Pay per view a dream for artistes: Jah Prayzah
JAH Prayzah says performing online for paying fans would be a dream come true for artistes as the Covid-19 pandemic has crippled the entertainment industry.
Speaking through his manager Keen Mushapaidze following the postponement of Jah’s first pay-per-view show, which was set for Friday, Jah said artistes need payper-view to survive the pandemic.
“We are really disappointed that Friday’s show had to be stopped. We are not privy to the actual reasons for the cancellation, but we hope, whatever it is, will be sorted and the show can be allowed to happen.
“Artistes are really struggling since Covid-19 broke out. Shows have been cancelled since April and pay per view would be the solution,” said Mushapaidze.
“There have been many online shows, but they have not been profitable in a true business sense. Either the artiste would lose and perform for free to fans that only need data to watch or a promoter would pay the artiste and incur all the expenses for no benefit.
“Neither of these situations were mutually beneficial and something was going to give in the end. If you ask me, it’s the artiste who would lose because the majority of promoters have their money already and do not really need artistes. In the end they were just going to ask themselves why they are bothering sponsoring something that is not benefiting them and artistes were going to be left in the cold.
“On Friday we finally had something that could put musicians and promoters back in business after our partnership with Kayse Connect and Gateway Stream Music. It felt like the beginning of something great.
“This is why the failure of the show is bad for us as artistes. This is why everything should be done to get this show back not just for Jah Prayzah or Winky D but for musicians in general.
“We were so happy for the breakthrough when we were approached and especially when Janet Manyowa launched her “Sounds of Victory” EP on pay per view and with less than 100 people at HICC maintaining Covid-19 regulations. This is what the industry needs as a matter of urgency,” said Mushapaidze.
Jah Prayzah’s manager said the postponed show had many people interested and they were looking forward to it.
“This show was the most talked about show all year. We never saw similar interest in a show; be it online or physically. We hope things will be rectified.”