![Blakjak expresses dismay at local artists’ representation at Lake of Stars]()
Malawi’s dancehall artist Blakjak has expressed dismay at festivals giving minimal opportunity to local artists.
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![Blakjak expresses dismay at local artists’ representation at Lake of Stars]()
Blakjak expresses dismay at local artists’ representation at Lake of Stars[/caption]
He went on a rant producing a list of artists he feels should have made it to this year’s Lake of Stars (LoS) music festival, scheduled for this weekend in Mangochi.
“The Saddest Thing Happening At LOS Is That The Lineup Doesn’t have #Me , #MaBlaks, #Skeffa , #Maskal #Piksy #Martse , #Fredokiss #Diktator.
“Missing On LOS Lineup #HazelMac #HomeGrownAfrica #PetienceNamadingo #Mafo #Janta #BarryOne #TayGrin #DareDevilz #TrapSquad”, he shared the list that would have made it to the annual Sunbird Nkopola Beach festival.
Tempting as it is to say Blakjak’s wishlist is a pretty big deal, we might have a clue as to why some of these artists won’t make it to LoS.
Renowned artist Piksy cited that the deal offered on the table was not lucrative enough for him.
“The offer wasn’t that appetizing,” said Piksy
This may not apply to all the artists but gives a clear picture as to why some of these artists who have been buzzing this year missed out.
Lake of Stars, touted as one of the best music festivals in the world, pays local artists as low as K50,000 (about US$80) while international artists are offered millions of Kwacha for performing at the same event.
According to inside sources, international headliners get as high as US$40,000 (about K25 million).
But LoS organisers are on record to have defended the payments offered to local acts, saying they “research” and do “consultations” on how much Malawian artists are paid.
And according to LoS festival director Will Jameson, most international artists come as volunteers as some are “sponsored” by local and foreign organisations.
On the other hand, Blakjak congratulated hip-hop artist Gwamba for being booked to perfom at the three-day festival which kicks off this Friday, saying he deserved it.
Blakjak is currently promoting his Sand Music Festival headlining where he will share stage with Jamaican reggae-dancehall icon Busy Signal.
On Tuesday, Sand Fest director Lucius Banda confirmed of Busy Signal’s perfomance at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach.
The three-day Sand Music Festival, which is said to be the best paying festival in Malawi, is slated for 30th October to 1st November this year.
