Piracy the in-thing

Bongani Ndlovu Showbiz Reporter
MUSIC and movie piracy has been with Zimbabweans ever since the advent of CDs with those with computers simply downloading music to pirate the albums — often selling them for way less than the original album. Back then, artistes used to submit their albums to record companies who would then distribute them to record bars such as the then famous Spinalong. The artistes would then receive their royalties and money from CD sales. Though this is still being done, artistes are now realising less as few people buy original CDs but are resorting to buying pirated copies which are usually readily available — just after the release of an album.

Popularly known as “burning”, piracy has been a problem for many artistes’ who will be hoping to benefit financially from CD sales. Relying on CD sales is now costly for artistes as those who listen to their music prefer to “burn” it. Most people, especially youths, prefer going to certain shops which are now known for “burning” to have their favourite movies and music collections at a cheap price.

Though artistes have challenged the government to find ways to curb piracy, they have not been successful as no solution has been found. As a result, the country has seen a rise in outlets where music is pirated and street vendors who openly sell the pirated CDs and DVDs.

After realising that they had lost the piracy battle, most artistes have resorted to working closely with those who pirate the music for their own advantage. Most artistes now prefer having their material being sold by street vendors compared to the official record bars.

One of the first people to use piracy for their benefit was former Big Brother Africa housemate and actor, Munya Chidzonga who deliberately flooded the market with pirated copies of his movie — The Gentleman – on the day the movie was premiered.

According to him, he knew people would burn the movie just after its release so he decided to do so on their behalf.
“There is nothing which can be done about piracy so I decided to burn the movie and make it available. People somehow are reluctant to buy the real copy and prefer the pirated one so we made it available to them for $1,” he said.

Masvingo-based performing artiste Sabhuku Vharazipi also realised that selling pirated copies was now the in-thing and decided to personally produce his comic video clips and flooded them on the street markets for a dollar. Just like Chidzonga, he personally sold some copies in order to benefit from his hard work.

Popular gospel musician Pastor Charles Charamba said music pirates had helped him gain popularity, a move which has contributed to the large crowds who attend his live shows.

“I am not worried about pirates because they have contributed to my popularity. Although I would want them to be arrested, word on the streets has it that my latest album We Nazaretha is selling like hotcakes,” he said.

Ma1 hit maker Peekay also concurred with Pastor Charamba saying he had pirates to thank as they were helping market his music.
“Actually, I don’t sell my CDs but give them out for free. I am not worried about pirates as they will actually be helping me push my brand which makes me get more live shows in return,” he said.

Producers of the popular animated comic strip The Bulawayo Show said they welcome piracy as it helps the show grow as a brand because their focus was on securing adverts not DVD sales.

“We at the Bulawayo Show welcome piracy. It is difficult to fight piracy and the relevant authorities have failed. We make our money through adverts so we try to push the product to as many people as we can so the idea of people pirating our content is noble and we welcome it as adverts will reach a wider audience,” said the show’s executive producer — Zenzele Ndebele.

As a result of piracy, other artistes have resorted to selling their pirated music themselves but with consequences as some have been arrested for that.
Two years ago, Harare-based gospel musician Kudzi Nyakudya was arrested for selling 200 “pirated” copies of his own music. He was arrested for contravening the Copyright Act, which makes it a criminal offence to duplicate or photocopy CDs, books and any form of intellectual property without permission. The diminutive gospel artiste spent a weekend in police cells and was only released after his recording company, Diamond Recording Studios, withdrew the charges.

Long back, departmental stores and record bars used to thrive on sales of artistes as they sold original CD albums.
A dedicated record bar would be in the departmental store but this does not seem to be the case anymore as some shops have done away with the record bars.

A chat with a store attendant at Edgars Stores in Bulawayo revealed that they had long ceased selling CDs as they were not flying off the shelves.
“The record bar we had has since been removed because the albums were not selling. We used to sell albums of popular Zimbabwean artistes but it would take months before the albums were bought,” said the attendant who preferred anonymity.

He said those who seemed interested in buying the original CDs were those in the diaspora as they often inquire about where they can purchase the original albums.

He added that those with imported ex-Japanese second hand vehicles were other buyers as most of the CD shuttles in their vehicles reject pirated copies, leaving them with no option but to purchase the originals.

An interview with a pirate and street vendor who declined to be named revealed that Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbetu, Oliver Mtukudzi, Ndolwane Super Sounds, Lovemore Majaivana, Alick Macheso, Chase Skuza, Thomas Mapfumo, James Chimombe and Leonard Dembo’s albums were the most pirated and quick selling. He added that there was also a growing market for Zimdancehall music.

According to the street vendor, they make between $40 and $60 a day.
Renowned artistes have been hit hard by piracy as their music has often hit the streets even before they officially release their albums.
Two years ago Skuza’s six-track album titled Okubi nokuhle, which was being recorded in Zimbabwe, was stolen only to resurface on the South African streets under a new title Nanzindaba zifundwangu.

Local musicians and film stars who were popular in the past such as Solomon Skuza and Paul “Doctor Love” Matavire died as paupers while pirates benefited and still benefit from their sweat.

For artistes to realise profits from CD sales, they will have to seriously consider selling their original albums at low prices so as to compete with street prices.