Local artistes performing for peanuts in UK

Most musicians in the country are flying to United Kingdom to stage shows for peanuts according to a report by The Zimbabwe Mail.

Musicians mostly from the dancehall genre are getting as little as $200 per show in England when they stage gigs.

Zimpraise Choir was early this year hit by massive exodus after members were given only $40 for a European Tour.

“Most of the promoters are Zimbabweans living in the diaspora who are struggling to make ends meet. They want to make money out of Zimbabwean musicians who are excited by boarding an airplane,” said a local show promoter.

While he could not divulge the amount of money he got from recent shows in England, dancehall singer Killer T expressed disappointment over the show charges.

“The money is not that impressive, but all we want is the exposure,” he said.

England-based music promoter Arnold Tsungai said most of the artistes are upcoming hence there is no need to pay them much.

“Most of these guys want somewhere to launch their careers and inviting them here is a bit expensive because of the airfares. The bulk of the musicians are from the ghetto and staging a show in a foreign land in itself is an achievement.

“If they want more money they should build their brand to the level of Oliver Mtukudzi ,” said Tsungai.

A number of the artistes are being invited to perform abroad.

Artistes such as Freeman and Lady Squanda have delivered their products to the international audience in their indigenous language. Youthful chanter Ras Pompy is currently staging shows in the UK.

One of the country’s biggest music promoters Partson Chimboza, better known as  Chipaz said, the genre will be promoted and they will see to it that all local dancehall artistes are recognised internationally.

“As promoters, we have realised that there are many dancehall artistes in the country therefore we will continue working for their recognition outside Zimbabwe and we will continue organising ghetto-to-ghetto events,” he said.

There are more than 85 dancehall artistes in Zimbabwe and a number of them grew up in ghetto areas such as Chitungwiza, Kambuzuma, Glen Norah and Mbare. The Zimbabwe Mail