MACHESO SLAMS PIRATES
ALICK Macheso has taken a swipe at individuals and organisations who are recording videos for commercial use during his live performances.
The sungura musician’s security on Sunday ‘seized’ a camera person, who was recording videos, during his performance at Jongwe Corner in Harare.
The camera person, who identified himself as Takudzwa Nzirawo, said he was sent by his boss from an online platform known as ETV ZW.
Ironically, the platform is said to be run by one Charlton Muropa, a brother to one of Macheso’s long-serving backing vocalists, Elton Muropa.
“I was only tasked to record the videos by Charlton (Muropa). I am not even aware that he would then post them on YouTube,” claimed Nzirawo.
They could not get hold of Muropa, who left the show when he realised his brother was being questioned.
Nzirawo was later released and ordered to leave the show venue after a brief questioning, which involved police details.
Macheso is working on a new album to be unveiled on June 7 at Alex Sports Club, in Harare, H-Mero can exclusively reveal.
He has been sampling lines from the forthcoming project, a move that has seen people recording videos at his shows increasing.
And, his management believes, it is important to ensure that most of the clips are found on their digital platforms.
“We have our team that monitors people who take videos during our shows.
“We have a problem with people who come here to record videos to post on their YouTube handles and generate revenue from the content.
“They know we are in the process of recording a new album and they are the first to post the clips,” said Macheso’s publicist Tich Makahamadze.
He added:
“We don’t have a problem with journalists accredited under the Zimbabwean law because we know they are professionals and we expect them to be professional.
“Most of them only take short clips to share on their platforms, something we also appreciate.
“We are not going to have any issues with our fans who are recording clips for their own memories. We will only have a problem with those who are coming to commercially record our acts and share them on their social media accounts.
“We will do everything to ensure that we protect our brand, what we are doing is according to the laws of the country. We will engage the police to help us work on this growing cancer.”
Macheso is set to host a sungura festival dubbed Chesology Sungura Festival — on April 13 in Bindura.
The festival will feature a number of sungura acts in the country.