The Buea Djs Association issued a statement, which was
communicated via KamerKongossa on the 8th of June, calling on artistes
and labels to register with them, or face being not played.
In addition, some Djs have been justifying this statement by
stating that Wax Dey paid a sum of money to the Buea Djs Association, and in
view of his position as a leading artist, they expect others to do the same
i.e. Register by paying them. Wax Dey's publicist just released a statement
nullifying that claim. This is what she said:
"On behalf of my client, I wish to clarify this issue and
state his position regarding the demands:
1. Wax Dey is unequivocally against the demand made by Buea Djs
Associtaion on the basis that it is misplaced. A Dj's first role is to satisfy
clients with good music, but also to promote the musicians of his community -
giving them a springboard to be heard beyond their own borders. With the
support of Buea Djs, locals artistes such as Mr Leo have been able to transcend
the Buea sphere to national and international stardom. Asking artists to
register and pay is akin to shattering the dreams of many young and talented
artists who need such exposure and cannot afford to pay Djs.
2. Buea Djs will not ask Nigerian or even Francophone artists such
as Lady Ponce or Franko to pay to be played. making it imperative for
local acts to pay to be played is akin to destroying the local industry while
giving an unfair advantage to other musicians from outside Buea.
3. Buea Dj's jobs are made possible by Buea clients, who are fans
of Buea musicians. Refusing to play their music is shooting themselves in the
foot, as it will kill lounges and clubs. All that artistes need to do is come
together too and refuse to pay! They will be well within their rights to do so,
and the artists WILL win that battle!
It is important to note that Wax Dey was instrumental in the
formation of the Buea Djs Association. During the formation meeting, he called
on the Djs to unite and consistently find ways to improve their trade, build
their brands and increase income streams, by for example, doing their own Dj
remixes of good songs that would not only make the artists more popular, but
also enable the Djs themselves to get more bookings. Wax Dey called
on them to recognize and be proud of the important role they played in artist
development and to work more together to explore ways of making that role more
impactful. He offered them drinks and at their demand, some money to assist
them kickstart the Association. At no point did he call on the Djs to
request payment as a prerequisite for playing artists' songs. That is against
my client's core principles of putting good music first.
With regard to the above, My client is calling on artists to join
him to ignore the call of Buea Djs Association. The music industry can only
thrive in circumstances where good music prevails. Yes, Individual artists and
labels can call on Djs services to assist them in promoting a song, but for Djs
to collide and place such blanket conditions on artists and record labels will
be counterproductive to the development of the music industry.
My client is still willing to continue to support the development
of the Buea Djs Association as part of his interest in the overall growth of
the entertainment industry in Cameroon - and he will encourage other artists
who are willing and able to support them - but he also calls on the Buea Djs
Association to reconsider their stance and retract their demands, for the good
of the burgeoning Buea music industry."
