BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – LOCAL artistes have now gone hardcore as they have lately stepped up their level of music and are paving the way for newcomers.
It seems as if the notoriety achieved by local artistes such as Infamus, C-Money, SMI, Daggah and Rolhensha has paved the way for others.
The level of music being produced in the Federation has skyrocketed over the past year and is said to be of good quality lately, which could be compared with that of other international artistes.
We have artistes in various genres slowly making a name for themselves.
R & B Dancehall
With the exception of Jermul Huggins, who has had a hit last year with ‘Just A Friend’, there has never been any major R&B artistes out of the Federation. However, Rolhensha has been showing great promise in the R&B genre as she recently did a single with reggae artiste Gyptian.
On the other hand, Dancehall has been taken up by many local artistes, as it is one the more popular genres among the young people in the Federation. Many of our Dancehall songs are said to be as good as those of the Jamaican artistes and are even better than some.
Rolensha – Defend It
C-Money – SK Sweet
Infamus – Feel Like Crying
Jah Fire – Gal Over Gun
Hi-Light – Gone Clear
Nicha B - School Time Lover
Hip-Hop
This genre have seen a number artistes over the years, such as Da Embassy, Quinn and Yanick and Young G. But now others like S.M.I, Daggah, I.T.Y.C and Lex have made their mark with Hip-Hop in the Federation.
S.M.I – I Stay Fresh
I.T.Y.C - Cud U B My Valentine
Daggah - Rep Ma City
Lex – A Day In The Life
Gospel
A number of persons have undertaken Gospel not as artistes, but due to the fact that Christianity is their religion. Again, this genre has never been fully explored but artistes like Pepper Ranks has given some recognition to it.
Pepper Ranks – Never Like That
Minister LK - Where Is The Love
Songs like ‘SK Sweet’ by C-Money, ‘21 Gun Salute’ and ‘Feel Like Crying’ by Infamus, ‘I Rep My City’ by Daggah, ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and ‘Cud U B My Valentine’ by I.T.Y.C , ‘School Time Lover’ by Nicha B, Jah Fires’ ‘Gal Over Gun’, ‘Never Like That’ by Pepper Ranks and the hottest females - Dymanyzd - currently blowing up the airwaves with their two hot singles ‘Phone Again’ and ‘Beat Pon Me Drum’ are just a few of the promising tracks out of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Music videos have also been playing a major role for some of these artistes. Since Nigel Lewis started to utilise his talent with the camera and began producing music videos for a number of artistes, they have been receiving even more recognition.
However, although the quality of music has seen a major improvement, the local artistes still seem to be lacking promotion. This then begs to ask the question, “Why more of the Federations’ music videos have not hit channels such as Tempo?”
Disc Jockeys also play a major role in the promotion of artistes. It is therefore suggested that they should play the songs of local artistes more frequently on the airwaves as well as at certain functions and events.
While other genres are on the rise, Calypso seems to be slowly dying with the exception of King Konris’ renditions. The only time we hear most calypsonians coming out of their shell is during the carnival season. Queen Anastasia has taken a break from singing her usual calypso to experimenting with another genre, as she recently released an R&B-type of album in which one of her more popular singles, ‘Peace and Love’, has been receiving much airplay.
SKNVibes PEP took the opportunity to speak with a number of DJs to get their opinion, and first was Sweet Sister Sensia who said, “Yes, I think the level of music is on a rise locally but most of the local artistes need to be more focused with it. I think a lot of them get distracted and don’t see their potential, and they lose confidence and the capability within themselves which could set them back a lot.”
She went on to say that as long as they remain focused with all those hot videos they have been producing lately, and with them added to the great tracks, they could reach much further than the destination they have been aiming for.
Another DJ, Usef ‘Ubal’ Connor of Guinness Evolution, one of the top sounds in the Federation, said the music of local artistes have definitely come a long way and is on the rise, especially over the last two years, giving props to Infamus and C-Money.
“Local music has also been more frequently played in the clubs, passenger busses, private-owned cars, local radio stations and the internet…not to mention the love, respect and support from the general public,” he added.
Recording a song has become more accessible as technological advancement continues to make certain tasks easier. Individuals such as Yard Tune, De Magician, Beach Back, DJ Kels and Zagadon have produced a number of popular beats at their own studios, thus making it easier for the local artistes’ advancement in the entertainment industry.
As artistes continue to try to rise beyond the local airwaves, Infamus recently did a music video in New York for his latest single ‘It’s My Life’ while C-Money recently released a track titled ‘Life Is So Real’.
So, let us all play a role in encouraging our own and help them to reach their goals by promoting their music.
