In Tanzania’s music scene, the dream is simple. Get discovered. Get signed. Get rich. Get a Defender new model. Post about it.
Then boom, life is good! But somewhere between “We’re launching your career” and “Unaweza kuja ofisini kesho?” things start getting… tricky.
So, let’s talk about it, what exactly is a record label supposed to do for an artiste? And what are they definitely NOT supposed to do even if everyone’s silently expecting it?
First things first: on paper, a record label is your business partner, not your sugar daddy.
Their job is to make sure your music is recorded, mixed, mastered, marketed, and making money.
They’re supposed to connect you to gigs, grow your brand, and help with distribution so that people are streaming your songs from Mbeya to Musoma. That’s the deal.
But then the unwritten contract shows up. You know the one: the invisible list of things artistes start expecting the minute they get signed.
“So, um… will the label pay my rent? Do they cover Uber rides to the studio? What about my girlfriend’s birthday cake? Can I get a new phone?”
Look, some labels do go above and beyond, and that’s amazing. But unless it’s written in ink, please don’t assume your label will start acting like NSSF.
Now, let’s talk to my fellow artistes. I know it feels fancy to say, “I’m signed to a label,” but here’s a wild idea, not every artiste needs one!
If you’re not ready for contracts, deadlines, and shared control over your brand, maybe stick to your independence for now.
The internet is your stage… YouTube, Instagram, Boomplay, these streets are yours if you hustle smart.
You don’t need a label to be great, you just need discipline (and maybe a ring light).
On the flip side, to all the big-name artistes who wake up one day and say, “I’m starting my own label!”…well, congratulations, but also… are you sure? Being a famous artiste doesn’t automatically mean you’re label CEO material.
Running a label is more than signing two of your cousins and calling it a day. You need a legal team, business strategy, financial management, and most importantly, patience.
Fame makes you popular, but structure makes you successful.
To the artistes, please stop signing contracts like you’re agreeing to iTunes terms and conditions. Sit down. Read. Ask questions. Get a lawyer, or at least someone who’s not just there for the free studio snacks.
Know what “recoupable” means. Understand your split. Because three years from now, when you’re viral and broke, saying “But I thought they’d pay my rent” won’t help you.
And, label CEOs, don’t sell dreams if you can’t deliver. If you’re not covering rent, say so. If you are, put it in writing. Don’t offer a soft life for six months and then ghost your artiste when they ask for transport to a show you booked.
This is not Tinder. Communication is key.
At the end of the day, record labels and artistes are like a music duo, if one person’s offbeat, the whole track flops. The industry needs more honesty, more clarity, and less drama.
Let’s build something sustainable, where talent is respected, business is clean, and no one is out here tweeting their pain every time a deal goes sour.
In short: artistes, manage your expectations. Labels, manage your artistes. And everyone, manage your money.
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European Union Bans Air Tanzania Over Safety Concerns
Kampala — The European Commission added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, banning the airline from operating within European Union airspace. This decision follows the denial of Air Tanzania’s Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), citing significant safety deficiencies.
The EU Air Safety List includes airlines that fail to meet international safety standards. Commissioner Tzitzikostas emphasized the importance of passenger safety, stating: “The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards. We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift action to address these safety issues. The Commission has offered its assistance to Tanzanian authorities to enhance safety performance and achieve compliance with international aviation standards.”
Air Tanzania joins several African airlines banned from EU airspace, including carriers from Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and Kenya. Notable names include Congo Airways, Sudan Airways, and Kenyan carriers Silverstone Air Services and Skyward Express. The ban reflects the EU’s strict approach to aviation safety worldwide.
Source: allafrica.com
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
