Lesson for music promoters

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Profit and loss is a daily preoccupation of any business entity in the world and that also applies to showbiz promotion. It seems in Zimbabwe music promoters fail to come to terms with the losses they incur on high profile gigs. Flop can simply be defined as a total failure.

Last week the music industry got surprising news that one of the renowned promoters, Chris Musabayana, got hospitalised after an attempt to take his life at Aquatic Complex.

Musabayana, the founder of Ghetto Fabulous Promotions, reportedly fell into an empty swimming pool after a show involving Alick Macheso, Soul Jah Love and Peter Moyo reportedly flopped.

Though some from Musabayana’s camp insisted that it was a mistake, our sources said the promoter wanted to kill himself as he could not recover the money he used to put up the show. The promoter failed to understand how attendances at music concert had declined in the past year. Flops are common around the world and several musicians have suffered that.

Big musicians like Alick Macheso, Oliver Mtukudzi, Jah Prayzah and the Charambas, among others, have suffered flops, but they still soldier on.

About two weeks ago promoter Biggie Chinoperekwei put on a brave face after the much hyped Star FM People’s choice awards failed to attract huge crowds as anticipated.

Despite having top entertainers in the country as curtain raisers for the Afro pop star, the night was a disaster for Chinoperekwei.

On October 2 Benjamin Nyandoro, the boss of Jive Zimbabwe, recorded another massive flop on a concert dubbed ‘Celebrate Local’ that had more than five big artistes. Despite the heavy loss he suffered, Nyandoro vowed he would work on other concerts.

“Celebrate Local concert is a living vision that is set to change the attitude towards consumption of local products and services,” he said.

Josh Hozheri, former owner of the famous Jazz 105, recorded a massive flop at his 2014 Harare Winter Jazz Festival, but he managed to soldier on and worked on a number of shows after that incident.

In 2013 Beauty James of Beauty Africa Promotions died after a show held in Harare Gardens that featured top gospel musicians.

Family spokesperson Pastor Emmanuel James told local media that his sister was never well since her first Harare Gardens concert.

“The show faced challenges which negatively affected her health, causing her to be admitted twice at Harare Central Hospital because of depression.”

The late promoter Prince Muparutsa reportedly suffered an ailment that claimed his life after the huge financial losses he suffered at Akon Sean Paul gig that was held in the capital in 2010 though he denied it.

Patson Chimbodza, who this year made a huge loss on the gospel great concert that was held at HICC said there was need for promoters to unite and share ideas to avoid flops.

“I would be very happy if promoters would unite for a better artistic Zimbabwe. We should be complementing each other not complicating each others’ events. I wish one day all promoters would unite and do a combined gig. I am sure with all combined expertise they won’t have flops,” he said.

Chimbodza believes that promoters should settle their differences and unite in having interesting events throughout the year.

“Each promoter has a lot to learn from another promoters hence my desire for promoters to unite because there is need for more promoters. Promoters instead fight each other on social media platforms and organise events on same dates instead of sitting down and settle differences,” he said.

Relating to what has happened to Musabayana, Macheso said flops were common in music.

“Actually, I am not aware that Musabayana wanted to kill himself because the concert was not successful. If he really tried to kill himself because of that, he is a fool. Magitare injuga (music is a gamble), one day you win and the other day you lose. He should be aware of this by now,” he said.

Another promoter who refused to be named said it was important that promoters accept the outcome of the show.

“Yes, we can use a lot of money in preparing shows but it is important that we accept the outcome,” he said.