Amateurs in2 Connosieurs?

Written by Virtous from the blog Radio - Real deal? on 14 Apr 2009
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Radio is a personal medium, one that many people can snuggle up with and drowsily fall asleep to while listening to their favourite jams.

I think its a pity that the radio industry does not take itself seriously because if they did, more talented people would be presenters and quality radio would shine through.
I specifically refer to Siya and Sizwe's show on Yfm which broadcasts on Sat-Sun 09h00 - 12h00. Now if this show was broadcast perhaps once a week towards those ungodly hours then one could cope. Since their very first broadcast, Siya &Sizwe failed to convince me of their radio prowess or lack thereof.

Firstly, both have experience in television and on the spot reporting. However, that did not guarantee them a walk in the radio park. Their style of presenting was somewhat factual, as if they had prepared a script and they mouthed off useless pointers relating to each song they introduced or reintroduced.

Secondly, one could sense that they were nervous hence they failed to connect with the listener.
Thirdly, their voices are perfect for tv but on radio they just sounded too rehearsed, not natural at all. At times, they overcrowded each other painting a rather messy picture of their professionalism.

Now, those two have had their third show to date, so perhaps I should cut them some slack and maybe they will grow into their slot. But, alas if that is the case then I do believe that radio is now giving listeners sloppy entertainment and listeners now have to make do with what they have been given.

Gone are the days when the best man got the job, the most passionate and one who could present a show easily and naturally. Nowadays, the most famous or person who has a dozen other jobs under their belt and is all too happy to now call himself a 'radio dj' gets what should be a well deserving occupation.

Since mediocrity seems to rule the day, how longer does the faithful listener need to lap up such dismally unconvincing hogwash?

PS. This is solely a personal opinion

22 Comments

Virtous
15 Apr 2009 10:02

I wrote this article yesterday but it seem relative to publish it today.

sexyd
15 Apr 2009 10:51

Yepppppppppppppie I'm the No 2!!!!

cleve
15 Apr 2009 11:11

Virtous you are so right. SA enetrtainment industry sucks. people don't specialise in one field and be the best at it. No they have to go into all spheres of the entertainmenmt world. If you act or are a DJ doesn't mean you can sing. People should specialise in what they do best and stop spreading their talent everywhere that you end neglecting what you do best and in the end you suck at everything.

Vesa
15 Apr 2009 11:36

Maybe they are trying to follow-up in the footsteps of their overseas counterparts....eg. Jamie Foxx is an actor, a radio dj, a musician and a producer of his own show!

cleve
15 Apr 2009 11:46

Jamie Foxx is an actor, a radio dj, a musician and a producer of his own show!

Not everyone can be Jamie Foxx, there's only a handful of them.

felfel
15 Apr 2009 11:49

and i'm sure Jamie Fox is good at what he does....all titles.

Virtous
15 Apr 2009 11:55

True that Cleve and Vesa, local entertainers are trying to monopolise the industry. We know they need to work for a living but sum1 who has like three jobs already and decides to take up another to up their 'popular' factor that is just not on! Take Siya for example, he is a presenter for Slam Dunk, for RGB and he co owns the fashion label Amakipkip. Now, suddenly hes a radio dj too! He great at presenting why did he not just master that art and not try to be the Jack of all trades yet mastering 1.

dali
15 Apr 2009 12:31

i disagree

Firstdvd
15 Apr 2009 21:35

This Y-fm is all over man. Everyone is talking about it since ngama '90s...when is it going to broadcast national kanti?

Brown Shuga
15 Apr 2009 21:50

Interesting... my response to this is gonna be very long so I'm just gonna have a quick cup of coffee and be back...

@ Firstdvd <<<<This Y-fm is all over man. Everyone is talking about it since ngama '90s...when is it going to broadcast national kanti?>>> LMAO at the contradiction in your comment!

Brown Shuga
15 Apr 2009 23:16

Disclaimer: I like these boys so you're welcome to take whatever I'm gona say with a pinch of salt....

@ Cleve <<<.....people don't specialise in one field and be the best at it. No they have to go into all spheres of the entertainmenmt world. If you act or are a DJ doesn't mean you can sing. People should specialise in what they do best and stop spreading their talent everywhere that you end neglecting what you do best and in the end you suck at everything.>>>

The only part of your comment I agree with is that people should know what they are good/best at and stick to it. And that relates to whatever kinda job you do, not just entertainment.

