The late E-sir perfoming[photo/edgecastcdn.net]Since time immemorial, the rule of the game has been, adapt or die. With the local scenes changing fast, artists are finding themselves at the crossroads when it comes to selling and distributing their music.
In the 80s, people made money from selling and distributing of compact cassettes. These antiques were part of the big cake, each recording artiste dreamt of making and selling millions of them. Until then, our grandparents and maybe parents would kill to own vinyl records, making the artistes laugh all the way to the bank.
Then came the compact discs and with the digital age now knocking off the bolts and hinges of the outdated market, entrepreneurs everywhere in the world rushed to make killings of this new phenomenon.
Those who clanged dearly to the archaic ways of selling and distributing music were left licking their wounds and cursing at modernity. All was well for those who had ventured into the business. Locally, River Road-based music merchants were experiencing the roller coaster.
But it wasn’t to stand for long as the piracy menace took over. Distribution firms made losses as criminals made away with millions of shillings at the expense of recording artists. The witty ones made friends with the River Road producers who would play a game within certain limits.
One being surrendering your music to them and they sell the number of copies they could as you got your cut. This includes the cars you see in the estates with speakers blaring music as a couple of youth go round selling CDs.
Music consumers wanted their music packaged in a different format and as the forces of demand and supply dictate, once again, artists and their management had to adapt to selling and distribution of music online.
This also gave birth to the controversial Premium Rate Services (PRSP) and Skiza Tunes. For one to make money, you need to have a huge following of loyal fans who are willing to download your music or make it their Skiza Tunes.