An explosive debate has erupted in the entertainment circles after one of Zambia’s leading music acts Slap Dee turned down performing at the forth coming Zambia International Trade Fair due to what he said where the low fees that the organisers where giving local performers.
The musician has told off the event’s organisers saying he would rather remain home and teach his daughter how to ride a bike than put up a performance where local talent is grossly undervalued and not appreciated.
The ‘Kuichaila’ hit maker says he was not complaining over the matter but merely pointing out the anomaly and attitude towards local performers during events.
He pointed out that he was expected to perform at such a big occasion that will be graced by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and walk away with a mere K3,000 in which he is supposed to foot the bill associated with his stay and logistics for him and his performers.
“The Trade Fair Society are offering K3,000 a show for me and my team to travel to Ndola City, lodge ourselves there for 2 days, provide ourselves with food & bevs.
After all expenses we would be making K600 to be split up 5 ways from each performance.” the 9 time Zambian Music Awards Winner said.
He further castigated the organisers of the Ndola event over their decision to bring in an international artist whom they will pay an hefty sum over local musician who will walk away with peanuts.
“They are also inviting an international act to perform t for the same event(so I hear). I cannot say how much they are paying them because I don’t know. What I know is that wherever they are coming from, their flights alone will cost more than our performance fees.” he said.
Slap Dee remains one of Zambia’s most commercially successful artists and his performances at home and abroad command a hefty pay check.
There has been no response from the organisers over the artist’s remarks by press time.