‘Producers to blame for Zim’s poor music quality’

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A new era of digital music production has initiated the dawn of backyard studios in the country.

A new era of digital music production has initiated the dawn of backyard studios in the country.

By Kennedy Nyavaya

Mono-Mukundu

The proliferation of production houses after a long monopoly like the one enjoyed by Gramma Records and others in the past has come at a critical time, prompting aspiring musicians to maximise on the opportunity.

It obliterated the line of professionalism which had restrained many from gaining entry into mainstream music as they sometimes failed to match the set standard quality.

However, despite the proliferation of studios in the country, the quality of music seems to have gone down.

Veteran musician and producer Clive Mono Mukundu thinks otherwise.

“It is not about the equipment but it is about the man on the desk [producer] because there are many things involved in the production of music,” said Mukundu.

He said the influx was a worldwide phenomenon, hence lack of quality cannot be blamed on it since other artists in countries like the United States have produced remarkable work.

“Lack of creativity and experience are factors which also contribute because most international producers usually start as musicians,” Mukundu said.

“They become producers with time when they have gained experience and understand music better.”

The former Oliver Mtukudzi guitarist said radio stations have also served as a catalyst in the process as they seem to have less quality control mechanisms.

“Radio stations are also to blame because they do not have strict quality control systems anymore. They play music of poor quality,” he said.

Multi award-winning producer Macdonald “MacDee” Chidavaenzi concurred, saying the producers should make sure that their products are worthy of airplay.

“Before getting to radio stations, I feel it is our duty as producers to maintain our standards,” he said.

“I think it is us at the end of the day who let these productions leave the studio without checking the quality.”

MacDee admitted that because most of the new crop of producers were self-taught, they will make mistakes and music lovers should allow the growth process to take place.

“The reason why it appears like there is lack of quality in today’s productions is that in Zimbabwe 80% of our producers are self-taught talent-based individuals,” he said.

Artists like Jah Prayzah, Sulumani Chimbeti and Alick Macheso are some of the country’s top musicians who have opened their own studios.