Dancehall DJs Urged to be Professionals

 

FOUNDER AND publisher of the Reggae Report magazine, Peggy Quattro, has taken leading dancehall performers to task, saying their violent lyrics and unprofessional conduct have alienated music industry heads in North America and Europe.

Quattro told The Gleaner that recent events involving dancehall acts Bounty Killer and Mavado, and Red Stripe's boycott of some live shows, have made it even more difficult to market the genre outside of Jamaica.

"They (record companies) are looking for professional artistes who will deliver a good product so they can sell records," Quattro said. "But these guys incite violence wherever they go, charge outrageous fees and don't show up on time. They are their own worst enemies."

Quattro did not name the record companies, but said their concerns are similar to Red Stripe's announcement in April that negatives associated with dancehall had forced it to withdraw financial support from major events.

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