The rise of lekompo, a fast-growing genre that blends traditional rhythms with modern street sounds, has taken the South African music scene by storm.
Artists who began by sharing their music on platforms like WhatsApp groups, Facebook, and TikTok are now catching the attention of established record labels. But the question remains: are these artists making the right move by signing to labels? For many upcoming lekompo artists, signing a record deal seems like the perfect gateway to success. Labels offer financial backing, professional studio access, marketing, and wider distribution — all of which can boost their chances of breaking into the mainstream.
With South Africa’s competitive music industry, a label can provide connections and platforms that might take years for independent artists to secure on their own. Recently, we have seen a popular international record label, Virgin Music Group, signing almost all the artists dominating the genre. This raises critical questions: what kind of deals are they offering? Will this end well or badly? Are the artists fully aware of the contracts they are signing? Do they still own their music? Let’s hope they don’t end up like legendary artists whose careers were ruined by bad deals. Ultimately, whether signing to a label is the “right move” depends on the goals of the artist. Those aiming for rapid growth, global exposure, and commercial recognition might benefit from label support.
But for others who value independence and authenticity, staying independent may preserve their artistic identity and long-term financial freedom. As lekompo continues to expand, each artist must carefully weigh their options before deciding which path best suits their career.
Sub-Editor: Ntabe Tracy
