Data Story: Are South Sudanese Artists Benefiting From YouTube? An Analysis of 08 Channels

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By David Uku

South Sudan faces the challenge of copyright–ownership of the song, songwriter, and video production as creative works, which is one of the most serious issues confronting and impeding the development of the music industry in South Sudan as a new country in East Africa with vast cultural diversity.

Furthermore, like most artists’ performances in the music era, many fans do not pay their Artist for the effort they put in as musicians, and the Artists complain.

In other parts of the world, an artist’s financial success is often derived from revenue generated by their fans attending their show, downloading the video, or viewing their YouTube channel, because YouTube channels use algorithms, and if more people suggest the song, the view will rise as the song becomes top searches and suggested on YouTube, and money will flow in.

How do South Sudanese artists benefit from YouTube? 211 Check used the Social blade to analyze the artists’ songs on YouTube to determine how much money they make from their YouTube channel activities.

 SILVER X

The Best Male Artist of the year 2018 and Eye Radio Awards 2019 and he give himself the nickname Music machine as the most produced music in the country, he created his channel on 23 July 2016 until now his channel reached subscribers (2.95K) and videos views (159,034) and has uploaded (85) videos on his channel.

On 14-09-2021 Silver X published a new video song on YouTube called (Monia), the video was shot-in Uganda- Kampala in high quality because of the lack of data we didn’t know the cost of video producer but according to the social blade that we used to analysis revenue of each video or song on YouTube.

That makes it easier for us to see how much money the song Monia from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (13.6k) Views, (330) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($7-$54) according to the social blade analysis.

 LADY KOLA

Lady Kola, who creates most of the beautiful things that go into making wonderful music, has music. She is known as Music Sankara and is also a DJ and Model; she started her channel on September 25, 2019 and has since gained 9.55K subscribers, 69,690 video views, and uploaded (12) videos.

According to the social blade analysis, on 10-09-2021, the Queen of Shamashin Lady Kola published a new video song on YouTube called (Toronto), and how much money the song Toronto from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (11.3k) views, (79) comments on YouTube, and the revenue is only ($6-$45).

MARY BOYOI,

Mary Boyoi always said “I am taking South Sudan music to international level kalas”  she created her channel on 05 Jan 2012 until now his channel reached subscribers (25.8K) and videos views (3,252,954) and uploaded (51) videos on his channels.

On 16-07-2021 Mary Boyoi as a first Lady published a new video song on YouTube called (Marry me kalas), from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (23.2k) Views, (46) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($12-$93) according to the social blade analysis.

DJ CENT MR NO REST,

MR NO REST, he Named himself like that because he works all-time at music to produce more work as he always said DJ cent Mr No Rest; he creates his channel on 08th March 2017 until now his channel reach subscribers (2.54K) and videos views (158,213) and upload (52) videos on his channels.

On 19-09-2021 DJ Cent Mr No Rest publish a new video song on YouTube called (Binia Wau), from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (7.4k) Views, (44) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($4-$30) according to the social blade analysis.

Hardlife Avenue Stars,

“Hardlife Avenue” is a reference to the difficult time and struggles of life, the music is popular in Afro-pop, Rap and Vocal. As the greatest music group  in the country, they created their channel on 06 Sept 2016 until now they have subscribers (7.31K) and video views (1,223,169) and uploaded (85) videos on their channels.

On 18-07-2021 Hardlife Avenue Stars published a new video song on YouTube called (Ana Yau Bi Arif), which is the hit song on Social Media this year, the first day it was published until now the results show it has (88.6k) Views, (123) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($44-$354) according to the social blade analysis.

Dynamq,

The founder of Ruka Music and Ruka film and River Nile Crocodile Sudanese Son, besides he is a Singer, Songwriter, sound producer, dancehall and professional DJ. He created his channel on 05 09 2007 until now his channel reached subscribers (11.7K) and videos views (5,457,922) and uploaded (21) videos on his channel.

