Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse encourages musicians to have something to fall back on

Sidestepping financial pitfalls and dodging scamsters are two vital skills you need as an aspiring music artist, agreed Khuli Chana and Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse during the latest Old Mutual AMPD Icons Hero Conversation.

Held every month in front of a live audience at the new Old Mutual AMPD Studios in Newtown, Johannesburg, these sessions aim to empower aspiring creatives through stimulating and entertaining conversations between giants of the music industry.

Last week Motswako originator Khuli Chana and Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse inspired and entertained an audience of emerging artists with a collaborative performance followed by a raw and unfiltered conversation about achieving and sustaining success in the music industry.

By candidly sharing their personal experiences and insights, these legends hope to encourage the next generation of musos to equip themselves with the financial knowledge and mentorship they need to make it in a tough and highly competitive industry.

Khuli Chana and bra Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse offered varying narratives and perspectives on their rise to the top of the South African hip-hop and jazz/soul scenes respectively. Khuli spoke on the present state of the music industry in South Africa and how to guard against the pressures of keeping up appearances for social relevance.

Hosts Thomas Msengana and Pearl Modiadie questioned Khuli about how he fell victim to a scam that cost him money and how he could have avoided it by knowing more about the fundamental elements of contracting with third parties.

Bra Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse added that growing yourself outside the field of music and the arts was another wise thing to do. “While you’re sharpening your craft, consider also obtaining a formal qualification within or outside the field of music,” he said. Your dreams and aspirations may not pan out the way you expected, so the solution is to have something to fall back on, he believes. 

Old Mutual has seen the necessity of breaking the cycle of so many South African music legends and superstars who create awesome artistic legacies but face destitution when they retire. The AMPD Icons Hero Conversations are just one of the platforms Old Mutual has provided to address this issue.   

“It’s been incredible and a real honour to have artists of the status of Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and Khuli Chana leading by example and using this opportunity to impart their knowledge,” said Thobile Tshabalala, Head of Brand at Old Mutual. “We’re happy to be in a position to empower people to Do Great Things Every Day and be their exceptional best. The fact that you need to link your dream to your financial future is key to what we are doing.”