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SO, the organisers of the Zimbabwe Music Association (Zima) finally came to Bulawayo. The weather was not friendly when they paid a courtesy call on musicians in this great city.
Zima organisers knew for a long time that they owe Bulawayo artistes a discussion.
It was long overdue!
Hwange, Beitbridge, Masvingo and Chiredzi artistes are waiting for that visit too. The directors of Zima know that artistes are not impressed by the way they run the “prestigious” awards.
At some point, we thought these awards were for a selected few. On thinking that, we are not apologetic at all.
In the past editions of these awards that are said to be of a national face (which I doubt), no one has been fascinated.
Instead, we receive sad news of artistes contemplating on disassociating themselves from Zima.
A war of egos is sinking deep, destroying what could have made a good story about the country’s music industry.
From a fan’s point of view, the let-down has always been on awarding “undeserving” artistes.
It cannot be left as a trivial issue that the music industry has not fully benefitted from the establishment of the Zima.
In corridors, in hushed tones, one hears musicians planning to have an award ceremony of their own.
It would look like they are dissatisfied. Their disgruntlement has never bothered the Zima organisers. A manifestation of repeat mistakes has been the mark of every Zima event.
Not, taking away anything from previous winners of the Zima, a lot needs to be upgraded if the world is to recognise the achievement.
Zima must be the platform to define quality and talent. Fans are the first to admit a good work of art and any awards ceremony only put a stamp of approval.
With Zima the situation is different.
A thorough makeover is called for. With these awards, fans, musicians and every stakeholder must be involved.
We wait for a time when heads will nod in appreciation of a job well done.
Why is it that only urban artistes are accommodated? Of course doing your works in the urban areas puts one on a competitive edge, but what of other artistes in areas less developed.
Who are the judges and why must they be secret? Oftentimes things held in secret attract mythical connotation.
That is why some in the industry say the Zimas are for a chosen few.
Dissenting voices are emerging and complaining that Zimbabwe’s biggest music awards are shutting out other people, those people who matter.
I rate Ndolwane Super Sound’s influence highly than any other musician in this region. Sadly, the band has not inched any closer towards the Zimas.
We also have to ponder the concern that Zima has never shifted from Harare. The idea of making the capital city home to the awards is welcome if other provinces are satisfied with the arrangement.
Not all blame should be directed at Zima though. We have to face up to the fact that musicians also play a part in making these awards great.
Artistes who ply their trade in Harare have enjoyed scooping awards because they would be the best there is at the time.
In Bulawayo and elsewhere, the prevailing scenario is of artistes that feel cheated and marginalised.
The truth is that, Zima with all its embarrassing moments is driven by quality and what the fans say. The awards might not be doing that for now, but the fact about quality must be every musician’s goal.
Gladly, Zima organisers agreed to make all the wrongs right.
From the horse’s mouth, input from every province would be considered. Zima, please do us a favour.
A word or two to Bulawayo artistes: Urban beats is just sitting on the fence. We do not take sides but we love to write about what we see in the industry.
In conversations with as many musicians and players of instruments in the city, I gathered a nasty trend. Musicians do not speak well of each other. That is why all promising collective projects have failed.
Owing to the change in the nature of business, focus is now on the individual. This model is noble in some way. The problem is in the pumped-up individualism it has brought. Artistes have embraced the idea of going it solo, and bands separate and go to oblivion.
It appears the idea works well as these “pull away” stars have done well in their careers. The downside presents a horrid picture. Individualism in music, especially in Bulawayo has been taken too far.
Going solo invites enemies and creates tension in the city.
Musicians are no longer concerned about the welfare of other artistes like before. You hear murmurs at a dead musician’s funeral.
The same whisper gets to you when another muso is in trouble over debt. Is there not a solution to close the rift, before bridges burn?
Recently, I got wind that the Bulawayo Music Association was headed for a collapse. The city’s musicians are not forthcoming to register.
It pains as a passionate fan, to read that musicians do not see eye to eye. Wise up Bulawayo artistes! While you are busy fanning enmity, other cities are gearing up for awards.
Hats off to Zima for visiting Bulawayo. This is part of an inch of the journey in our discussions to put the whip on the sleeping musical industry. We, the fans in the urban movement know that the musicians are trying their best and Zima as well.
Here is to hoping that the Zima awards will grow to be meaningful and bear testimony of a music industry that is set to change the face of entertainment in Zimbabwe
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Online Reporter