Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
THE DEF Jamaica compilation album released in 2003 by the Island Def Jam Music Group is one of five nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of 'Best Reggae Album' for 2004.
The compilation album, which features notable hip hop acts teaming up with leading dancehall artistes, comprises 12 songs and three bonus tracks.
The idea for the project is said to have come from Def Jam Record's past general manager Randy Acker who, along with Cristy Barber, the president of Tuff Gong and Ghetto Youths International, brought the acts together.
According to Cristy Barber, she was satisfied with the work and effort that was put into making the compilation a reality.
"It took me about a year to do it. The way that I actually put the CD together ensured that it was more of the hip hop world coming to our world (reggae/dancehall) and so I had it all produced by Jamaican producers? The Pharrell remix was the only one not done by a Jamaican producer," Barber said.
According to Barber, only the best Jamaican producers were used, among them being Stephen Marley, Tony and Dave Kelly, Don Corleone, Lenky and Sly and Robbie.
POINT TO PROVE
There was, however, a significant reason why Barber agreed to work on the compilation, as she felt that it would do a world of good in exposing the wealth of talent that exists in Jamaica.
"I want people to understand that there is talent in Jamaica, with Jamaican musicians and producers. I used this as an opportunity to develop the
reggae industry. I need to take care of my backyard. The talent is there and Jamaica is where Reggae music comes from. I want to use this as an opportunity to educate," she said.
Despite not being able to get all the artistes who were originally listed for the compilation, Barber said the project, which was originally for charity, still turned out to be a major success.
"In terms of picking hip hop artistes, we went through Def Jam, who distributed the record, so we used their hip hop artistes. As it relates to reggae/ dancehall, Capleton, Sizzla and Bounty Killer were three artistes that I really wanted but couldn't get. Bounty wanted more time to prepare, but they still supported the project," she explained.
However, for the other artistes who were actually used on the compilation, Barber said they were more than willing to work along with the project.
"I have worked with all these artistes over the years and I was so proud how the reggae fraternity worked along with this project. They were all willing to cooperate, whenever I called them; they said just name the place and time and they were there," she said.
COLLABORATIONS
In explaining how some of the collaborations came about, Barber said that some were planned, while others just happened.
"112, for example, wanted to do a Reggae remix for Na Na Na Na and artistes like Spragga and Buccaneer, as artistes in the industry for a long time, had to be on it. And if you think about a female artiste, it had to be Lady Saw. Scarface and Nokio, as a producer, were with us in Jamaica, we were showing them around and TOK was with us and the whole vibes just created something," Barber said.
In addition, Barber said they specifically looked for unsigned artistes to do one of the tracks on the compilation, as that would give them exposure and recognition, while showing the world that there were still more talents to be discovered.
"We had a shot to do this compilation and we had to do it right. It was really a charity project with a charity budget, so not all the songs were on it that we wanted. We got the hot new people together and we went for the bonus tracks because they were already existing tracks, they were kind of remixes," Barber said
Despite some stiff
competition, Barber remains optimistic that the Def Jamaica compilation album will win the Grammy.
"It has to win! There are so many great talents that don't get the acknowledgement and recognition that they deserve. If this album were to win, that would mean that the entire dancehall fraternity would be recognised and that's why it is so great that we are up against these
legends. Toots and the Maytals has an incredible record and that's the only competition that scares me. With everything that has been going on with dancehall, it would really be great if we (Def Jamaica) won," she said.
GREAT HONOUR
According to Barber, even the nomination of the album in itself was a great honour, as she said that not many compilation albums have been nominated for Grammys in the past.
"Various artistes records across the board rarely get nominated for Grammys. I think they tend to want to give the award to one direct artiste; it is more tangible, but you would think that with various artistes albums, it covers such an array of talent," she added.
Since its release, sales worldwide have been estimated at 300,000, but Barber was unable to give actual numbers. Barber says she would love to do more compilation albums, especially if the outcome of the Grammy nominations is favourable.
"Everything changes when you win a Grammy," she said.
If the Def Jamaica
compilation album were to win the Grammy, the actual Grammy would go to the
producers of the album (Christy Barber and Randy Acker), but according to Barber, she would personally ensure that all who were involved in the compilation (artistes and producers) get
certificates to show for
their efforts.
