Eastern artistes wait for a 'buss'

Hasani Walters, Gleaner Writer

It is hard work for a young artiste from Kingston trying to make it big on the music scene in Jamaica.

Now, imagine living far away from the 'musical Mecca', in the rural areas of eastern parishes such as St Mary, Portland and St Thomas. Does that make getting 'the break' even harder?

Apart from artistes such as Capleton, Munga Honourable and Hollowpoint, who are from these parishes and have succeeded in making it unto the mainstream dancehall or reggae scenes, there aren't many to speak of.

It is becoming even more difficult, it seems, for the younger acts who choose to venture into a musical career.

Hard at times

Artistes signed to Portland-based Simmes Records spoke with The Sunday Gleaner recently and have said as much.

"It's hard at times. You just have to know the right people and have the right approach to your music."

"It's much easier when you travel to Kingston because Portland doesn't offer as much musical exposure as Kingston," he added.

Marco's labelmate Kultural, who has songs such as Can't Stop We, Irie and No One Cares also gave his insight saying, "Well, it not easy more time. Is just you to know how to set your connections, I usually go to Kingston and roll with Determine and Sizzla dem and try to set up links so I can get recognition".

Entourage

He, however, said that established artistes needed to do more in investing in their 'place'.

"Yuh have artiste who come from Portland weh buss and don't help the youths. Bling Dawg and Louie Culture don't walk wid entourage, they don't help young artistes from where they come from. Addi [Vybz Kartel] and Bounty [Killer] are the only people mi see do dat," he elaborated.

The lack of proper recording equipment, proximity to recording studios and the underrating of the talent of artistes are a few of the problems faced, which were shared by the artistes.

Record producer Simmes, who has worked with a number of artistes from eastern parishes said, "Yes it is sometimes hard, but I've never had a hard time because I am in Kingston most of the time, so I work with persons within Kingston as well".

"It's a bit hard but the type of songs that we put out will make us able to break out from that stereotype," Simmes added.

In the midst of these difficulties, these artistes still remain confident that if they continue to work hard, their success will surely come.