Interview with Basement Entertainment

Basement Entertainment is a UK based Zambian events management and promotions company set out to promote Zambian cultures and performing acts in the UK as well as parts of Europe.

KAPA187:    How did Basement entertainment come about?

Basement entertainment: Wow, this takes us back; we came about out of the desire to do things differently and put the fun back into Djing.
In the early 2000s there was a group of us young Zambians, mostly students who used to come together at a friend’s flat at weekends and just play music the way we liked, putting our own stamp, swag and identity on it. Those early days developed our style, when you see us ‘performing’; you get a glimpse of how we chill.

Bugz Money                                                   DJ Snypa

The founder members of the crew are Mr. Evans Miyanda (Team Patron), Oscar Miyanda (DJ Snypa), Harry Miyanda (Bugz Money), Milton Besa (DJ Milton Besa)…. ha ha ha…the only DJ who does not want a DJing name…lol! Other guys later joined us John Chinode Chisengalumbwe (Mc Jc Chinode II), Shawn L Sibamba (Big Shawn), Ray Nyakuchena (DJ Raypower our first Dual Zambia/Zimbabwean team member) and Andre Gordon (DJ Dre, our first Caribbean team member) with others on rotation across the UK. Our virtual existence in Zambia shall soon be a reality once our current mini team in Lusaka has completed logistical planning to operate in Zambia.

DJ Dre                                                             DJ Ray power 

It was actually at Milton’s penthouse in South East London (he lived above a shop, typical student accommodation….ha ha ha.) where we came up with the name because his place felt like a basement though it was an upstairs flat and for some reason we were always there socializing, he could never get rid of us.

DJ Milton Besa                                                                   Big Shawn

Mc Jc Chinode II

KAPA187:    What services do you provide?

Basement entertainment: We started out as DJs and were known as the Basement crew, until we branched out to music production when we co- produced Zambian musician TY2’s UK music project titled Nu Beginin’ (Featuring his hit love song NIKUKONDE) in 2008, produced and recorded at Iguana studios in Brixton, South London at which time we changed our name to Basement Entertainment, which felt more business like, well, or so we thought.

Amongst other services, we provide public announcement systems on a corporate level e.g. one used during President Michael Sata recent visited to the UK, at the UK Zambian community dinner reception hosted at the Zambian high commissioner’s residence. We also provide music entertainment services, boasting of an all out experienced international DJ line-up, capable of handling any occasion around the world plus event venues, added to that, our in-house voice over artists, presenters with various event management and promotions solutions are on hand to provide a service, be it Zambian or other through our business networks across the UK. We also have an online presence where we host our very own online radio show (THE SHOW) at http://www.basemententertainment.co.uk/ showcasing Zambian music and Dancehall music as enjoyed in the UK anchored by DJ Snypa, DJ Dre and Mc John Chinode II, supported by a live channel broadcast on Aggie rounds radio, UK.

Outside all these activities we work as volunteers with a UK based charity Butterfly tree that is headed by Jane Kay Bailey; Supporting rural communities in Zambia decimated by the HIV/Aids pandemic, providing safe water, feeding programs, improved health and education facilities with an orphan sponsorship program as well as supporting the fight against malaria in Zambia where together with the charity released a song titled “Change For The Better” performed by Ty2, Kaufela, Late Crystal Shawn and Lillian Mweene produced and recorded at raising sound studios in Livingston, Zambia. (Find out more on how you can help atwww.thebutterflytree.org.uk)

You could say we are all round entertainers but also with a social responsibility for those in need back in Zambia.

KAPA187:   What is your opinion on the music industry in Zambia?

Basement entertainment: The scene is heading in the right the direction, we are particularly impressed with the strides made by Zambian hip hop, the industry now gets it, they are establishing an identity founded on being Zambian, they are not trying to imitate the American scene which is a major plus.

The management side of things still poor but there is room for it to develop; we think artist management and the industry regulatory system as a whole is still in its infancy. Zambian musicians are VERY creative and that is what they should concentrate on, issues like PR, marketing, legal and in general artist management should be handled by someone else not a friend. We are not saying it is not happening right now, we are just saying that there is a scope for growth and improvement.

KAPA187:   Which artists do you think are the best at this moment?

Basement entertainment: Truth be told, there far too many to mention.

KAPA187:   How do you promote Zambian music in UK, how has been the response?

Basement entertainment: We have a major platform with our online radio show as well as our mobile disco team with affiliation to some major UK radios and clubs. The response has been overwhelming, the emails, comments on our site and the feeling we get when we play out shows how much the music is loved by Zambians across the UK though this trend has grown as well within other communities where we have delivered the sounds from Zambia. We think mostly out of nostalgia, it is that connection with home. Zambians in the UK appreciate the music even more than people in Zambia especially judging by the requests we get as well as the missing home factor..

KAPA187:   Do you think Zambian comedians get enough exposure as compared to musicians?

Basement entertainment: Music is universal as they say; it is that factor that makes it more penetrative. Comedy is relative and if you cannot relate, it just is not funny. Issues like language are just some of the limiting factor or a major barrier for it to be accessible especially out here in the UK.

To make that transition from performing on the local scene to the international scene is not as easy for comedians as it is for Musicians that is the challenge.

KAPA187:   Who are some of your favorite Zambian Comedians?

Basement entertainment: Our very own Mc John Chinode II, you can catch him on our radio show. We like Bob Nkosha, Bikiloni and Diffikoti to mention but afew.

KAPA187:   It would seem easier to promote music internationally than a comedy act, due to cultural differences, what is your approach to promoting them and making sure they get enough exposure

Basement entertainment: We can only do so much; the onerous is pretty much on the artists themselves and their management companies. We can only expose what they present to us, we feel they need to really work on this aspect; they need to push and get their stuff out there where even a local Nigerian, English Man or Jamaican can relate.

KAPA187:   What other art forms do you cater to?

Basement entertainment: The Art of Life and staying safe especially amongst the youth, live by the rules. They are there for a reason to stay alive! Lol!

KAPA187:   How can the artists’ get in touch with you?

Basement entertainment: Through our official website www.basemententertainment.co.uk or email [email protected] as well as Facebook or Twitter.

KAPA187:   Any last words….

Basement entertainment: Zambians world over should always remember Local is better. There is only one Zambia in the world which we all know is not going anywhere for generations to come. Let us, as Zambians support and stand by what’s Zambian if our industry is to move forward. Beside Zambia is the only home we have, lets be proud of the furniture we’ve put in it and in this case our entertainment industry it not always that international is better.

Finally, we are always looking for Zambian DJ’s and presenters for various community projects in your location, if anyone out there is interested contact us.

Change For The Better by TY2 ft Crystal Shaun, Kaufela & Lillian Mweene

By Kapa187