‘Where’s the money?’ asks Rosebank muso

Rosebank musician John Hassan wants to know where the money is in the South African music business, and he asks that questions in his new single, Where’$ The Moolah.

“My single asks where is the money? We travel all over the world, we rock at different venues and when we come home, then there is hardly any money to show for it,” says Hassan, 58, who performs as Hassan’adas.

The single was released more than two weeks ago on various streaming platforms including Spotify and iTunes.

During his 30-odd years in the music industry, he has worked with the likes of Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, the Soweto String Quartet, Lucky Dube, Brenda Fassie, Judith Sephuma and Jonathan Butler.

It takes a lot of hard work for musicians to keep up to date in the digital era, he says, and touring comes with its own set of challenges.

“If you have a promoter, they can organise you transport, accommodation, venue and sound equipment, though without a promoter, the musician would have to take on that responsibility.”

After each concert, the proceeds from ticket sales get divided among the venue, the sound equipment team and the musicians, he says.

“These days, most music made by musicians would be from performing on tours, as CD sales don’t make money anymore.”

He says he is adapting to the new way of releasing music. “I have to keep up with the youngsters and would even ask them for tips.”

He describes Where’$ The Moolah as a mix of Afro, reggae, and Latin sounds with edgy rock-influenced guitar.

He composed and produced the track, in which he is heard on percussion, vocals and acoustic guitar with Lucas Khumalo on bass and backing vocals, Nathan Carolus on guitar, Bokani Dyer on piano, Ira Fonseca and Esther Philander on backing vocals and Morney Hoffmeester on drums.

Having performed at the Mount Nelson, the Mojo Market in Sea Point and Jazz on the Rocks in Tietie’s Bay in June, Hassan says, “I still like being on stage, playing my own music and interacting with the crowd.”