OTILE BROWN ON WHY SOUTH AFRICA’S MUSIC INDUSTRY IS THRIVING

Kenyan musician Otile Brown has taken a short trip to South Africa to de-stress and make some useful music industry connections in one of the developed countries in Africa. The trip has seen him visit towns such as Midrand and Johannesburg while sampling the tricks that similar industry players in South Africa are using to call in prosperity and success as they have been dominating African and global music charts for a long time now.

According to Otile, South Africa, which is a home for big artists such as Master KG, Cassper Nyovest and Kabza De Small, has a unique way of handling the works of their creatives. Their music is selflessly supported by the people and the government itself.

“South African entertainment industry is not loud, but it’s rich AF. The government has created an environment that works well with the artists, and it has also invested in them. The people ardently support the native content from their own. You can be a very big artist in Africa, but South Africans don’t know you because they listen to their content only. Everywhere you go, clubs, matatus, or restaurants it’s their music.” He said.

He says Kenyan music industry has failed to channel cardinal support to their artists who find it hard to thrive in the fast-paced industry. This development comes amid calls from acts such as comedian Eric Omondi who are demanding an increase in local music airplay to 70 percent. Currently, music from countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda rules the Kenyan airwaves over the local content.