adminNkosilathi Sibanda Urban Beats and Culture
IN music there are big and small names. You cannot spend all winter arguing and comparing Suluman Chimbetu’s stardom to Sipho Derrick Majaivana. It is either one has a legion of fans or no one listens to you. There are big names with followers who buy their music and spend till the last cent for concert tickets.
Musicians confess it is painful to be among the small musicians whose music does not appeal to many music fans. They spend hours in the studio only to be followed by a handful fans.
This “big and small” musician mentality has crumbled many a career. Small musicians live to dream and the industry does little to make them realise their dreams.
I chose to use big and small because this is how the showbiz differentiates music.
Radio stations, corporate companies and promoters are friends of big musicians. If a musician does not have the station manager’s number, consider them outside the elite world of big musicians.
A DJ would be shell-shocked if you ask them about Ndumiso and the Crew in Lupane. They do not know them.
The reality with the music industry is, unless you are a connected, you will never make it big.
With all the marketing and publishing methods at their disposal, musicians still remain small in this dog-eat-dog business.
Derrick Majaivana’s manager might produce the best marketing strategy but if his client is not listened to, that strategy would be doomed.
Of interest is that our small musicians are loved elsewhere. Some musicians live a tale of the prophet who is not recognised by his own yet even small foreign musicians are loved and appreciated by his own.
We have to acknowledge the significance of these small bands and musicians in society. Not all of us have time for Oliver Mtukudzi.
My village neighbour koBhenisi would prefer to play Mokis Connection the whole day because that band appeals more to his life.
Who would not want to be associated with music that connects to their culture? A man without knowledge of their native music is doomed.
Is there pride in listening to American music all your life when some small band at your village begs for an ear?
These small musicians might seem insignificant to the city man but do have a following. Do not underestimate the impact these small bands have on certain communities.
The power of music might be universal but best known to the soul. Mbaqanga and Maskandi music are weighted small genres but have a lot of meaning to other people’s culture.
There is a place where Jeys Marabini is not big. Mtukudzi and Sulu are humbled when small bands play in Tsholotsho.
Small places and small musicians have built some communities. No matter how small the band is, it still remains theirs.
The place where some of us urban dwellers come from is called a growth point or a village. In this place you do not find “big” things.
Oftentimes one is laughed at when they listen to museve. We forget that this type of music has a profound influence on one’s background.
Can we call this music identity? Musicians of our time must do the same. We need music that influences our generation so that we have something to talk about when we get old.
These small groups have the same capacity to influence, albeit at low scale. One thing Jeys Marabini has in common with Ray Phiri is that his music is a catalyst for changing personal identity.
If one unknown musician is reading this, of which they should, please feel proud that two people follow you.
It takes guts to plug that guitar and convince people you can make music. In music shows, small bands heat-up the stage for the main act. The promoters know they would not stage a full show without the small guys.
In the quest for the “big musician” tag, the small artiste should first be proud to have made a contribution to culture.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo