Late last week, B-Flow decided to give his social media followers a chance to explain why Zambians prefer Listening to foreign Music particularly naija music at the Expense of their own local music. During that open online discussion so many reasons where cited which ranged from Lack of Originality to Quality.
In response to this debate, Gospel artiste Abel Chungu decided to lecture Fans on important factors surrounding the Zambian Music Industry and below is his Facebook statement.
Zambian Artist and Friend Brian B’Flow Bwembya asked this question.
“What do you love about Nigerian Music that you are not finding in Zambian music”.
A lot of the comments focused on Zambian Music lacking creativity or Originality. Even siting some poor music videos as the problem. I felt I should address this as I found some statements lacked adequate information.
Here is my post and I hope it raises the discussion on the music industry….
The Key Is Industry. For any industry to thrive it needs good investment or investors and no investor will put money into something with little to no Financial return. Zambian Artists are working hard and even though some do tarnish the name I see so many put in work out of passion. But as I’ve begun to look at the industry from an investors point of view I realise unless you have a passion for music this industry makes no business sense at the moment. They say numbers don’t lie so let me break down figures for all those who think it’s just a lack of originality or creativity.
A good song to record will cost you no less than K1500. This is is you’re not planning on a using a session instrumentalist
This means even to start an album you need a form of capital or the ability to convince the studio or a sponsor that your album is worth putting money into it.
Once done you have CD printing costs and Marketing costs all on the artist. Most CD retailers want to sell CDS at K50 in order to keep customers. And the largest want %50. Meaning you will get K25 share. Meaning you have to sell 600 CDs to make the return on one song costing K1500. Meaning 6000 CDs need to be sold to make your return on a 10 track album.
Now even if you’re confident that you can sell this. You’re up against the biggest killer of music..PIRACY! It killed our golden era or music in the times of Paul Ngozi and Pk Chishala. A couple of years ago Universal Music wanted to move their operations plant from Ghana to Zambia. They felt our music was promising and a good investment. After meeting with the Minister at the Time who was in charge of arts and culture they expressed how their biggest concern was piracy and it’s lack of policing. A date was set to clear the streets of pirated CDs and flood the Market with Originals. When the date came the Minister backed out fearing it was an election year and the raid would hurt them in the elections. Piracy won again. Countless raids have been attempted someone always tips these guys off. Not too long ago artists where told a hologram sticker would protect their music. Even after paying K1 every CD printed I still have guys try to sell me my own album at the Traffic lights. So if CDs is your route then goodluck.
Which leaves Digital downloads. Mobile companies want 50% or 60% from every download or caller back ring tone. Also using sub companies like who act as agents and want 60% to 80% of what remains. Telling some artists that this is the best way to make money. The payments only come after 3 months and least 1 month.
Meaning what most artists depend on is Shows. You still have these major companies try to negotiate you down when they are making loads of money or claim their marketing team has a tight budget.
Nigeria has an Industry and a functional one for that matter. Even if their artist sells an album for as little as $2 they will make a profitable return. Major labels such as Sony and Universal have invested there and make sure they get a return. And if you want to praise them for originality then I challenge you to watch MTV or trace for a good hour. You will find repetitive drum paterns or artists sounding like the previous guy you just heard but you don’t notice this cause you’re too entertained by the flashy videos with the money pumped into it. They have produced some really great artists and influence a great part of African music and for that I appreciate. But if you’re gone insult my Zambian Artists by saying they are not original or lack creativity then I suggest you do some proper research of this industry.
Though this has bee long I’ve only scratched the surface.
What do you think about the points raised by Abel Chungu? Join us on our social media platforms for comments..