Unpacking the Education Gap: Why it is Time to Move Beyond Conventional Music Topics

By idkblanco | 8 min read

This past Friday I attended the Made in Mzansi Music Business Workshop in partnership with Music Business Academy hosted at the Freedom Park Heritage Site in Pretoria. The event was facilitated by Gift Mdlalose and was sectionalised into three different segments tackling different music industry topics. The event was targeted at artists, artist managers, record label owners, A&R specialists, music investors, music distributors and publishers, music compilers, and entertainment journalists.

Speakers

The panel which was decorated with seasoned and revered professionals brought out a decent turnout. The audience engaged in matters ranging from publishing, marketing, branding, and other related matters. Speakers had a chance to represent their organisations and were given the platform to inform attendees about the function of the organisations they work for and what role they play in said companies. The most informative segment was led by Lerato Moloi & Leote Taylor. What piqued my interest was the organisations that they founded and currently lead: Lawyers for the Arts South Africa & the South African Creative Industries Incubator.

About Lawyers for the Arts South Africa (LASA)

Lerato Moloi is the founder and CEO of LASA. Her organisation seeks to bridge the gap between creatives and legal services through pro bono legal support and resources. Advocates of human and labour rights within the creative industry, the NPO offers several services. They offer free legal assistance on IP, contracts, and other legal matters. They host educational events on legal topics which empower artists on their rights, they also do this through pre-booked appointments for consultations on specific issues. The organisation provides creatives with access to legal resources and networking opportunities. Lerato believes in collaboration, especially with leading law firms, government organisations, and creative enterprises to legitimise and grow their reach. With a sizeable staff of 25 pro-bono lawyers and 15+ volunteers, the firm is in the perfect position to provide specialist services to the creative community.

About the South African Creative Industries Incubator (SACII)

Led by Leote Taylor, the SACII is an experienced business development and incubation entity that has been working in the SMME environment for the past seven years, with a particular focus on the creative industries. The township-based creative hub provides business incubation, acceleration and support, technical skills training, and production facilities and equipment to township-based creative economy entrepreneurs. SACII’s strategic combination of services is designed to leverage content development, business growth, market access, and job creation for creative industry entrepreneurs and practitioners. To date, SACII has partnered with both government and private sector organisations to deliver tailored incubation and accelerator programmes for creative industry entrepreneurs to achieve SMME sustainability and market access in the creative economy. During her talk, Leote touched on a sub-organisation of her company, Music Business Lab.

Music Business Lab is an innovative first of its kind organisation that aims to fill gaps in the music industry in Africa, from lack of access to knowledge and resources to limited opportunities for upskilling and professional development. In partnership with SAMRO, Music Business Lab, offers courses in artist management, music publishing, live events & touring, as well as distribution certified by the University of Pretoria. During the talk, Leote specified that SACII serves to "change the existing reality of the music industry and creative industry as a whole."

Attending this event proved beneficial as I got a chance to hear and engage on what the next generation of pioneers are building to help advance our nation's music industry. Aside from the interesting viewpoints shared on the day, I have come to realise that most topics brought up at these platforms are recycled with information easily accessible on the internet.

As a student on the intricacies of this evolving sector, attending this event made me want to explore three pivotal aspects of the current landscape of workshops and panel discussions: the importance of education, the pitfalls of adhering to outdated discussions, and the imperative of staying informed to drive industry advancement.

The Importance of Education in the Music Business

Education serves as the backbone of any industry, and the music business is no exception. With the rapid transformation of the industry, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences, understanding the nuanced landscape is paramount.

Courses on music management, music law, intellectual property, licensing, and digital distribution are now essential. They provide aspiring artists, managers, and entrepreneurs with the tools needed to navigate a complex environment while optimising their creative output. A well-informed player can strike lucrative deals, minimise legal pitfalls, and effectively market their work. By equipping individuals with a robust education on these topics, we foster a generation of music professionals who can innovate, challenge norms, and ultimately contribute to a thriving economy.

Moreover, as music becomes increasingly commodified and understood as an asset class, education on valuation, investment, and market trends becomes equally vital. Investors looking to capitalise on music royalties, for instance, require a solid understanding of the music publishing landscape and emerging platforms for royalty collection. Institutions that provide such education play a critical role in nurturing a more knowledgeable and resourceful workforce.

The risks of being conventional in an evolving economy

While education in the music business is imperative, it is equally critical to reassess the topics that dominate discourse within the industry. Many discussions linger on conventional frameworks, which may no longer serve the interests of aspiring artists or the economy at large.

As 1^st world countries pivot to embrace digital innovations, focusing on outdated topics restricts growth and limits potential. This often leads to a disconnect between established practices and contemporary realities, leaving new entrants ill-equipped to thrive. Markets are increasingly shifting toward streaming, direct-to-fan engagement, and creative licensing opportunities, while conventional models dwindle in relevance. Ignoring this evolution not only hampers individual careers but also stunts the overall advancement of the sector.

Industry professionals and educators must pivot discussions to encompass the latest trends, frameworks, and technologies. By developing curriculums that reflect contemporary practices, we can ensure that the next generation of leaders will not just adapt but excel.

The Importance of staying informed

In a rapidly changing environment, the importance of staying current with educational matters cannot be overstated. Those in the music business must recognise that knowledge is power. Keeping abreast of industry developments, from new distribution models to emerging technologies, promotes innovation and adaptability, essential traits in an ever-evolving cultural landscape.

Engagement with new trends also paves the way for advocacy and policy reform. Music professionals who are versed in the latest economic models and rights discussions can contribute to shaping a fairer and more equitable industry. This level of informed participation can drive decision-making at higher levels, leading to regulations that support artists and industry stakeholders alike.

Furthermore, institutions and industry bodies should prioritise lifelong learning opportunities – like workshops, seminars, and online courses – to ensure that professionals at every stage of their careers can evolve alongside the industry. By fostering a culture of continuous education, we enable ongoing career development and practical application of new ideas, which ultimately broadens the diversity of thought and innovation within the industry.

Adapting to change

As the music industry fortifies its position as a significant asset class and contributes to economic growth, the call for comprehensive education and informed discourse grows louder. By investing in education, eschewing outdated paradigms, and nurturing an environment of continual learning, we can transform the music industry into a robust, forward-thinking sector that showcases the true potential of creativity and commerce. The future of music in South Africa, both as an art form and an economic driver, depends on our ability to adapt, innovate, and educate.