AMPD Studios by Old Mutual brings you a powerful deep dive in to what it takes to make a career in the music industry with masterclasses from some of the biggest names in the industry. This season we bring you a special edition of the podcast in collaboration with Nasty C - Zulu Man With Some Power #AMPDstudios #oldmutual
Music Theory Master Class with James Bassingthwaighte Part 3
James Frank (Bassingthwaighte) is a music director and composer for film and television.
He discusses a variety of topics about the music industry,
How it works, where you get your money from, and many more topics:
Copyright
SAMRO Unit Rate
Performance and Mechanical Royalties
Online Radio
Backlog Royalties
Songwriter protection
Remuneration
8/15/2023 • 31 minutes, 4 seconds
Music Theory Master Class with James Bassingthwaighte Part 2
James Frank (Bassingthwaighte) is a music director and composer for film and television.
He discusses a variety of topics about the music industry,
How it works, where you get your money from, and many more topics:
Copyright
SAMRO Unit Rate
Performance and Mechanical Royalties
Online Radio
Backlog Royalties
Songwriter protection
Remuneration
8/1/2023 • 1 hour, 4 minutes, 54 seconds
Music Theory Master Class with James Bassingthwaighte Part 1
How the music industry works, where you get your money from and many more topics:
James Bassingthwaighte discusses a variety of topics about the music industry,
How it works, where you get your money from, and many more topics:
Copyright
SAMRO Unit Rate
Performance and Mechanical Royalties
Online Radio
Backlog Royalties
Songwriter protection
Remuneration
7/25/2023 • 57 minutes, 1 second
SAMPRA - Getting the most out of being a session musician Part 2
SAMPRA hosted a masterclass at the AMPD studios.
Topics touched in part 2.
The music industry then vs now
Getting the most out of being a session musician
Management Skills
Entrepreneurship
SAMPRA[ South Africa Music Performance Right Association] is a collective management organization (CMO) that administers Needletime Rights on behalf of recording artists and record labels.
6/26/2023 • 27 minutes, 28 seconds
SAMPRA - All you need to know about session musicians Part 1
SAMPRA hosted a masterclass at the AMPD studios.
Topics touched in part 1.
Introduction to SAMPRA
About SAMPRA
Session musician
Contracts
SAMPRA[ South Africa Music Performance Right Association] is a collective management organization (CMO) that administers Needletime Rights on behalf of recording artists and record labels.
6/13/2023 • 41 minutes, 7 seconds
Music Distribution, Artist Development Promotion - The Ingrooves Electromode Workshop Part 2
With this masterclass, we touch on many topics regarding music distribution, artist development, and promotion.
Hosted by James Basingthwaite, Gareth Wilson & Waide Lemos
Covering topics such as:
This episode covers:
Marketing Strategy
Release Strategy
Sync Deals
Submissions
Roll Out Strategy
Performance Royalties
5/30/2023 • 36 minutes, 32 seconds
Music Distribution, Artist Development Promotion - The Ingrooves Electromode Workshop Part 1
With this masterclass, we touch on many topics regarding music distribution, artist development, and promotion.
Hosted by James Basingthwaite, Gareth Wilson & Waide Lemos
Covering topics such as:
This episode covers:
Marketing Strategy
Release Strategy
Sync Deals
Submissions
Roll Out Strategy
Performance Royalties
5/16/2023 • 46 minutes, 45 seconds
ARTIST MANAGEMENT - DIVING DEEP IN TO THE WORLD OF ARTIST Part 2
With this masterclass we touch on many topics regarding artist management.
Covering topics such as:
How to approach a managing company and what to expect.
How to differentiate yourself from PR
Royalties
Sample Clearances
Master Licensing
Contract Termination Clause
Standard commission
Building a Business
Copy Infringement
5/2/2023 • 44 minutes, 38 seconds
ARTIST MANAGEMENT - DIVING DEEP IN TO THE WORLD OF ARTIST Part 1
With this masterclass we touch on many topics regarding artist management.
Covering topics such as:
How to approach a managing company and what to expect.
