Grenadian promoters against work permits for Caribbean artistes

Monday, December 15, 2014 | 8:21 AM    

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenadian promoters are urging the Keith Mitchell administration to remove the need for work permits for Caribbean artistes contracted to perform here.

The 16 top promoters made their position known during a meeting with Culture Minister Brenda Hood as they met to discuss ways of promoting Grenada’s creative industry.

“The promoters expressed that it was very frustrating to promote shows, because Grenada is the only Caribbean territory that is demanding work permits from other Caribbean artistes, who enter the country to perform.  In addition, the promoters stated that the level of taxation on their businesses is too high and is stifling the growth of the entertainment industry in Grenada,” according to a government statement issued after the meeting.

The statement quoted Hood as committing to engage the ministries of Finance and Labour, on the concerns raised, in an effort to seek some relief for the promoters and to advance the creative industry.

It said that the meeting ended with the promoters selecting an executive for advancing the work of the newly formed Grenada Promoters Association.

Another meeting is scheduled for January next year.

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Grenadian promoters against work permits for Caribbean artistes

Dishonest European promoters hurt reggae

Borjan Tisma

After recently slamming several local reggae artistes for their unprofessionalism, Borjan Tisma has now turned his attention to the dishonest promoters applying their trade in Europe.

Just over a month ago Tisma, who is based in Poland, stressed that some of the artistes are killing the reggae music business due to their unethical ways. He also warned them against recording hate music towards homosexuals because Europe has grown to become less tolerant.

Now Tisma, who does bookings for Lady Saw, Anthony B, Konshens, Gyptian, RDX, Iba Mahr and several others, has shifted his focus on to his own counterparts stating that their dishonesty is also contributing to the decline of reggae music.

“Some of the EU reggae promoters are unprofessional because many do not have the budget to keep a high show with high profile reggae artistes, which leads to tour cancellations,” he said.

Whenever this becomes the case, Tisma reveals that the promoters then try to be cunning by relying on presale tickets which may or may not sell quickly.

“Without a proper budget and funding the promoters cannot promote properly and try to promote shows with only Internet promotion,” he added.

Because of this, booking agents such as Tisma feels the burn. “With a limited budget, some promoters try to avoid a booking agent and work directly with the artistes. Whenever they cannot fulfill their obligations they simply disappear and cannot be found,” he said.

Some promoters are also reluctant to meet the demands of the artistes they seek. These range from accommodations, food to backstage requirements.

“Jamaican artistes have special dietary concerns and some European promoters don’t understand this. Also, the unity is not there and so we have dates clashing,” he said.

Tisma is currently working with Contractor Music Marketing, owned by Sean Edwards, to coordinate several tours with some of Jamaica’s biggest reggae artistes.

“Without a proper budget and funding the promoters cannot promote properly and try to promote shows with only Internet promotion,”

View the original article here

Dishonest European promoters hurt reggae

Dishonest European promoters hurt reggae

Borjan Tisma

After recently slamming several local reggae artistes for their unprofessionalism, Borjan Tisma has now turned his attention to the dishonest promoters applying their trade in Europe.

Just over a month ago Tisma, who is based in Poland, stressed that some of the artistes are killing the reggae music business due to their unethical ways. He also warned them against recording hate music towards homosexuals because Europe has grown to become less tolerant.

Now Tisma, who does bookings for Lady Saw, Anthony B, Konshens, Gyptian, RDX, Iba Mahr and several others, has shifted his focus on to his own counterparts stating that their dishonesty is also contributing to the decline of reggae music.

“Some of the EU reggae promoters are unprofessional because many do not have the budget to keep a high show with high profile reggae artistes, which leads to tour cancellations,” he said.

Whenever this becomes the case, Tisma reveals that the promoters then try to be cunning by relying on presale tickets which may or may not sell quickly.

“Without a proper budget and funding the promoters cannot promote properly and try to promote shows with only Internet promotion,” he added.

Because of this, booking agents such as Tisma feels the burn. “With a limited budget, some promoters try to avoid a booking agent and work directly with the artistes. Whenever they cannot fulfill their obligations they simply disappear and cannot be found,” he said.

Some promoters are also reluctant to meet the demands of the artistes they seek. These range from accommodations, food to backstage requirements.

“Jamaican artistes have special dietary concerns and some European promoters don’t understand this. Also, the unity is not there and so we have dates clashing,” he said.

Tisma is currently working with Contractor Music Marketing, owned by Sean Edwards, to coordinate several tours with some of Jamaica’s biggest reggae artistes.

“Without a proper budget and funding the promoters cannot promote properly and try to promote shows with only Internet promotion,”

View the original article here

Dishonest European promoters hurt reggae

QQ pulls out of Sumfest - Negotiations breaks down between artiste, promoters

Andr? Williams, STAR Writer

QQ

Citing miscommunication with members of his management team, dancehall artiste QQ will not be performing at this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest.

QQ, whose real name is Kareem Dawkins, said in a media release that negotiations were not finalised and an overseas opportunity presented itself, hence the reason for his absence from the Sumfest line-up this year.

However, Summerfest Productions boss, Johnny Gourzong, while speaking to THE STAR yesterday, confirmed that the artiste was withdrawn from the line-up and sought to shed some light on the issue.

He said, “We would not go to his management team, we went to his booking agent and have in our possession a signed and duly executed contract with QQ. We were told recently that the fee was agreed and signed on. QQ was not pleased … we paid a deposit and our budget could not allow us to go anymore, and he said that he is not going to work for that amount, and we weren’t offering anymore than that so we had to take him off.”

When asked if his absence will affect the show, Gourzong said, “I think he is a good artiste, but I don’t think it’s gonna affect the show … We have gone and filled the gap.”

The deejay recently released the video for the increasingly popular track Tweety Bird (Turn Me On). The video was shot in Miami and directed by Strugu Films (which is based in Atlanta). The song was produced by Tarik ‘Rvssian’ Johnston for Head Concussion Records.

sexy video

“The video is quite sexy and it shows a more mature and adult side to me. Since it has been released, the feedback has been very good and I love the feedback. And the fans seem to be loving the more mature QQ,” the deejay noted.

QQ recently performed in Edmonton, Calgary and Belmont in Canada, where fans showed their appreciation for songs from his catalogue including One Drop, Stookie, Mosquito Net and Jack Hammer, which is featured on VP Records’ Reggae Gold 2014 series.

“The shows were amazing and we had a great turnout and the ladies were amazing. Mr Vegas was also on the shows and it was amazing working alongside an artiste of Mr Vegas’ calibre, one who has dominated the music scene over the years, and always had a good command with the industry,” said QQ.

Fans can follow QQ on social media on Instagram/twitter @qqworld and facebook.com/qquniverse.

View the original article here

QQ pulls out of Sumfest - Negotiations breaks down between artiste, promoters