Langalihle Mhiti
A collaboration with a big-name musician can put an upcoming artist in the spotlight overnight, but staying there is an entirely different battle.
For emerging musician Denzman Music, the real value of such partnerships should go beyond the excitement of sharing a track with established stars, with upcoming artists needing to turn that exposure into lasting recognition, a bigger fan base and meaningful career growth.
With upcoming artists increasingly seeking collaborations with established performers to grow their fan bases and gain exposure, Denzman believes such opportunities could change careers, provided emerging musicians know how to use them.
He cited big names such as Jah Prayzah and Winky D as examples of established musicians whose involvement could expose upcoming artists to wider audiences.
“When you are looking for a collaboration with a famous artist, perhaps someone like Jah Prayzah or Winky D, you need to understand that there are many other artists also looking for the same opportunity,” he said.
However, securing such partnerships remains a challenge, with upcoming musicians often competing for attention in an industry where established performers receive numerous collaboration requests.
Denzman said emerging artists also needed support from fans and other stakeholders to make their musical ambitions achievable.
“We hope that fans will come through and support us because we do not have a large following yet. We need people to stand with us and help us grow,” he said.
While collaborations can introduce an upcoming musician to thousands of potential listeners, Denzman believes exposure alone should not be mistaken for success.
He argued that artists must also possess the necessary musical abilities to sustain the attention they receive through such partnerships.
“It is important to have skills. You must know how to sing properly because you cannot just sing like an ordinary person and expect to stand out,” he said.
He further challenged upcoming musicians to invest in developing their vocal abilities, including mastering high notes, lower keys and melodies.
“You need to understand music. You should know how to sing in high keys, work with lower notes and create melodies. These are important skills that help you become a better musician,” he said.
His observations raise an important question about the local music industry: when an upcoming artist collaborates with an established performer, what happens after the song is released?
Does the partnership translate into increased bookings, a growing independent fan base and more recognition, or does the emerging musician return to the same struggle for visibility?
Denzman believes the benefits of these partnerships need greater attention, particularly from the perspective of upcoming musicians.
“I also want to see the benefits that upcoming artists get from collaborations. I want to understand how much they gain from these opportunities and whether they help them grow,” he said.
He added that collaborations should create opportunities that allow emerging musicians to build their own identities rather than depending entirely on established names.
Ultimately, while a big collaboration might provide the breakthrough an upcoming artist needs, sustaining that success could depend on talent, consistency and the ability to turn temporary attention into a loyal following.
For Denzman, the real measure of a successful collaboration should not simply be the popularity of the featured artist, but what the upcoming musician gains long after the song has been released.
