Friday, 4 July 2014
Monday, 17 March 2014
Distributor Blamed For Dancehall's Death
Hapilos Entertainment Group has responded to a controversial press release which has set tongues wagging in the entertainment industry.
The press release was sent to various media houses via SHUZZR PR from an anonymous writer and blames the poor standard of dancehall music being distributed worldwide solely on Hapilos Music Group, which is regarded as one of the top digital distributors in the Caribbean.
According to the release, dancehall and reggae music are being misrepresented internationally. The release claims that music distributors like Johnny Wonder of Hapilos Entertainment have consistently distributed music from artistes and producers who have not been produced properly and suggests that the poorly produced tracks are suffocating the industry because they do not meet international standards.
"Some say dancehall is dead! Some say reggae is dead! But is it really? Surf the Net or any social media platforms that promote dancehall and reggae. I guarantee that you will find quality singles and compilations from each genre, but only after a deep search," the release said.
The release alleges that a search of the Internet will prove that the majority of the poorly produced music that has been promoted as that which Jamaica has to offer has been distributed by Haplios.
"Now we should ask ourselves who is responsible for this travesty that is now our music industry. Do your research and you will end up with the name Johnny Wonder of 21st Hapilos nine out of 10 times," the release said.
The release also said various artistes had signed the letter in support of its claims, however, no artiste was singled out.
"The following article was sent to us with the signature(s) of several dancehall and reggae practitioners who have sought our services to help promote their stance or views. Thus, these views or stance taken may not reflect the views of SHUZZR PR," the release read.
ARGUMENT BASELESS
In an equally long release, Hapilos sought to add some clarity to the situation. They claim the argument from the controversial press release is baseless and is instead an attempt to attack Johnny Wonder's character.
"The writer who proclaims herself to be an artiste who received bad "customer service" is a coward who did not reveal herself and shouldn't strive to be anything but anonymous. We stand 100 per cent behind our executive VP Johnny Wonder and we have every confidence in him," Hapilos' release read.
According to Hapilos, it has distributed projects that are not up to first-class standards in an attempt to expose new producers and artistes to the music industry. The organisation went as far as naming producers who they claimed benefit from this kind of marketing.
"The hate article began with the writer lamenting the 'excess of music that lacks creativity and quality' being put out into the market. These so-called 'lack of creativity' tracks come from young producers and upcoming artistes which 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution have chosen, as a business, not to ignore and to give a platform for their music. Seanizzle, Markus Myrie and Rvssian are just some of our clients who were once young producers who came to us to distribute their music. We gave them the platform to showcase their music and today they are some of our most successful producers," Hapilos' release read.
The distribution company says the only thing it is guilty of, is being tardy and disclosed that a proper customer service system is being put in place so as to assist clients and the musical queries better.
The Gleaner contacted Johnny Wonder to ascertain if the Hapilos response was authentic and he confirmed its legitimacy.
"We have our suspicions but we do not know for sure who sent it as the sender opted to remain anonymous. Based on reactions so far, it has done more good than bad as a lot of our strengths were inadvertently highlighted in the hate mail," Johnny Wonder said.
Monday, 18 February 2013
HERBSMAN HUSTLING RIDDIM [FULL PROMO] – PHAREAL RECORDS – 2013 (OUT NOW)
Phareal Records Presents The “Herbsman Hustling Riddim” Produced By Kos Dillon And Orlando Sinclair Alongside Renowned Veteran “BlackBeard” Sinclair. This Is A Remake Of The Massive Single By Sugar Minnott Titled “Herbsman Hustling” From The Early 80‘s. This Massive Juggling Features A Stellar Lineup Of Herbalist Anthems From Veteran & Young Reggae Generals! The Riddim Possesses That Unique Heavy Reggae Bassline & Is A Must Buy For All Who Love Real Reggae Music! Herbsman Hustling Riddim Is Available For Digital Purchase On iTunes & Other Music Distribution Platforms!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/herbsman-hustling-riddim/id586624366Riddim Release Notes via UNITED REGGAE: Jamaican label PhaReal Records have just released an updated version of the classic Sugar Minott song Herbsman Hustling, originally recorded in the early 80’s. The production on this new version is handled by Kos Dillon and Orlando Sinclair alongside renowned veteran “BlackBeard” Sinclair. This bass-fueled riddim is voiced by 13 artists and features veterans in the likes of Trinity, Clancy Eccles, Dillinger and Junior Tamlin as well as newer generation reggae crooners such as Thrilla U, Tréson and Tenor Star. LISTEN |Herbsman Hustling Riddim – Phareal Records:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVW_CM6C0l0&feature=share&list=UUpGlBJeGjGxQdLs4b-nZwVQ
Saturday, 24 November 2012
DJ David Rodigan resigns from Kiss FM over 'marginalisation' of reggae music
One of Britain’s best-known specialist radio presenters, David Rodigan, has ended his 22-year relationship with the commercial station Kiss FM by resigning over the “marginalisation” of reggae music in the schedule.
