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Overseas bookings decline for artistes
Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
As the US economy crumbles due to the threat of a recession, Jamaican artistes are feeling the pinch in their pockets, as touring and booking for overseas shows have declined.
In the United States, persons are simply not making ends meet. They are losing jobs, homes and businesses and experiencing possibly the worse financial crisis when compared to past periods of financial stress. According to reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an economic fallout is impending and this will ultimately affect the dancehall and reggae industry.
A reduction in artistes' fees and a reduction in tour dates and shows is a part of what entertainers have been experiencing as a result of the crisis. For the Christmas season alone in Jamaica, two major stage shows have been cancelled, Original Dancehall Jam Jam and East Fest, while Unity Splash promoters remain uncertain.
When THE STAR previously spoke with Coco Tea, promoter of Original Dancehall Jam Jam he admitted that his show was cancelled due to economic stress. He said, "di financial meltdown it touching everyone, di cost to have the show has escalated to like 200% for me, mi a go just low it till tings look brighter."
Similarly in a story featured in the Sunday Gleaner entitled 'US economy crumbling on Jamaican music', artiste Macka Diamond admitted that since the recession she has experienced as much as a 10 per cent reduction in her performance fee.
"Some of the promoters we try to work out a thing wid dem so that everybody can eat a food till the whole thing blow off," she said. She also noticed considerable decreases in the number of patrons who attend the club shows and festivals.
Likewise, saxophonist Dean Fraser said he sometimes takes as much as a 45 per cent pay-cut because of the recession. He said at some concerts at which he performed, he saw less than half the usual turnout.
However, roots artiste Tarrus Riley, who does extensive touring around the world and recently completed a four week tour of the United States, says he has not felt the effect of fewer tour dates and less money.
When THE STAR spoke with the artiste he was on his way to a show in Long Island, after which he is scheduled for a show in Montego Bay. He is currently focused on working on his third album and says he is not feeling the effects of the recession. Riley, who is currently a spokesperson for Ocean Spray Cranberry, believes that artistes need to be versed in their art by focusing on various means of making money besides touring, such as dubs and endorsements.
Tarrus Riley - File
He says he has heard a number of persons complaining about the economic decline. "Promoters and artistes are bawling cause what affect di US affect us... but I feel some of di promoters might be using di economic decline as an excuse to short some of di artistes (money) as well," Riley said.
Elephant Man will testify to the lack of dates in the United States for dancehall artistes. "Di economy cause a big problem. If yuh used to have ten shows it cut down to like five now. Right now yuh haffi look for different occasions in Europe caw engagements cut down... Stage shows have a lot to do wid artistes making money. A one of di most important tings cause records, we nuh mek no money offa dat, is for show," Elephant Man said.
Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment, booking agents for artistes like Sean Paul and the Marleys, believes it is too early to see the full effects of the economic recession on the music industry.
Hamilton told THE STAR that profits from touring has been on the decline for the last three years.
"Bookings overseas for a specific show, yes the popularity has decreased. Income for most artistes is primarily from recordings and shows, most artistes don't focus on alternatives such as endorsements. Record sales are not doing well and the lack of reggae labels available make it hard to escape a recession. Plus Jamaica is not caught up in technological advances. The artistes need to adjust their prices for the market and not insist on the price that is in their heads," Hamilton explained.
Hamilton added that markets for tours and shows should be explored in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, Central and South America. He said that artistes need to explore effectively marketing their music in and outside of Jamaica, which very few do.
In an industry that is known for 'flossing' and profiling with the latest cars and million dollar clothes and houses, dancehall artistes have to cut back or invest.
For Riley investing his money is important as he says, "mi invest in the earth, in farming, and I'm learning and seeking ways to further invest."
While Elephant Man splurged on a new yellow Range Rover recently, he too puts money away for hard times. "Mi interested in real estate so mi buy apartment, I'm a part time landlord and mi serious bout it," Ele said.
Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
As the US economy crumbles due to the threat of a recession, Jamaican artistes are feeling the pinch in their pockets, as touring and booking for overseas shows have declined.
In the United States, persons are simply not making ends meet. They are losing jobs, homes and businesses and experiencing possibly the worse financial crisis when compared to past periods of financial stress. According to reports from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an economic fallout is impending and this will ultimately affect the dancehall and reggae industry.
A reduction in artistes' fees and a reduction in tour dates and shows is a part of what entertainers have been experiencing as a result of the crisis. For the Christmas season alone in Jamaica, two major stage shows have been cancelled, Original Dancehall Jam Jam and East Fest, while Unity Splash promoters remain uncertain.
When THE STAR previously spoke with Coco Tea, promoter of Original Dancehall Jam Jam he admitted that his show was cancelled due to economic stress. He said, "di financial meltdown it touching everyone, di cost to have the show has escalated to like 200% for me, mi a go just low it till tings look brighter."
Similarly in a story featured in the Sunday Gleaner entitled 'US economy crumbling on Jamaican music', artiste Macka Diamond admitted that since the recession she has experienced as much as a 10 per cent reduction in her performance fee.
"Some of the promoters we try to work out a thing wid dem so that everybody can eat a food till the whole thing blow off," she said. She also noticed considerable decreases in the number of patrons who attend the club shows and festivals.
Likewise, saxophonist Dean Fraser said he sometimes takes as much as a 45 per cent pay-cut because of the recession. He said at some concerts at which he performed, he saw less than half the usual turnout.
However, roots artiste Tarrus Riley, who does extensive touring around the world and recently completed a four week tour of the United States, says he has not felt the effect of fewer tour dates and less money.
When THE STAR spoke with the artiste he was on his way to a show in Long Island, after which he is scheduled for a show in Montego Bay. He is currently focused on working on his third album and says he is not feeling the effects of the recession. Riley, who is currently a spokesperson for Ocean Spray Cranberry, believes that artistes need to be versed in their art by focusing on various means of making money besides touring, such as dubs and endorsements.
Tarrus Riley - File
He says he has heard a number of persons complaining about the economic decline. "Promoters and artistes are bawling cause what affect di US affect us... but I feel some of di promoters might be using di economic decline as an excuse to short some of di artistes (money) as well," Riley said.
Elephant Man will testify to the lack of dates in the United States for dancehall artistes. "Di economy cause a big problem. If yuh used to have ten shows it cut down to like five now. Right now yuh haffi look for different occasions in Europe caw engagements cut down... Stage shows have a lot to do wid artistes making money. A one of di most important tings cause records, we nuh mek no money offa dat, is for show," Elephant Man said.
Jerome Hamilton of Headline Entertainment, booking agents for artistes like Sean Paul and the Marleys, believes it is too early to see the full effects of the economic recession on the music industry.
Hamilton told THE STAR that profits from touring has been on the decline for the last three years.
"Bookings overseas for a specific show, yes the popularity has decreased. Income for most artistes is primarily from recordings and shows, most artistes don't focus on alternatives such as endorsements. Record sales are not doing well and the lack of reggae labels available make it hard to escape a recession. Plus Jamaica is not caught up in technological advances. The artistes need to adjust their prices for the market and not insist on the price that is in their heads," Hamilton explained.
Hamilton added that markets for tours and shows should be explored in Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, Central and South America. He said that artistes need to explore effectively marketing their music in and outside of Jamaica, which very few do.
In an industry that is known for 'flossing' and profiling with the latest cars and million dollar clothes and houses, dancehall artistes have to cut back or invest.
For Riley investing his money is important as he says, "mi invest in the earth, in farming, and I'm learning and seeking ways to further invest."
While Elephant Man splurged on a new yellow Range Rover recently, he too puts money away for hard times. "Mi interested in real estate so mi buy apartment, I'm a part time landlord and mi serious bout it," Ele said.