Botswana's Diamond Studios sets up base

FRAZER MPOFU
Correspondent | Thursday January 29, 2009 00:00

The presence of Diamond Studios is designed to build synergies between Zimbabwean artists and their Botswana counterparts, Diamond Studios' marketing manager, Avoid Chibanda said.

He said the studio has state-of-the-art equipment.  He said their key target market are young, emerging musicians.  However, established artists can also have their songs recorded.

After the opening of the office last week, Chibanda said, Diamond Studios launched a programme to look for talented musicians, with a view to signing them on and having their works recorded.

'It is clear that from the demo CDs that have been brought to us from some young artists that there is a lot of talent in Zimbabwe,' said Chibanda.

'So we are looking at signing on those who impressed us with their demos and more who may not have been able to submit theirs, but are capable.'

Diamond Studios has already signed talented Zimbabwean gospel musicians Kudzi Nyakudya and Agatha Murudzwa.  Both play gospel and are working on new works that would be recorded through Diamond Studios.

In Botswana, said Chibanda, the recording label has contracts with rhumba supremo, Jeff Matheutau who has a new album called Ko Moepong.

Songbirds Baloi and Tselakgopo also have contracts with Diamond Studios, as do Chris Manto and Kaizer.

Baloi and Tselakgopo are riding on the success of their new projects Molelo and Konkobi respectively.

Of the five Batswana artists who are in the Diamond Studios stable, only Jeff is known here, after he staged some shows with popular Zimbabwean musicians Tongai Moyo and Alick Macheso a few years ago. 

As a result, Jeff has a significant following in Zimbabwe, which could make it easier for Diamond Studios to further enhance his presence on the market.

The new investment in Zimbabwe, said Chibanda, would help create a market for Batswana musicians.  Zimbabwean musicians, he added would in turn have a market nurtured for their works in Botswana.

'We also want to facilitate joint programmes between Zimbabwean and Batswana artists.  This will strengthen their professional relations, while at the same time serving to market their music to a wider audience,' said Chibanda.

He said the recording label will sponsor the first few Zimbabwean artists to make the grade, for them to record in Botswana.