Only one in five songs played by local broadcasters in May 2023 were by females
The Copyright Society of Botswana (COSBOTS) is hard at work to push and strive for the 80/20 content quota for increased airplay for local musicians, meanwhile, female artists continue to be underrepresented on local radio and tv.
COSBOTS recently put out Music Airplay Statistics for the Month of May 2023 which revealed that out of the Top 10 National Artists who receive airplay from local broadcasters, only two are females. The top ten comprises: Tshepo Lesole, Vee Mampeezy, Sereetsi, Eugene Jackson, Amantle Brown, Ezra Neethings, Chef Gustos, DJ Gouveia, Dramaboi and Fifie Africa.
Not a single female artist features in the Top 10 most played artists generally: the list features local and international artists. This is interestingly an increase though, as only one female (Charma Gal) has appeared on that Top 10 list until February 2023 when COSBOTS last released the statistics.
Voice Entertainment engaged the Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) President Phemelo Fresh Lesokwane who explained that the Union hadn’t realised this gender disparity in terms of airplay.
“There are so many women who are putting out good music, who also deserve to be put on high rotation,” he said. Lesokwane promised to further look into the matter so as to advocate for more airplay for female musicians.
He went on to restate BOMU’s commitment to push for local broadcasters to prioritise local musicians.
With regard to the strive for increased local music airplay, although they are miles away from reaching the 80/20 target, state owned broadcasters have recorded a significant improvement.
Private radio stations, on the other hand, are still lagging behind. Yarona FM recorded only 20% local airplay, while Gabz FM, DUMA FM and RB2 recorded 76%, 73% and 65% respectively.