Online Reporter
Has anyone been paying attention to the drama currently unfolding in our music industry?
Well, it looks like the gods of copyright have finally descended from the high heavens, and they are not in a mood for jokes.
It seems the time is up for impersonators because the real artistes are done playing games.
After the Thomas Mapfumo and Kurai Makore debacle, it seems the floodgates have opened, and now, everyone wants what is due to them.
First, let us talk about our beloved Gospel queen Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave.
Last week, she woke up and chose violence, but the kind that is entirely justified.
She took to Facebook to express her frustration over a recent performance where she alleges that her song “Tiende Kudenga” and, crucially, her entire artistic persona were lifted wholesale by InTotal Band — that youthful ensemble that sells nostalgia through playing classic tracks.
We are not talking about a simple cover, but “note for note, word for word, every move and artistic mannerism”, including the clothes.
She questioned why some people would cash in on what is essentially her art and craft.
As Fungisai rightly points out, this is not just about missing a gig; it is about having her legacy and creative identity stolen for commercial gain.
But Fungisai is not alone.
Sungura giant Alick Macheso has also voiced similar concerns, indicating that InTotal Band are essentially profiting from his music and stage persona without permission.
This is coming from a guy who, in 2005, went into the studio to record “Murondatsimba”, a song that threw shade at copycats.
This has turned into a full-blown civil war, with Mapfumo leading the charge by legally drawing a line for his nephew, ensuring that the Chimurenga catalogue remains his to control.
It seems the silence has finally been broken.
The artistes are tired of having their art imitated for free, and they are now realising that you cannot just borrow someone’s legacy to fill your own pockets.
The timing is also crucial.
It is high noon not just for human copycats, but also for the looming threat of artificial intelligence (AI).
As if dealing with human impersonators was not enough, now the industry faces technology that can clone voices and generate music in seconds.
This dilutes the essence of human artistry, making it even harder for genuine talent to stand out.
Artistes like Fungisai and Macheso are not just fighting for a fee; they are fighting for the very soul of their art, which is under unprecedented pressure.
So, to all the would-be imitators out there, here is a message from Mai Juju: You might have the art and the talent, but you need to define yourself through your own original craft.
That is the essence of a genuine artiste.
The copycat lifestyle is a dead end, and your time is up.
Ndikoko!
