A Pass
Musician and songwriter Alexander Bagonza popularly known as A Pass is distressed by the kind of songs that are played on radio and television nowadays.
The reggae and dancehall artiste is worried and concerned that currently anything funny is now considered a song yet back in the day, songs had to be good for them to receive airplay on any media station.
“We need a bit of gatekeeping in the Ugandan music industry. Too much stupid music out here. Anything funny and stupid is now a song. What is the standard? Back then you had to have something good to be on the radio or TV but nowadays all you need is to be viral and boom,” wrote A Pass on his X account on this matter.
The controversial musician suggested that more good music should be played on radio, and television if Ugandan music is to compete on the world stage. He also stressed the fact that there is just so much that can happen on the Internet, especially with what people stream, something that many have no control over. A Pass however advised that traditional media should have standards.
A Pass’ concern attracted the attention of several X users who engaged in his post. One user identified as UG Patriot replied to him saying: “Gatekeeping is nearly impossible in this digital era and it seems to have continued like this for some good year.”
“How has Nigeria managed to keep the integrity of their music? Do you hear stupid music from their side? The majority is cream and the last time I checked, they are in a digital era,” responded A Pass.
According to A Pass, If all musicians submit songs and the best song gets played on television or radio, this helps the industry grow in terms of quality material and it tells the one who does not have the quality song to go home and improve.
“But if you play the bad song, what precedent are you setting?” he asked himself.
The music industry in the past few years has seen several artistes who have made breakthroughs as a result of their songs going viral via social media platforms, especially TikTok. Some have also gained fame as a result.
A Pass in a different way thinks that fame is man-given.”It is very easy for an artist to have a moment, but it’s hard for them to have momentum because they don’t know how it happened. It all came out of the blue. And trust me, you can’t maintain what you can’t control, he said.
Added: “I am not in control of views, likes, and vitality but I am in control of making amazing songs with the best sound possible. I will never be bothered by low views. Some of the songs I love the most don’t have the most views but the feeling they give me can’t be measured.”
A Pass proudly mentioned that he loves what he does and is blessed to be able to serve his audience with the gift of quality music and he will always do it. “My views on the industry are from a place of concern but I have little that I can do about it.I will play my part as I have always done,” he noted.
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