Rodigan is known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of Jamaican music and was given an MBE in the last New Year’s honours list. He is a multiple winner of Sony radio awards but was moved to a midnight slot on the Bauer Media-owned station, in order to accommodate a show hosted by the singer Craig David.
The presenter, who recently won a Sony for a separate show that he makes for BBC Radio 2, has been synonymous with Kiss FM since it ended its pirate radio status and became a legal station in 1990. He has broadcast on the network ever since but has in recent years been pushed to the late night schedule, despite receiving growing levels of recognition from the radio industry.
Between broadcasts he travels the world playing in “sound clashes” with international reggae sound systems and his relationship with artists from emerging British musical genres such as Dubstep has brought him a new young following in this country.
“I've been with the station for 22 years, shared some wonderful times with many fantastic artists and members of staff and it’s with great sadness that I've come to this decision,” the presenter said today in a statement.” Due to their continued marginalisation of reggae music into the twilight zone of radio scheduling, it has left me no option but to make a stand for my passion and the music I love so dearly.”
Rodigan, a trained actor who turned 60 this year, began his broadcasting career with London’s Capital Radio in 1979. He is unlikely to have disappeared from the airwaves for good. He said: “As Bob Marley famously said ‘the stone that the builder refused will be the head corner stone.’ Reggae was originally played on the streets, not on radio, and Kiss's refusal to schedule the only reggae show on their network to a socially accessible time has resulted in this decision. Reggae is worthy of more respect and so are the fans and lovers of this music.”
Spokeswoman for Kiss FM said: “We are very sad and disappointed to confirm that David Rodigan has left Kiss after 22 years. We have the utmost love and respect for David both personally and professionally - he leaves with our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all that he has achieved with Kiss. Kiss remains passionate about broadcasting a brilliant cross section of music genres, including reggae, to our audiences across multiple platforms and devices.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPTTo4P-c4s&feature=g-upl
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Phareal Records Present Herbsman Hustling
Kingston, Jamaica.
Phareal Records is pleased to release their latest project ‘Herbsman Hustling’.
Herbsman Hustling is a various artiste compilation destined for a rich roots reggae experience. The 18 track album features veterans in the likes of Trinity, Clancy Eccles,Dillinger and Junior Tamlins as well as newer generation reggae crooners such as Trilla U,Tréson and Tenor Star. The compilation is reminiscent of the classic ‘Sleng Teng’ era with a fresh new age sound. This quality of production was achieved through the dynamic collaboration of producers Kos Dillon alongside renowned veteran BlackBeard.
Herbman hustling will be available on Itunes, Amazon, Spotify and all E-Tailers worldwide through Zojak Worldwide LLC. And will be released on October 30,2012.
Tanaka Tiki Roberts...
Thursday, 7 June 2012
Reggae Goes Missing From The Dancehall
Jamaica is internationally recognised as the birthplace of reggae anddancehall music, the latter delivering the more flashy uptempo sound, while the former targets the spiritual and Afrocentric followers with slower, sometimes sultry beats.
However, with the competitive nature of Jamaica's music industry, the two genres seem to be fighting for existence in the dancehall. Reggae is losing.
The Sunday Gleaner spoke with reggae artiste Warrior King, and according to the Virtuous Woman singer, local disc jockeys are killingreggae music.
