Many students who did ordinary level Economics will definitely understand what Diminishing returns is . The law of Diminishing returns states that “as investment in a particular area or Product increases, the profit from that investment, after a particular level , cannot continue to increase if other things do not change .” An artiste is a product , there comes a time when the demand for a particular artiste is extremely low . Daphne seems to be at this point . There are factors that influence an increase and a fall in demand . Hey ,let’s not go too deep into Economics as we only wanted you to understand the point at which Daphne is in the Market . So how did Daphne get to this point of Diminishing returns where the demand for her and profits made is extremely low ??
Hit songs . Stevens music focused on making hit songs not music that can still make sense after years . We understand they are a company and yes needed to make profits but they focused solely on making hit songs and ignoring legendary songs . Few people will listen to Cale , promis moi , jusqu’à la gare today until it finish . At a point you feel like it’s boring because bigger and better hit songs and new artistes are in the market. You have almost no reason going back to listen to that . Today Daphné’s songs that still make sense are “ Gun shot , Rastafari and Broken “ . These are legendary songs .
Consistency : Daphne became so inconsistent, she could drop 2 songs or even 1 song in a year . Her fans had to give up and find new favorite artistes . When a particular product is no longer available in the market, consumers look for substitutes. If Daphne comes back now she will have to reintroduce herself and may be in a different way before the demand for her might go up .
Uniqueness. What you see or hear in Daphne’s music you can easily get it out there from other artistes . It is safe to say Daphne had no sound and you can’t survive for long in the music market when you are not unique . If someone like Vernyuy Tina goes mute today , people who need her product( Music ) will go back to her old songs because they can’t find it elsewhere and because they are legendary songs but for Daphne ? You will always find artistes out there doing what she is doing .
Alpha Beta Records used to be a power house for Stevens music too . When they dissolve and everybody getting busy , things became tough for Steven ‘s music . They understood Daphne and what she needed to make hit songs and they delivered just that . Daphne’s biggest song “ Cale “ was written by Salatiel , Daphne and mr Leo . 80% of Daphne’s songs were written and produced by Alpha Beta records . Today they are busy with their careers and Daphne is on her own .Things have become extremely tough for her and productivity had to drop leading to what we are experiencing .
Competition : The rise of Artistes like Rinyu , Mimie and many others made things more difficult for Daphne . Rinyu on her part has been the most consistent , professional and most talented female act at the moment . This made her win Best female artiste of the year at the just ended MTN ZIK AWARDS .
Daphne is currently living on past Glories , take that away and she will have no spot in the Cameroonian entertainment industry . The question is “ For how long will she live on past Glories ? “ . Music is business , you must be strategic and futuristic . You must study and understand the market situation in CAMEROON if you must stay relevant. However we wish to see her come bag better and bigger .
