Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse to share story of 5-decade music journey at Music Exchange

SA MUSIC LEGEND TO SHARE STORY OF 5-DECADE JOURNEY

Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse to address delegates at Music Exchange

Cape Town, 22 February 2010: South African music icon, SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and platinum selling artist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse will address delegates at Music Exchange, South Africa’s first independent music conference. Mabuse, best known for his mega-hit Burnout, will share his personal musical journey spanning 5 decades in a keynote that will give insights on how to remain in the music business for the long term.

“It has always saddened me that such incredible talent often never stays around long enough to reap the rewards that this industry has to offer,” said Mabuse, “When I was approached to be involved in Music Exchange, I knew that my contribution to the conference and the South African music industry would be to share my highs and lows of over 40 years in the business and encourage musicians to stick it out and do the right thing from a business stance.”

Born in 1951, Mabuse grew up and still lives in Soweto. He started playing drums at the age of eight, and by 15 was a professional musician. He headed the legendary African group Harari is one of the country’s best-loved and most respected musicians. Sipho is a regular commentator on arts and culture in the country and has sat on the Boards of The National Arts Council and SAMRO, with his influence felt on both sides of the industry – as an entertainer and as a businessman. Over the course of his illustrious career Sipho has become an integral part of the entertainment industry and his contributions to the musical landscape of South Africa are appreciated and honoured by music lovers the world over.

Music Exchange, in its second year running, will be held at the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction on 22 and 23 March 2010. The 2 days conference will contain keynote talks and panel discussions from local and international industry experts who aim at sharing their knowledge to empower the South African music industry. Mabuse has come on board this year as a partner in the Music Exchange entity.

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About Music Exchange

Music Exchange is South Africa’s first independent music conference and is the brainchild of industry professionals Martin Myers, a long-standing publicist, and Peter Lacey, Managing Director of Musketeer Records.

The inaugural conference was held in Cape Town in March 2009. The 2-day event was jam-packed with keynote talks and panel discussions and delegates had access to over 20 big shots in the South African and international music arena. The topics covered were vast – from contract discussions to the age of digital delivery and beyond.

The conference continues in 2010 and aims to give budding musicians, singers, songwriters, promoters etc. an insight into the workings of the business as well as the opportunity to ask hard hitting questions of those professionals who “know it all”!

South Africa has unbelievable talent and the conference aims to give people in the music industry the insights and knowledge through the exchange of information that will empower them to make a living out of their passion for music.

2010 sees SAMA Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Platinum selling musician and performing artist Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse come on board as a partner. www.musicexchange.co.za.