Musician Serena Bata has spoken out about the lingering poverty among musicians, which she says stems from the lack of a copyright law.
Serena Bata, while speaking in a TV interview, noted that she was not comfortable with her position and earnings, given that she has been in the industry for a long time. She, however, had no hope because the people meant to represent them in fighting for the copyright law had given them no positive feedback.
Despite getting bookings, Serena Bata revealed she didn’t consider music a serious job that could help sustain her, because in the end, she still spends more than she earns. She blamed the nonfunctional systems that she says have also affected the veteran artists whom they grew up admiring.
Music is dead. I perform, but I don’t earn what I’m supposed to. We would be wealthy off just one hit song. But currently, you look at our musicians and feel sorry for them. You look at musicians that you grew up admiring; those that had songs you’d never get in your career, but they are suffering. This is so draining and discouraging she said as she compared the foreign artists who are always paid millions of dollars for their performances in Uganda.
Even with all the stress and little returns, however, Serena Bata vows to stick to music, saying it is the job she knows best, and she prays it starts paying better.
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Music is the job God created me to do without shame. The only job I understand how to do and feel good about is. I cannot do anything else with my talent. All the songs that I need to be put out. And if I had a copyright, it would be enough for me to leave poverty.
@sanyukatvug Endongo tegukyaali mulimu. – Serena Bata #SanyukaUnCut #FfebannoDdala #SanyukaUpdates
