We live in a rapid paced world where not so long ago waterless systems, heated towel rails and digitised homes with timed lighting seemed and sounded light years ahead. In tandem, this was also when the colours and flavours of jazz and music enriched our homes, hearts and spaces. In timeline intervals, it is an epoch where CD stores and record bars were a fair barometer of megahits. Fast forward to the now, we see disruption of streaming platforms and cutting edge technologies fuelled and driven by unapologetic commentary. One bakes and broaches what is real, genuine and heartfelt, especially with the questionable content spewed across these spheres of living. This can be simplified as thus: stay true, swim and crawl against the upheaval and drive of this superficial node. This been a fundamental theme at the 2024 Jazz Wise Youth Music Business Workshop. The seriousness was packed with invaluable knowledge imparted by experts par excellence.
Facilitated and moderated by a seasoned and notable contributor to the arts ecosystem Percy Mabandu; kicking off with grounded views, Ngwako Makalakala; a resonating broadcaster delved into the distinction of multiple incomes and why it is of importance to not rely on a singular stream of income.
In the same length, Olwethu Leshabane delved into the advantageous cosmic swirl of the metaverse and social media platform. Leshabane reiterated the importance of relevance, and reverberating with audiences. Onto the assiduity and deadpan conversation relating to saving for retirement. Ziwe Lufefe Ntshiba extrapolated in depth on how to stretch a rand further. In spite of living in a volatile world, now filled with uncertainties, Ntshiba echoes that difficult as it seems, we should take heed to the fact that we need to save money for ourselves for the long term, whether we are musicians or not and that it is more than feasible.
Obviously, a panel relating to financial wellbeing would not be complete sans SAMPRA, Lerato Matsotso simplified the labyrinth and intricate phases of how royalty fees are accrued and distributed. The sentiment held across is and was that more time should be allocated to the money segment and on how to monetise one’s intellectual property in the long term, outside of music sales and recording.
Striding into the day and adding flesh to the moulded segment was soft spoken festival founder Osmic Menoe. Imparting, in a relatable language and culture of today, Menoe cited simple tenets on what it takes to be identified as the next bang within the commercial and popular spaces of the music industry. Coupled with resounding shared experience, well respected writer, editor, lecturer and unlimited title in the communications and music realms, is Lesley Mofokeng. In his seasoned and flavoured sense, Mofokeng attributed consistent success to authenticity, boldness and creativity in a crevice marred with avarice, and niggardly curs.
Prevalent throughout the day was the sharing of real experiences by the panellists and none of them came from a lustier point of view of pedestal.
Raising a signal of authenticity, and what it takes to be reckoned in a volatile world, courtesies of a vessel of time and rarity, were Philani Bubu, and a doyenne of our times Thandiswa Mazwai. In sauntered lucid voices their narratives were filled tapestries and striding in the depth and thicket of why it is crucial and sensible to keep your true identity, and to the same extent, be unabashed for standing firm and being selflessly yourself, in balance. As the ravens cawed, the assiduity was closed by Lulo Café in his groove and without farce, he bridged the obstacles encountered by musicians and artists throughout their time and span of greatness. Here, laid back Lulo shared on how to keep grounded and navigate through time change without being irate and impatient, – above all, landing firmly once the wave of popularity has abated.
As with the instalments through the years, whilst these workshops are aimed at engaging emerging young musicians, not limited to jazz, there is heavy and fruitful experience that is there for those that want to pursue a career in the industry.
Despite it being a difficult fraternity, the music business is an important and necessary industry, no different from drinking water. Above all, the sentiment to extend these workshops across the land are growing louder from attendees whether they are simmering hits or are on the verge of being the next disruptors, we call on this to come to fruition.
