PAMELA MACHIDHA
MIDWEEK REPORTER
Zvishavane youthful Afro-Jazz and Jiti singer Tapiwanashe Shumba aka Tapoman is crying foul over the rise in recording fees.
The 29-year-old musician is begging players in the music industry to reduce the amount of money which is paid for by recording artists as some of them are still upcoming.
“We are struggling to raise money to record our music because the fees are too high. Imagine we are charged US$40 per music depending with the type of music,” said Tapoman.
Shumba added that they also face another of being recognised in the cut throat music industry as they are still growing. He also said they yearn for more airplay from regional and national radio stations so that they are known all over.
“Upcoming musicians lack airplay on local radio stations, we are failing to get mileage we deserve, yet it is the duty of radio stations to expose our music to new audiences,” said Shumba.
“Radio is an important platform which promotes new music and build a fan base. Hence we appeal to be given a chance to be on some big platforms like Nash TV and Zim Celeb,” he said.
Tapoman goes to say in Zimbabwe there are lot of youngsters out there who have talents but talents are lost as most of them give up due to lack of financial support.
” As upcoming- artiste we do not have promoters, sponsors. Upcoming artistes end up being frustrated and most of them give up due to lack of financial support,” Shumba said.
Tapoman started his music carrier in 2021 and is yet to record an album, but single tracks which are; “Chikorobho”(2021), “Ndioneiwo”, (2021), “Denga”(2022), “Baba naAmai”(2022), “Mudondo”(2022),”Dairai Mambo” (2022) and “Chinyakare”(2023).
Shumba collaborates with Zedius Gurajena in a song entitled “Chinyakare ” in 2033. This song talks about how our culture is being affected by the west.
Tapoman encouraged other start-up artiste to keep going no matter how bad the situation is.
