Are music bands sustainable?
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday May 28, 2023 06:00
The Ubuntu Band breakup is just one of the too many cases of music groups who were tipped for success but failed to stick together. The name Mokorwana Cultural Group would ring a bell to those who followed Botswana music in the early 2000s. The group was the toast of Botswana’s most unique sound, traditional music which had become contemporary.
The group burst onto the scene with hit songs such as Madume and Tshweu anchored by two of the country’s most talented singers and performers Shirley and Gong Master.
Then there was another group called Machesa, which went on to become the country’s only Kora Award winners in 2003 with their sizzling track Tshipidi.
Machesa went on to birth another group called Matsieng, which became a household name after their album, Setswana sa borre took the industry by storm.
The band became dormant after lead singer, Ditiro Leero had beef with producer Eric Ramco and went solo.
The group has never been the same without him, but their attempt to revive recently proved tough. Another name that comes to mind is Shalawa, an Afro Pop group, which became a one-hit wonder when they dropped the song Sebakanyana.
One would also remember names such as Unik Attractions, Natural Kids, Culture Spears, Mantshwabisi, Tu-Unik, Wizards of the Desert, Eskimos and Davet Crew to name but a few. These are some of the musical groups that gave us hits in the years gone by but failed to keep up and went defunct for different reasons.
The groups or in some cases duos were successful. While some such as Culture Spears, Matsieng and Machesa tried to make a comeback, they have found it tough to regroup and come back with full compliments of their members. In their attempt to return, the groups have struggled to replicate their past glory and sustain their resurrection attempts.
Just across the border in South Africa, which has been Southern Africa’s one-stop benchmark arena, there are several cases of music groups that instantly shook the music scene but disappeared instantly. Names such as Trompies, Teargas and TKZee are some that one would remember. These were brands that dominated the front pages of entertainment pages and show stages but disappeared once a member left to attempt a solo career or for other reasons. Another one is the recently reported beef between Sdala B & Paige, which means the two could also separate and cut short the existence of a music duo that promised so much in the current generation.
Whilst groups have proven successful in the short term, it has also been evidently clear that they are not as equally viable and sustainable. The big question is musical groups or bands are just a question of ‘one-night stand convenience’ or what? For example, as a band, it is likely to get more fans because of the various personalities as each individual may appeal to someone.
Arts & Culture spoke to one of the country’s renowned music promoters and artist managers, Gilbert ‘PP Wa Pimp’ Seagile. The latter was at one point the manager of one of the country’s most famous music groups, Culture Spears in 2006.
He says at the time, Culture Spears were the hottest property with their hit songs Khudu and Kulenyane. The group would later on break up in 2015 after Magdelene Lesolebe otherwise known as Charma Gal separated from her then husband, Kabelo Mogwe.
Whilst ‘PP Wa Pimp’ could not discuss Culture Spears in this instance, he says he has observed that the only root cause “is money and not having the same belief over your product.”
‘PP Wa Pimp’ believes if group members do not share the same vision it becomes a problem.
“So you find that groups have different characters with different vision. As a solo singer you know what type of music you want to make and which direction you want to go in,” he explained.
He said as a band, members might not have the same passion and everyone’s personal direction could also differ, causing a clash between members.