as well as its upkeep during the engagement period. He also pays for the publicity of the events and because of that he or she is entitled to the income from the shows since the band signs a contract that allows it to be paid in part or in full before the show. Ipinge adds that even if these upcoming musicians record their works with established studios, still they will never sell if they don’t study music because promoters need music that lasts longer. “We don’t want fly by night musicians who copy international artists like Jay-Z or Lily Wayne when they are in Namibia. All today’s young men wake and up want to be musicians. Rather they should go AND study music in colleges or even on the internet, there are good lessons online. Vocal abilities play an important role in music,” he concludes.
By Clemence Tashaya