Half Pint sound heads to video games

International reggae star Half Pint has secured a major publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and a deal with Harmonix Music Systems to have his music played in a series of music video games, a move manager Loyal Haylett revealed is a major push for reggae.

"What this deal represents is that Half Pint's music will now be in a position to be played in movies, commercials, ring tones and a variety of other media. With the mother of all international publishing companies, so to speak, his music will be exposed to other markets and demographics," his manager revealed.

UMPG is now responsible for collecting royalties and the administration of copyright issues.

Through his own Loyal Haylett Management firm, the manager was also successful in negotiating a deal with Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games, the makers of Rock Band, the popular music video game for Xbox 360, PlayStation and Nintendo DS gaming systems.

While he did not want to give the dollar value of the two deals, Haylett described them as 'lucrative'. A serious international push for Half Pint's music is also expected from the deals.

"Reggae is renowned globally and these deals represent the direction we are taking the business of reggae. The deal, especially with the Rock Band video games, has the capacity to generate millions for Half Pint Music, and we just want persons to understand the global brand and business of the music," he further added.

Half Pint, known for hits such as Substitute Lover, Greetings, and Winsome, has no intention of slowing down in his musical endeavours either. He recently came off a six-week tour that covered the United States of America and Europe.

Born Lindon Roberts, the entertainer is a product of the West Kingston enclave of Rose Lane - a community in proximity to Trench Town - which has produced the likes of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Lee 'Scratch' Perry, and Toots Hibbert.

"The music business in Jamaica is not about looking out for the veteran musicians. Even some of the event organisers are not knowledgeable about the legendary acts, they are a product of the now generation, which results in a breakdown," Half Pint's manager stated.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)