Durban - Up-and-coming musicians are struggling to get their work distributed and were still not receiving enough airplay, despite the SABC recently introducing a 90% local content quota.
This emerged at the annual Southern African Music Conference (SAMC) in Durban on Thursday where more than 200 artists gathered.
Some of the pressing topics covered included artist development, music publication, production, contracts and registrations.
But there was also time for some educational and lighter moments, with a few of the bigger names in the country’s music industry there to share wit, wisdom and encouragement with their emerging counterparts.
The Daily News spoke to Durban group C-Major (SA), who were guest speakers at the conference at Zorka Social Lounge in Florida Road.
“This 90% local music on radio that was introduced is a good thing, but so far it’s not interesting us because our songs are still played on few radio stations”, said Mlungisi Zuma, a member of C-major (SA).
Making money out of live music was also tough.
“Although we get good royalties from the music we produce, gigs are paying less, it feels like our art is not being appreciated. We believe in producing good international music so we can be recognised,” he said.
Apart from being an opportunity to discuss the difficulties they were facing, the conference also provided networking opportunities and Siyabonga Kheswa, 29, of Hammarsdale was caught up in the emotion and broke into tears when he got what may prove to be his breakthrough moment.
Kheswa who wrote and sang a song for Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa in front of the crowd received positive feedback from the star, who assured him they would work together on it.
AMC member, DJ Fresh said: “I believe if you work hard enough to network with your heroes, you will end up working with them.”
The SAMC was started 12 years ago by music industry players, DJ Fresh, DJ Christo, Oskido, Vinny da Vinci and Greg Maloka, to help develop emerging artists.