By
Bonaventure Mutale
Caught
up in the early morning traffic some two weeks ago, I tuned into one popular
radio station which churns out great antiquated Zambian music. As usual the
station was rocking some of those creative sounds that can make any music
aficionado tap their hand or feet in appreciation of the rhythm. Several
thoughts on the evolution of Zambian music artistry came to mind. The first one
was around how much was the net-worth of the Zambian music industry? Who could
be Zambia’s richest musician? Who is Zambia’s biggest artist? And if they are
big, in what sense? What constitutes a big artist by Zambian standards? My mind also wandered off to ask the net
worth of the film industry? What about paintings and art work? These are
pertinent questions I have attempted to research on and yielded zilch results.
One
might think this is a blithering supposition but the truth is that there is no
information available to ascertain the worth of this important industry. If at
all it does exist, the question one would raise is what parameters have been
used to arrive at those conclusions. After searching for this information far
and wide in futility, I concluded that there is nothing to talk about regarding
the general organization in comparison to other countries on the African
continent. I am drew some quick but unverified conclusion that the Zambian
entertainment industry could be in a real malaise that needs urgent reformation
coupled with deliberate restructuring before it slips into a comatose.
In an
attempt to put things into perspective, it is cardinal to point out that in
Zambia, it is not a surprise to find a musician asking for a drink from a
patron back stage after an electric performance. It is also true that there
have been times popular musicians have died not being given send offs befitting
their status. Stories have been heard were families of the late artists have
struggled to even raise money to purchase a coffin to enable them afford a
decent burial. Having said so, it is also not a surprise to see an artist; be
it an actor or musician struggle to pay bills despite their success in public
domain. It is also not surprise to see artists in whatever form become a heroes
and heroines after they die when everyone just watched them live in
impecuniousness while alive.
These
are unfortunate incidents that do not seem to click anything in the minds of
the public who spend nights away dancing to the creativity of these minds at
gigs and all types functions including clubs. The truth is that the fame that
comes with Zambian artistry is not in equilibrium with the money that goes into
their pockets. Fame without fortune is like potential because cannot potential
be eaten. Fame will cannot pay bills. What pays bills is the value that is
attached to the fame. In view of this, the question one raises is how long will
the Zambian artistry remain in this conundrum? I have heard some musicians say
that to earn a decent living in Zambian art, one needs to have another fall
back income generating activity. Well this is true but why should his be the
case? If this is not deliberately corrected, I portend even more difficult
times ahead for our Zambian music, painting and movie industry. It should not
surprise you when musicians clamor around political parties to perform and earn
some shekels.
According
to the Forbes ranking of well performing entertainment industries, it
should fluster us that the South African
Music Industry alone is net worth $68 million while Nigerian music industry is
worth $48 million and Kenya $3Million. For Nigeria, the film industry in
multi-million dollars. What about Zambia? You guess could be as good as mine.
Not such information exists! Now, the composition of this net worth is in
record sales, royalties, and endorsements. Apparently, the Governments in these
countries are obtaining a sizeable share revenue from this industry. Can the
same be said about the Zambian music and film industry? How much money is
realized from this industry? It is clear that this industry at the moment is a
‘hand to mouth’ and only the brave can stay in the game and survive even after
their ‘five minutes of fame’ has come to an end. A big artist by Zambian
standards is probably arrived at by ‘observation’ and not by other aspects.
This archaic and draconian style of managing this industry needs to come to an
end at an earliest possible time. Artists whether in music, film, painting, or
cultural dances should be well remunerated and a well thought out environment
created for them to thrive.
We
should not even act oblivious to the fact that many Zambian musicians just like
actors have died paupers and disfavored despite having produced some of the
best sounds and films that have lived through time. If fame and fortune is
anything to talk about, dead entertainers like Sauzande, Greg Lungu, Paul
Ngozi, Pitchen Kazembe, Glorious Band, Smokey Haangala, Serenje Kalindula Band,
Masasu, Alfred Chisala Kalusha, Joyce Nyirongo Micheal Kumwenda, Kieth Mulevu,
Ras Willie, Daddy Zemus, Lilly T and the young prodigy P-Jay would have died
rich men women. Are the dead musicians’ families paid royalties? Could this
explain why the rich Kalindula music is slowly evaporating and we still rely on
music that was recorded in the 80s and 90s as Zambian music? When the last time
a successful authentic Zambian flavored was album produced that sent shockwaves
across Zambian radio and clubs?
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