ZIM dancehall artist, Freeman, says the musicians are not rich the industry in Zimbabwe does not pay well and the road to success is a treacherous one.
The chanter said people have the wrong perception that prominent artists are rich even though the opposite is usually true.
In a statement, which he posted on his social media platforms, he said:
“I have been reading comments some saying anga asina mota.
“Kkkk u guys, this is not America or South Africa where you can get endorsements or buy cars and horses, after waita one hit song.
“Kuno kuZim ma artists hatina mota or dzimba zivai izvozvo, panotorojwa…hatipihwe mari dzinotenga.
“Ndozvazviri munyika yedu, ask any artist who you are close to anokuudza kuti ma one, road yatofamba kuzonzi unzi wanembiri or mota!”
In an interview with H-Metro the chanter blamed promoters.
“To some extent promoters are to be blamed,” he said.
“They don’t really value local artists, sometimes you find out that their priorities are international artists due to the amounts they pay them.
“Like recently people were not pleased with Joeboy’s performance but to my surprise that artiste was paid way more than Jah Prayzah.
“Here in Zimbabwe local artistes are not really supported like international artists.
“People show up in numbers when local artists are sharing the stage with international artists.
“We need to be supported and embraced here in our own country, there is no way I can be supported outside without being embraced locally.
“People really take local artists for granted and it really hurts.
“I think something needs to be really done in the music industry.
“Fans, as well as promoters, should consider music as serious business because we need to please fans as well as bring food on the table for our families.”
He added: “A lot of well-known artists, they don’t have anything but they have hit songs and also big names.
“It hurts that you have to use a lot of money for studio recordings but when it comes to shows you don’t even get half of what you used for all the hit songs.
“We all have responsibilities and we need money to fulfil those responsibilities, we need to be valued.
“I know people will say Freeman has cars and everything, yes, because I came a very long way.
“What about those upcoming artists and other young hard working artists?
“They all need to be where I am today but it doesn’t mean that they have to suffer to get all that.”
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