We have our two regular contributors,“ MusiqKop” and“ Kat” for the feature“ BrandIt” as we discuss“ How To Build A Solid Brand Within The Music Industry”?
BUILD YOUR OWN BRAND
We have our two regular contributors,“ MusiqKop” and“ Kat” for the feature“ BrandIt” as we discuss“ How To Build A Solid Brand Within The Music Industry”?
First on the line is Anele Mamkeli, also known as“ MusiqKop”. Anele Mamkeli, is a 20 year old self taught male DJ and Music Composer based in the Khayelitsha which is one of the townships in Cape Town South Africa. After a several failed attempts to enrol in music institutions, he basically decided to teach himself how to dj as well as music composition. It all began on virtual dj years back, but now he is a very capable and hands on unsigned underground DJ and Producer. Not only that, he is also one of our regular contributors to our magazine. This is how our“ chat” went down...
Sho! Mag: According to your understanding what is Brand Building?
MusiqKop: Brand building is when one or a group of people establish a certain brand and ensuring that it has a solid foundation, so as for it to be able to grow from strength to strength. Most importantly building a brand requires one to know his target audience.
Sho! Mag: Would you say building one’ s brand is a fundamental element in one’ s musical career? And if it is, how so?
MusiqKop: Definitely it is, all due to the fact that in the music scene we have a lot of unnoticed talented people or shall I say“ Undermined”. Just to be brief, we have people like music producers & backup vocalists that I strongly believe that what they stand for is not recognised. So to speak in essence, it is a fundamental element that one buils his own brand.
Sho! Mag: What are the“ tools” you can say a Musician can use to build their brand?
MusiqKop: Firstly, one has to be an active social network user because social networks have made things easy for artists to reach their audience and sell their product. For instance, you’ re in Johannesburg CBD and you have 3 or 4 CD’ s of yours with you, you can simply tweet that if anyone who is around and interested in buying can pull thru. Secondly it would be“ Media”, when I talk about media I mean Radio; Television; Local Newspaper etc. One should make amends to approach the media sources I mentioned above. Thirdly what I would like to pinpoint is that one needs to be humble and respect your audience, because no matter how good you are at your art, with a stinking attitude it will all be in vain.
Sho! Mag: What would you say is a“ NO-NO” when one builds their brand?
MusiqKop: Taking all the credit to yourself, because building a brand requires a team and making people value you, you have to give them credit for their valued input. We’ ve seen a lot of artists do that and some of them have taken a deep slide downfall towards their careers because of such actions.
“ My advice to young growing artists like me is that, you have to be persistent, the music industry is rough but most of all“ Believe in your hustle. Be original, the audience out there wants something new and fresh, do not attempt to imitate what’ s already out there. One more thing you should know is“ No man is an Island”, everyone needs assistance at some point so seek assistance to help you put your brand out there”.