Thoughts on the NAMAs
As it happens, a lot of the content in this edition was prepared after MTC announced they will be bidding farewell to the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) project after next year's event. As a fan of the Namibian music industry, I was going through it, man.
On the one hand, MTC is the leading corporate company in Namibia that has awarded and recognised the work of Namibian artists in the last nine years like no other. Through the NAMAs, MTC changed the course of music in Namibia countless times, forcing the industry and listeners to challenge themselves beyond what they knew. This happened to artists with each awards show that was held.
During MTC's tenure of hosting/sponsoring the NAMAs, they put the spotlight on new talent and reintroduced us to some of our musical legends by honouring them with lifetime achievement awards and similar categories. To a greater extent, MTC made it possible for mainstream artists to make a good income from an awards show. This was money that some musicians used to invest back into their artistry and develop their careers further.
MTC did not make a profit from sponsoring/hosting the NAMAs. What is disappointing is that despite this knowledge, some artists became disrespectful, arrogant and thought they were entitled, but that is a discussion for another day.
On the other hand, MTC's time to be at the forefront is over, and I pray the industry will find another corporate giant to take the NAMAs to the next level.
Just like MTC was able to improve the standard of this awards show from where Sanlam Namibia left off, whichever entity takes over and joins forces with NBC, should do the same. Besides hoping for another saviour from the corporate world, this is the time for all the so-called members and supporters of the arts community, keyboard warriors and lip-service individuals to put ideas together and play your part in at least coming up with ideas to sustain this industry. We see you, and want you to know that you are the very thing that is stifling the progress of the music scene. Not the music, not record labels, not merchandise, YOU! If you are a true supporter of local music, this is the time to support our artists more than ever before, by attending their shows, purchasing their music as well as merchandise, because the future of the industry looks bleak at this point. No more lip-service to show your support for the business of music in Namibia. And to all those who contribute to its growth: Go out there and offer real support.
[email protected]; @MichaelMKAY on Twitter
On the one hand, MTC is the leading corporate company in Namibia that has awarded and recognised the work of Namibian artists in the last nine years like no other. Through the NAMAs, MTC changed the course of music in Namibia countless times, forcing the industry and listeners to challenge themselves beyond what they knew. This happened to artists with each awards show that was held.
During MTC's tenure of hosting/sponsoring the NAMAs, they put the spotlight on new talent and reintroduced us to some of our musical legends by honouring them with lifetime achievement awards and similar categories. To a greater extent, MTC made it possible for mainstream artists to make a good income from an awards show. This was money that some musicians used to invest back into their artistry and develop their careers further.
MTC did not make a profit from sponsoring/hosting the NAMAs. What is disappointing is that despite this knowledge, some artists became disrespectful, arrogant and thought they were entitled, but that is a discussion for another day.
On the other hand, MTC's time to be at the forefront is over, and I pray the industry will find another corporate giant to take the NAMAs to the next level.
Just like MTC was able to improve the standard of this awards show from where Sanlam Namibia left off, whichever entity takes over and joins forces with NBC, should do the same. Besides hoping for another saviour from the corporate world, this is the time for all the so-called members and supporters of the arts community, keyboard warriors and lip-service individuals to put ideas together and play your part in at least coming up with ideas to sustain this industry. We see you, and want you to know that you are the very thing that is stifling the progress of the music scene. Not the music, not record labels, not merchandise, YOU! If you are a true supporter of local music, this is the time to support our artists more than ever before, by attending their shows, purchasing their music as well as merchandise, because the future of the industry looks bleak at this point. No more lip-service to show your support for the business of music in Namibia. And to all those who contribute to its growth: Go out there and offer real support.
[email protected]; @MichaelMKAY on Twitter
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