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I was recently confronted by a friend on this issue and it took a lot of braving before i gave my answer and suddenly it dawned on me that this was a pressing issue that needed to addressed or it may turn extinct at the point we least expect.
Adamawa state is blessed with a lot of curative talent. Some still sprouting while others are budding with energetic abilities especially in the music industry. The songs are so amazing that i recently encountered a friend who went for his NYSC at Ogun state and saw a group of people dancing to a particular song. He identified the song as belonging to a Yola based singer but when he asked if they new the singer, and they simply said. "we don't know him o!, but the song is very sweet and we use it regularly to dance!"
Now we see and read about musicians signing mouth-watering endorsements deals, buying flashy cars, taking world tours living the "GOOD LIFE" This goes to show that the music does pay!
However, there is a seemingly different atmosphere in Adamawa state. Time after time i have sat with several talented singers and several have given the same doom and gloom story of how they were invited for performances of which they delivered, thrilled the crowd and even received standing ovations amidst cheers, yet upon descending from the stage after the show, rather that get preferential treatment as was given them when coming in, they are quickly shown the exit and with a meagre wad of cash or in some cases just enough to cover there transportation to their place of residence.
read more after the cut
With all of this misguided treatment being dealt on the same individuals who are expected to raise the standard of entertainment in the state, the question is should the Singers start demanding for performance fees upfront?
I mean check it out.
One very popular singer i know in Jimeta once went for a concert in which i also attended, i mean his performance was out of this world, he got the audience spell bound with just one song he just released and when he left, people were just congratulating him and asking for pictures and phone numbers, however after the show, we exchanged a few laughs and he told me that "you would not believe, but the organizers just gave me #1,000 for the performance."
i mean seriously #1,000 in this day and age. How much is a studio session.
Most producers charge between #7,000 to #15,000 in Jimeta for a complete session, so if all events payed #1,000 per show, then it would take 7 hard wrenching performances to get the money for a session out and probably 10 - 25 performances to squeeze the equivalent of what it cost you to make the entire album. The irony is that they would give you a meagre amount and tell you "kai na gida ne ai" (meaning in hausa - you are one of us now).
No offense intended but a budget is made for every event right, food, lights, fuel, transport, hiring of equipment and quest speaker right? so where in jupiter's name is the musician or performing act supposed to come in.
everyday we talk about wizkid's new porsche, ice prince new bentley, even the comedians buy new stuff for their spouses and then the Yola singer.......we just pass by in our lovely cars and wave him/her as we drive by without remembering that his song, her act, their dance entertain, you don't attend, or you say the gate fee of #500 is too much and why should you pay since you are part of his success.
Even worst is when they have to beg you to "find something for them"after the performed on your stage in your event. i mean, lest face it they have not been treated fairly in the past decade, some have gotten other jobs others have quit totally
so the question once agian, should the singers, dancers , rappers begin to demand for performance fee upfront before a performance? Share your thoughts.
May God reward the publisher of this interesting issue. Our 'so called' big boys, companies and government itself are enemies of music and the state's youth in general. I'll never beg for shows cos, it's death before dishonour!
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