The Zambezi Times Correspondent
SKHOSANA BUHLUNGU’S song Dlala Ntethe continues to be the centre of conversations within the arts industry across the country. However, in the last few days the conversations have become ugly after two voice notes from the ‘Billionaires Club’ WhatsApp group leaked. The Zambezi News Times has been following the conversations with keen interest. Below are the audios in question and the responses that followed.
Josh’s audio: Hayi Magents! Hayi Magents! Into kantethe le isisithethisisa ngamapromoters lama-editors eHarare both private and public media. I got three calls today maybe they thought I am associated with this project… And are saying tshomi kuhamba njani lapha … we are disappointed with this mediocre work …sokufaka ipressure everyone lapha. We need to confront these issues. Like Cleo said about gate keepers we need some gate keeping around quality issues”.
Ezra’s audio: Josh you can say that again and to be honest mina that’s why ungazange wangibona ngibhala anything on Facebook because I know if ngingabhala my real opinion kuzathiwa uEzra uzonda ama-artistes akoBulawayo … But to be honest if we are to be recognised as a region it’s a joke to really make noise ngengoma zomdala lowana. It’s a joke! It’s a joke! In the real world to be honest such type of music should never be given airplay. Yikudlala lokhu. Abantu want to justify to their funders ukuthi they are doing something …. Kuyethengwa ama- likes … it’s not helpful.
The two audios have riled artists across the country. Some artists have viewed the conversation as reckless and encouraging regionalism. James Mukwindidza a theatre practitioner from Harare responded, “Who exactly is complaining? And furthermore who are the gatekeepers? Do we now need some permission from somewhere to sing ……that is utter rubbish…if the promoters don’t like the song to hell with them … Guys this has got nothing to do with Matebeleland and Harare, kushora mabasa edu ma-artistes kuri kuitwa apa… pane vanhu vanofunga kuti ndivo vega vanoziva art, Ngavatipe zvavo zvinodarika Dlala Ntethe tinzwe.”
One artists felt it is unfortunate that people who are supposed to be promoting the arts are instead becoming a stumbling block. The whole situation is confusing. Three Kings had this to say, “It’s really sad to note ukuthi some of these producers ngabantu be Matabeleland ko Bulawayo but they are criticising amanye ama artists from their respective provinces. How are we going to rise nxa thina sesikhangelelana phansi shuwa. Mina angiboni nkinga nge music ka Mr Buhlungu, besides isong leyi ile message estrong and strengthens ama youths labo ntethe njee in general. Ngaphandle nxa sekule politics phakathi.”
The two audios have been viewed as unfortunate by most artists. Artists have highlighted that Skhosana’s song is his type of art. He doesn’t need approval from someone to record his music and has never forced someone to listen or view his song.
On some platforms the conversations have degenerated into unprintables. Name calling and insults have become the order of the day. Some of the installations into the debate have been rib cracking. One contributor on Bulawayo Celebrities WhatsApp group jokingly said he likes Skhosana’s music and he must continue singing about other insects like impolomplolo, iminyane, insikizi lentwala while Ezra concentrates on his businesses.
Some believe those who have criticised Nthethe are after Sikhobokhobo Madlela and Zenzele as individuals.
The other issue that is worrying is that of gatekeeping, handling and controlling. Who is keeping what gate and for who?
