THE KABAKA, HE WHO DARES WINS

Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash
Stunna. From the Gambia came Double T and J Kelly. There was
the Senegalese artist Fafadi and home grown talent like LXG,
LAJ, Dallas B, Arkman, Drizilik, Yung Sal, Empress P, Innocent
and Rap G, as well as KME?s own stable of performers.
One of Kabaka?s strengths is his willingness to do an honest
post-event analysis and, in the process learn from his mistakes.
It?s something he feels has contributed to his professional
growth. ?People do the same things time and time again and
expect different results,? he muses. He refers back to an event
he held in Kallon Carpark opposite Kallon?s Hotel on Christmas
Day in 2017, where he learned a hard lesson about security. ?It
was well attended. Around 5000 people,? he remembers, ?but
we made no money because our security was too porous.?
His experience as co-promoter for the WhizKid concert
provided lesson two. ?I manned the gates myself. I lost my
investment but I bought knowledge and understanding in the
process. I?ve learned that security is as important as the sound
system.?
His experience may be hard won, but he is adept at putting it to
good use. The music industry is evolving rapidly, especially in
Africa,? he says. ?Money generation in more developed markets
includes repeat fees, CD sales, royalties, streaming. But the
areas we need to focus on for now in Sierra Leone, are events,
promotions, merchandise.?
There is also significant and much-needed export potential in
our music industry. As Paul Collier, Oxford Professor and
leading economist once said: ?At the practical level, the music
industry has the potential to have a big impact on economic
structure precisely because these economies are so small. You
only need one or two real successes--you only need a
Nashville--and you have transformed the export structure of an
economy away from primary commodity dependence, and that
will have major effects.
?There is also a psychological level. This is really important.
Africa has to be seen to be succeeding in activities that have
some glamour about them if it is to retain its own bright young
people. At the moment, bright young Africans are leaving the
continent. They are all over America. A vision that will retain
bright youth in productive activities within Africa is essential.
Another important psychological dimension is that until now,
Africa has really not participated in global economic institutions.
We need to be able to show how the new international
economic architecture is relevant to Africa and that Africa can
benefit from being part of it. The music industry has a potential
for that. It has the potential to be a very visual practical image in
turning a poor society around. The Nashville example is potent
here in showing how a poor locality can be turned around.?
Key to maximising the sector?s potential is government
recognition that the music business is a business and not just a
cultural activity and that an abundance of creative talent is not
the same having a successful music industry. Genuine
Government support for the sector in the form of a policy
framework, regulation, creative hubs and music education in
schools and elsewhere is essential.
In this, Kabaka, with his black suits, lawyerly demeanour and
focus on the bottom line may be just what Sierra Leone needs to
get the ball rolling. After all, music ? it?s another business baby!
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