By Salim Segawa
A couple of years back, the internet became almost a prerequisite for someone who wanted to associate him/herself with the outside virtual world. When I talk about internet, I’m compounding platforms like social media, News portals, messaging portals, to mention but a few. People, who used these services sagaciously without forgetting the traditional physical interactions, benefited a lot more than they expected.
To date, Internet through social media platforms has been so instrumental to many people, including musicians. The extensive use of Facebook and Twitter to reach out to their fans and interact with them has augmented the relevancy of Ugandan music industry to the entire world. Nevertheless, this technique has largely favored musicians whose music has be known to the public since before, for example, Bebe Cool, Navio, Chameleone and Juliana among others, have seen the positive powerful part of internet as far as their careers are concerned.
The other day I received a message from one of the upcoming artistes asking for some help, which I offered. But what I identified in this guy’s message, he seemed to be putting in 120% effort on pushing his music on internet neglecting other better ways. That is not bad, but it’s insufficient and ineffective when the person using it is unheard of.
There are so many musicians or rappers or whatever on the internet than in real life. These people have neglected the traditional philosophy of physically interacting with the people they send the free downloads links to. This internet technique has blocked these upcoming musicians’ voices to be heard. How do you expect me to tell you the lows and highs of your project if I have never even met you, I don’t even know who you are?
The perceptive of looking at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and other social media platforms as the final destination for their songs has left the talented genes out in the cold. There’s need for physical communication between the artiste and the person who’s receiving the song (DJ, Radio or TV Presenter).
Look at the internet as a way of building a virtual fan base, a way of getting your fans’ feedback about your music. One thing is for real, numbers don’t lie, but don’t stick to the figures your YouTube video has generated in the last thirty days or how many downloads your song has received in the past week, instead mind about creating a real fan base by hustling traditionally (Take your music to Radio station and TV stations physically other than sending them a link). Some of these upcoming musicians have even gone astray trying to please flocks on the internet, out of nowhere someone releases a poor quality song just to pile up their Reverbnation or Spinlet accounts.
All I’m saying is look at internet platforms as a way to connect to your fans and get feedback. As long as you think that your Reverbnation account is going to get you to the top of the game, you are doomed, sorry, very DOOMED!
