Entertainment

Manager builds on his beginnings in the industry

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Just like the name of his debut rhythm fearless, producer and manager Jeremy Harding has proven himself to be just that in his attitude towards life business and music.

Starting out years ago as a youngster with a love for music, Harding turned to disc jocking while living in Toronto.

Harding soon found his calling as a producer and musician and, from there, became the high-profile manager of International star Sean Paul.

Demonstrating some of his guitar skills to The Sunday Gleaner recently in his high-tech 2 Hard studios, Harding pointed out he had done the ins and outs of the entertainment industry and is back to his first love - music.

hit maker

In the '90s when the 'Play-ground' rhythm was launched, Harding was a producer to look out for with hits such as Who Am I/Sim-Simma with Beenie Man, Infiltrate with Sean Paul and Nike Air by Mr Vegas. he described his sound as 'experimental'. He said, "the point of view which I took as a record producer was really from being a DJ and learning how to manipulate records, and using samplers and studying a lot of hip-hop production outside of Jamaica, where I think at the time most of the producers came from an instrumentalist background."

It was his background that lead to Harding's 'unique' electric sound that attracted a then-struggling Sean Paul. Harding started working with Sean Paul as his manager in 1997 after recording much of his work and handling his business interests.

Harding soon filled the role of the steadying and calming person around the rising Sean Paul.

brutally honest

"The role of the manager is to be the most honest person that that artiste has around dem. You gotta be brutally honest wid dem, you gotta be able to guide dem in their strengths and help them overcome their weaknesses as an act. You have to have the ability to engage the services of others who can help to move the product forward. You have to have the ability to realise its a product and that you need to take care of the business end of things and you're not there to be a celebrity like the artiste."

While he is still managing Sean Paul and Stephen McGregor, Harding is based in Jamaica where he works on his 2 Hard label.

His recently built studio features an entrance way with a wall of Sean Paul plaques, a mixing room with high-tech equipment, a display of guitars, and a voicing room filled with instruments.

The producer is back to work in studio, his newest rhythm being the one-drop flavoured 'City Life', scheduled for digital release in July. The rhythm features acts such as Assassin with Something's Gotta Give, Denyque with Supergirl, Queen Ifrica with Times Like These. Tarrus Riley, Sean Paul and others are also on the rhythm. There are also upcoming singles from the likes of Elephant Man, Wayne Marshall, Denyque, Alaine and others. There is more musical work to come from Harding as well, with musical projects in the works, as he continues to develop his once-experimental sound and keeps an ear open to changes in the music.