On 11-01-2013 Dynamq the African DJ that represents South Sudan and Africa in the JAMROCK REGGAE CRUISE SOUND annual festival happening every year in Jamaica, the festival is about love and unity he published a video song on YouTube called (Those days in Nairobi), from the first day it published until now the results show it has (1.1M) Views, (774) comments on YouTube and the revenue are only ($55-$44) according to the social blade analysis.

 Emmanuel Jal,

The author of “War Child: A Child Soldier’s Story”  in his music he mixes Rap in Arabic, English, Dinka and Nuer. The symbolism of unity as music guides him to express ideas of peace and unity. He created his channel on 26 07 2009 until now his channel reached subscribers (9.38K) and videos views (1643,418) and uploaded (110) videos on his channels.

On 25-11-2021 Emmanuel Jal publish a new video song on YouTube called Hey Mama, from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (72.9k) Views, (145) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($36-$291) according to the social blade analysis.

 Yaba Angelosi,

The founder of Assida Records and Assida Films, his music mixes catchy African traditional sounds with Western dance music using modern instrumentation and arrangements, he plays guitar, bass, piano and drums above all he is a Singer, Songwriter, sound producer, Film director, and entertainer he created his channel on 15 March 2009 until now his channel gained subscribers (5.36K) and videos views (2,292,498) and uploaded (52) videos on his channels.

On 14-01-2021 DJ Yaba Angelosi published a new video song on YouTube called Something about You, from the first day it was published until now the results show it has (127.8k) Views, (138) comments on YouTube and the revenue is only ($64-$511) according to the social blade analysis.

Conclusion:

211 Check analysis notes that all South Sudanese artists that have channels on YouTube put countries other than South Sudan. For example, Silver X, Hardlife Avenue Stars and Mary Boyoi registered Kenya as the country and Lady Kola created her channel in Uganda, only DJ Cent Mr No Rest didn’t show the Country, Dynamq and Yaba Angelosi created their channels in the United State of America and Emmanuel Jal Create his channel in Canada.

Even the Channel Type; Only Yaba Angelosi and Mary Boyoi have Channel Type for Music, Emmanuel Jal his Channel Type is Film and Dynamq his channel Type is Entertainment and the rest have no Channel Type. This report does not highlight all artists with channels on YouTube but the view of this report analysis is to let the artists know that they have much work to do on their YouTube channels so as to generate more money and more followers; they need to be more flexible on sharing data about producing video so as to make work better to compare revenue generated by Channel and budget of the production.

Most artists should also sign up for the YouTube Partner Programme. This requires them to have at least 1,000 subscribers and have a minimum of 4,000 video watch hours in 12 months so that they can draw in a bigger audience and increase their streams.

About the Authors:

David Uku, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three months data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information

President Kiir has not lifted a partial lockdown211 Check

Fact-Check: President Kiir has not lifted the COVID-19 partial lockdown imposed this week

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By 211 Check Desk

A Facebook post purporting that President Salva Kiir has lifted a partial lockdown imposed by the chair of the National Taskforce on COVID-19, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol earlier this week is FALSE

Misleading Post as shared on Facebook

The post, first chaired by South Sudan Eye, a page with over 47,000 followers, didn’t cite any credible source of the report.

Investigation by 211 Check states that there’s no official known Communication from the office of the President lifting a lockdown.

This week, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, the Vice President for Service Cluster who also chairs the National Taskforce on COVID-19, announced restrictions intended to curb the spread of COVID-19 following a surge in positive cases in recent days. The partial lockdown is valid till 10th January.

Conclusion:

211 Check has looked at a post claiming that President Salva Kiir has lifted an imposed partial lockdown and finds it to be FALSE

#FactsMatter, Don’t be a victim of fake news; instead, let’s fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media. To avoid spreading false information, don’t share content you’re not sure about or don’t know where it came from.

To learn more about our fact-checking process, go to https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim, and our team will immediately fact-check it and respond.

