Why Don't Local Artists Sample More??

Over the weekend bumped into a colleague of mine named LJ and his friend and we entered into a discussion about the state of the local arts industry. We discussed many topics but one which struck more with me was the issue of Sampling, LJ asked why local artists don't sample our legends more?? This question took me on a journey to years back, I once was asking this and I feel now is the perfect time to revisit this issue. 

Wikipedia defines sampling as :  sampling is the reuse of a portion (or sample) of a sound recording in another recording. Samples may comprise elements such as rhythm, melody, speech, sounds, or entire bars of music, and may be layered, equalized, sped up or slowed down, repitched, looped, or otherwise manipulated. 

As you listen to music from all over the world you get to appreciate how new music builds from the music is previous generations, in the most musically successful regions sampling is the secret ingredient. However in Zim it feels that chapter of the book is lost.

Every country has its legends and distinct sound which the nationals are already familiar with and love. New artists then bring new life to the old music through sampling. As I listen to my many favourite international artists I sometimes hear a sample that they use which I just can't get over and end up searching for the track sampled, that is exactly how new life is brought into yesteryear classics. 

Sampling brings out the creativity an artist possesses and at the same time they benefit from the already likeable sound of the classic sampled.

Many successful artists have utilised this from Kanye West, J Cole, Burna Boy, Wizkid, AKA....just to mention a few. However in Zim very few seem to want to sample old classics. As you even talk to some it seems they are actually ashamed of our own music such as Sungura!!!.

Our national crisis of lack of identity has contributed largely to this issue. You will be very shocked that many of our local creatives claim not having local role models... Yes Crazy right.. Given the many icons, leaders and brave artists we have had in the past. That is a major problem that need to be addressed if we are to progress.

An artist will spend hours trying to imitate Burna Boy who has made his success from sampling Fela Kuti a Nigerian Icon whilst refusing to get inspiration from the many legends we have. So sad!.

Creatives need to embrace our unique sound and use that as the foundation. There is no need to spend one's career trying to distant yourself from the sound and struggle that paved the way for you. The amount of energy many young artists use trying to distance themselves from the Urban Grooves era clearly shows this lack of identity, instead of embracing where urban music came from you fight it. So sooo sad. 

Some are actually embarrassed by Sungura and they act as if it does not exist despite it being the most iconic genre in Zim. 

Yes the music industry is not as paying as it does in SA, Nigeria or USA, many icons did not amount to much financially because of various issues but that should not stop the current generation from being inspired by their workmanship and music. 

An interesting observation is that most of the icons do not even charge you for sampling their tracks, they will gladly give permission. They actually enjoy the fact that a new generation is inspired by their works. So if permission is for free what then stops many from sampling???. 

Lets discuss down below??!. 

Proud_Zimbo