Bulawayo Reggae Artists Urge Musicians to Strive for Global Recognition
Written by Skyz Metro FM on January 27, 2025
Effort Moyo | 27 January 2025
Bulawayo reggae artists and a promoter have called on local musicians to elevate their craft, market themselves professionally, and aim to perform at larger platforms to gain international recognition.
The call comes in the wake of Wallace Chirumiko, popularly known as Winky D, being nominated for the prestigious 42nd International Reggae and World Music Awards. The awards will be held on 30 March at Coral Springs Centre for the Arts in South Florida, USA.
In an interview with Skyz Metro FM, reggae artist Clive Robin Change, known as WaBB, highlighted the importance of artists engaging professional managers and marketers to avoid compromising the quality of their brand.
“Reggae artists need to start treating music like a business. Many of us wear too many hats – we produce, market, distribute, book our own shows. This multi-tasking inevitably compromises the quality of our art. If we focus on honing our artistry and leave the business aspects to professionals, I believe it will be much easier for the world to recognize and appreciate our talent,” said WaBB.
Legendary reggae show host and artist Gabriel Nyandoro, known as Gabz Hotta Fire, encouraged local musicians to remain persistent and produce music that meets international standards.
“It’s an incredible honor for us to have an artist recognized internationally. This signifies our entry into the global music market. For local artists who haven’t yet received international recognition, like myself, we need to push harder. This is an opportunity for us to connect with the international stage. We must strive to produce music that meets international standards and compete on a global level to gain worldwide recognition,” said Gabz Hotta Fire.
Reggae promoter Emmanuel Nqobile Bhova, also known as Qola, noted that many local artists lack international recognition because they focus solely on local shows. He emphasized the need to perform at larger music gigs to attract global audiences.
“If you’re an artist, you need to actively market yourself. Distribute flyers, let people know you’re available for birthdays and other events. Many local artists limit themselves to performing only in their neighborhoods. They need to venture into town where bigger shows are happening. This exposure will help them gain recognition as they’ll be performing alongside established artists.
Instead of relying on ‘Share It’ and Bluetooth, artists should leverage social media platforms to effectively market their music,” Qola stated.
Winky D’s nomination as Best African Dancehall Entertainer alongside international stars such as Patoranking and Shatta Wale was celebrated by local artists, who cited his universal message and polished delivery as key to his global success.