Nashville and Empire are top-rated US TV that are built around the music industry. It’s a theme that has also found a home in Hollywood, where films like Cadillac Records and Ray have given viewers insight into the lives and motivations of recording artists and labels.
Rubbing shoulders with their illustrious US counterparts is Majakathata Records, the SABC2 hit show which delves behind the scenes of the South African music industry. In the first season we saw the head of Majakathata Records, Jingles (Stephen Manaka), try to catapult his small township studio onto the national stage. He has had to jump through hoops to build up the label, even borrowing money from unsavoury characters like Nkadimeng (Daniel Maphatseng), who used to own a butchery.
Added to his business woes is a lot of personal drama. Jingles’s ex is back on the scene and determined to play a part in his life. Now that the second season is upon us, there are a number of storylines that either need to be developed or refreshed. It is intriguing how this season will tie in with what’s going on now in the music industry.
In the first season, there were a lot of references to Zahara, who was the flavour of the month in local music at the time the scenes were being filmed. Times, however, have changed. Zahara’s sound isn’t as big as it was three years ago and our hip hop has taken over the local scene. With the way Empire is milking the popularity of hip hop in the US, Majakathata Records could learn a thing or two and exploit current listener trends in South Africa and on the continent.
What is commendable so far about Majakathata Records, based on the first season, is that there is a good balance between the music and the storylines. This ensures that the viewers remain glued to the show, even if the music isn’t to their liking. Nashville, which was developed by the amazing Callie Khouri, boasts a strong country music base, but it is written in such a way that it would appeal to non-country music loving people.
If you liked the first season of Majakathata Records, then here is what we know about the second season. Jingles is having problems keeping the company afloat. However, he realises that if he continues on this path, Nkadimeng will take over and turn the business into a funeral parlour.
Which makes sense, because there are always people dying, while CDs are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
• Watch Majakathata Records on SABC2 every Sunday at 8pm.