How to differentiate yourself from PR
Royalties
Sample Clearances
Master Licensing
Contract Termination Clause
Standard commission
Building a Business
Copy Infringement
4/17/2023 • 49 minutes, 23 seconds
Nasty C ft Beat Butcha, G Koop & Gemini Major: Working with Grammy award winning producers
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
In the final episode, Nasty teams up Gemini on the topic of “ Culture with a Scoop”. You need to brave, willing and have a clear vision to make it in the entertainment industry. They chat to Robert Mandell, professionally known as G Koop, who is an American Grammy-nominated record producer, songwriter and musician( Migos 2Chainz Meek Mill DJ Khaled JayZ Rihanna Future Funkadelic Atmosphere 21 Savage Drake Brother Ali G Koop & O-Man FSQ) as well as Grammy Winner, Beat Butcha, LA based producer & sound designer from UK( Griselda/The Carters/Eminem/Partynextdoor/Nipsey/Rick Ross/Jada).
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
4/15/2021 • 29 minutes, 21 seconds
Nasty C on becoming a billionaire by thirty five, with SIzwe Dhlomo
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Lighting up the airwaves this week in Nasty C’s weekly podcasts, is the legendary guest Sizwe Dhlomo. Together they discuss the importance of building a legacy and protecting yourself in the industry. Be sure to tune in and be empowered.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
4/8/2021 • 49 minutes, 41 seconds
Nasty C ft Rowlene, Tellaman & Moozlie: The collaboration game
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Tellaman, Rowlene, and Moozlie feature on this week’s podcast of Nasty C’s inspirational platform of wisdom – focusing on the importance of partnerships and the rewards they can bring.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
4/1/2021 • 43 minutes, 6 seconds
Nasty C ft Kaz: Finding new markets for African Hip hop: Japan
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Leading into this week’s incredible episode, Nasty C will be joined by Kaz (Japan), where they unravel the tools to get over nerves and learn from experience! Tune in and amplify your musical and financial future.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
3/25/2021 • 43 minutes, 14 seconds
Nasty C ft Justin Duran (Def Jam) & Yvette Gayle (ACA): What it really takes to get an International Record Deal
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Who else but Nasty C, Justin Duran and Yvette Gayle are set to explode you into knowing better to do better as they discuss building a sustainable career in the entertainment industry. “Striving to go global is all based on always improving and growing from your experience." Tune in to empower, amplify and find your true north.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
3/18/2021 • 44 minutes, 31 seconds
Nasty C ft Black Coffee & Scoop Makhatini: The journey of local to global
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
Nasty C teams up with the incredible Black Coffee and Scoop Makhatini for this week’s podcast. Certain to send you spiralling in excitement for the future – the duo talk about local to global and the steps to take to get there in your journey as you amplify your musical and financial future. DON’T MISS THIS ONE.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
3/11/2021 • 1 hour, 10 minutes, 21 seconds
Nasty C ft Whoo Kid, MI & Obi Asika: Taking African hip-hop to the rest of the world
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
This week Nasty C will be sharing the platform with the amazing DJ Whoo Kid where they will both be sure to inspire, educate and motivate you to showcase yourselves as real talent as you build a sustainable career in the industry. Be sure to Tune in!
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
3/4/2021 • 1 hour, 2 minutes, 54 seconds
ZMWSP Nasty C ft Slikour: Creating Zulu Kings
AMPD Studios by Old Mutual is proud to announce Zulu Man With Some Power, a seven-episode weekly podcast produced by Nasty C and hosted by Moozlie. Each episode will feature an industry heavy-weight; Black Coffee, Slikour, and Sizwe Dhlomo, to name a few. These episodes will unpack invaluable lessons on how to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry.
This episode features the incredible Slikour, where together with Nasty C, they will talk about the 'Evolution of Hip Hop in SA’, how compassion, focus and determination are key to making it in the industry.
The time is now to win an exclusive one-on-one meet and greet with Nasty C, brought to you by AMPD Studios. Head over to AMPDStudios.co.za for more details.
#AMPDstudios
#AMPDxNastyC
#TheTimeIsNow
#PoweredbyAMPDStudios
#ZuluManWithSomePower
#NastyC
3/2/2021 • 49 minutes, 47 seconds
Season 2 Trailer - introducing Zulu Man With Some Power with Nasty C
Introducing a new special season of the AMPD Creative Industry Podcast featuring Nasty C.
