Producer Notnice says juggling projects stand better chance of crossing over
Popular producer Notnice has echoed the sentiment made by his
peers, including Jordan McClure, that rhythm juggling culture needs to return.
During a recent Onstageinterview, Notnice said juggling projects have proven favourable in gettingdancehall into mainstream markets.
“History shows seh most a di songs that crossover came from
jugglings,” he said. “I’m So
Special go Billboard, Serani No Games (Unfinished Business rhythm, TJ Records); Redbull and Guinness (Delly Ranks), Weh Dem A Do, Mavado; Everyone
Falls in Love Sometimes (Up Closerhythm, Penthouse); Diwali (Steven‘Lenky’ Marsden), how much song from Diwalicrossover? Kartel go gold with Fever,dat was a single so there are some exemptions. It show seh juggling morecrossover but yuh nah see nuh juggling now.”
Notnice said the juggling culture has deteriorated because of
beefs between artistes who want exclusive rights and preference on rhythms. The
result, he said, has seen many producers staying away from juggling projects
because of the headache, hence the rise in singles.
Another thing Notnice pointed to regarding the slowdown of rhythms
is the conflict of satisfying trends versus being innovative.
“Mi put out one rhythm weh me think is one a di biggest
project mi work pon. Mi voice Lady Saw, Beenie Man, Gentleman, Elephant Man,
Sean Paul, and I doubt if nobody know dah rhythm deh… Mi put so much into the
project and nobody pay it nuh mind…
“Mi put out one next rhythm and put out the sound weh mi
think unno want and everybody jump to it…so is like putting out weh yuh think
is right versus survival. If the artiste dem now more willing fi accept seh we
willing fi try wid di sound weh you a bring dem, mi will do dat more. Fi dah
year here mi waan put out more dancehall sounding (rhythms)… We need fi do more
juggling.”
McClure recently challenged 20 producers to make at least one
juggling project this year in a bid to revitalise rhythm juggling culture.
McClure’s Chimney Records label recently dropped the Style A Style rhythm. The project has been buzzing in the dancehall
space with records like Aidonia’s Dat
Easy, Moyann’s Backseat, Ding
Dong’s Watch A Style Yah and
Shenseea’s Upset.