17/11/2020
What we really need are quotas with regard to local artists' representation at local events. Just like we did in Rugby and Cricket, by demanding that a certain number of members of the squad be black players. The same should apply even with local events, private or government.
My suggestion would be 10% of what you paid a big artist should be allocated to local artists. If Cassper charges you R100K to come perform, then you should put aside R10K to book local artists.
And my experience with local artists has been that they are not too demanding when it comes to being paid. As long as they perform and get a chance of being seen by people that can give them a step-ahead in their career.
I have always looked at our artists as bigger picture people. Ha ba ya shebana le borotho ba noutjenana feela. Ba batla ho hodisa career e sustainable. And that's why many of them are making sacrifices noutjenana that will benefit them for a long time to come.
It is not a crime to perform for free. It is also not a crime to invite someone and offer them realistic exposure to advance their career. As long as the promoter as well as the artist agree to the terms.
Now, here is a scenario. Pub A invites Cassper and pays him R100K and then puts R10K in a kitty to distribute to local artists and DJs.
That R10K could be split in many ways to make sure everyone benefits and walks away with what they deserve. This could be R2500 to two big name local DJs that are willing to perform a set for that much. Then the remaining R5000 is given to two top artists that are also willing to perform for R2500 each.
So, this way we pay two top local DJs R2500 each and pay two top local artists R2500 each. Amounting to R10K.
Furthermore, we will have two artists and two DJs that will perform for free in exchange for exposure. In this case, performing for exposure in front of a crowd brought by Cass Nyov can have a lot of traction for your music career, even if you perform before Cassper arrives.
Exposure in this kind of an event is not the same as performing for exposure at a weekend gig at your local Tavern, although that too is not too bad if you're willing to do it h**e batho ba o tsebe.
Local Taverns too must also be compelled to have a set pay for performers. Le ha e ke ba R500 a night. Get in the culture of paying performers, and as a performer le wena get in the habit of being paid for your work. Ha o spana Thursday to Sunday R500 tse four ke R2000 ka weekend. Multiply that by four or five - depending on how long the month is - e ka fetola bophelo ba hao.
What this would address is eventually we will set the price for local artists and DJs. And I am not saying R2500 is that price, however I know many top local DJs and artists that will take that R2500 and give you the best performance if you pay upfont, pay in full and pay with no excuses.
Mara jwale bothata ke h**e majority of DJs and artists are not used to getting paid, so they don't know what they're really worth. Motho o nka whatever eo o mo fang yona, ka nako eo o mo fang yona, le ka di terms and conditions tseo o mo fang tsona.
It cannot work that way, artists are not beggars. Ba o thabisetsa batho, le wena etsa ba thabe.
Ka seo ke re, there are artists noutjenana ba tsebang h**e they're not yet at a stage sa h**e they can demand to be paid. And performing for free in exchange of exposure is great for them. There are artists that have made a big name for themselves locally, and should be getting paid, and we need to recognise that. And not take it for granted h**e just because there is a DJ that can perform for free all DJs must play for free. Batho ba charger for a reason, the same way le wena o rekisang jwala for a reason. Tlhomphano ke ntho ya bohlokwa.
Know which DJs will play for free, and for how long. Le artist tse patalwang o lokela ho di tseba and know h**e ha o ba patale ekare o ba akgella tjhelete strateng ba e phuthe fatshe jwalo ka mekopa-kopa.
Back to my suggestion. Let's set a percentage of the event's budget that will go straight to local artists and DJs. Nna ke re 10%. Then also, have a few artists that will perform for free at these events to make their name. But once they are known le bona qale ho patalwa.
E reng Ameni!
