LOYISO calls out excessive artist riders, warns of long-term career damage

LOYISO Bala has cautioned musicians about the impact of excessive hospitality riders, warning that short-term demands can quietly damage careers over time.

- LUTHO PASIYA

In a Facebook post, the singer shared concerns drawn from recent industry experiences, calling for balance, awareness and professionalism.

“This week alone, I heard of two artists who refused to walk onto stage because their hospitality riders were not complete,’ Bala wrote.

He said that many riders now include “very specific alcohol brands and quantities such as Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Hennessy XO, Clase Azul and Ace of Spades, along with sealed bottle conditions and premium mixers”.

Bala stressed that he is not against reasonable hospitality. “There is nothing wrong with reasonable hospitality requests,” he said.

The issue, he added, is scale and context. “It becomes difficult to defend when, for instance, a DJ is booked, and the alcohol requested reads like a party shopping list for 20 people”

He also raised concerns about time management and its effect on live events. “In some cases, artists also arrive late to a gig and still insist on partaking in their rider before going on stage,” Bala wrote.

“This places the entire event at risk of running overtime and creates unnecessary tension with an already waiting audience.”