Mthatha's music scene has given birth to some great artists over the years. Black Coffee, Monea, Lulo Café ... all call the city home but all had to move to Johannesburg to achieve stardom.
Blou said: “It took me a year to put together R4500 to record my first album, which I did in Johannesburg.”
He added: “We love making music but when it comes to selling it ‘the municipality makes our lives difficult, especially when it comes to promoting our albums in the street”.
The duo believe the municipality restricts their efforts to promote themselves. “They tell us to go over the bridge into Norwood and promote our music there but there are no people there,” said Magandela, who added that they had been given another option.
“We were offered the town hall to rent but it costs R5000 to do one show which we cannot afford,” said Blou.
The pair agreed with Dubazana about being overlooked by music organisers and their fellow city dwellers. “Organisers don’t take you seriously, and as for city folk – when you ask for a performance fee, they get upset as they believe we should entertain them for free just because we also live in the city,” Blou said.
Asked why Mthatha-based artists were given the cold shoulder when it came to hiring them for events, Dubazana said part of the problem was the artists themselves.
“Some artists don’t take the craft seriously. They arrive late to shows, badly dressed. This can discourage music organisers from hiring a particular artist.”
Using the Mthatha heritage festival (MHF) as an example, Dubazana said: “It did nothing for Mthatha artists. Sure they hired some local talent, but this was only to open the show when there are few people in the audience. You can’t call that exposure.”
To fight this Dubazana has joined forces with six other Mthatha artists: a group called Ingwe ne ngwekazi, Jazz Clan, Bulela M gospel group, afro pop group Synchronised Idiots and solo artist Nobuhe D to work together to highlight the challenges and find solutions to empower and elevate their industry.
Together they formed the KSD Live Music Association. “I’m the chairperson and our mission is to preserve and promote live music,” said Dubazana.
The association promotes its artists and teaches them professionalism. Explains Dubazana: “For example, I check on their outfits and caution them to arrive 30 minutes early for their gigs. But many still don’t have adequate instruments and this is where government could help – musical equipment is expensive.”
The association already has something to show for their work.
“We approached a local gaming venue to feature live music every weekend and since July last year we have been allowed to perform there. This gives the bands within our association publicity and live performance experience. I also approach other artists or groups that I think have talent and offer them the weekend platform. We do not discriminate; it does not matter the artist’s genre,” said Dubazana.
Recent Crown Gospel Music Awards winner Bethusile Mcinga believes what holds Mthatha artists back is “not so much about organisers leaving them out, but a lack of unity between artists”.
“Challenges are easier when you tackle them as a group, we won’t be taken seriously until we speak with one voice.”
While Mcinga agrees that Mthatha artists should not be overlooked, “organisers should expose and feature us in posters so that people become familiar with us”, he says.
Even with this “we have to join forces and approach music promoters, arts and culture and provide them with our concerns, so it still boils down to unity”.
Despite the challenges, Dubazana has no plans to leave Mthatha. “If there was really gold in Johannesburg every artist there would be rich. They also have their own struggles,” he said.
Mgandela and Blou believe Mthatha artists have a solid future and they believe their struggle will help make things better for generations to come.
Musos group battle for a fair deal
Blou said: “It took me a year to put together R4500 to record my first album, which I did in Johannesburg.”
He added: “We love making music but when it comes to selling it ‘the municipality makes our lives difficult, especially when it comes to promoting our albums in the street”.
The duo believe the municipality restricts their efforts to promote themselves. “They tell us to go over the bridge into Norwood and promote our music there but there are no people there,” said Magandela, who added that they had been given another option.
“We were offered the town hall to rent but it costs R5000 to do one show which we cannot afford,” said Blou.
The pair agreed with Dubazana about being overlooked by music organisers and their fellow city dwellers. “Organisers don’t take you seriously, and as for city folk – when you ask for a performance fee, they get upset as they believe we should entertain them for free just because we also live in the city,” Blou said.
Asked why Mthatha-based artists were given the cold shoulder when it came to hiring them for events, Dubazana said part of the problem was the artists themselves.
“Some artists don’t take the craft seriously. They arrive late to shows, badly dressed. This can discourage music organisers from hiring a particular artist.”
Using the Mthatha heritage festival (MHF) as an example, Dubazana said: “It did nothing for Mthatha artists. Sure they hired some local talent, but this was only to open the show when there are few people in the audience. You can’t call that exposure.”
To fight this Dubazana has joined forces with six other Mthatha artists: a group called Ingwe ne ngwekazi, Jazz Clan, Bulela M gospel group, afro pop group Synchronised Idiots and solo artist Nobuhe D to work together to highlight the challenges and find solutions to empower and elevate their industry.
Together they formed the KSD Live Music Association. “I’m the chairperson and our mission is to preserve and promote live music,” said Dubazana.
The association promotes its artists and teaches them professionalism. Explains Dubazana: “For example, I check on their outfits and caution them to arrive 30 minutes early for their gigs. But many still don’t have adequate instruments and this is where government could help – musical equipment is expensive.”
The association already has something to show for their work.
“We approached a local gaming venue to feature live music every weekend and since July last year we have been allowed to perform there. This gives the bands within our association publicity and live performance experience. I also approach other artists or groups that I think have talent and offer them the weekend platform. We do not discriminate; it does not matter the artist’s genre,” said Dubazana.
Recent Crown Gospel Music Awards winner Bethusile Mcinga believes what holds Mthatha artists back is “not so much about organisers leaving them out, but a lack of unity between artists”.
“Challenges are easier when you tackle them as a group, we won’t be taken seriously until we speak with one voice.”
While Mcinga agrees that Mthatha artists should not be overlooked, “organisers should expose and feature us in posters so that people become familiar with us”, he says.
Even with this “we have to join forces and approach music promoters, arts and culture and provide them with our concerns, so it still boils down to unity”.
Despite the challenges, Dubazana has no plans to leave Mthatha. “If there was really gold in Johannesburg every artist there would be rich. They also have their own struggles,” he said.
Mgandela and Blou believe Mthatha artists have a solid future and they believe their struggle will help make things better for generations to come.
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