The only formula to extract value off the music industry is
to maintain a good character and not talent and expertise alone, veteran
Afro-jazz musician Oliver Mtukudzi has said.
Most musicians have proven unconventional and in most cases
do not follow social dictates, as evidenced by their carefree lifestyle.
In a rare speech at the celebration of his inclusion in
Forbes Africa’s magazine which listed him among its “Top 10 most bankable
artists on the continent”, Tuku attributed his success to culturally apt
personal conduct.
“Most of us take good character for granted, thinking we
will get the right traits as we progress academically. It is up to you, but
look at me I am being honoured even though I do not remember what I did,” he
said.
Mtukudzi is ranked 10th in the list consisting of African
musicians like Senegalese Akon, Nigerian music moguls Don Jazzy, Davido and
Wizkid, South African’s jazz singer Hugh Masekela and Black Coffee, Ghana’s
Sarkodie, US-based Jidenna and Tinashe.
Famed for his lyrically-rich music that gained him repute
in the country, the human rights activist and Unicef goodwill ambassador for
southern Africa told The Standard Style last week that “common sense” can spur
artists to greater heights.
“It is about understanding common sense; when you are told
by the elderly to do things in a certain way, you do that,” he said.
“If you know that, everything falls into place, even your
creativity will never cross the line, it will be good because you are
well-mannered.”
In the past, some once-celebrated musicians have ended up
in shreds after their moment of fame fades owing to careless demeanour with a
good example being former Njerama Boys frontman Paradzai Mesi who was recently
rescued from the doldrums.
Some have failed to earn as much from their acclaimed fame
as a result of failure to manage themselves, but Tuku believes there are
qualities someone cannot get from school but rather submission to advice from
elders in society.
“A good character I guess is understanding common sense and
that is what our elders have, at our homes that is the education we get and it
should be respected and applied,” he said.
The acoustic guitar strummer also lauded his wife, Daisy,
for the achievements as he said she helps even when he is writing some of the
songs.
“Most women will pull you down because they will not give
you the chance to flourish but mine gives me the opportunity to flourish.”
This is not the first time Tuku has earned recognition from
Forbes Africa as he was ranked 12th among 40 in the “most powerful celebrities
in Africa” list in 2011.
The event, which was attended by many guests in the
business and arts sectors, was held at Tuku’s Pakare Paye Arts Centre and was
organised by Norton MP Temba Mliswa. Standard
0 comments:
Post a Comment