Self Worth Of Zim Artists Revisited

When I posted the article about Self Worth of Zim artists, supporting what was mentioned by Hip Hop star Stunner last Month, it created a debate on twitter.

The issue of self worth is what is going to further develop the music industry and the arts sector at large. Some bloggers/promoters are arguing that the view is biased towards established artists. Self worth is not for established artists only, even upcoming artists must have self worth. 

Differences in brand equity. Yes it differs among artists and it will always be different among different artists. The question is should we now stall the arts sectors development because of something that will always be there???? if that is so then why do we cry and complain about artists exploitation by promoters.

The government is not backing the arts sector so it is now the job of the artists & producers themselves to come together and create ways to collectively further the arts sector development. Personally I still stand by my idea of setting a minimum booking fee for artists. 

To now justify the min booking fee, each artist must ensure to show a level of professionalism on his/her part, such as having a manager, showing up for shows/press conferences in time, give standard performances and if possible find a PR. Artist must make use of technology, make sure your profile is available online (Facebook, Twitter, Google+,...even Websites)so that promoters and fans will be able to know where you came from and what you are all about. 

What artists must know is that self worth or brand equity is not given but one works for it, you earn it. Look at Tehn Diamond, Ammara Brown & Soul Afrika, they are making use of twitter to increase their value and their brands are growing, they are getting more known, more fans and creating more hype for themselves and now if as a promoter you wish to engage them you will pay more to book them because they are proving to be worth more.

Artists such as Prayersoul, Alexio Kawara, Cal_Vin, Prudence Katomeni, Mokoomba, Tariro NeGitare...etc are making great use of having websites. One can easily access the biography of the artist via these websites. A promoter can see the value these artist put on themselves and if he wants to book any of them he/she will pay a higher booking fee than that which he/she pays for someone who has no accessible profile. An artist must create a reason as to why a promoter should value them more. 

Twitter is Free, Facebook is Free, one can create a website for Free, a person doesn't need money to be organised. Being organised will make you professional. So brand equity is not a reason we can base our arguments on because one can increase brand equity for Free.

Also I do not know of any upcoming/ previously unknown Local artist who became big after curtain raising for an international act. All those who shined at these shows were already known artists before the show. So that argument is baseless.

Also what sickens me is that other established artists are afraid to comment on this issue because they are afraid to fall out of grace with their exploitative promoters. They are complaining is silence, instead of voicing out their concerns and making a change. For major development to happen there is a lot of sacrifice so if an artist is afraid of losing $150 for a gig he/she will never earn $10 000 for a gig.

So after my analysis I am still 100% behind Stunner's statement that artist should stop performing for peanuts at these so called international shows and must realize their self worth.

Proud_Zimbo