The Bulawayo Music TikTok Sounds challenge has kicked off with over 20 creatives from Bulawayo using the same sound to create TikToks every week.
The sounds used will be songs by Bulawayo artists with Khura Agency determining the first sound while creatives will get a chance to choose the sounds for the remaining weeks.
This challenge will run for over 3 months.
One of Zimbabwe’s top TikTokers Musa Saruro will take the creatives through a crash course on creating viral content in the WhatsApp group.
Saruro currently has 23 400 followers and 245 200 likes and counting.
His use of predominantly local sounds and his unique take on them can be attributed for his success on the platform. Musa is also an established thespian, actor and all-round funny guy.
“I’m super excited to be working with Bulawayo TikTok creatives and so excited to see what they come up with in the long run! Being a TikToker has expanded my horizon. It has grown me as a creative person to adapt to short video content. I am excited to share my tips with other creatives,” said Musa
Saruro. Creatives who are not in the group are welcome to take up the challenge and use the prescribed TikTok sound of the week. This challenge is set to boost collaboration, the Bulawayo TikTok sector, grow audiences for the TikTokers, encourage the use of Bulawayo music as TikTok sounds and increase listenership of Bulawayo music.
TikTok has been instrumental in the music industry aiding in viral sounds resulting in an upsurge in streaming numbers for the original song. We hope that this challenge does the same for Bulawayo musicians. Since all the creatives will get a chance to set the TikTok sound for the week, this encourages them to be well versed in local music in order to find a potentially viral sound.
“I can’t wait to see what we come up with as a collective. Each one of us will have a different take on the same sound which means the pressure is getting worser! When we see that the Jah Prayzah ‘Dangerous’ sound has 511 000 videos, it shows it can be done. We just need to start!,” said Thembi Terry from Khura Agency.
The main goal of the challenge is for everyone to have fun and explore the limits of their creativity.
Over twenty people using one sound and interpreting it different ways is both challenging and exciting. The public gets to follow their favourite TikToker in the challenge and like and share the content to ensure their fave is at the top weekly. The winner of the week will be announced on social media. This is a chance to share the challenge and rope in more participants as the challenge progresses. FOMO is a potent marketing strategy.
The key to being a successful content creator is consistency. By having these creatives create videos weekly for close to 20 weeks, they will learn to incorporate content creation as a habit into their daily lives. This challenge will force them to learn new skills, new techniques and new ways to market their content.
Having creatives come together collectively as a group for a common project has proven successful in other countries. The group acts as a support system and an assured audience. Content Creator Maker houses such as Hype House and Clout House have built the careers of social media stars such as Addison Rae and Chase Hudson. Grouping them together fosters a culture of collaboration which is the secret sauce to growing in the content creation industry.
The Bulawayo collective of creatives partaking in the #ByoMusicTikTokSounds challenge includes Miss Kay, Thembi Terry, Michelle Thanya, Mimmie Tarukwana, Ashley Ganyanhewe, Thando Gwinji, Culxure Mag, Lady Tshawe, Emmah Zanele Mpofu, Stewie LeSavage, Bhekiwe Dube, Imicimbi kaFoFo, Qndsn, Charmaine Mudau, Junior Garnet, Novuyo Seagirl, Queen of BaTonga, Indigo Saint, Meet Luminous, Donna N, Khaya Moyo, Cingi and Rudo Amor.