STARTS ON THURSDAY :)
Powered by AMPD Studios by Old Mutual
check out www.ampdstudios.co.za for details
2/22/2021 • 1 minute, 51 seconds
Hero conversation between Caiphus Semenya and Ricky Rick
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Caiphus Semenya and Ricky Rick!
Join us today for a real and raw conversation between the legendary Caiphus Semenya and superstar Ricky Rick Makhado as they discuss how to build longevity in the music business.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
1/21/2021 • 30 minutes, 55 seconds
Prince Kaybee (Part 2) Q & A
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Prince Kaybee!
Prince Kaybee is one of South Africa’s most successful young musicians and DJ’s, his tracks having global reach appealing to a variety of different audiences. You may know him from his hits including Tonkinto, Charlotte, Friend Zone and Wajellwa. In this episode Prince Kaybee answers questions from the audience.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
1/14/2021 • 55 minutes, 10 seconds
Prince Kaybee: The importance of working of your craft everyday (Part 1)
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Prince Kaybee!
Prince Kaybee is one of South Africa’s most successful young musicians and DJ’s, his tracks having global reach appealing to a variety of different audiences. You may know him from his hits including Tonkinto, Charlotte, Friend Zone and Wajellwa. In this episode he shares his experiences of being part of the South African music scene.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
1/7/2021 • 53 minutes, 17 seconds
Management series: Thuli Keupilwe, Sibu Mabhena and Martin Myers (Part 2)
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Thuli Keupilwe, Sibu Mabhena and Martin Myers!
Welcome to another masterclass from our management series. In this episode we continue the conversation with Thuli Keupilwe from LAWK Communications, Sibu Mabhena of Duma Collective and Sipho hotstix’s legendary manager Martin Myers. They also answer questions from the audience.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
12/24/2020 • 39 minutes, 21 seconds
Management series: Thuli Keupilwe, Sibu Mabhena and Martin Myers (Part 1)
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Thuli Keupilwe, Sibu Mabhena and Martin Myers!
Welcome to another masterclass from our management series. In this episode we speak to Thuli Keupilwe who is the founder of LAWK Communications, an artist booking and representation agency that now works closely with the likes of DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small, Sibu Mabhena who is the founder of Duma Collective who has extensive experience in the event industry and is currently managing Kwesta and Sipho hotstix’s legendary manager Martin Myers who has also run one of SA’s most important music conferences, called Music Exchange, for the past 10 years.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
12/17/2020 • 48 minutes, 5 seconds
Claudius Boller for Spotify Africa (Part 2)
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Claudius Boller!
Spotify is one of the most important streaming platforms on planet earth. Join us today as we hear part two of the conversation with Claudius Boller, who is responsible for Spotify on the African continent. He continues to share insights into how to work with Spotify to get the best results for your career as well as answering questions from the audience.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
12/10/2020 • 23 minutes, 6 seconds
Claudius Boller for Spotify Africa (Part 1)
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Claudius Boller!
Spotify is one of the most important streaming platforms on planet earth. Join us today as we hear from Claudius Boller who is responsible for Spotify on the African continent. This is a rare treat in that he shares insights, from a strategy and trends perspective, into what they are looking for as they help to grow local markets across music and podcasting platforms.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
12/3/2020 • 26 minutes, 24 seconds
Kwesta (Part 2) What I’ve learnt so far
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Kwesta!
Kwesta is one of Sa's most iconic rappers and songwriters known for his deep and distinctive voice. He is one of the greats to come from Katlehong township and has sustained a career at the top for many years. Kwesta is an iconic South African rapper and songwriter. Join us for part two as he continues to share his experiences in the music industry and how he has created his longevity in the business. He also answers questions from the audience in this episode.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
11/26/2020 • 28 minutes, 24 seconds
Kwesta (Part 1) Know who you are as a musician!
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Kwesta!
Kwesta is one of Sa's most iconic rappers and songwriters known for his deep and distinctive voice. He is one of the greats to come from Katlehong township and has sustained a career at the top for many years. Join us today as he discusses the importance of knowing who you are and how that translates into your craft.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
11/19/2020 • 32 minutes, 2 seconds
Gil Hockman (Part 2) The steps to becoming a successful independent musician
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Gil Hockman!
