How Zim artistes can appear on global scene

believe my dream shall come true soon.
I envisage a situation where I see our own gracing the Billboard charts and having nominations as well in international award contests like The Grammys and BET Awards.
As much as I have those wild desires I was taken aback by this dude Zeve who asked me if I really thought we were near making a superstar.
Although the man sounded pessimistic, I think some of the observations that he made may unlock the puzzle of why we are so absent on the international musical scene yet in other spheres like sport and academia we rule the roost.

Zeve asked me about the number of foreign acts we have had here this year and I candidly told him I had lost count because they have been so many. To which he asked me how many of our acts have to been to foreign lands this year performing and candidly as well, I told him too many to recall.
However, I got into introspective mood when he asked me which local acts I think have got a huge following in the natives of the foreign lands they perform in.

He was saying Salif Keita, Akon, Hugh Masekela, Ringo, Malaika and other famous foreign acts come and perform here and in the stadiums without most locals understanding what those chaps will be singing about. But with our acts they usually perform to mainly homesick Zimbabweans based outside the country who will be yearning for a feel of home and a few hangers-on just out there out of curiosity.
In many cases our artistes would have been invited to the diaspora by a bunch of wealthy college students with intent to make a quick buck but with poor organisational and marketing skills.

Instead of being exposed to larger foreign audiences our artistes end up performing to the same crowds they would have performed for, if they were here.
Isn’t it ironic that Botswana songbird Slizer claims to have a much bigger following here than in her native country?
Although I don’t see her as a finished product, I think the reason she is that popular is she has been marketed and exposed to other boundaries very well. She is that good.

Our acts have to make a paradigm shift and move from this mentality that their music shall only be appreciated by those who really understand it than foreigners.
I have seen people behaving as if they are in a trance dancing to the infectious ndombolo music even when they understand a single word being sung.
The Bhundu Boys, Zimbabwe’s most biggest musical export made a name for themselves by charting into unknown and untested territory when they stormed Wales and Europe in an eventful and remarkable career.

It’s shocking to see the number of the local artistes who are not on the electronic network, considering the technological era we are in. Even those who are networked, the information you find on their sites is shallow and vague and is usually of not much use or information. Even if you go on youtube not much local music is available and yet it’s one of the most powerful media to make a killing and get exposure.
It’s high time some of these managers, who should be aptly called handlers, learnt how to broaden their networks and systems especially in foreign lands. The way they look for shows here is the kind of zeal they should show when they market their acts out of the country.

Well the biggest party of the year is just a few days away from us and for myself I’m getting a bit restless waiting for that mega bacchanal. The visit by the Jamaican artistes is an indication that Zimbabwe is regaining its former status as a peaceful and fun-loving nation.

Besides these Jamaicans I am reliably informed that other dancehall acts shall be visiting the country in the coming weeks although Vybz Kartel won’t be part of them.
Watch this space for more details.