There is never a shortage of opinions about the music industry in South Africa. From ordinary folks to the musicians themselves, peeps have something to say.
One bloke who has something to say about the industry, especially gatekeeping in South African hip hop is the rapper Touchline Truth. The songster recently provided context on his remarks about gatekeeping in South African hip hop.
Of course, gatekeeping as several advantages, including that only quality stuff gets released out there. This was something he dwelled on, illuminating his context on the subject.
In his own words: “If me and you submit a song today together, the best song needs to be played. If your song is bad it shouldn’t get played, that’s gatekeeping. We’ve gatekeep the industry so that the best guys can come in and the guys that are not good have to go and improve to become better.”
He believes that gatekeeping has always been portrayed in a negative light, with some people seeing it as a way to frustrate others from shining in the industry – which it isn’t.
The word I was looking for is Quality Control. Don’t agree with people blocking off opportunities, unfortunately that exists but thats not what I meant. Mina bengithi if you’re gifted and persistent you’ll make it regardless. I believe that, but maybe that’s not entirely true. https://t.co/5VpcA8S0oo
— TOUCHLINE (@TouchlineTruth) April 24, 2024
He’s right. Gatekeeping is a means of quality control and we need it. Problems start when people who play those roles abuse their power – making decisions that are not stemming from a state of quality but rather from a place of bias, personal reasons, money, affiliation, etc. . https://t.co/2g2cFQ8mbd
— FPOR 2 AVAILABLE 26/04/2024 (@LunaFlorentino_) April 23, 2024
The responses to his take indicate that many people agree with him on the subject. Not bad for one who fancies himself the GOAT.
