Business Unusual: Artists working for politicians

Maya Roze | Tuesday April 22, 2014 11:00

I believe his hesitation led to the normal people, yes, I mean Vee and the jazz guy getting the tender. He is a blessed man – granted. I have no jealous bone in my system still but I believe this is a reflection on the monopolization of the entertainment industry by the same characters. It is a pity Ozzi F Teddy is busy pissing people off and the other possible artist is a transsexual, which is illegal and everyone else is ‘too deep’. Berry Heart already left a smudge at the Office of the President but I would have liked to see artists such as Tsweksy Gee, Abb7y or Lee Tshipana contacted to engage in such a project. They are the youth, are they not? What about those who are born in this country or hold Botswana citizenship but have ancestors from Reunion Islands, Zimbabwe, Nigeria or UK? They have Omang but are never engaged to take part as if they ‘are not’ Batswana such Christophe, RaeLyric or Cedric, Ngozi Chukura etc – they are youth, talented and in positions of newness, are more likely to attract new votes?

Are the people in positions of empowerment just plain cheesy and shallow? Do they like shortcuts or do they fear taking a risk on talent? It is a bore to see the same things. No wonder VS and Scar are indifferent.

Please stop hollering at your homeboys to make theme songs about the community and call me, or Leshie Lovesong, Debbie with a Tee or the Metrophones. Step out of the comfort zone. Do not get me wrong – I am not trying to be the next Seabelo Modibe and shoot myself in the foot- pointing fingers, finding problems and complaining like the opposition party does with no solutions. I am merely recommending a widening of scope with regards of engaging youth and artists. Ga ke rumolane. I am just saying that it does not always have to be a hip hop or house track – try smooth new age jazz, or soft rock or reggae genre and see how it moves the nation.

I am becoming indifferent to politics and the fairness of government support, and so are a lot of other performers because it seems to me that you are side-lining us privies (private-school or degree-holding individuals) and targeting rustic types. Why? Are you under the perception that we do not have stories relative to the rest of the nation? Are we twanging too much? Tell, me since when is modernity and urbanization irrelevant to the politicization of arts – how do you marginalize arts practitioners? Too much jargon you say- well I say – let us speak to them on your behalf, you will be amazed how much the youth will relate to us. Create spaces for debates to take place around identity management, copyrights and the role of the government support or its lack of- allow us to research find out for you what issues and support needs does the youth have. You should know by now that the arts are the most powerful mode of communication – on condition that it is adjusted with the change of times.

I am crying on behalf of all those that want to be involved in politics for the sake of business, of those who are affected and have strong feelings about the state of our nation, those that do not have provocative, but rather intellectual spoken word pieces (with sensible content) dedicated His Excellency, those that could be given a reason to vote, those that will be seated where the Nashas and Moitois are today (hopefully surprise re-shuffles in our time).

I understand the psychology behind it: the more popular – the more audible, but right now, too much of something is just plain rotten. Or something like that. You get what I am trying to say right? A little bit of difference, of newness never killed anyone.   Ever! Just stop with the predictability – we know the obvious – BDP AND ANC ARE GOING TO WIN! So there is no harm in bloody trying a new band to sing for the nation that which they are rooted from. Ijakg!

LIVE FREE GROW NEW ARTS, ASAP!