Deejay Ra Deal has declared that mismanagement and negative publicity, and not artistes are to be blamed for the decline in the music industry.

The artiste, who has collaborated with established label Jubeboxx, told the Sunday Observer, “I think it’s the investors that have lost their investment appeal because of bad publicity and strategic mismanagement.”

According to Soundscan, an information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada, no reggae album produced in 2009, has sold over 80,000 copies in the United States and most have sold under five figures. Top sellers were Sean Paul’s Imperial Blaze (Atlantic Records), Matisyahu’s Light (Epic Records) and Reggae Gold (VP Records), which sold some 69,700, 56,700 and 40,000 respectively in North America.

Conscious reggae group Morgan Heritage and dancehall producer-turned-singer Serani, made first week sales of 300 and 1,200 units respectively, but were still able to chart on Billboard.

This, however, has not deterred Ra Deal, who has vowed to continue making music.

“I, on a personal level do music for the love of it, so whatever comes it is humbly accepted,” he said.

Ra Deal, whose signature move is an animated crab crouch on stage, hopes that his collaboration with Jukeboxx, which manages Busy Signal, will create business opportunities for him.

His single Wasting No Time was produced by his brother, Carl Morrison of Jukeboxx on the Silver Plate rhythm, used by other artistes including Busy Signal, Peatah Morgan, Lutan Fyah and Carl Morrison.

Ra Deal, who is a mega hit away from fame, has previously received airplay and chart success with his songs Let’s Get Physical and 4:00 am.

His manager, Cosmic Gorilla told the Sunday Observer that the video for the single will out next year.