Music producers U-turn on K1m minimum fee

Producers and Audio Engineers Association of Malawi (Paeam) says its members are now free to charge production fees according to various factors, affectively reversing its earlier recommended K1 millionminimum fee. In an interview yesterday, Paeam president Percy ‘Pro Pee’ Manyozo said the earlier communication about the standard K1 million was informal as consultations were still ongoing. “Following stakeholder engagement and internal deliberations, the association acknowledges the concerns raised by industry players.

As such, there is currently no fixed or enforced standard production fee set by Paeam,” he said. Manyozo said as an association, it is committed to represent the interests of its members and ensuring that any future recommendations are inclusive, well-informed and beneficial to the growth of the music industry. “In this case, we acknowledge that, as is the case in many countries, music production fees are typically influenced by factors such as the producer’s experience, reputation, studio quality and scope of project.

This is natural and healthy aspect of a creative industry,” he said. Manyozo said the association, which is only a few months old, is still in the process of establishing proper structures, policies and engagement strategies. “Our approach will not be to discourage emerging studios, but rather ensure that growth in the sector is accompanied by improved quality, professionalism and sustainability for the benefit of the entire industry,” he said.

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When the association announced about the K1 million standard production fee three months ago, various players raised concerns. In his contribution, Mikozi Online lead Bright ‘Excess’ Chiligo said although the idea behind the fee was valid, it needed to consider various factors. “It is alright to put high value on the production, but standards need to be something that a majority can meet,” he said. Production charges remain negotiable between producers and musicians

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