We need to better market music industry

The world works on a supply and demand basis, writes

from Sandton.

Mphuthi

APatrick

lthough I exalt the legendary Bra Hugh Masekela and his musical brilliance, his outcry/protest about our icon Thandi Klaasen being respected only when she’s dead is unfair.

We live in a world where every business venture or industry has the responsibility to promote itself to the potential or existing client.

The music industry is no exception to the rule.

Granted, in the apartheid years our music was suppressed and lacked adequate funding and resources, but the new generation seem to have surpassed the older generation in the marketing department, with their often inferior bubblegum and makeshift music.

The government and/or the SABC has introduced quotas, so we hear mostly South African music on our radio stations. They must be commended for this.

Musicians/artists and their record companies need to intensify their efforts in marketing our music, not only to the world but to the younger generation. That’s one way they can enrich and improve the quality of their music.

Although we’ve inherited a culture of self-hate where black South Africans prefer foreign to local music, the blame cannot be solely put on listeners. The music industry carries part or most of the blame for not doing enough in promoting and improving the quality of our music.

Simply put, the world works on a supply and demand basis.