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URBAN groovers have accused local radio station Power FM of ditching its 75% local content policy.
They said the station was playing more international songs than local tunes, depriving them of airplay that is necessary in boosting their careers. Some of the urban groovers who talked to Standardplus expressed their disgruntlement, saying the radio station was "disempowering them". Urban groovers enjoyed unlimited airplay following the introduction of the policy, championed by former Information minister Jonathan Moyo in 2001. Moyo intended to personally shape the "local content," pressuring recording studios to refuse artists who wished to record protest music and rewarding musicians —including prominent ones — for recording pro-government propaganda songs. Moyo also wrote and produced his own songs in support of the government and its policies, and blacklisted some of songs that could not be broadcast on state airwaves. However listening to Power FM these days, one might be forgiven for believing that the station has introduced its own 75% international content, judging by the number of songs by international artists. Eden Timbe, who won the best female urban groover award, said promoters and the DJs should learn to promote local artists. "How would people appreciate our music when we are not being given fair play on these stations?" asked Timbe. "It seems as if the promoters are not interested in us and they do not have faith in us anymore." Another urban groover who refused to be named for fear of having his music blacklisted on the radio, blamed the DJs for not giving their music enough time. "These DJs are not playing our music, maybe they think we are not good enough but they should realise that no matter what, we are here to stay," he said. Another urban groover said it was very difficult to get airplay since DJs were mostly playing music from American artists such as Chris Brown, Akon and Rihanna. There have also been allegations that DJs were demanding bribes from musicians. "They demand money from us so they can play our music. Some of them will openly tell you that if you do not give them money then they will not play," said the singer. "But how can we give them money when we are struggling?" However one urban groover, Stunner, said he was happy because his music was being played on the radio. "I can not complain, my songs are being played and I think the music of those who are complaining r is just not good enough," he said. ZBC public relations manager Sivukile Simango said ZBC was trying by all means to play 75% local music and dismissed the accusations from the urban groovers as baseless. "How are they measuring that their music is not being played? We play 75% local content and we are here to monitor that our stations are complying." He said it was difficult for the DJs at Power FM to demand bribes from musicians, as they were not the ones who selected songs to be played on the radio. "There is a play list which is compiled by the executive producer and the music committee which makes it difficult for these DJs to accept bribes," he said. However a sungura artist, Ronny Mudhindo who is causing a stir in the music industry, said urban groovers needed to be given a chance and should not be brushed away on the basis that they are copycats, as some people claimed. "Who in Zimbabwean music is not imitating or never imitated someone? Oliver Mtukudzi started by imitating South Africa’s Mbaqanga singers, and Tongai Moyo started by singing like Leonard Dembo. The list is endless so they should be given a chance," he said. By Sandra Mandizvidza
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