Shabba Ranks
Leighton Williams, Staff Reporter
IN THE world of music, fame, fortune, glory and respect are often not bestowed on the founders of the craft. This scenario is no different in dancehall, where the deejays of the 1980s no longer get the respect they worked hard for from promoters and other players in the industry.
In the 1980s, several deejays came to the forefront. Among them were Josey Wales, Shabba Ranks, Ninja Man, Lady G, Professor Nuts, Flourgon, Daddy Lizard, Red Dragon, General Trees, Lt. Stitchie, Admiral Bailey and Papa San. These artistes ruled the roost in their
heyday and are still around. Howexer, the glory and the level of respect they once enjoyed has now dwindled.
"I concentrate mainly on overseas shows. I don't concentrate on Jamaican shows. I can't talk to the youths and I don't like the Jamaican scene. People don't like talent anymore. I don't want to go on-stage and curse about vans and things like that," said a frank Josey Wales.
The deejay, who had popular hits such as Undercover Lover, points out as well that he goes mostly to dances in rural Jamaica to ply his craft. He said he has several gigs in rural Jamaica during the Christmas season and a show in England in the new year.
He is not the only one who is earning most of his income overseas these days. Comical deejay Professor Nuts has also gone that route.
"The local promoters bawl a lot. If you charge a simple price they complain. I charge little bit of money, but the promoters still crying. We as old artistes use our discretion too much," said Professor Nuts, whose hits consisted of Inna Di Bus, Woman Deh Yah and others. However, he is renowned for his live performances.
However, Nuts and Josey Wales appear to be in a better position than Lady G, who says her income has been affected by the 9-11 tragedy of last year.
Lady G points out that before the disaster her gigs abroad were more frequent than the ones locally. However, that has now changed. A steady twice a month work schedule has dwindled to one every couple of months.
"How people look at it (here) is you are as hot as your last tune. It's not like abroad, where people will be happy to see you even if you don't have a current hit. Here it's different; people expect you to have an hit," said Lady G.
Most of the deejays from that era are still 'inna di business'. Josey Wales, for example, is working on a new album, which has tracks with Beres Hammond, Judy Mowatt and Shabba Ranks.
Lt. Stitchie and Papa San have converted to Christianity and are using their talent for the 'King of Kings' and Ninja Man and Professor Nuts perform on several shows locally. Daddy Lizard, Flourgon and Red Dragon recently performed at Everton Blendah's 'Earthday' celebration and still do shows. Lady G still records songs and has done some production, with the 'Belly Skin' rhythm being one of her projects. General Trees has also been working on his album, which was due out earlier this year.
However, while the careers have been continuing, the price they command pales in comparison to what the current crop of deejays earn. The 'name brand' deejay from the 'now' era can easily take home a salary in excess of $300,000 for a single show depending on how hot and established they are. Of course, several take home far more.
The deejays from the 1980s on the other hand, take home much less. In fact, one of the artistes put the figure at less than a $100,000 per show.It is believed that the relatively low salaries are due in part to them not having current hits. This often means fewer shows and fewer shows often means the fee an entertainer commands will go down.
However, a deciding factor in determining the currency of an artiste has been the rhythms. At the moment, most deejays 'voice' on as many rhythms as possible to stay current and also in the hope that one will hit. It is this practice that the older artistes are not in agreement with."
A lot of producers call me to do tunes but I have a difficult time writing lyrics for all of them. I'm not a commercial deejay, so I have to put something good together, so I sometimes don't go on all of them," confessed Nuts.Josey Wales points out that he is not desirous of 'voicing' on most of the rhythms, especially since there are sometimes too many people on the project.
Lady G's experience has been different. She admits only few producers have made her offers. However, she is not worried about that, because she has been there before."
Before 1995 there was a long gap and then I did Ease Off, Breeze Off and I was hot again. So I know the next time I have a hit people will come to me to go on rhythms and shows," she said.
Still, at the end of the day, the older dancehall artistes want one thing the respect they had in their heyday, especially from the disc jockeys.
"Sometimes I don't think I get a fair chance. Sometimes I voice on a rhythm and I hear all the songs but don't hear mine, because the disc jockeys don't play my song," said Lady G. Josey Wales points out that the disc jockeys needed to play not just the old hits of artistes, but their current tunes as well, since everyone needs to have their songs aired.The older deejays are not perturbed.
Josey Wales, for example, points out that he is now focused mainly on making music and helping others and not necessarily making money. Nuts adds that he has the confidence and willpower to go on, so he tries not to be affected by the lack of respect.Lady G also has the same outlook as Professor Nuts.
"I'm just humble and keep on working at it. You feel left out at times, but you learn how to deal with it and not let it bother you, since one day you know you will succeed," she said.
