Game of thrusted trust!

Maya Roze | Monday May 26, 2014 09:25

It felt good on some other day, the blessings that came with cheering someone up and hearing a new voice and conversation, angle and tone take place over a quart, noodles and morogo wa dinawa. It is a pity, however, that it remains about the same things. How we end up doing things for our artist friends, knowing that we can trust them; only for them to mess us up and it made me wonder about the numerous times I had been hustled.

For instance, studio politics and hustling has me wounded still and I am so worried about the young gifted minds that are coming out and being lured into the dragon’s cave, which from the outside looks like a gorgeous secret garden entrance. Step inside and you will be swallowed deep into it like a greasy, dark morbid nightmarish labyrinth, with echoes of promises being snickered at by goblin shadows dancing on the wall as the dragon breathes his flames. When Noddy goes Goku-cum-mad hatter-cum-demonic and you have no choice but to succumb.

In basic English, I am paranoid about these cool young women that I know as super-talented, who are bound to be hustled. The main thing is how I advise them without seeming like I don’t want them to enjoy the seasoning I experienced to make me who I am now. In what way do I put It that they are protected and make insightful responsible decisions, seeing as brutal honesty is not always heroic. I mean how do I tell them to avoid the Miley Cyrus route and not to perceive carelessness and lack of self-respect as self-expression. Especially because I cant stand the young, as if I wasn’t a young’n myself. My point is what is the worth of a female artist, where does she draw the line between being attracted to the smooth talking ‘spirit-filled’ producer, whom with every note understands her, how do I tell him that my kisses are not payment for my music being made.

There are those people out there that become accountable for their errors and will make a comeback to correct their ways. I must say that I was in the wrong to treat all of them in a cynical manner and show them that I am not falling for their tricks again. It becomes a question of trust I suppose. Emotional as we are, in being artists, we bond, deeply as we share our bare-naked souls, in a naïve manner sometimes. That is why it hurts even more to find that the one you gave your soul to, sucks it dry and shows no remorse.

This week I am learning how to forgive, to be patient, to accept that in retaliation, there is self-inflicted pain and all else. That some bridges area burnt but also rebuilt, in the same area where forest fires love to dwell and visit now and then. Are you a bruised and battered wife who is addicted to the pain, or are you the empowered feminist that detests all things that remind you of your pain.

In this refreshing bonding session, I learnt that this person who will grow to be a close friend was hurt by another person, business wise. He undercharged, was used and remains the genius beggar on the street, as those that know his name laugh at him, sipping wines at sky lounge, talking about how successful their project was when they did nothing to contribute to it besides place pawns on the boards and watch the game unfold. Pitiful, sore and disdainful, but one must rise.

I suppose the main question is how do we stop this trend of bad people, mean people, selfish people taking advantage of our art. How do we let them know what they are doing is not kosher and it will, as karma always does, return with a vengeance. Regardless, equipment is not paid for, band is not paid for, no food in the cupboard and fuel in the car. No way for them to rise because they have blocked all avenues of moving on.

Unfair. It really is, being that as long as they do this, the industry does not grow. The worse part is if it was a written contract and kindness was abused, intelligence was insulted and all else that was notions of progression in community fades away with the lies.

Pay up guys. Honour agreements, because we did our part and played the roles signed upon on the piece of paper that I perceived you would understand. Lying is crude, rude and unnecessary. So think about it. Simply pay up. If you cant afford me, don’t promise or trick me into it. If I have to pay up, tell me before I step into that studio. It will save time.