Gil Hockman is an independent South African musician now based in Berlin. Over the years he has built an impressive database, including venues, various music publications and radio stations. This database is an incredibly valuable resource for other independent musicians. He offers services and guidance to artists who are trying to make a career from their art.
In this episode Gil continues to share his valuable insight and practical advice about how to slowly and persistently build a career as an independent musician in the changing world of music.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
11/12/2020 • 45 minutes, 19 seconds
Gil Hockman: The steps to becoming a successful independent musician
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Gil Hockman!
Gil Hockman is an independent South African musician now based in Berlin. Over the years he has built an impressive database, including venues, various music publications and radio stations. This database is an incredibly valuable resource for other independent musicians. He offers services and guidance to artists who are trying to make a career from their art.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
11/10/2020 • 46 minutes, 46 seconds
Nota Baloyi: Management is an artform
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Nota Baloyi!
Nota Baloyi has had many fruitful years in the South African music industry and was the powerhouse behind establishing Kwesta.
In this jam packed episode, Nota speaks about how good management is an artform. Create value, build value and protect your reputation because it defines your brand.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
10/29/2020 • 53 minutes, 50 seconds
Raphael Benza: The importance of having a good manager
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Raphael Benza!
Raphael Benza describes himself as an opportunity creator. His creative entertainment agency Vth Season, is behind some of the biggest stars in the country including AKA, Tresor and Ami Faku.
In this episode he explains the importance of having a good management team and how a good manager looks for opportunities to create income for their artists from multiple income streams. Brand partnering, collaboration and trust, drive this dynamic business which has been pioneering in establishing artist management in Africa.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
10/22/2020 • 24 minutes, 55 seconds
Nic Burger: How to get your music onto digital platforms
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Nic Burger!
Nic Burger is one of the smartest thinkers in the South African music industry. With over twenty years of experience, he is currently head of Digital at Universal Music.
In this episode he shares insights into the different digital platforms and digital tools that are available to artists. He explains how to access data and how to use it to inform your business decisions, like what cities you should be playing live shows in and what tracks that specific audience will want to hear.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
10/15/2020 • 20 minutes, 42 seconds
Adrian King: The key to getting a record deal
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Adrian King!
Adrian King has had a long career working in various roles in the music industry. Currently he is
working at Warner Music.
In this episode Adrian gives valuable insight into what record companies look at when signing new artists,
as well as the various types of record contracts and what they offer you as an artist when you sign with a label.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
10/8/2020 • 23 minutes, 30 seconds
DJ Fresh (Part 2) How to create a meaningful and successful career
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you DJ Fresh!
DJ Fresh shares insights into how he has created a successful career and longevity in his industry.
During this Q and A session, Fresh describes characteristics that have helped him develop and sustain
meaningful relationships, what you should be focusing on and how to give back to up and coming
artists in your space.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
10/1/2020 • 21 minutes, 58 seconds
DJ Fresh (Part 1) My journey to being Fresh
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you DJ Fresh!
You may not know this, and perhaps this echoes a little bit with your life, but DJ Fresh was
not always “DJ FRESH”, he started out like many of us do, being bullied for being different.
DJ Fresh, who landed up becoming one of the legends in SA radio, used that experience to his advantage.
He learned how to get the last word in when he was under “attack”. Even with his mother he made sure he had
the smartest funniest comebacks, although he didn't always say those out loud! His ability to think fast prepared him for
the pace of live radio and has ensured his longevity in the business.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
9/24/2020 • 24 minutes, 14 seconds
Zwai Bala (Part 2) Can you describe what you do in one sentence?
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Zwai Bala!
You need to build something that is valuable enough that it just stands on its own and makes
money on its own, but to do that you need to spend time on it. Who is the person who
believes in your idea the most, the person who bleeds it deep in their heart? That person is
you, you are the only one who will love your dream as much as you do, so in order to make it
a reality you need to be the one putting the most effort into it.
