HE’S battered and bruised after a gruelling fight for his musical passion.
And now more gatvol than ever . . .
KING OF KWAITO, ARTHUR MOFOKATE, IS CHANGING HIS BEAT!
“I’ve had it with this industry. I’ve served this industry with passion and honesty, but I must admit, our government cares less about it,” Arthur said.
“Some people just don’t know what they’re doing up there.”
The renowned veteran and owner of the successful record label, 999 Music, said the state of affairs in the music industry was cause for concern.
Said Arthur: “Those tasked with looking after our heritage, culture and protecting the rights of
musicians are sitting with their hands folded.
musicians are sitting with their hands folded.
“We’ve tried to offer solutions and a way forward, but we get ignored because a group of people who claim to represent us keep sucking monies out of government and doing
nothing to advance the cause.”
nothing to advance the cause.”
Arthur said organisations that did nothing to improve artists’ lives were given preference over more
experienced and knowledgeable people like himself.
“I don’t want to be seen to be attacking government, but I’ve run a successful black independent record label for 25 years, you can’t tell me I have no experience. That’s an insult,”
Arthur said, adding he might release most of his artists to other labels to focus on other businesses, as transformation in the music industry was not happening.
Arthur said, adding he might release most of his artists to other labels to focus on other businesses, as transformation in the music industry was not happening.
“There are cabals that are taking over our industry and steering it toward the wrong direction, and that will be to the detriment of our artists,” he said.
“The King of Kwaito” also identified distribution and funding as other stumbling blocks for those set on getting their feet wet with independent labels.
“Most of us own independent labels, but all the music is distributed by either international or white-owned companies, and there’s a few of them.
“We have the power to change people’s lives, but distribution and funding are the elephants in the room,” he said.
And in a final bid to make some difference,He warned up-and-coming musicians: “Most of our favourite young musicians may be big now, but as things stand, they face the danger of dying poor.
“Look around you, development sits way behind the pushed notion of the bling-bling lifestyle. This won’t get our kids anywhere.”
Meanwhile, sources claimed many music veterans, including Arthur, were unhappy with newcomers Mabala Noise and Ambitious Entertainment.
According to insiders, the old hands were disturbed by these record labels – both of them dominating the industry – having owners who were aligned with the ANC government.
