With many celebrities speaking against nepotism and lobby culture in Bollywood, some have even started to speak up against the music industry for having a dark side of its own. Sonu Nigam, who started the conversation about the ‘music mafia’ has paved the way for other artists to do the same.
Speaking of which, singer Sona Mohapatra recently opened up about how “music lovers” want free music. She said that if people care for music and want talented artists to survive, they should pay for their work.
Zee News quoted Sona talking about how the urban Indian audience chooses to pay Rs 300 for a cup of coffee but want music for free.
“In India, we do not have the habit of understanding the fact that an artist should be paid. We believe music should come for free. In urban India, we are willing to have a coffee for Rs 300. We love to invest in branded clothes, cars, but we want our music for free. Why? Whether it is music streaming, download, a music video, a webinar, or a digital concert – we want all of it for free.”
Sona went on to state that if people want music in their lives, they should start caring about the artists as well because, in the COVID-19 world, things are about to get difficult for musicians. She talked about how folk singers, who depend heavily on stage shows for their income, are having the most difficult time these days.
“I would like to urge everyone that please value the artists around you. Whenever you are watching a show, pay the artist. You are paying for the lifetime that the artist has put in to hone his/her craft.”
On Twitter, Sona Mohapatra had revealed how music composers and directors have zero say on who sings their songs. Sonu Nigam and several actors’ previous claims about the power structures of the film and music industry have made it evident that only the movie/music mafia makes decisions.
Unfortunately & sadly,music composers & directors have zero say on who sings their songs.After scores of random rejections on compositions, they’d rather just get a project done with. I respect young Vishal Mishra for having stood his ground to retain my voice in Baby Gold, RARE. https://t.co/rCvDgTD67n
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) June 22, 2020
She also didn’t flinch from calling the powerful ones for their toxicity.
A ‘large hearted’ PR move from the one & only poster boy of toxic masculinity!👇🏾Of course he felt no such need to tweet or apologise for the vile threats that his digital paid army sent out to intimidate & bully others in the past. Got his dad to speak everytime he screwed up https://t.co/D3qKjx7PzM
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) June 21, 2020
If we want nepotism, favouritism, and lobby culture of the entertainment industry to end, we as the audience have to support and promote talented artists who are side-lined by the industry. When we pay to see/hear their work, only then will the artists survive in the industry.