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Tawanda Matanhire Arts Reporter
Biggest music distribution company in Zimbabwe Gramma Records is up for sale.
Gramma which pioneered the recording, production and distribution of local music has announced a sale by tender of its main subsidiary and this move also includes its sister companies Zimbabwe Music Corporation, Ngaavongwe Records and Record and Tape promotions.
Managing director of Gramma records Emmanuel Vori could not shed light on the latest development citing that they needed more time to provide information on the state of affairs.
Since its inception in the 70s Gramma Records has worked with many of the big names in the history of Zimbabwean music including the late Lenard Dembo, John Chibadura, Cephas Mashakada,Jordan Chataika, Mechanic Manyeruke and Charles Charamba among many other big names.
In recent years, the company has been struggling due to piracy that heavily affected its income while there was a mass exodus of prominent artistes from the stables.
Artistes who were still attached to the company wonder what is going to happen to their work since some still had binding contracts with the company.
All record companies in the industry have been facing challenges due to massive piracy while musicians have also been heavily affected.
Musicians are now depending on live shows for income while cheap record companies have sprouted in backyards, putting pressure on big companies.
Music being dominant in the arts industry has had a fair share of its challenges but piracy has proven to be the worst as Government is still working so as to stipulate laws to curb the scourge.
Artistes now prefer to supply their work without engaging big marketing and distribution companies which has left many of them without business.
Online Reporter