Stop paying artists in local currency: Balamie

Yemurai Dyakonda

Urban contemporary musician, Panashe Balami, says promoters should stop paying artists in local currency.

The 24-year-old told H-Metro that promoters should consider the challenges Zimbabweans are facing as most services are now in forex.

“I attended a show last week as a backing vocalist for a famous singer in Zimbabwe that I will not disclose because of professional reasons.

“After the show, the host asked for our bank account numbers and said he would transfer the money before Friday.

“I personally do not have a problem with the arrangement, but people at the venue had paid in US dollars so why pay us in local currency. I was shocked to be paid in local currency,” he said.

Balami said most artists were making a living out of their music career and it would be more helpful if promoters stopped being the only ones who benefit.

“Promoters should be fair with us considering we take our music seriously,” he said.