"Why ur shit never sound as good, or as loud as the over-seas shit?"
"Why ur videos not as dope as Jay-Z's shit?"
"Why u only got ten hoes in ur shit?""Where the champagne and shit at?"
"Where the nice R3,000,0000 cars at?"
That's a typical dialog I unfortunately have to participate in when i bump into a "South African Fan".
I can't take it anymore! Leave me alone...read a book or something BITCH!
Whoosa, Whoosa...
OK, now that I've pulled myself towards myself...can i chat with u
my friends...my book reading, literacy embracing, between the lines reading, idiot-proof built buddies.
There's a reason to why everything is what it is.
I'd be chilling at home watching my wonderful public broadcaster (
S.A.B.C)...with the T.V. license bill staring at me from my stain dominated coffee table, and wonder...
are u worth my time?, the bill that is.
Click! What is that? Oh! It's American Idols! Why does the quality look so wack? Oh! Its the South African Idols!
I find myself going through the same shit every time i visit a friend without
Dstv (satellite t.v.), I'm forced to put myself through that shit...watching American garbage remixed for the South African market. which brings me back to my point..."Why America Will Always Kick Our Ass!"
U can get a Citi Golf for a little under R40,000 and it'll take u wherever u wish to go. And if u happen to be R2,000,000 short...u might have to keep the Ferrari where it belongs...in your dreams buddy. And the reason for the pricing is...one is shiny and fast...and well...the other one is...well...a Golf.
Money, money...cash money, that's what it boils down to. same applies to entertainment.
As a South African artist I'm some how forced to use second grade tools, i.e. Equipment, Radio Dj's, Record Execs, T.V. presenters, and sometimes fans. And the quota system (80% International - 20% Local) ain't helping a brother out either.
So i ask myself, "How am i supposed to compete with the 50 Cent's of the world if my shit ain't up to par with the niggas shit? U tell me.
I'm lucky if i have R100k budget for my recording, R50k for my music video, and a R500k marketing budget.
So i ask u..."how the fuck am i supposed to compete with Jay-Z when he's got $1.mil to play with just on recording...how?"
Without going on too long and risking sounding like a hater...ima give a basic run down of what goes into breaking that new artist in the States vs. South Africa.
Recording Equipment
Mixing ConsolesThis is what's used to record and mix songs. This is where the post production takes place. The quality of sound is really achieved with these babies.
U.S.A.
Solid State Logic (SSL)Know users: Dr. Dre, Naptunes, Timberland...nearly every American a project goes through this sucka!
Price tag: $300,000
South Africa
Yamaha O2R
Known users: Most South African professional studios
Price tag: $10,000
Microphones
This how the voice and sound is captured...I rap, it captures and sends the signal to the computer, kapish!
U.S.A.
Neumann Solution DS
Price tag
: $13,000
South Africa
Rode NT1-A-MP
Price tag: $550
DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation)This is where everything get gets recorded on (computer)
U.S.A.
Pro Tools HD
Price tag: $14,000
South Africa
Cubase
Price tag: $500
Music Video
U.S.A.
Hype WilliamsWorks: Busta Rhymes to Janet Jackson
South Africa
Piet KoekemoerWorks: Birthday parties, Funerals, Weddings, Barmitzfars
...a few music videos
Conclusion
So there u have it. That's what we have to deal with, and those are just a few of them. The pot is much deeper.
Not to say all South African use the same shit but, that's the standard. Some can afford the expensive shit, but that's a small percentage considering that America kinda follows the above mentioned standards. It's sad...
So the next time u feel u have a have an opinion...go out and support local shit so we can afford to play with these nice toys...otherwise...
Shut the fuck up!
share this: facebook
Posts