@ Virtous <<<<local entertainers are trying to monopolise the industry. We know they need to work for a living but sum1 who has like three jobs already and decides to take up another to up their 'popular' factor that is just not on! >>>
I used to think like this at one point... until I realized that TV shows are not there FOREVER. A show is on for like 13 episodes and if it does well then there might be a 2nd or 3rd season so the question is, if I'm only doing that ONE show, what do I do when it's over? Only then start going for auditions?

Phela this industry is not like your 9-5 where you're guaranteed a salary every month, even if you book off sick for half the time. This is a pay as you work industry.....so YES, it's really just about them trying to make a living.

<<<Take Siya for example, he is a presenter for Slam Dunk, for RGB and he co owns the fashion label Amakipkip. Now, suddenly hes a radio dj too!

IF Siya records RGB on Mondays for 4 hours, does Slam Dunk on Tuesdays for 3 hours and takes 6 hours to do the 2 weekend shows. That's a total of 13 working hours a week. Less than one day! Let's say a day was 13 hours, what is he supposed to do for the rest of the week?? Wait for the next time he's supposed to record a show?

<<<He great at presenting why did he not just master that art and not try to be the Jack of all trades yet mastering 1>>> Ama Kip Kip is a damn HUGE success so he's definitely NOT just mastering 1 trade!

Interesting topic this is though.....I'm interested to read what others think. Nice write up too Virtous! Big Up.

Brown Shuga
15 Apr 2009 23:17

Eish...I dont know why EVERYTHING IS BOLD...hope you can make out which comments are mine!

Paralyzer
16 Apr 2009 06:43

Maybe it had something to do with that coffee,lol! I agree that sometimes they dnt choose the best person but cant blame siya 4 being given the job. Entertainment industry is too hectic to be holding down one job, one day u in, the nxt ur out!

Paralyzer
16 Apr 2009 06:47

But u can also just nt listen though? But i guess ur irritated with our mostly amateur entertainment industry...

Virtous
16 Apr 2009 10:28

Phela this industry is not like your 9-5 where you're guaranteed a salary every month, even if you book off sick for half the time. This is a pay as you work industry.....so YES, it's really just about them trying to make a living.

That maybe true, BS but Siya co-owns a fasion label. he doesn't work for Amakipkip he is the founding member! That should give him ample time to focus for the rest of the week on designing, running their shop and expanding into bigger avenues. If you ask me, according to what you state, then Sizwe is the one struggling not Siya cause Sizwe only has a few shows on MTV base.

That said, it just goes to show that SA is not yet on par with international standards, sadly the public does not spend much money on the entertainment industry bcoz if they did, then an entertainer can stick to 1 job and get paid well enough for that to support him/herself.

Toxic
16 Apr 2009 10:49

Hello Virtuous, i love your use/choice of words. No other comment on the topic.

blackchild
16 Apr 2009 12:43

Green.arrow
16 Apr 2009 13:02

I also hear what BS is saying....however i agree with Virtous on this:
"Gone are the days when the best man got the job, the most passionate and one who could present a show easily and naturally. Nowadays, the most famous or person who has a dozen other jobs under their belt ........... gets what should be a well deserving occupation......" ........sssad!

Paralyzer
16 Apr 2009 13:09

@Shuga, i hear what u saying BUT what if in those 4 hrs that Siya records RGB makes more money than someone's full month salary?
what im trying to say is there is some people out there who cud be good for radio, are stil hustling like them to get into it, also deserving to get a chance to dj, but cannot, because familiar faces(not necessarily radio material) are always given first preference.

that's true but you can't balme Siya....the guy (as talentless as he may be) can't help that he is connected. And the entertainment industry works on that very principal......

Virtous
16 Apr 2009 13:24

@ Toxic, thank-you.
@ blackchild, couldn't have said it better.
that's true but you can't balme Siya....the guy (as talentless as he may be) can't help that he is connected. And the entertainment industry works on that very principal......
That maybe a fact, but why does it have to be that way? I think that people who are truly talented are not giving these people a run for their money. Siya and others started off like anybody else, as unknowns. Ppl should push to showcase that they can do better and the end reslut maybe, out with mediocrity and the rewarding of true raw talent.

Paralyzer
16 Apr 2009 13:34

That's entertainment for ya, you have to work hard to get somewhere.....talent isn't all that is required...look at singing competition, it provides a platform (that is certainly easier than the traditional way), but peeps still don't make it after the show....

Brown Shuga
16 Apr 2009 19:15

LOL you guys are so polite, it's too cute!!! I love how everybody goes.....

"@Shuga, i hear what u saying BUT ...."

"I also hear what BS is saying....however...."

"That maybe true, BS but ...."

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