Trace Africa measure or scandal?

Being part of the Bulawayo arts fraternity one has to live with the word quality thrown around when it comes to our products.

But donaï¿½ï¿½t we really have quality? Or our stars are just lined in a way that aï¿½?our time is yet to comeaï¿½?.

I am one of those that are against comparing Bulawayo to Harare, but today I will do so. Let me start with film.

I have seen a few films from Zimbabwe in South African channels such as etv and Mzansi magic.

One good example is Tsitsi Dangarembgaaï¿½ï¿½s 1995 production Everyoneaï¿½ï¿½s Child. It has been played many times. The closest to Bulawayo that I have seen is films by Madlela Skhobokhobo which he did while in South Africa. So my question is, where is Qiniso, Bicycle Thief and TsotsiAï¿½ in the thick of things? Is it that we canaï¿½ï¿½t market our works? Or our quality is plain boring? Before getting responses, letaï¿½ï¿½s talk about music.

Trace Africa seems to be the measure of quality in Africa. But is it? I honestly do not think so. I think like almost all media, Trace rides on the same stars made by radio. Which is why it is not easy for newcomers to break into Trace Africa. I have also watched the videos played there and I have come to one conclusion. Itaï¿½ï¿½s who you are, not what you do. I believe musically we are there as a country, most of our music fits on Trace. We even have the Naija style in Mzoe 7 and the likes.

Why I think itaï¿½ï¿½s not about quality is because Sandra and Mzoe 7 did a quality video which is very popular on YouTube, but besides the post by the artistes that their song will be on Trace Africa, I am yet to see the song on rotation.

But the upside is Killer T, Tocky Vibes, Freeman,Aï¿½ ExQ, Ammara Brown, Winky D and Jah Prayzah are on serious rotation. Ask any artiste how hard it is to get your song on radio.

Also take your time and tune into any station and listen to some of the chaff in those stations. What Cassper Nyovest and Jah Prayzah release first as singles to forth coming albums will definitely get airplay.

Yet maybe one in 10 young people get their deserved break. Where is the scandal in all this, obviously besides many DJs just flowing with trends instead of making them there is royalties to think about?

I remember Ricky Rick throwing a rant that people pay their way to win awards and get airplay. I think there are people controlling who gets what on air.

On the upside though Jah Prayzah is the only Zimbabwean artiste on the Africa Hits Top 30 at number one for his collaboration with Mafikizolo called Sendekera. That song plays about five to 10 times on a single day.

It goes without saying that Jah is the man of the moment. Let me take this moment to congratulate him on the collaboration with Davido.

This number one with Mafikizolo will only cement his grip on Africa and set him up for the world. Also maybe itaï¿½ï¿½s only proper to congratulate Vusa Blaqs whose works all seem to make Trace Africa.

I just watched MTM Chekeche video. I am counting down the hours before it makes it to Trace. Meanwhile, dololo (nothing) from this end. Until next week, be safe . . .

@nkuenkala