Tanzanian musicians want BASATA to explain new regulations

The new regulations took effect on 1 July after they were gazetted on 9 February. They require that solo musicians pay BASATA a licence fee of 20 000 Tanzanian shillings ($9). DJs will have to fork out Tsh 40 000 and those who wish to be registered as music promoters will pay Tsh 50 000. BASATA also wants advertising agencies that work with artists to register with body for a fee of Tsh 500 000.

Musicians touring outside the country will be required to pay Tsh 50 000, East African artists looking to work in Tanzania will pay Tsh 1m while any other African artist will pay Tsh 1.5m.

Nash MC told Music In Africa that the above figures had caused an uproar among stakeholders who had advised BASATA to amend its policy. However, he said it would be difficult to alter the proposed fees because the law was already being implemented.

“Once a document has been passed into law, making changes is almost impossible,” he said. “The only viable option for BASATA is to have a workshop and invite all stakeholders to give further details on the new fees. I have personally gone through the document and I found loopholes.”

Nash MC said the real issue should not be about reducing the fees but about providing a breakdown on how the payments will be made.

"We need answers. For example, they say an East African artist coming into the country will be required to pay Tsh 1m but they are not clarifying what these musicians will be allowed to do and whether the licence will be yearly or renewed each time they travel to Tanzania."

Rapper Nikki wa Pili insists BASATA should have held further consultations with stakeholders before gazetting the new rates.

“Before coming up with new regulations it is important to do research on how much money regular artists make so that they are not forced to pay amounts they can't afford,” he said.

“The new rates are not in line with the situation in the country. I think many companies will avoid working with artists for branding purposes because as we speak BASATA expects these companies to pay Tsh 5m Tanzanian shillings per advert.”