It’s hard being a local musician, here is why...

Anastacia Mukabwa. [Photo, Courtesy]

Working in a creative or artistic field requires a tough skin, and the local music industry is no exception. Musician, manager, agent or promoter — they all experience huge setbacks.

The trick is learning how to deal with disappointment and continuing to move forward without getting sidetracked.

A story is told of a young man who camped outside a radio station for days on end to get his CD played. Despite the tight security and frustrations he never gave up his mission and after a week, his CD was finally accepted. The moment it was played on radio, it became an instant hit catapulting him to stardom. From then on there was no looking back. Upcoming local talent Swahili singer Silver Muziki famed for the hit ‘Keke’ says it has not been an easy climb to the top despite his endless efforts to penetrate the music industry.

“I have faced teething challenges among them discrimination and lack of adequate airplay by media houses,” he says. Most artistes say, local media has not been consistently supportive.

More blunt

Mombasa-based gospel singer Anasatacia Mukabwa famed for ‘Kiatu Kivue hit song with Tanzanian songbird Rose Muhando is perhaps more blunt.

“When I released the gospel chartbuster Kiatu Kivue, media platforms attributed the song’s success to Muhando despite knowing too well I was the rightful owner and Muhando only featured partly in it,” she adds. Musician David Mathenge (Nameless) says: “It is sad to note that 80 per cent of the content played on local radio and television stations are foreign music.”

King of Mugithi Mike Rua says piracy is killing local talent by denying musicians fruits of their hard work.

“There was a time when my VCD titled ‘Mike Rua’s Remix’ was circulating in the River Road market without my knowledge. It is extremely sad that the pirates went on to releasing the VCD, containing 10 videos, using my vocals.”

Ohanga’s ‘high priest’ Musa Jakadalla says despite the raining success, his band Super Latin Ohangla Guys has had its fair share of challenges. “Meeting the expectations of my fans is not easy.Besides, I have to deal with a clique of green eyed fellow artistes,” he says.

Jakadala add: “There are other con promoters who are using my name to dupe unsuspecting fans.” 

Musician Ken wa Maria blames his successful career for setbacks that have hit him in the past. “Those who know me too well will tell you I am a simple, down-to-earth man who believes in hard work and nothing more. Nevertheless, there are people who will never say anything good about me,” he says without giving much details.

Ringtones

Rift Valley artiste Junior Kostestes points out that some royalty collection companies are a thorn in the flesh of musicians. “From trying to collect additional fees on music for which you’ve already been compensated, such as with ringtones, to demanding fans pay for a public performance license, the actions of these companies seem more geared to fixing their own financial problems than making sure we get our dues.”

Kenya-based Congolese band Rumba Japan is unhappy working with inexperienced promoters whom “will cancel your gig and may not let you know until the last minute”.

“Prepare for the inevitable when dealing with them,” says one of the bandleaders Vasco De Gama. Other challenges, they say, are lack of fair licensing regulations and inabilit to get royalties by internet providers.