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WHITE reggae artistes are many times more serious about their craft than their Jamaican counterparts which results in lost earnings for the country’s music industry, stated Dr Omar Davies, opposition spokesperson of finance.

Unruly local artistes become a threat to overseas governments and promoters who choose foreigners to fill festivals, stated Davies.

 

GENTLEMAN… has been charting on iTunes for some time while home-grownacts are noticeably missing.

GENTLEMAN… has been charting on iTunes for some time while home-grownacts are noticeably missing. 1/2

“A lot of white musicians are taking the music seriously. Listen to Gentleman and the Matisyahu they are taking the music seriously and we need to do the same,” stated Davies who responded to a question about the earning potential of the creative economy while addressing a recent People’s National Party Youth Organisation meeting at University of West Indies.

The Creative Economy Report 2010 published by the United Nations stated the Jamaican government needs to focus on reggae, film and other creative services to grow the ailing economy. It added that structured policy would provide jobs and allow the island to earn a larger global share of revenues related to music forms it birthed.

Davies reasoned that too many local “rebel” artistes promote hype and hurt which lacks international appeal and ‘saleability’.

“The earning potential for music is great, but you have to segment the artistes yearning to be big down here versus big where it matters most. In Europe conscious reggae is big. Too much attention of our young artistes is focused on anti-gay lyrics and so forth,” Davies explained.

The two most popular local based deejays Mavado and Vybz Kartel are absent from the international charts including iTunes. Comparatively Gentleman has been charting in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, the UK and Sweden whilst Matisyahu charts in the US on iTunes (reggae album charts) described as the largest Internet music store by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) which represents the music industry.

“A lot of the industry is built up on rebels. There is nothing wrong with singing about rebellion but it’s a business, and you are expected to abide by the rules. But the culture has (lauded) rebels,” he stated.

Currently no top tier deejay has a US visa which translates into lost earnings in the largest music market. In April 2010 top dancehall deejays Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Aidonia, along with veteran selector, Ricky Trooper, had their visas revoked by the US Embassy. Airlines were advised accordingly of the revocation. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that such a move was afoot and the US embassy offered no comment following the incident. Previously, Busy Signal and Sizzla had their visa’s revoked. Additionally, deejay Buju Banton is currently awaiting sentencing for drug conventions.

“The local music industry is anti-establishment by definition which affects its ability to become formalised, he stated.

“But there is need for structure. For instance, when you are booked for a show. You must show. If you are given an advance you are to come,” he said.