Khuxman blasts radio stations

Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
Zimbabwe Music Award (Zima) winning artiste Khuxman (real name Khulekani Bethule) has blasted the country’s radio stations for not playing music from Bulawayo and surrounding areas.

Khuxman blamed lack of exposure for Bulawayo artistes’ failure to bag many awards at Zima. Only three Bulawayo artistes won awards at this year’s Zima awards presentation ceremony held in Harare last week. Khuxman scooped the Best House Music award for Vumelani Isangoma, Black Umfolosi scooped Best A capella for the Summertime single while Best Engineer of the Year went to Obediah Matulana for Isimbazu/Chimbadzo.

The house musician said musicians from the region can only be exposed if their music is played on radio.

“The number of awards that we got at Zima confirms that Bulawayo artistes lack exposure,” he said.

According to Khuxman, Bulawayo artistes will only be able to compete with other artistes when they start getting equal airplay from the different radio stations.

“If you listen to the radio, you’ll find out that more of Harare music is played because most of the radio presenters are from Harare,” he said.

Responding to the allegations, Star Fm programmes manager, Comfort Mbofana said it was not true that Bulawayo artistes’ music was not receiving airplay.

“As a station, we encourage all artistes to submit their music regardless of region. After that a committee screens the music to ensure only suitable music is played on our station.

He said it was unfortunate that most artistes from Bulawayo were not submitting their music to the station.

“We don’t receive much content from Bulawayo and it’s quite worrying. However, we’ll be making our way there on the 20th of this month for a party which will hopefully provide a platform for us to engage with the artistes there,” he said.

Mbofana added that there were plans to introduce a programme on Star Fm that will specifically have its focus on playing music from this region.

“We’re hoping to get this programme running soon. We’re engaging with Langa Ndlovu who we want to host this show,” he said.

Khuxman also urged fellow artistes in the region to aim at producing high quality products.

“It’s unfortunate that our artistes don’t have money. Most artistes have resorted to home studios running away from professional studios which are expensive. This has compromised their products as a lot of material is sub-standard,” he said.

Khuxman who, before this year’s Zima awards, had never been awarded for his efforts in the music industry, said he was honoured to have finally scooped a Zima award.

“It’s every musician’s dream to be recognised. I feel honoured and winning this award is a positive sign. I’ve been patient and I’m happy that it’s finally paying off,” he said.