Jah Prayzah turns off ZBC Cameras at his event
The public broadcaster, ZBC, was left humiliated at the inaugural “Bira Rembira” event held recently at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield after award-winning musician Jah Prayzah demanded that their cameras be switched off before he would take the stage. The event, which was organized by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, had Government backing, making the incident all the more shocking.
Jah Prayzah’s stance stems from his recently introduced policy of charging for videography rights at his performances, a move that is understandable from a business perspective. However, the decision to enforce this at a government-supported national event caused a significant disruption and left many questioning whether it was appropriate under the circumstances. This unprecedented demand came just as ZBC was preparing to capture his performance for national broadcast, only to be abruptly sidelined.
ZBC Side-lined at a National Event
For a public broadcaster like ZBC, whose role is to provide coverage of national events for all Zimbabweans, Jah Prayzah’s request was nothing short of a slap in the face. As the cameras were switched off, murmurs spread through the crowd and online, with many interpreting the move as a public embarrassment for ZBC, which prides itself on being the voice of the nation.
The fact that the event was Government-sponsored made the incident even more perplexing. Jah Prayzah’s insistence that no filming could take place without additional payments effectively forced the hand of the broadcaster, leading to a momentary disruption that called into question the authority of both the Government and ZBC at the event.
No Comment from Jah Prayzah’s Team
When approached for a comment, Jah Prayzah’s manager, Keen Mushapaidze, provided little clarity, stating, “I have no comment regarding the incident. I suggest you refer to the statement issued by the artiste on his social media platform(s).” The refusal to address the incident directly only added fuel to the fire, leaving the public and media puzzled as to whether the singer’s actions were deliberate or simply a miscommunication with the event organizers.
Jah Prayzah’s social media post, which his manager directed people towards, defended the singer’s decision to enforce his videography rights policy. However, critics have noted that applying this policy at a national event, particularly one backed by the Government, crossed a line and sent a negative message about the artist’s relationship with the nation’s most prominent media outlet.
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