Eddy Grant By Andrew Clunis,
Freelance Writer
THE MOST inspiring session of the recent Caribbean Music Expo, in Ocho Rios, was held under the theme 'Towards The Building of a Caribbean Music Industry'.
The most impressive of the panellists was the great Caribbean artiste and music entrepreneur Eddy Grant who predicated his argument on a philosophical platform, preaching self appreciation, as the main premise on which the Caribbean music industry should be built.
The performer used his Ring Bang concept as the backbone of his argument, citing examples of how it has worked in Trinidad and Tobago to bring about a new realm of self consciousness. He said the Caribbean had a large enough market to facilitate the music industries of all the countries, but Caribbean people needed to support each other.
"We have to buy from ourselves. It is the only way to real freedom," he said.
Grant expanded his argument to other areas of life including fashion, advocating the purchase of Caribbean brands throughout the region.
The Guyanese artiste, who was one of the first major world stars from the Caribbean, described the music industry worldwide as "the most racist institution in the world". He urged that countries in the region to start becoming responsible for their music and stop filling the coffers of the First world nations. He lamented the ease with which America and England penetrated our society with their cultures.
Dr. Keith Nurse from the University of the West Indies outlined a paper he has been preparing on the Caribbean music industry, which highlights the weaknesses and proposing solutions.
Diana Derrick of the Perfor-ming Rights Society in England said one of the foremost challenges in the region was ignorance and lack of respect in terms of rights.
"Education is key and when copyright laws are created, there should be a responsibility on the part of government to follow through with a public education campaign," she said.
