Entertainers must organise themselves - Coco Tea
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Karyl Walker, Observer writer
Friday, December 17, 2004
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| Coco Tea |
Citing a need for the formulation of a business structure and the lack of self-reliance among the stakeholders in Jamaica's popular music, smooth-singing reggae singer, Coco Tea, is bemoaning the state of the reggae music industry.
The singer believes entertainers, producers, promoters, managers and other players in the business need to organise themselves in order to maximise the profits to be gained from entertainment.
"Entertainers have to put out an effort to preserve our culture. We don't do anything for ourselves. All the people want to do is sign to foreign labels, but we have to find a way to dig out ourselves," Coco Tea told Splash during a recent interview.
"The way to do it was to preserve our culture and its humble beginnings but now in Jamaica there is no museums, no archives. All the history end up in Europe," the singer said, "We need to set up a structure which will ultimately benefit the Jamaican artistes and people because most of the money which is generated from reggae is made by foreigners".
Coco T is known for his penchant for singing a modern brand of roots music and his style has gained him massive popularity in Europe, Japan and the United States. Earlier this year, the singer embarked upon a major tour of Europe and the United States, where he earned rave reviews from reggae based radio stations and publications.
The successful tour has resulted in increased sales of his latest album, Tek Weh You Gal which features a title track of the same name.
He is currently wearing the hat of show promoter as he makes preparations for his second annual Original Dancehall Jam Jam which will be held at the Jamalco Sports Club at Halse Hall in Clarendon on New Year's Eve.
Apart from the sugary vocals of the Rastafarian singer, the talents of the Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths, Barrington Levy, original dancehall singer, Linval Thompson, George Nooks, Capleton, Sizzla Kolonji, the messenger Luciano, young upstart Turbulence and popular dancehall poet, DYCR will be on show.
But that won't be all, the singer boasted.
"It wouldn't be original dancehall if it didn't have Big Youth and Josey Wales. Most of the younger people have never seen General Trees performing," Coco T told Splash.
The Original Dancehall Jam will be a show with a difference in that there will be no backing bands. All artistes are contracted to work on tracks. In addition the four sound systems which have been hired to provide dance music at the event will all play on one console.
"This is to eliminate the ti me it takes for band changes and keep the patrons entertained," Coco T said, "It is a show with a difference".
Security for the event, according to Coco T, will be top class as the patrons who attend the event are known for their good behaviour.
"When this show keep not even a bottle fling," the singer said.
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