HARARE - Local music promoters have been blasted for preferring international artistes to local artistes who are wallowing in poverty. Speaking to The Zimbabwean last Wednesday, the chairman of Bulawayo Musician’s Association Khulekani Bethule said music promoters had dumped local artists in favour of foreign artistes.
“Our members feel that we are being exploited by these promoters. Our association wants to cater for the welfare of our members by registering as a music promoter so that we can alleviate most of the problems affecting musicians,” Bethule said.
A local musician Sizwe Nyathi said: “These so-called music promoters do not have local artistes at heart. They are there to make quick buck at the expense of the artistes. They do not develop the welfare of the local artistes. Why should they bring all these foreign artistes to perform in the city when most artistes are wallowing in poverty? They should develop the local talent instead of opting for artistes who have already made names for themselves.”
He added that even if the foreign artistes were billed to perform in the country, the promoters opt for other regional artistes from Botswana and South Africa to curtain raise for the international artistes.
Recently man of the moment Winky D refused to perform as a supporting act for Sizzler and Cappleton, arguing that he should be treated the same as these international artistes.
“It’s now time up for local artistes to rise up. We should not be used by these promoters. We should be treated fairly,” Winky D was quoted as saying.
Post published in: Music