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Data Story: 90 Killed by a Strange Disease in Fangak County

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By Deng Ghai Deng

Authorities in South Sudan’s Jonglei state are calling for urgent intervention as people and livestock die in alarming numbers after showing symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and general body weakness in Fangak County

Fangak County Commissioner Boutrus Biel says since early November, dozens of people – mostly children and the elderly – have died after experiencing symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and heart pain. Biel says about 90 people including 44 children, 27 elderly and 8 young people have so far died from the disease.

Table Showing Number of People Killed By the Strange Disease

CategoryNumber of Deaths
Children44
Adults08
Elderly27
Total90

“People are dying in Fangak County. There was sudden death and it started on the 2nd of October within the new Fangak town which is the headquarters of the county and also within the surrounding villages of Fangak County. Any time a person dies especially the children, the young ones and the elderly people. So far, we have lost 90 people, the record is that over 90 people have died. We are wondering whether it’s the impact of an oil explosion or something else.”

Table Showing Deaths and Recoveries

Deaths90
Recoveries30
Total Infections120

Commissioner Biel says cattle, sheep and goats are also dying in the area. He says the area has been submerged in floodwaters for some time and local officials suspect the deaths could be linked to toxic water pollution caused by an oil spill.

“The cattle and goats have been dying because of water. You could see thing they are all grassing in water. Some people are taking their cattle to Malakal- the dry area- some are going to Pigi County in the site of cannel; some have gone across the river to Shuluk land and as far as Ruweng administrative areas. These are challenging times now for Fangak County, cattle are really dying and when there are no cattle it becomes difficult because that is the livelihood of the people.”

Commissioner Biel says he wrote to Jonglei state Governor Denay Jock Chagor about the deaths in Fangak, asking for an urgent intervention.

Responding to the calls, the Director-General of Preventive Health Services at the Ministry of Health, says a team of health professionals has already been organized and has been dispatched to the area.

“One important recommendation is to deploy a national response team to Fangak to investigate the reported increased morbidity and mortality in the area,” Dr. Romunu told reporters.

According to Dr. Joseph Francis Wamala, a Senior Epidemiologist at the W.H.O, the team will collect samples from the environment and those affected.

“There is actually a lack of a full range for all the other basic needs. So these teams will have the national response team and they will collect samples from those who are affected,” Dr. Wamala said.

Tuong Majok, the acting governor of Jonglei state says he notified national authorities about the situation in Fangak County after visiting the area with WHO and UNMISS officials.

“A team of World Health Organization, UNMISS and other agencies plus myself went to the location where the outbreak has taken place. It came to the surface of the water like oil and that’s why people are saying it is oil. We have reported this to the national government; the state has no experts. We reported it to the ministry of petroleum and the ministry of environment so that they can go to the location and see with their own eyes what the cause of this eruption is.” Majok said

Acting governor Majok says an investigation must be carried out immediately to avert a catastrophe. ASCOM is an oil and gas corporation from Moldova that operated in the area but left the country after the start of the conflict in December, 2013. Majok says an environmental impact assessment has not been conducted since the petroleum firm stopped operations in Fangak County more than seven years ago.

About the Authors:

Deng Ghai Deng, a Data Speaks Fellow at #defyhatenow South Sudan, wrote this data story, which was edited by 211 Check Editor Emmanuel Bida Thomas and approved for publication by Steve Topua, Data Analyst and Trainer. It’s part of the ongoing #defyhatenow South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship program with funding from the European Union Delegation to South Sudan.

About South Sudan Data Speaks Fellowship: 

This is a three-month data journalism fellowship for South Sudanese content creators with an aim of educating participants on the fundamentals of data journalism through in-depth training facilitated by experienced data analysts.

The fellows have been selected from across South Sudan and they are trained in data sourcing/mining, data analysis, and data visualisation for three months (October to December) 

Each fellow will produce a minimum of three (03) data stories during the fellowship. The focus will be on increasing access to information