Northern Music- then and now through the lens of G-Kliff and Fanta Face Jamal

The gatekeepers thus the radio presenters chose who they wanted to promote and who they thought did not deserve airplay. This phenomenon somehow supresses the talent of upcoming artistes while at the same put artistes on their toes to churn out great and timeless music.

 

Another issue that artistes faced and are still facing is payment for their labour. Artistes are been denied payment when entertainment pundits who should know better use them for their programs.

 

Presenters or entertainment pundits usually blackmail artistes into performing free for them saying they are putting them on a bigger platform to promote their career in music. An artist who demands to be paid for his or her labor is targeted by these gatekeepers. These gatekeepers start a smear campaign against the artistes, saying the artiste is greedy and loves money.

 

Two artistes that come to mind in this current generation when it comes to the smear campaign are Fancy Gadam and Maccasio. They have been targeted by these gatekeepers just because they demand to be paid for their labour and talent. Meanwhile these same gatekeepers will bring southern artistes and pay them for their labour but would not do same for the northern artistes. These gatekeepers feel that artistes are indebted to them for the rise in their career.

Listen to the conversation via www.sanatuzambang.info

The need to demand money came as a result of new media. According. George Kliff, could perform with the same attire on different platforms back in the day. But with the rise of social media and fans taking pictures to upload, they cannot get away with it. These same presenters who will seat on the radio to criticize them for using one attire for multiple shows are the same people who will not pay them to be able to get attire to perform.

 

‘’A time came we said even if you will not pay us but please take care of our costume and that one too is a problem. You want me to come and perform free for you and there is camera all over taking shots. You cannot wear it again on any platform. These same people will discuss you on Saturday how you are performed with old costume.’’

 

George Kliff

While Jamal Bamba has asked event organizers to add artistes to their bills when they are preparing their budget.

 

’’ What is even hurtful is that they are not the people removing physical cash. There is an investor. So, once you are making a budget and you are inflating figures for your own gains try to make provision for the struggling artists.  But at the end of the day, you want to add the little the artistes are going to gain to yours. Why?’’

 

Jamal Bamba

Now the story is different, upcoming artistes can stay in the comfort of their rooms, record a song, and do distribution with the help of new technology. Though with the advent of digital platforms, some say radio will not be relevant in the promotion of music but others believe otherwise due to the diverse nature of the fans they have.