When I heard our homegrown hip-hop heavyweight Scribe was pawning off his music awards I was both surprised and disappointed.
The fact that one of our country’s most successful artists is struggling to make ends meets is nothing new. It’s a hard graft and many local artists forgo their artistic dream because it simply doesn’t pay enough. Now I’m not sure what Scribe’s (Malo Laufutu) motivations were to swap his awards for money, but you’d have to assume it was because he was feeling the pinch. Or was he?
As a longtime fan of hip hop and anything Kiwi I’m proud of what he achieved as an artist but I’m also disappointed.
From an industry perspective, surely his record company might have wanted to stump up and help him out of his financial dilemma. Given their role in the album’s success they’re entitled to first bid right? That way the awards stay in the ‘family’ and nobody loses face over it.
But how much of a dilemma was our favourite rapper in?
According to Christchurch pawnbroker Shane Lilley, he’s owed $500 each for the 11 plaques in his possession. By my calculations that’s $5500. Now, I’m not one to sniff at that amount of money and I reckon it would come in handy too, but the fact that it’s not repaid shows it never really changed anything for the better.
In the event that nothing has changed for the better my question is – aside from the $5500 borrowed, did the awards ever really mean anything?
Some commentators have said it’s a sad indictment on the creative arts in this country and that it’s tough to make a living in that game. True.
But the trophies currently up for auction were awarded in recognition of success. As fans, we buy into the narrative, whether it’s one man or a team. We celebrate when they succeed and lament when they fall. Some will say the awards are his to pawn. But without the fans and music industry there would be no awards.
As a fan I was saddened because it disses those that put their hands in the air for him when he was riding high. But the real disappointment is the middle finger he gives everyone by not paying it back.
In Maoridom there’s an old saying Ehara taku toa I te toa takitahi, he toa takitini taku toa - My success is not the work of one, but the work of many.
However, in this case…not many.
Were Scribe’s trophies really his to pawn? Share your views.
