Brighton Zimidzi
Showbiz and Entertainment Reporter
Music fanatics have evoked a mixed bag of emotions as some complained about the value promoters give to foreign artistes over local ones.
Local artists are hired as supporting acts, but there is always a complaint concerning the difference between what the headline foreign artists are paid and how they are treated compared to local artists who often get the short end of the stick.
Due to the over-promotion of foreign music by Zimbabwean people and media there is always a huge demand for foreign artists, so promoters always bring foreign artists every now and then. Although artists of almost all genres are there in Zimbabwe, promoters will always opt to promote foreign ones
A few months back during the Sanganai/ Hlanganani expo socialite and broadcaster Babongile Skhonjwa said local artists just need to up their game in order to reach the heights that make promoters pay foreign artists for.
“It all depends on how big your brand is and how much its worth. Even in Bulawayo we pay people according to their worth. If there is a local brand that can fill a stadium like a south african brand then we will pay that brand, it is all about brand power. Instead of people crying that international artists are getting paid more money than local ones, they should consider that artists brand worth. Since local people are exposed to bigger brands, promoters will promote bigger brands in order for them to make money”, said the famous jester who also calls himself the Ndebele rockstar.
South African Amapiano musician Lady Du revealed that she left Zimbabwe richer after performing in the country.
The Umsebenzi Wethu songstress made the revelation on Twitter after being asked by a user on the social media platform how her recent Zimbabwean concert had gone.
Taking to her official Twitter account, Lady Du said:
“zim yho no ways I filled a sports ground and club. I got 4 more shows from this booking”.
Upon being pressed about how much she made from the show in Zimbabwe, Lady Du revealed that she made R25 000 from tips only. She revealed:
My” tip alone was 25k”
Another International artist who is said to have made a lot of money from Zimbabwe is the American rapper Rick Ross. A journalist unearthed the exact amount American rapper Rick Ross was paid for his maiden performance in Zimbabwe