"Dem selector yah a kill the music where it come from. Reggae music is the foundation and it should be included in the juggling like any other genre. A lot of foreigners have been asking me 'why when they come to Jamaica they don't hear reggae music?' When I am abroad it is different because it is played in the dancehall in Trinidad, California and Europe," Warrior King said.
According to the artiste, Jamaicans do not appreciate reggae, and may only realise the effect of their disregard when reggae has left our shores.
"Dem seh 'di cow nuh know the use a him tale til it gone.' Dats why the youth a get suh crazy because dem naah get nuh roots. Reggae music keep people calm. Look how Bob Marley, Culture and Dennis Brown work hard to keep reggae alive ... all we need to do is spread the music across the board, 15 minutes of dancehall,15 minutes of reggae and 15 minutes of hip hop. Reggae is not dead because you have established people like Akon doing a reggae album," he said.
Veteran reggae producer Bobby Digital believes disc jockeys in the dancehall are busy trying to please themselves instead of helping to develop the music industry.
"I don't think reggae is getting a fair chance to prove itself in the dancehall. These guys playing the music are just trying to please themselves to get a forward; it's only for their own gain. How are we going to expose new talent if we don't hear the artiste?" Digital asked.
According to the producer, who has done work for artistes of massive stature - Sizzla Kalonji, Shabba Ranks, Morgan Heritage, Anthony B, Cocoa Tea, Super Cat and Garnett Silk, making up some of that number - reggae music production has not decreased. However, the songs are not getting a chance to develop locally.
"For the past six to seven years, I have been making music but they don't get much attention here because they are not willing to let something new through the gate, and if you don't listen to music, you cannot know what it is," he continued.
"We need to recognise what we have and learn to nurture it. Until we do that, then dog nyam wi supper. Teach the youth dem music from school so they can have an early exposure, because I have seen reggae artistes from overseas who are even better than some out here," he said.
Dancehall disc jockey and producer Supa Hype also conceded that the dancehall needed to place more emphasis on reggae.
According to him, upcoming DJs lack mature experience.
"We need more reggae. We need to put more into reggae. Recently, people like Christopher Martin and Busy Signal put out reggae albums - even Mr Vegas; we need more of that," he continued.
"Some DJs just wake up and seh dem a selector, dem nuh really have no experience. I am coming from vinyl days so I know real music. That is why I always play reggae songs from people like Sizzla in my juggling," Supa Hype said.
Supa Hype also said taking on the profession of music was like going to school.
"DJs, do your homework. Try different genres for different segments. You can't just do the same thing every week," he said.
The selector went on to say he would be releasing an exclusive reggae project - featuring Gyptian, Lutan Fyah, among others - as evidence that he was willing to lead the change.
According to the producer, who has done work for artistes of massive stature - Sizzla Kalonji, Shabba Ranks, Morgan Heritage, Anthony B, Cocoa Tea, Super Cat and Garnett Silk, making up some of that number - reggae music production has not decreased. However, the songs are not getting a chance to develop locally.
"For the past six to seven years, I have been making music but they don't get much attention here because they are not willing to let something new through the gate, and if you don't listen to music, you cannot know what it is," he continued.
"We need to recognise what we have and learn to nurture it. Until we do that, then dog nyam wi supper. Teach the youth dem music from school so they can have an early exposure, because I have seen reggae artistes from overseas who are even better than some out here," he said.
Dancehall disc jockey and producer Supa Hype also conceded that the dancehall needed to place more emphasis on reggae.
According to him, upcoming DJs lack mature experience.
"We need more reggae. We need to put more into reggae. Recently, people like Christopher Martin and Busy Signal put out reggae albums - even Mr Vegas; we need more of that," he continued.
"Some DJs just wake up and seh dem a selector, dem nuh really have no experience. I am coming from vinyl days so I know real music. That is why I always play reggae songs from people like Sizzla in my juggling," Supa Hype said.
Supa Hype also said taking on the profession of music was like going to school.
"DJs, do your homework. Try different genres for different segments. You can't just do the same thing every week," he said.
The selector went on to say he would be releasing an exclusive reggae project - featuring Gyptian, Lutan Fyah, among others - as evidence that he was willing to lead the change.
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