Post by huh de battyman on Jun 23, 2007 16:54:48 GMT 1
Gone are the Days of Artist Loyalty
The truth about the industry we all have grown to love is — dancehall artists don’t give a fuck about the most important persons in their careers, sound systems and soundmen. Such lack of respect has inevitably resulted in a steady inflation of dub plate prices.
Gone are the days when every artist had their favorite sound and/or selector that they backed to fullest. Back in the day, both artists and sounds used to work together to build careers for themselves. It was a perfect arrangement. Sound systems were afforded the opportunity to play exclusive dubs and in turn artists gained huge visibility within the dancehall every time these leading sounds played. Back then, there was honor among artists who depended on the uplifting of the dancehall industry to enhance their careers.
Today, there’s no honor and very little friendship left in the industry. Dancehall artists have abused the meaning of loyalty and respect. There are very little friendships and an extreme amount of envy. All the principles that governed the industry have been replaced with hype. Artists don’t care about the future of the sound industry. For them, sounds systems are merely a source for them to earn extra money. Why is it that an artist charges between $500 - $1000US for one dub plate, knowing that the average sounds earn $1,500 - $2,000 US per show? How can sound owners earn a living when dub plate shopping is so expensive? If the dub plate industry continues to be at the mercy of the artist, then the clash arena will fall.
Sound owners need to become wiser and come together to approach this problem as a whole. The industry needs a “dub plate movement” geared toward price control. The only way things can be changed is if we dent their pockets.
These artists have a win-win arrangement. Dually, sound men promote their music all over the world and pay them highly for dubs. I truly respect the role artists play in the dancehall industry. However, the artists need to realize that they only create the music. It’s the sound systems who help to make them popular. Without the sounds, the artists would never buss. I have an undying love for the clash arena. Therefore, if it means tackling the dub plate issue head on to save the future of the arena, I will be more than willing to do so!
*Found on Irish and Chin website: www.irishandchin.com *
The truth about the industry we all have grown to love is — dancehall artists don’t give a fuck about the most important persons in their careers, sound systems and soundmen. Such lack of respect has inevitably resulted in a steady inflation of dub plate prices.
Gone are the days when every artist had their favorite sound and/or selector that they backed to fullest. Back in the day, both artists and sounds used to work together to build careers for themselves. It was a perfect arrangement. Sound systems were afforded the opportunity to play exclusive dubs and in turn artists gained huge visibility within the dancehall every time these leading sounds played. Back then, there was honor among artists who depended on the uplifting of the dancehall industry to enhance their careers.
Today, there’s no honor and very little friendship left in the industry. Dancehall artists have abused the meaning of loyalty and respect. There are very little friendships and an extreme amount of envy. All the principles that governed the industry have been replaced with hype. Artists don’t care about the future of the sound industry. For them, sounds systems are merely a source for them to earn extra money. Why is it that an artist charges between $500 - $1000US for one dub plate, knowing that the average sounds earn $1,500 - $2,000 US per show? How can sound owners earn a living when dub plate shopping is so expensive? If the dub plate industry continues to be at the mercy of the artist, then the clash arena will fall.
Sound owners need to become wiser and come together to approach this problem as a whole. The industry needs a “dub plate movement” geared toward price control. The only way things can be changed is if we dent their pockets.
These artists have a win-win arrangement. Dually, sound men promote their music all over the world and pay them highly for dubs. I truly respect the role artists play in the dancehall industry. However, the artists need to realize that they only create the music. It’s the sound systems who help to make them popular. Without the sounds, the artists would never buss. I have an undying love for the clash arena. Therefore, if it means tackling the dub plate issue head on to save the future of the arena, I will be more than willing to do so!
*Found on Irish and Chin website: www.irishandchin.com *