THE Zambia Association of Musicians (ZAM) has urged old and up-coming musicians to register with the association.
ZAM President, Brian Bwembya says the association’s mandate requires that only registered and paid-up members can be hired for shows locally.
Mr Bwembya, commonly known as “B-Flow” advised musicians to register so that they do not miss out on opportunities.
Mr Bwembya said ZAM also looks at aspects of annual membership fee, eligibility, professionalism, commitment of quality music, resource management and transparency among artists.
“Musicians are required to register with the association. There are good benefits if only members register with us because one day, you will need a voice from the association for support,” he said.
And Mr Bwembya says ZAM has a database to ensure that artists are known in the register.
“We’re doing a database to show the number of how many members we have. Only paid up members registered with the association will get benefits,” he emphasised.
He however, stressed that ZAM focuses on supporting and protecting artists with their music anchored on quality work and professionalism.
Mr Bwembya disclosed that the association has embarked on a country-wide sensitisation exercise to educate the artists on the importance of belonging to a registered body, such as ZAM.
He also urged musicians to take up insurance policies to avoid destitution upon retirement from the music industry.
Mr Bwembya said the music industry is now tired of soliciting for donations from the public when burying some of their departed colleagues who may have died in “poverty.”
He said musicians must ensure that they secure themselves financially by signing up to insurance policies and other financial products.
Meanwhile, Mr Bwembya said the association is working on measures aimed at curbing digital piracy in the country.
He admitted that the country’s music industry has not been spared from the vice which is allegedly disadvantageous to them.