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Trust Khosa

Do we still have arts promoters investing in veteran and yesteryear musicians’ live performances on home soil?

Why has their following dwindled? Are they struggling to attract big numbers during live shows?

Have the ‘Young Turks’ of Zimbabwean music found the right formula to attract big crowds at their gatherings?

Who is to blame for the status quo, which has left the old guard in this mess?

Well, these are some of the burning questions showbiz watchers should be asking themselves.

The trend is now worrisome with some of the big names living from hand to mouth. Others are now playing in empty halls and seats, as fans are shunning their shows.

Several yesteryear stars are now confined to small venues at the back of beyond as the going gets tough.

Some have since scaled down on live shows as the new breed of promoters seems to be investing in youngsters.

Others are now considering quitting and pursue other career paths, claiming they are being shunned by current arts promoters.

The demise of yesteryear stars has also opened new doors for the ‘Young Turks’ of showbiz who are making a killing.

Their social media presence has also boosted their numbers.

Not only are they on demand but youthful stars doing urban contemporary music are now filling some of the elite venues to the rafters.

Of late, Alexandra Sports Club, Old Hararians and even the First Capital Bank Sports Club in Harare are now hosting these youthful musicians.

Last weekend, Sylvester ‘Freeman’ Chizanga had a full house at Alex Sports Club where fans braved the drizzling weather to attend his show.

He hosted what he termed the HKD Festival meant to celebrate his musical journey

Prior to his show, Saintfloew held an event at the same venue, which was packed to the brim.

Songbird of the year contender, Feli Nandi and Tamy Moyo are now big brands on their own.

The two ladies are now filling spacious and elite venues which some promoters and fans are attributing to professionalism, hard work and powerful showbiz connections.

There are even some Zimdancehall stars like Master H, whose ascendancy caught many by surprise.

Sound management, consistency and focus seem to be working in his favour.

He has defied the odds of being the modest Chitungwiza boy whose national appeal is growing with each passing day.

On December 13, Master is holding a birthday party at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.

The venue used to be a fortress for Alick Macheso along with Pastor Charles Charamba and wife Olivia.

In his case, he is coming there backed by a number of sponsors which shows that his brand is now growing. He is now reaping the rewards of powerful connections and good management.

The youngster’s team has invested a lot in marketing, an area most yesteryear artists have been caught wanting over the years. In Zim Hip Hop, Holy Ten, Voltz JT and Michael Magz are doing well.

Holy Ten who is known for courting controversy, is ruling the roosts in this particular genre. Big corporations like Delta Beverages have also seen the potential and are now investing in youngsters.

Delta’s faith in youngsters will come under the spotlight at this year’s Chibuku Road to Fame after-party at Glamis Arena on November 9, parading youthful musicians.

The seasoned one will be Freeman while Feli Nandi, Master H, and the Chillspot clique of DJ Fantan, Levels and Ribhe have been roped in the line-up.

Over the years, the likes of Alick Macheso, Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi and the late Tongai Moyo used to grace the Chibuku Road to Fame after party.

In recent years, either Winky D or Jah Prayzah would grace this event but it appears tables have turned.

As it stands, several factors are now at play which has led to some of yesteryear’s musicians failing to attract big numbers.

Failure to reinvent the wheel has left many of yesteryear’s stars with rich catalogues falling by the wayside.

In this era of digitisation, marketing has been made simple but some yesteryear musicians are still stuck in the past.

Yesteryear artistes risk extinction if they do not reinvent the wheel.

Like any other profession, artistes need to reinvent themselves to ensure they do not lose appeal.

Nothing beats good management and professionalism shown by young artistes’ handlers and benefactors.

As a result some of the youthful artists are making it out on massive sponsorship.

Some big shots are not going out of their way in marketing the Young Turks to ensure that they make it to the top.

One such artist is Saintfloew, who has the backing of Tinashe Mutarisi.

Saintfloew’s task has been made simple as his benefactors and handlers are doing most of the donkey work behind the scenes. The young talented crooner has been straddling on fertile crescent since Mutarisi has been assisting him with marketing, organising his album launches and managing his brand.