Music legends empower up-and-coming young artists
“Never sign a contract without your lawyer because there are a lot of sharks in the music industry.”
Omama Bsxaxa Foundation (OBF) partnered with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to bring the thrilling Senior Citizen Music Tour (SCMT) to Vosloorus Civic Centre on March 12.
SCMT was a free event for locals to enjoy vast genres of music and performances by young stars and industry legends.
Toms Passion Production from Soweto opened the show for Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, Dennis Gumede, Mandisa Dlanga, Jonge Luhle and Zamambo.
Ladysmith Allen Home entertained the audience with isicathamiya music and Ibizo Lami and Okwenza Kwenzeke came through with a maskandi performance.
According to programme manager of SCMT Jacob Mokoena, the event was meant to raise awareness about social ills that are affecting many communities in the townships.
Issues tackled included drug abuse, violence, GBV and killing people with albinism.
He said the event also celebrated legendary musicians who wanted to pass the baton to the youth.
“We have realised that the youth listens to too much hip-hop and amapiano, meaning isicathamiya, maskandi and mbaqanga is dying. “We aim to revive and make the community around the townships aware that this music is still available.
“Even if young people produce amapiano, let them incorporate the old sounds so they don’t die because this kind of music genre is only well known in the US and European countries.
“It appears these countries appreciate it more than here. We must start appreciating it and our musicians before they blossom outside,” said Mokoena.
He said they aim to entertain senior citizens and spark good old memories.
“We host the event annually but because it is free as our target is pensioners, we rely on funding. This project was funded by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
“It was funded to ensure that we come and empower young artists by creating opportunities. All the artists who perform will get a performance fee.”
Advice shared by industry veterans
Ntokozo Zungu, guitarist and band member of the legendary group Stimela, said it is vital for young stars to take over the music space as things are a lot easier for them with the availability of the internet.
He said they must go to school and learn music as it is something that requires a lot of practice.
“These days, you can open YouTube and learn a lot of things unlike back then where we had to learn on our own,” said Zungu.
He added there are a lot of things young musicians have to learn about the music industry, like handling finances.
“We had to teach ourselves all these and learned the hard way. Hence, you see musicians depressed and committing suicide, the youth has to be exposed to this information,” said Zungu.
Reggae artist Sister Phumi echoed Zungu’s sentiment, emphasising that the youth has to be open to learning.
“I always advise our young stars and up-and-coming artists that the problem is that when they get a hit song, they go wild, don’t know what to do with their money and adopt an extravagant lifestyle.
“Our children should develop a strategy to use money wisely once God gives them a hit song. Invest your money instead of buying a car because your song can be on top today and tomorrow another artist replaces you,” Phumi said.
She added on the importance of having a lawyer.
“Never sign a contract without your lawyer because there are a lot of sharks in the music industry,” she warned.
