Recently Malawian DVJ cum artist DVJ Scarpper has being circulating a piece of his mind mostly meant for Malawian artists via social media. The Dziko Fm presenter has been posting on almost every group on whatsapp, facebook etc. Asked on why he`s been doing all this, he said its all because he loves art and it pains him the most to see it die like nobody cares for it.
Scarpper`s dream is to see Malawian art rise to its full capacity and until then he wont rest but rather push harder for peace, love and harmony to grow and glow among the key players in the industry. Below is the full post by this wonderful man behind the decks from the capital city of Malawi-Lilongwe.
TO MY BELOVED ARTISTS
Dear urban artists, I must admit that it really takes a lot of your time, energy and the waste of your money to produce music. I also want you to know that it takes a djs energy, talent and kindness to promote your music for free. The main reason am writing the letter to you, last year you brought me your cd with your new music for promotion, I never requested a cent from you because we are one family in the music circle (Djs and artists must be one) but sometimes you disappoint me. you forget that the dj is the promoter, he`s the one who knows good or trash music. The problem comes when I call you to perform on my show, hey! You act rude, you request money to perform, yet you forget that, the same dj whom you gave out the cd for free last time and put you on the platform, the same dj you are charging today is the same dj who created the famous you.
If I were you, I would never request for money but unite with the djs and work together as one family. By doing so, entertainment will grow in Malawi-Africa-elsewhere. Artist, am also disappointed in you, when I call you on the phone, you sound as if am a stranger and then later on you request me to speak with your manager. My question is that,where was the manager when you brought the cd to me for promotion? This is how we are killing music in Malawi-Africa-elsewhere, let us have a deal here, give a dj your music for free promotion and perform for free. It's up to the dj to pay you something after the show and its up to you to give out something to the dj. You should also be able to understand when things don`t go according to plan.
As a veteran dj for over 17 years now, it's only my wish to see artists and djs unite worldwide. Am not against you brothers, I hope you will understand me. Money comes and money goes but talent, unity and peace will always be real and never will it fade away.
SOMETHING I`VE OBSERVED IN MALAWI`S MUSIC INDUSTRY
Music as an art that should be highly respected is no longer respected anymore. What I mean by this is that, very few are true artists that stick to their craft. Many artists are now just after the buzz and the fuzz! They are all about the money first! Don't get me wrong here, i know people gotta eat. But it is the rampant "Commercialization" of the art that saddens me.
Artists & labels are doing anything in search of a "HIT"! We see rappers converting to singers or whatever is mainstream & the other way round! They're giving up their true identity & art! For what?...a "hit" song that will give them that buzz & a couple of shows around town?
What comes after that trend of "hits" phases out? They go after a new style in search of yet another hit! This is the slow death of the art of music! Real artists and musicians stay true to their style... thats some golden uniqueness! Hits come naturally, you cant force them at all. They are not chased. Hits are original.
The sad thing is that the average person doesn't know what an authentic hit is (subjective one might argue). And what is fed to the ears of the people is what they perceive as "Good Music". Big corporations and financially superior individuals are now able to use money to influence or dictate what good music is!
The sad thing is that the average person doesn't know what an authentic hit is (subjective one might argue). And what is fed to the ears of the people is what they perceive as "Good Music". Big corporations and financially superior individuals are now able to use money to influence or dictate what good music is!
On my part I try the best i can so as to appreciate what is real, i dont go about entertaining junk stuff. If its a hit, i treat it as one, same goes with junk music. Its better to tell someone that their stuff needs to go back in the production process than to lie and say everything is just the way its supposed to be, If we do that just to make our artists happy am afraid the industry will just vanish into the thin air,
Personally, being a music producer, I hate it when an artist whose music & style I know comes to me asking me to make them a hit like someone else's! For example a rapper comes to me and say he wants a Dancehall song from nowhere just because a certain Dancehall song is topping charts! Come on I wouldn't tolerate that! What is going to be his style now? Dancehall? Rap?
Personally, being a music producer, I hate it when an artist whose music & style I know comes to me asking me to make them a hit like someone else's! For example a rapper comes to me and say he wants a Dancehall song from nowhere just because a certain Dancehall song is topping charts! Come on I wouldn't tolerate that! What is going to be his style now? Dancehall? Rap?
All in all, my point is, respect the art of music. Money & fame will naturally follow. Doesn't matter how long it take you to be there, true art prevails.Don't take this post to be anti-versatility, I am just being one true son of Africa speaking my mind. Africa rise up, Malawi rise up!!! Lets give people what matters to them, lets unite and make something that will show out the strength of our art.
Big up to all those who respect the art!
Big up to all those who respect the art!
Yours truly
DVJ SCARPPER
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