In celebration of Youth Month in June, music creators who have benefited from various initiatives, advocated by Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) recognise how the organisation’s contributions have helped to empower and support their careers in music.
As an organisation, SAMRO is always striving to support its members and has designed several programmes to improve their careers and help them to create works that would not end up on the dusty shelves of creative history.
Two highly successful programmes that SAMRO launched recently were the Music Creation Support Fund (MCSF) and the Boston City Campus Music Business Short Learning Programme (MBSLP) bursary. The MCSF was established in 2021 as a mechanism to help SAMRO members maintain their momentum in the industry during lockdown.
New and original music
SAMRO allocated R2.5 million to this year’s MCSF for 100 members to apply for supporting micro-grants totalling R25 000 each. The grant will be used to contribute towards the creation of new and original music works.
“Thanks to the SAMRO music creation fund, I was able to complete some important artistic work. It gave me the opportunity to record, mix and master a project I have been sitting on for a while due to lack of funds and time. Funds like these play a vital role in independent artists seeing their work come to fruition and for that we are all grateful.” – Benjamin Jephta
“Being a full-time musician, producer and part-time drum teacher in Durban, it is often difficult to predict what the next month would be like financially. I love performing live and producing music from my home studio. The SAMRO MCSF has also given me hope for a future in music and has inspired me to create more great music.” – Riley Giandhari
The Boston City Campus Music Business Short Learning Programme (MBSLP) was designed to help artists come to grips with the business side of the industry. It is no secret that the music industry can be hard to manoeuvre around.
“SAMRO has provided the youth an opportunity to earn from their music. They’ve also provided various support such as the MCSF and the Boston City Campus Course to assist the youth to advance their music careers and to understand the music industry better.” – Anga Hakula
“After being thrown off by the industry’s recording deals, I had to ask myself hard questions like how my lack of music industry knowledge got me dribbled. I am grateful for SAMRO’s Boston City Campus Music Business Course for it helped me redesign my music career on my own terms. Talent alone can only go so far.” – Khokho Madlala
To assist music creators, the MBSLP seamlessly integrates business fundamentals with the workings and dynamics of the modern music industry. The course helps SAMRO members to develop practical skills and provides them with valuable information and insights to gain a better understanding and navigate the complexities of the music business.
“Young creators need to plan ahead. Know their worth. Register their works. Take advantage of opportunities. SAMRO royalties are a no-brainer for the youth to remain a part of and keep earning from the music industry for decades to come.” – Silas Beats
SAMRO piloted this programme last year by test running the short music business course with 25 members. This year, SAMRO increased the recipients to 50 members to participate in the course. The total support is valued at just over a quarter of a million rand.
SAMRO is proud of the talented youth in South Africa and will continue to care through the progressive stances taken, to better the music industry.
