PRODUCERS of Big Brother Africa (BBA) and Africa’s leading music channel, Channel O have urged artists from across the continent, especially Zimbabwe, to submit their music for airplay in the BBA house.
Melissa Mpofu in Johannesburg
Channel O channel manager, Lesley Kasumba said artists needed to take advantage of the BBA platform to promote their music.
“Now is the time for Zimbabwean music to be played across Africa. The music needs to have been recorded well as producers of the show have standards they need to maintain,” she said.
She added that local artists needed to submit their CDs at the MultiChoice Zimbabwe offices for them to be considered for airplay in the BBA house.
Last year, South Africa-based Zimbabwean urban groover Enock “Nox” Guni submitted his music and it received a lot of airplay with tracks such as Ndada and Ndinonyara being played more than three times a week in the house.
Housemates got attached to his music and would sing along to the songs. Kasumba said artists who performed during the live BBA eviction shows were chosen by Channel O and the BBA organisers.
“Channel O is responsible for the selection of artists who perform during eviction shows or any other BBA shows. We look at artists who will be people’s favourites in their country at that particular time and try to get them to perform on the BBA stage. We also look at the artistes’ type of music and see if it is in line with BBA,” Kasumba said.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Local artists such as Winky D, Cindy Munyavi, Stunner and High Definition Dance group have had the opportunity to perform on the BBA stage during the eviction shows. Kasumba said DJs who played during the BBA Friday night parties were selected by BBA’s partner radio stations.
“Each year, Big Brother partners with various radio stations in each of the 14 participating countries. These radio stations help us select a DJ who will play during one of the BBA parties,” she said.
Zimbabwean DJs, Raydizz and Davies Mugadza have sampled the BBA decks during the reality show’s parties.
Most Zimbabwean musicians have not been making use of international music channels to promote their music, a move which has seen most of them limiting their fan base to only Zimbabw.
A few artists like Buffalo Souljah, Portia Njazi and Vanessa Sibanda who have taken advantage of Channel O and sent their music videos for airplay.
