The Evolution of Music Production: From Vinyl to AI – A Zimbabwean Perspective
By Tendayi ‘Dija’ Zisengwe
There’s something poetically fitting about discussing artificial intelligence in music while reflecting on Zimbabwe’s rich musical heritage. Just as learning to drive an automatic transmission car was once met with resistance from our Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) – who insisted that “real drivers” must master manual transmission – we now face similar skepticism about AI’s role in music creation. But as history has shown us, adaptation isn’t just about survival; it’s about thriving in a changing world.
The Rise and Fall of Traditional Music Production
I remember walking past Gramma Records’ building in Harare, its faded glory a testament to an era gone by. Once the powerhouse of Zimbabwean music production, Gramma Records stood as a symbol of traditional music manufacturing and distribution. Their story mirrors countless others who couldn’t – or wouldn’t – adapt to the digital revolution.
The journey from vinyl to digital wasn’t just about changing formats; it was about transforming entire business models. In Zimbabwe, we watched as local music stores that once proudly displayed rows of vinyl records and cassettes struggled to keep their doors open. The transition from physical to digital wasn’t just a technological shift – it was a cultural earthquake that reshaped how we consume and create music.
The Digital Revolution: More Than Just Format Changes
When CDs first arrived in Zimbabwe, they were a luxury item, a symbol of progress. Then came MP3s, and suddenly, music became something you could carry in your pocket by the thousands. This transformation mirrors the global journey of music industry giants like Sony, who survived and thrived by embracing change rather than resisting it.
Sony’s evolution is particularly instructive. They didn’t just adapt to new formats; they helped pioneer them. From developing the Walkman to co-creating the CD format with Philips, and later embracing digital distribution through platforms like Sony Music Entertainment, they demonstrated how traditional music companies could remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.
The Analog-to-Digital Shift in Music Production
The shift from analog to digital production in Zimbabwe’s music scene tells an equally compelling story. Local studios that once prided themselves on their analog equipment found themselves at a crossroads: adapt or become obsolete. Many talented producers initially resisted digital audio workstations (DAWs), arguing that “real music” needed analog warmth and character.
Sound engineers who embraced digital tools, however, discovered new possibilities. Suddenly, a bedroom producer in Bulawayo could create professional-quality recordings without expensive analog equipment. This democratization of music production led to an explosion of creativity in Zimbabwe’s urban music scene, particularly in genres like Zimdancehall.
Enter AI: The Next Frontier
And now we stand at another crossroads with AI-produced music. The skepticism feels familiar – eerily similar to the resistance against automatic cars, digital production, or MP3s. But here’s what history has taught us: technological advancement in music isn’t about replacement; it’s about augmentation.
AI in music production isn’t about replacing human creativity; it’s about enhancing it. Just as digital production tools democratized music creation, AI has the potential to further lower barriers to entry while opening new creative possibilities. Imagine an aspiring musician in Chitungwiza using AI to orchestrate a full band arrangement, or a producer in Mutare using AI to generate unique sound textures that were previously impossible to create.
Learning from History
The fall of Gramma Records serves as a cautionary tale. They didn’t fail because digital music was inherently better; they failed because they couldn’t adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological realities. Today’s successful music companies understand that survival requires embracing new technologies while preserving what makes music fundamentally human – emotional connection.
The Road Ahead
Just as Zimbabwean drivers eventually embraced automatic transmission cars (while maintaining a healthy respect for manual driving skills), musicians and producers must find ways to integrate AI tools into their creative process without losing their artistic essence. The key lies in viewing AI as an instrument rather than a replacement – another tool in the creative arsenal, like a synthesizer or a digital audio workstation.
The future of music production will likely be a hybrid approach, where human creativity and AI capabilities complement each other. Forward-thinking artists and producers in Zimbabwe are already experimenting with AI tools for composition, arrangement, and sound design, while maintaining their unique artistic voices.
Conclusion
The journey from vinyl records to AI-produced music isn’t just about technological progress; it’s about our ability to adapt while preserving what makes music meaningful. As we’ve seen with every technological shift – from Gramma Records’ vinyl pressing plants to today’s digital studios – the key to survival lies not in resisting change, but in harnessing it to enhance human creativity.
The VID eventually accepted automatic transmission cars, recognizing that driving skill isn’t about the type of transmission but about the driver’s capability. Similarly, the music industry must recognize that AI is not a threat to authentic music creation but rather a powerful tool that can enhance human creativity. The question isn’t whether AI will change music production – it’s how we’ll use it to write the next chapter in our musical journey.
As we stand at this technological crossroads, let’s remember the lessons learned from vinyl, cassettes, CDs, and MP3s. The future belongs not to those who resist change, but to those who embrace it while staying true to the fundamental purpose of music: connecting hearts and moving souls.
Tendayi J. Zisengwe(aka Dija, now going by the alias Mr. GPT) is a veteran music industry professional and passionate advocate for technological innovation in African music. As a renowned music producer and talent manager, he has been instrumental in shaping the careers of some of Zimbabwe’s most prominent artists. His portfolio includes working with award-winning talents such as Dobba Don, Trae Yung, Mr Noxa, and Kay Gee 40, among others.
Tendai writes in his own capacity
What a great and mind-tickling article! I loved how the author outlined the evolution of music from vinyl to AI. I believe that technological changes are inevitable, and as a people, we need to embrace it.