‘Artists, don’t be down and out during lockdown’
While many artists are simply waiting for the nationwide lockdown to end, there are ways to secure and income, according to the BBM duo from Mafefe.
POLOKWANE – There is hope for musicians who are struggling to keep head above water during this lockdown. Just think out of the box, says BBM (Badimo ba Mmino), a duo-group from Mafefe which, translated, means ‘Gods of music’.
The duo, Nolo Pasha And Ipusheng Makgaretse, perform a variety of genres, which include Afro pop, qhom, kwaito and Amapiano.
“Are you facing a difficult situation when it comes to your income? Has your regular source of income either run dry or are you finding it hard to make a profit, and you’re not able to leave your house to make money because of the lockdown? There’s always a plan to make money remotely,” Nolo explained.
All one needs is a smart device like a computer or cell phone with data or WiFi connectivity. Ipusheng adds that they have decided to share this advice, as many of their fans and fellow artists have been struggling. “Even if your profit is small, it is still better than earning nothing. Instead of waiting for the lockdown to end, why not explore the possibilities,” he says.
If you have the skills to compose musical briefs, advertise your talent online for music, film, TV and radio producers to know about you. If you have website design skills, you can design these for fellow artists, or promote local and up-and-coming artists’ music on personalised websites (which you have created for them). Then, he adds, make sure that they upload their videos on YouTube, where people can stay entertained. The more views, the bigger the profit, Nolo advises.
He adds that there are many people looking to start online businesses, especially in this time, but they simply don’t know where to begin or how to, for example, build websites. “If you don’t have any website design qualifications or skills, register for a short online website design course before helping others.
Artists can also attend online workshops where they teach music lessons via Zoom. “If you know how to plan an instrument, why not teach others?”
All it takes for you to make a profit during lockdown, is to think a little bit outside the box and make that extra profit, Nolo concludes.