So you know you need to work hard, but you also need to know what your dreams are,
exactly. You simply cannot have your dreams floating in your head, you need to be able to
physically write it down on a piece of paper. Can you write down what you do in one sentence?
Some businesses call that a vision statement or a mission statement, you need to know how
to summarise what you do and its essential to see it on a piece of paper.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
9/17/2020 • 30 minutes, 32 seconds
Zwai Bala (Part 1) What are you looking for in your career and how to get it?
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Zwai Bala!
When young musicians come to Musician and Producer Zwai Bala, they always want to talk
about the nice things and very rarely want to talk about the serious things that relate to the
music business.
Preparation for success is a part of being successful. Zwai Bala knows what its like to succeed and
not be ready for it. In his early days, he was not focussed on money, he even thought that it was the
wrong focus as he decided he was concentrating on music, but what he
found out was that “If you dont care about the money, and then you realise that what you are creating
makes a lot of money, you will find the money has not been coming to you.”
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
9/10/2020 • 29 minutes, 45 seconds
Catherine Grenfell (Part 2) Getting your track on radio
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Catherine Grenfell!
We have all heard the complaints from artists about how they don't get any radio play. But
have you done the requisite work into getting it played? Do you know your band, do you
know your brand, do you know the stations and the DJ’s?
In this episode, radio icon Catherine Grenfell explains how important it is to know your style of
music and to approach the appropriate radio station for your particular genre. She gives valuable insight
and steps to take for publishing your songs and getting them play listed.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
9/3/2020 • 29 minutes, 40 seconds
Catherine Grenfell (Part 1) There’s more than one path to success
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Catherine Grenfell!
For many radio fans, the voice of Catherine Grenfell was ubiquitous with our enjoyment of
radio. Her authentic voice, telling stories with long time radio partner DJ Fresh of her normal
life, brought a connection to DJ’s that we hadn’t yet had, let alone the fact that she was a
woman in an extremely male-dominated world. She went from strength to strength as she
produced multiple shows, but as the years went on she found herself not giving 100% to the
shows and she knew she had to leave in order to rekindle her creative spirit.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
8/27/2020 • 31 minutes, 6 seconds
DJ Shimza (Part 2) Seek out opportunities to market yourself
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you DJ Shimza!
From a young age, DJ Shimza started learning how to market himself on how to build a brand. After attending the South African Music Conference, which was held at the historic venue The Bassline in Johannesburg, he started throwing birthday parties for himself which he took to extreme levels. He had a great sound system and he marketed the party with a basic black and white flyer with his famous logo which lives on till this day.
That logo means more to him than “just a logo”. It may not be the most elegant or modern, but it’s not about that. When he was starting out and no one knew who he was it didn’t matter because they knew that logo and today it lives on as a reminder of where he came from and its all part of his personal brand.
That experience in creating his birthday party, as well as his education in marketing, helped DJ Shimza in his next venture, in which he knew he needed to seek out a gap in the market, that resulted in his famous Christmas Lunch after party. All venues were usually closed on Christmas Day, so he knew he could use that as an opportunity to expand his portfolio of events.
This is a highly important lesson to take from the award-winning DJ. Always seek out ways to market yourself and create opportunities to grow your presence. All the experience that he gained in those early years hustling with black and white flyers, seeking out new ways to grow his network, enabled DJ Shimza eventually to create his own festivals, and today he is in front of us telling his story.
Create your own story and hopefully, we’ll see you on the AMPD Studio stage in a few years.
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
8/20/2020 • 31 minutes, 3 seconds
DJ Shimza (Part 1) You cant wait for better turntables.
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you DJ Shimza!
Serendipity is a word which has particular relevance for the career of megastar DJ Shimza, awards flowed from an early age, but it was a stroke of luck that led him to find out that he was a truly talented DJ.
DJ Shimza tells us about how he used to take different routes when travelling home, and one day he walked past a house that was playing something that he had never heard before, which was unusual as he was always collecting the latest mixes, he stood outside listening until one of the guys came out and asked him if he wanted to come listen inside. He found himself in a space with actual DJ’s who could guide him and mentor him.
They landed up training each day, driving each other to be better and it created in him an urge to be the best. They didn’t have the best equipment, or fancy Technics turntables, but they worked with what they had and drove each other to be the best they could possibly be.
