MONROVIA, Montserrado – “Pekin, da TunesLiberia.com†is the common precursor heard on almost every radio station before the next hottest Liberian song plays.
Since the music promotion website came to the scene, it has dominated as the premier online source for Liberian music. Now, Tunes Liberia is gearing up to take the next step – the launch of its first annual music awards in Monrovia.
Elvis Juasemai, the group’s founder and CEO, said the event will take place this Saturday at Soorya Beach in Thinkers Village.
Juasemai said Saturday’s event is the first of a series of programs that will mark the group’s preparations for its annual music awards ceremony in February next year.
“This is like a whole process that we are beginning to do before the actual award ceremony,†he said.
Tunes Liberia Founder and CEO, Elvis Juasemai; Photo: Gbatemah Senah
According to him, since 2015, his group has continued to host and promote Liberian music at no cost. However, awarding hard working artists he said, would further bring competition and further improvement to the industry.
“The artists now are really working; day and night they are putting their efforts together, and the fans too are really supporting,†he said.
He told The Bush Chicken that the launch will bring a boost to the music industry in the country by perfectly aligning with the Liberia Music Awards. Several activities, including live performances and meet-and-greets, will form part of the launch, he added.
He named a list of local top artists, including DenG and C.I.C., who have confirmed their participation in the program.
Speaking on income-generating strategies for recording artists, Juasemai said not much is currently being realized because the entertainment industry is still underdeveloped.
However, he believes providing better promotion for Liberian music would help sell the artists and improve the industry.
“The money will come. We just got to work for now,†he emphasized.
Juasemai said his dream has always been to create and foster a company’s mission to drive a dramatic growth through providing exposures, promoting and marketing environment where artists, producers, promoters and DJs in Liberia are appreciated for their works and supports to the industry.
Featured photo courtesy of Tunes Liberia