Artistes still picking up the pieces ... Years after Gully/Gaza feud has ended

The now resolved Gully/Gaza feud which had the music industry split into two musical gangs, gave birth to two new dancehall icons.

However, the soldiers who traded lyrical bullets on their behalf gained nothing more than temporary popularity, while the bosses catapulted to the top of the dancehall ladder.

The STAR spoke with some of the artistes affiliated with the Gully/Gaza feud and they believe the bosses were the main beneficiaries after the smoke cleared.

According to Trippledose, Jahvinci's manager, the feud was all about the bosses.

"Mavado and Kartel were the backbone of their entity so everything was centred around the bosses. So no matter what the supporting artistes did, they could not get as much spotlight as the bosses. We know they are there but despite the fact that they helped to hold up the thing, dem neva get a fair chance to shine. It's not like the supporting artistes didn't have songs which were equally good or even better, but the leaders gave themselves preference," he said.

Trippledose also said Jahvinci is aiming to create his own fan base and will release a reggae album soon.

Flexx, former ghost writer and member of Mavado's Gullyside squad, says the success of the artistes largely depends on the character of the group leader.

Fame is a terrible thing

"It depends on how the leading artiste from each camp look on things. Fame is a terrible thing, and a lot of the time is not even dem write the songs, but dem think it hard fi give the little credit to the young artiste, dem want all the hype ... sometime you end up rating the big artiste more than how dem rate you so it hampers how you are treated," Flexx said.

Flexx disclosed that based on his experience and observation, Bounty Killer and Konshens appear to be the most genuine, due to the good relationships they maintain with the artistes in their camps.
"Some artistes want everything for themselves that is one of the reason why you have selectors becoming artistes because if them try get help from certain artistes dem nah help dem, suh dem just guh record the song dem self," he said.

Savage was also a member of the Gullyside crew, and he believes lack of management is a reason for the slow growth.

"It also has to do with management. This business is 10 per cent talent and 90 per cent management. At the end of the day, a just Mavado was getting the promotion and under the Gullyside name, so the other artistes were overshadowed. It's sad that after you write songs and help promote the artiste you don't get no reward. Some artiste just don't buss nuh youth, because dem nuh wah share the power," Savage said.

Vybz Kartel is now behind bars, however, his last manager Calvin 'Moonie' Haye said that former Gully and Gaza supporting artistes just need to make worthy material.

Rivalry

"Mavado and Vybz Kartel took their music to the next level and built a brand, so they got good returns. The young artiste dem just need to be creative and find lyrics. They can also find a worthy opponent and start their own rivalry, and by doing so, they might reach the level of Mavado and Vybz Kartel," Haye said.

Other artistes who were involved in the feud include Chase Cross, 3 Star Wildlife and Black Ryno.
Savage recently released a single called Defend That, and has a new single to be released by So Unique Records. Flexx, on the other hand, has signed a recording deal with Hapilos Entertainment and has new singles produced by Marcus Myrie. He is also promoting a single featuring Ninja Kid called Miy Umbea.

(from Jamaica Star)