There is a problem with our Zimbabwean celebrities, especially the singers. If you write something good about them, they bluetick you. But if you say something negative about them, they come with their long mouths in full force to attack you determined to finish you. They aren’t even shamed to insult a fan using vulgar in public. Imagine! What a shame. Their social media handles only show them tag notifications of negative posts and not the positive ones, right? Very strange. What is their problem? Wonder why their music doesn’t go beyond borders or last just 3 months trending.
If you are a Zimbabwean musician, and South Africans don’t attend your shows in Mzansi, then relax, you are an upcoming artist. Humble yourself, work hard, and engage with your fans & bloggers. That will help you grow. Many Zimbabwean artists only have Zimbabweans in their shows when outside Zim. If you look at the likes of Dr. Oliver Mutukudzi, Chioniso Maraire, etc they were humble. If you meet them it’s like you have known each other for 30 years. Their shows in Europe or in any other country were full of local people there, not Zimbos.
When Makhadzi, Master, Big Zulu, Davido, Burna Boy, Beenie Mann, etc come to Zimbabwe, their concerts are full of Zimbabweans. And yet the shows of the majority of Zimbabwean artists beyond borders are full of Zimbabweans. When someone talks about you as an artist, appreciate it because that person is marketing you for free. When a fan recommends you and your music, he/she will bring the fans that will come and stay, alas, some of our own are still very far from understanding this. You get money from fans and change your life. Dr. Thomas Mapfumo once said, “I have been supported by poor people since the beginning of my career as a musician way before Zim got independence, so I make my music for poor people. That’s why I named my music ‘Chimurenga’ music. Chimurenga means struggle”. You want to engage with high-class people, and bigger people on the application and despise the unknown and commoners not knowing these are the very same people who attend your shows. A millionaire won’t come to show, and sing along with you the whole night. It’s those people whom you think are useless who buy your show tickets. Note that, and let that sink in. So behave accordingly.
Another thing, help others grow. Just a Facebook post about an upcoming artist will not cost you a thing. Unfortunately, some want to be paid up to $900 for that. But they forget that they have been crying for support saying “please support local”, but now they are established they don’t want to support locals, but demand payment to support locals. How can our art and music go beyond borders with this dirty attitude? Is this the definition of “knowing your worth”, hmm?
My dear brothers and sisters of the mic, you can buy houses, and cars and go for holidays if you show appreciation to those who support you. It’s a shame to see Zimbabwean artists begging Sir Wicknell for a car. There are 15 million people in Zimbabwe. If just 1 million of them give you $1 each per year, you will be someone and can buy the Rolls Royce and these Mercedes Benz on your own without begging another man to buy it for you. But one problem, vazhinji vedu hatidzigirike and we don’t want to support others.
Together we can raise the flag of our country. Together we can our art great. We can support each other and rise together if we want to. The views and opinions are just my own.
Thank you.
Kelvin Jasi.
Author | Poet | Educator | Blogger
#jasik #art #zimmusic #zimcelebrities