Participants at the fourth annual South African Music Conference learned about the dance music industry, and were treated to a demonstration by international maestros DJ Rocco and Manoo from France.

International maestros DJ Rocco and Manoo from France show participants how it is done

DISC jockeys, lyricists, producers, sound engineers and the like flocked to the University of the Witwatersrand Great Hall for the fourth annual South African Music Conference (SAMC).

Over four days, from 30 June to 3 July, participants and panellists explored issues pertinent to the production of dance music and the viability of earning a living out of the sector - and partied to some fine sounds.

The conference was driven by the desire to help the local dance music industry to raise the bar - to being on a par with international music trends and eventually lead the field globally. It offered networking opportunities to participants, and gave them first-hand experience and insight with professionals.

A series of tutorials, workshops and exhibitions of sound equipment and information about record companies, were held. It was attended by a host of renowned South African DJs, prominent musicians, producers and media personalities, as well as plenty of fans of the genre.

Veteran DJ Christos noted that the conference was important for the development of young musicians and deejays. "This is a very important platform for attendees because they get to take home the skills that they have [learned] here, and really make something out of it," he said.

Organisers earlier said that the conference was a critical platform for South Africa to contribute to the global entertainment scene. "I think the conference was great exposure for most of us young deejays," said one participant, adding that he had learned a "lot".

Real issues
YFM's DJ Oskido said that the symposium allowed young people to explore real issues surrounding music and not just the beats that were engineered in the studio.

DJ Rocco and Manoo from France got up on stage and made a track from scratch

The SAMC also delved into complex issues around music, like piracy, copyright, how to market and sell music, and how to get airplay for your music.

It was hosted under the patronage of Deejays United, comprising 5FM Drive Time host DJ Fresh and DJ Oskido, and club deejays DJ Christos, The Maestro and Vinny da Vinci. It was sponsored by the national Department of Arts and Culture and the deodorant, AXE, and was endorsed by the commercial youth radio station, YFM; the television music channel, Channel O; and the non-governmental youth organisation, Love Life.

The highlight was DJ Rocco and Manoo from France, who got up on stage and showed the young guns how it was done. Together the pair made a track from scratch - to the audience's delight.

"What is good is that we have chosen to use music software that is available to you, and I think most of you can try this at home," DJ Christos told the sitting.

A demo-listening session wrapped up the symposium, in which 20 demos were selected to be played. However, at the end of the day only one walked away with the prize of music equipment.

This year was the fourth annual SAMC symposium. The first two took place in Johannesburg, in 2005 and 2006; the third was held in the coastal city of Durban in 2007.

It has been hailed as the only platform for the development of the dance music industry in southern Africa, and attracts participants who are either involved in or interested in the music industry as deejays, producers, performers, writers or promoters.

According to the SAMC website, the growth of southern Africa's dance music contributes significantly towards building a positive and attractive image of the country, and creates jobs.

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