For 5 years he worked with belt-drive turntables, but you can’t wait for better turntables, those 5 years made him become better than all the guys with fancy decks.
He couldn’t ask for better equipment or vinyls from his mom because she was focussed 100% on his education. The parental focus in his mom’s life was that Shimza become something stable something like a doctor. Far from being upset by this, he could see the value in his mother’s goals for him but he never took that as a “no” he used the adversity to take control of his own path in life, he knew he’d have to be the one driving his future path in this “Dj thing” and seek out his own education.
Persistence led to him asking his friends to assist him in getting a ticket to the South African Music Conference which was held at historic music venue The Bassline in Johannesburg. The event was organised by some of the most successful music industry legends; DJ Fresh, Oskido, Vinny da Vinci, Greg Maloka and DJ Christos.
That persistence (and great friends - shout out to Dominic and Small) led to him to actually doing exactly what his mother wanted him to do, get an education. He attended the conference daily, and it helped him do exactly what education does, it “unlocked his mind.”
Instead of becoming a doctor, he found the “professors” that he wanted to fulfil his own dream. Each day listening to experienced people who had already been through what he was about to go through.
Keep an open mind, become a sponge for knowledge, be greedy when people give advice in the music industry, inhale their experiences and use them to make money, to make a great career.
To access all videos from this series, please check out our website: www.ampdstudios.co.za
#AMPDstudios
#OldMutual
8/13/2020 • 30 minutes, 25 seconds
Slikour (Part 2) - Know your product, know how to sell it.
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Slikour!
In part one of the AMPD Masterclass with Slikour he spoke about knowing exactly what you want to be in the industry. A musician, an agent, a manager, or booker etc.
In part two he talks about knowing your own self, knowing your art and your product, and to think about yourself exactly as a brand would. He makes the analogy of a gardener with tomatoes who wants to sell his tomatoes, but there is Woolworths, PnP, Shoprite out there also selling tomatoes.
What is it about your tomatoes that will outshine Woolworth’s tomatoes, why is your music the music that the public needs/wants/supports? In so many AMPD studio Masterclasses the legends who have spoken have said that you need to think about your career, your art, your brand holistically in order to succeed. You need to know every single thing about your craft, the business of music and the business of you. How are you going to be the best version of yourself, you need to know your product, and know how to sell it.
Get the right management, not just some person who says that they do it because “they just love music” You need more than that, you need a person who says “Cool, I see you have these tomatoes, lets work out expand the value of these tomatoes...”
… and from there you can think about what else you have to offer.
Slikour realised he needed to offer more than just his music if he was to leave a legacy, and to make a positive impact in the industry. The future music industry mogul recognised that there was no platform for the telling of the South African stories in the depth that he wanted to know them and so he applied to brain to his brand in order to expand his personal brand business portfolio, as well as leave a lasting impact on South African music from the ground up.
To access all the videos from this series, please check out our website : www.ampdstudios.co.za
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8/6/2020 • 48 minutes, 49 seconds
Slikour (Part 1) - Are you selling your tomato, or are you eating it?
AMPD STUDIOS by OLD MUTUAL brings you Slikour!
Knowing who you are and what your creative outlet is to you, is a major aspect of media mogul Slikour's AMPD Masterclass. What do you actually want to do with your creation? Is it for your own pleasure and to “feed your soul”, or are you entering the creative space to grow a business? Many who enter the market are conflicted about why they are entering it and are unprepared for the hardships that you will encounter.
With a knowing smile Slikour says “the people who wanna be in the music business, are not the most talented. The ones who enter the music business work the hardest, and are the most aggressive. So you gotta ask yourself ‘where do you fit in?’
Who are you in the creative space and are you preparing yourself for that role?
To access all the videos from this series, please check out our website : www.ampdstudios.co.za
#ampdstudios
#oldmutual
7/29/2020 • 28 minutes, 6 seconds
Old Mutual presents the Ampd Studios Music Industry Podcast
Old Mutual is proud to announce the release of a brand new music industry podcast. Subscribe now.
For more content or to become part of AMPD Studios go to www.ampdstudios.co.za
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