Summertime Blues – What’s the summer song?
WHAT’S the song on everyone’s lips this summer?
That’s the question being asked in music circles as the search for that dance sizzler continues.
In previous years, artistes have timed the release of singles with the summer holidays. Some become club-bangers, earning artistes spots on the major stage shows.
Last year, the airwaves and parties were ruled by deejay Tommy Lee’s Psycho. With his Uncle Demon persona he was a headliner at Reggae Sumfest.
The same could be said for singjay Richie Loop in 2010. His single My Cupp was the talk of the town and gave him a prime spot on that show.
By 2011, it was time for Vybz Kartel whose Summer Time was the song for the season.
This year, however, is a different story.
For radio disc jockey Jerry ‘Jerry D’ Davey, the absence of a summer hit points to a downturn in local music.
“This is a reflection of where our music is at this time,” he states. “Although the absence of a truly popular song for the summer holidays is not the only barometer, it is an indication that reggae and dancehall music needs a fillip at this time,” he adds.
This fillip, Jerry D believes, has to come in the form of improved lyrics.
“Our artistes continue to focus on certain topics which do not make them popular with the wider market,” says Jerry D, pointing to the recent reggae and dancehall segment at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. He notes that the artistes who performed on the show — Dawn Penn, Chaka Demus & Pliers, Beenie Man and Elephant Man — do not have current hits.
Fellow radio jock and sound system selector Collin Hines says there is no singular reason for the absence of a summer hit.
“We probably have something to do with it, perhaps the fact that songs are not being played out on radio due to the sheer volume. It is possible that this does not allow for a song to take root in the minds of listeners. Artistes are possibly not timing their releases towards this time of year anymore,” Hines reasons.
A possible summer smash for him is Unruly Rave by deejay Popcaan. Hines says it is creating a buzz on radio and in the streets.
“Perhaps our expectations are just too high as there are other artistes such as Chronixx and Konshens who are making a name for themselves with current hits, but not to the level we have become accustomed,” Hines states.
Music insider and cultural commentator Clyde McKenzie is also puzzled about the absence of a mega hit song.
“I’m still trying to figure it out. Is it that there is so much stuff from overseas dominating the local airwaves and parties that there has been a homogenisation of the music that the summer song can come from anywhere?” he questions. “There is nothing earth-shaking coming from our music at this time,” says McKenzie.
