Odane Grant giving youth a chance
REALISING the challenges that up-and-coming artistes face as far as recording opportunities are concerned, producer Odane “Jing Bang” Grant decided to help the cause.
Grant’s Mek Cent$ Entertainment label made its debut with the Dream rhythm, released on June 10.
The project features several newcomers.
“I’ve always had a passion for music. However, after I saw my friend ‘Flank-ko’ struggle with producers over the years that made me think that I should venture into the industry and start a movement that would give a chance to not only Flank-ko, but other young artistes that may have encountered the same problems with producers,” said Grant, who noted that the project took six months to complete.
He added, “The Dream riddim came about whilst contacting beat makers on YouTube to purchase beats for Flank-ko. However, that was proving difficult being that the leasing agreement wasn’t up to par in my estimation. I then remembered I had a high school friend by the name of Dadrian (Dexter Prodigy) Rowe; who is an upcoming engineer/producer as well. I asked around for his number, and after finally getting in touch with him, I asked him to make the beat. I sent the beat to Flank-ko, and he sent me back a demo of the track called Dream that is also on the project. Upon hearing the song, I decided that the riddim should be called Dream riddim. We strongly believe that this project will bring back the conscious dancehall vibe of the juggling circle, which has been missing from the genre.”
Featured on the Dream rhythm are Dream by Flank-Ko, Powerful by OG, Life Change by Kurency, Benevolent by J Stvrr, and Wah Go Happen to Dem by Jay Zenith.
Grant, who is from Bath in St Thomas, migrated to the United States after completing studies at the Morant Bay High in 2008.
— Kevin Jackson