Too much of one thing is no good

week’s column that we have had a dose of too much ragga.
I attracted brickbats and bouquets as well in what I said, as most people thought dancehall is the in-thing in world music and can help many a promoter make quick buck.
Some peeps were saying money is to be made in the music industry and if one sees a chance to make that dollar then they better seize it before others do.

“There is nothing wrong with bringing reggae – ragga artistes from the Caribbean here. To me it sounds that you are fading away with them, because in your writing pane pawa suggester that pambouya imwe taste. I remember this is business and business-minded people normally focus on where there is potential.
“No wonder why potential local artists play as well on those stages with the international artistes. Kana vasvodoka nereggae usati tese tese, vamwe ndiyo music yega yatinongoteerera because muzik yakaita seRnB n Rap is now influenced by very bad people with bad intentions of luring people to worship the devil. So you must be careful,” Reggae Fan said.

Pasipanodya Makwabarara had this to say: “While I read your article with great interest and found your view to be very interesting indeed however, I beg to differ in that your point of suggesting that the market is saturated is not correct.
“When the market is saturated you will find out that demand will not be rising (sales will be low). The European and American market is now actually saturated hence the shift to Africa.

“You have no idea how many shows of ragga, dancehall or whatever other name you can give to Jamaican music are held in London alone per week (forget about the other cities like Manchester or Birmingham).
“These shows have been running since the early 1970’s and are still running, the Jamaicans associate themselves with revolution and by nature enjoy controversial life. Hence coming to Zimbabwe where President Mugabe seems to be revolting against the whites, giving a good hunting ground, for the artiste.

“Turning to promotion on local artistes, the bringing in of these jams is actually good in that our local boys and girls can actually see that they can do it. They get motivated when they see these boys doing their thing. If we bring in George Benson today he will influence very few people.
“If you bring in JZ or Kanye the influence is limited in that level of economic advancement and social development creates a big gape in terms of influence.

“I am likely more to be influenced by someone who has made it who has similar background as I have. If our guys look at P Diddy, Kanye or even Akon, they think these people are privileged and not talented yet when they see Turbulence of the future, they see talent.

“So bro you need to look at your article again in light of this view. Keep the good work,” he said.
My good old friend Garikayi was of the opinion that the dancehall acts are flocking here because they no longer have a ready market in Europe and America due to the recession there.

Also these artistes are not so expensive on the market unlike some of the Western artistes who demand outrageous prices for them to perform.
But these Jamaicans, Garikayi says come here to perform because they have an attachment with Africa and Zimbabwe in particular.
I think somehow my whole point was mistaken a little bit, although I was of the opinion that too much of ragga saturates the market and makes it a bit monotonous but I never said these artistes were not welcome here.

Dancehall artistes are some of the best entertainers in the whole world and for one to see that, they have to check how these Yardies have monopolised reggae.
We have the Sean Paul’s, Beenie Man’s, Lutan Fya’s of ragga somehow shaping the way world music is now viewed.
Janet Jackson dueting with Beenie Man and Sean Paul collaborating would have been a dream some years back, but we have seen that happening lately.

Yes dancehall is a crowd puller and a big money spinner but I think with our population we have had enough.
Yes the promoters need to make money out of their investments but I doubt if that shall be ever realised when we flood the market with one genre.

Too much of one thing is no good and we need to remember, variety is the spice of life and to inhale a breath of fresh air on the live music scene we need other genres as well.