Nigerian Rapper/Sound Engineer Slimkelz Reuben who hails from Bayelsa state, pointed out some of the problems the Bayelsa Music Industry is facing. He also pointed out some solutions to these problems. Read what he said below;
Bycityjamz - What are the problems you think Bayelsa Music Industry is facing?
Slimkelz - First of all the major challenge Yentown artist are facing is lack of prominent record labels.
The major challenge that the industry in Yentown is facing is stemmed from the absence of major labels, which marked the collapse of the structure for artists. This collapse can be linked to the decline in the economy and finance in which these artists need to be pushed do they can be heard everywhere not just in Yentown.
This situation on the ground will remain if the atmosphere is not conducive for a record label as it is the label that forms the skeleton of the recording industry: Once you make it difficult for the record label which is the primary unit of the music industry to survive, the result would be what obtains or what we have now. It is the record label that aggregates all the other factors together, they give the artists a platform, the producers they hire, the song writers, publishing people they contract and deal with, they do the PR, they do the packaging they do the marketing, they do the promotion, they are the ones who hire the photographers to do photo shoot for the album, they are the ones who hire the video directors, scriptwriters, dancers and what have you. If you make it difficult for the record label to survive what you have is what we have now, utter chaos!
Because our state does not have sea ports nor airports to be exporting the works of our artists to the rest of the world not just Nigeria.
Secondly
Lack of official government policy and enforcement:
The Bayelsa State and Nigerian government in general is yet to have any efficient official policy or proper way of enforcing policies to protect the intellectual rights of artists. This might not be unconnected with the fact that the government is yet to see the viability of the music and entertainment industry as a sustainable sector for revenue generation. The I.I.P.A. (2007: 351) observed that „there is little enforcement activity in Nigeria, and cooperation between government agencies to implement and enforce the law, including law enforcement, is sparse and erratic‟. There exists the Nigerian Copyright Council (N.C.C.) but the sale of pirated CDs, DVDs and VCDs is still going on unabated while Alaba market remains untouchable. The N.C.C. launched the STRAP (Strategy Against Piracy) in 2005 which is supposed to be the effective.
Thirdly
Lack of proper understanding of the music industry by artists:
A lot of artists don't understand the industry they find themselves, they feel it's just too record a song without professional mixing and reviewing before putting out to the audience
Some songs might have good lyrics and tune but bad mixing which makes the artist lose value and people love clean sound and not noisy or busted audio when performing on stage or while they play it in their phones or decks they'll just delete or next your song because of the poor sound.
Artists in Yentown need to spend money to achieve good sound, so they can be respected among their counterparts outside the state.
A lot of artists even the ones who have gotten a little fame tend to beg for shows instead of them to wait till they are being called for a show, so they can give these show organizers their price tag, rather they beg to perform free, these cats need to put some pride in their hustle.
Even when I was in NDU I don't go to anyhow shows, I respected myself.
Artists in Yentown need packaging and should always have a manager show biz promoters can talk to and not to them directly.
That brings a lot of respect .
Don't go to a show and give them your song that's the duty of your manager or the organizers of the event.
Some artist have no respect and are not humble, just because you got one popular song on air you feel pompous proud and raises shoulder up, challenging the OG's who've been in the industry before you.
Humility matters a lot, it's one of the secret that lifts an artist above his level.
Bycityjamz - What do you think is the solution to these problems?
Slimkelz - Financial intervention:
Intervention of financial institutions in Bayelsa through investment in the industry to give it a boost the same way some ailing banks were saved through the central bank's intervention in Nigeria. No industry can survive without funding and the music industry is not an exception.
2: Policy formulation and enforcement :
The artists in Yentown should be united and under one body, there should be laid down rules and policy formulations, laws governing all the artists and if any artist break any of the policies a fine should be placed, and made compulsory so artist will start respecting their selves and have pride in being called an artist.
3: The issue of proper distribution network:
Distribution is a very important aspect for any viable industry and where this is lacking it is certain that the survival of that industry is shaky. A proper distribution network is crucial in the Yentown.
If artists are united they can discuss with radio stations to be distributing songs of artists in the state to other states to promote both the audio visuals outside the state also, likewise this radio/tv stations can negotiate to be playing artists songs from other states too on their station.
This way the songs of artists in Yentown well travel far than the way it is, and they'll be getting shows from other states which well boost their popularity and pockets too.
The body can instruct all labels/artists to contribute a little money to facilitate the movement of their songs to be aired outside the state.
4: The issue of royalties:
Establishing a proper avenue for collecting artists‟ royalties as done in developed countries. This will ensure proper remuneration for artists and go a long way in sustaining the home.
In a normal day artists ought to have royalties when their songs are being used on jingles and adverts, and also when their songs/videos are played on air.
5: Commerce and digital music business:
There is a need for exploration and development of digital music distribution in consonance with the global trend. This is imperative as the music industry is becoming digital and for Yentown to be compliant with the digital age, there is a need to explore the possibility of this avenue.
Artists in Yentown need to learn how to monetize their YouTube pages and promote their Facebook page and IG via sponsored ads, this is very important and necessary as an artist to gain more audience and fan base. I advise them to be selling their songs on online stores and focus more on social media publicity via sponsored ads.
Bycityjamz - Who are your Top 5 Bayelsan Entertainers Currently?
Slimkelz - My Top 5 Yentown artists
I have not been stable in Yentown for about two years now, Yentown gat a lot of artists that are extremely good, but I'll still give my favorite top 5 Yentown artists
5: Yawng Boss
4: Jah Wondah
3: Mas
2: Black Geez
1: Ruthy Jay
Bycityjamz - What's your advice to upcoming artistes in Bayelsa?
Slimkelz - Advice to upcoming artists in Yentown
Right now is a great time for independent artists to positions themselves for success in today’s music industry. But how can you give yourself a better chance of standing out from the crowd?
1: CONNECT WITH FANS
Building a strong relationship with your fans is crucial to your success as an independent musician. To sustain and grow your fan base you'll need to connect with your listeners both online and in person.
Playing live as often as possible and in plenty of different venues and locations. A killer live show is a great way to win over new fans and keep your current ones happy. Make an great impression on stage and make sure the audience remember you.
2: BRAND IDENTITY & AWARENESS
Get yourself some eye-catching graphics that you can use across all your promotional materials, from your website and social media accounts, to your posters, flyers, business cards, t-shirts.
And also have your own fashion/kind of look.
Dress sense matters a lot, it helps to boost an artist fan base also.
I like Soda Phreshband O'his for that, I love their brand and sense of fashion.
3: STOP WAITING FOR A RECORD LABEL
No one is going to knock on your door with a golden ticket, and no one is going to do the hard work for you. Don’t assume that major labels know the secrets of the industry, or that signing a record deal is even a good idea.
Many musicians who sign to a major record label never actually end up releasing music, and labels can drop an artist as quickly as they signed them. Nowadays, major labels hardly ever sign an artist without a successful independent career behind them, so concentrate on doing your own thing and don’t worry about chasing a big-money deal.
4: WORK HARD & STAY FOCUSED
This might sound controversial, but you shouldn't have a Plan B. Having a Plan B can distract from your Plan A, and if you start doubting that your plan is going to work, then it probably won’t!
Do you want to spend your life working on something you’re not truly passionate about? Successful people take risks. You may get to a point in your life where your friends have lots of money or a new car, which can tempt you into taking a job you don’t really want. But don't give up on your dream! Keep focussed and follow your passion.
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