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Bruce Ndlovu
People in the business world use the phrase, a�?spend money to make moneya�?, when advising on the importance of injecting capital in whatever financial endeavor undertaken.
In music and showbiz, many artistes are of the impression their talents are enough to take them all the way.
In a perfect world, talent should be all that is needed to push one into the spotlight and rake in the money that their gift demands. However, not in the real world.
Showbiz is littered with a lot of impoverished a�?have-beensa�� that failed to blend fame and fortune.
But one artiste hell bent on defying the stereotype of the financially clueless muso isA� Jah Prayzah. He seems to be on the road to amassing a fortune that matches his fame.
As part of the countrya��s money racking big five artistes that consist of Oliver Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu, Winky D, Alick Macheso and Jah himself, the mbira wielding dreadlocked musician has managed to craft a reputation as one of the most followed artistes.
Usually clad in military regalia, Jah counts everyone from top government officials to young school children in his considerable army.
But how did the young artiste manage to amass such a huge following and reputation in just a few years? A closer look at his financial strategy may reveal the answer.
The main commodity that the Eriza hit-maker trades in is music and without good music to sustain his brand everything else is lost. To illustrate his dedication to his award winning music, Jah last year sourced state-of-the-art equipmentA� from the United Kingdom and South Africa at a cost of US$16 000.
The equipment was for his studio which, interestingly, has become a second home to the likes of Dino Mudondo a musician who rocked the airwaves in the mid 2000s.
Jah redefined what an album launch should be.A� In 2014 at the Harare International Conference Centre he paid the price when his launch gobbled up $40 000. Poorly attended, it led to loses for his team.
However, that was a learning curve for him. The Bulawayo launch cost him $6 000 and posted a profit.
Instead of giving up on his extravagant launches, Jah Prayzah went bigger for the next one. It reportedly cost over US$100 000 to put together.
The gamble seems to have paid off as he racked in the money during the launch which was attended by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
On that occasion businessman Philip Chiyangwa gave the music star two residential stands worth $27 000, while urban groove musician Trevor Dongo offered $600 andA� Savanna Tobacco boss Douglas Mamvura pledged $2 000 among many others on a glamorous night.
Jah Prayzaha��s spending has not stopped there. His videos have become the standard of quality on the local scene.
According to his manager, Keen Mushapaidze, the budget for his DVD compilation album entitled Jerusalem came to about $20 000.
Part of the cost was offset by branded advertising deals followed up with the investment into a DVD distribution channel.
The results where phenomenal. The video for Eriza, for example, amassed over 650 000 views on YouTube within a short space of time.
This popularity is consequently reflected on the figures he charges for shows.
Whether he charges a flat fee or collects gate takings, the 28-year-old, reportedly takes home no less than US$5 000 per show, which translates to over US$15 000 every weekend.
Recognizing that a modern artiste needs a visible and web improved web presence, the dreadlocked artiste hired a professional web development outfit which has seen him become one of the most active local artistes on social media while he his music is readily available on Soundcloud, YouTube, and iTunes.
Online Reporter