Sniper revealed that some promoters were living off musicians by using big names to draw crowds without the consent of the other party and backtracking on agreements right before a show after crowds had gathered.
The “Love YemuSoja” hitmaker appealed to the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe and other responsible authorities to protect local artists from unscrupulous music promoters.
“We need artists to unite against the new disease of being undervalued. We need tougher promoter licenses. They cannot keep using our names on posters to draw big crowds to line their pockets and then fail to pay us our honest wage for the honest job of entertaining the fans.
The General, as he is now commonly referred to, said local artists, himself included, were being undervalued by promoters. “Sadly this is becoming very common in Zimbabwe, when local artists are treated as second rate. I am very angry at yet again being used to promote an event, with no return to my livelihood,” lamented Sniper in a lengthy dossier.
He added “I don’t normally complain in public, but enough is enough. Two week ago, the arts industry suffered another financial blow with the ‘Mi Casa’ (No) Show. Like me, a lot of artists rely on these booking fees for our day-to-day living. A lot of people in our eco-system depend on us for their livelihoods too.”
Post published in: Entertainment