Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
IT’S now a raging CIVIL WAR on the local music industry scene.
Dino Mudondo has become the latest musician to join the CIVIL WAR after he accused The Travellers Band of disrespect for performing some of his hit songs at a wedding where both acts had been booked to entertain guests.
The copyright infringement saga has been dominating Zimbabwe’s musical landscape, of late, with leading performers crying foul over what they describe as the exploitation of their creative works by cover bands.
The controversy has drawn the attention of intellectuals, ordinary music lovers and some of the country’s biggest names in the entertainment industry. Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo was the first to speak out and he was followed by Alick Macheso, Fungisai Zvakavapano and Leonard Dembo’s widow Eunice.
Mukanya targeted his nephew Kurai Makore.
Mono Mukundu and Mark Ngwazi are in the other camp, fighting for the cause of those who are doing covers.
Dino said he was particularly disappointed because The Travellers Band were given an opportunity to warm up the venue before his arrival, only for him to find out they had performed songs he normally features in his wedding repertoire.
Dino said the band performed hits such as “Chirangano”, “Makoikoi” and “Jatropha” before he arrived, leaving him with little choice but to repeat some of the songs when it was his turn to perform.
“There are some copyright bands that lack respect for original composers of popular songs,” Dino told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
“I had a nasty experience last Sunday when I was invited to perform at a night wedding in Harare along with The Travellers Band and Jah Prayzah.
“When I arrived, I learnt that the opening group had performed my popular songs such as ‘Chirangano’, ‘Makoikoi’ and ‘Jatropha’, which I normally perform during weddings.
“I was advised by the master of ceremonies that the group had performed all my songs.”
Dino said he was further angered by what he described as the band members’ apparent arrogance after his arrival.
“The boys were there when I arrived and I was really shocked to note that they did not acknowledge their mistake or even greet me.
“To make matters worse, the lads were very much aware that I was on the line-up, but they pretended as if everything was normal.
“I know the local copyright laws might shield them but something must be done because we are now losing our jobs.
“Some cover bands are now charging paltry fees while playing our songs and some service providers end up resorting to them.”
Dino said producing music was an expensive undertaking with musicians investing heavily in recording, marketing and visuals.
“The cost of producing a single is too high, from recording and marketing to producing accompanying visuals.
“I am one person who backs the concerns raised by the likes of Sir Alick Macheso and Fungisai Zvakavapano, who recently spoke about this issue.
“In some cases, when a band like In Total Band is invited by promoters, it is like they have hired 20 original artists.
“I don’t hate them but that’s unfair, to be honest. Ini changu chatova chikumbiro, musaridze dzangu henyu.”
Dino said he was aware of consultations being conducted by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, but warned that original composers continued to lose business to cover bands.
“I know there are consultations being done by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, but the original composers are losing jobs.”
Under Zimbabwean copyright regulations, venues hosting cover bands are expected to ensure that royalties are paid to composers through the relevant music rights administration structures.
However, concerns have been raised over the transparency of royalty collection and distribution by the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA), with some composers and beneficiaries accusing the organisation of failing to adequately account for royalties collected on their behalf.
ZIMURA STANCE
ZIMURA board chairperson Alexio Gwenzi has blamed the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, under which they operate, for freezing copyright fees charged to cover bands.
“I know people always blame ZIMURA over the cover bands issue but what is happening is that they have not been paying their fees since April last year,” Gwenzi said.
“In as far as I know, people will end up blaming ZIMURA but where can we get the money if the cover bands are not remitting anything at the moment?
“We had proposed a US$150 fee for all cover bands last year but the money was said to be way beyond their reach.
“Since last year, cover bands have been operating illegally in terms of intellectual property law.
“I wish fans understood this issue better and were more enlightened.”
MONO MUKUNDU’S STANCE
Mukundu, who has questioned the veteran artists’ decision to bar the emerging artists from playing their songs, begged to differ.
“ZIMURA has been misleading people by claiming that cover bands’ fees have been frozen, yet they are still collecting the money.
“Composers should not buy into that narrative because it’s not true at all.
“ZIMURA has been collecting a lot of money and paying themselves a lot of money at the expense of composers.”
Mukundu said all the noise was targeted at In Total Band, where he the chief mentor.
“The whole issue has been blown out of proportion because In Total Band got a sponsor.
“Cover bands have always been there worldwide, imitating top groups, and this should not be an issue.
“The only problem that we have is that the ZIMURA board and its management are misleading people by claiming not to understand how intellectual property law works.”
EXPLOITATION
Mukundu also expressed his dismay at ZIMURA board for allegedly exploiting widows of musicians by using them to campaign against cover bands.
“I feel pity for some of the widows of legendary musicians like Mai Dembo, who should be getting her royalties from ZIMURA without difficulties.
“Mai Dembo and other widows of musicians should not be paraded in public like what is happening right now, complaining about royalties.
“The same people who are parading them are the ones exploiting them.”
IN TOTAL BAND TARIFF?
Mukundu, who is mentoring In Total Band, added:
“I think the US$150 tariff, which was introduced last year for cover bands and later scrapped, was supposed to be called the In Total Band Tariff.
“A lot of people are jealous of them and it’s a shame that we have top musicians dissing this outfit.
“At the moment, the boys are stressed, with factions approaching sponsors to terminate their collaboration with them.”
