A chance to start afresh - Dancehall artistes give year in review, promise a better 2013

Artistes who did not necessarily have a great year claim they have big things on the agenda for 2013.

Laden, who has been noticeably absent this year, for instance, told The Gleaner 2012 could have been a better year for him.

He contends that, although his songs were receiving airplay on both local and international radio stations, his music did not have a great impact in the dancehall space.

"2012 could have been better in terms of shows and plays in dancehall. My songs were playing on the radio, but I didn't have that street song in the dancehall. Also, I voiced on most of the top rhythms this year, but people only focus on one person that is on the rhythm. I was voicing a lot in 2012, I just didn't have that impact," he said.

He went on to say that, in 2013, he will prove to the industry that he is "well bad".

"There's definitely gonna be more maturity in my music. In 2013, I'm gonna sing more songs that I was once scared of doing. I'm not saying that I am gonna go the negative way, but I'm definitely going to be doing more songs for the ladies and songs for the yutes inna di streets," Laden explained.
Recording artiste Munga Honourable told The Gleaner 2012 was a good year for him.

"I spent most of the year recording and I've been seeing and hearing results of those recordings that I put out. A lot of my time was also spent honing my skills in production and the interior part of the business. I also established Hilltop Records, and now the slang and brand is a fixture in the streets."
For 2013, Munga says he will definitely be working harder.

"Fans can look out for the new artistes signed to the Hilltop Records label and also I'll be releasing more videos and a new EP that is yet to be titled," he said.

Although he, too, did not have the greatest impact in 2012, artiste Khago believes that 2012 was one of his better years in the music industry, based on his overseas tours.

He said his extensive tours have allowed him the privilege of being one of the better artistes last year.
"2012 a mi greatest year overseas. A me tour the hardest since year. Mi go more than two dozen states a USA, Canada and the Caribbean. I am one of the top deejays in terms of tours. Mi nah hype miself, but mi ting good out deh," he said.

Khago also added that he had recorded close to 100 songs in 2012, but was unable to fully promote them because of his touring.

"My songs didn't get the promotion they deserved this year because of the tours I was on, but that will change in 2013, because I plan to be based more in Jamaica and focus on promoting my reggae album," Khago said.
(from Jamaica Gleaner)