Credibility of local music charts questioned

With payola being a major problem in dancehall, there are questions surrounding the credibility of local music charts.

According to selector Boom Boom, most local charts are for money-making purposes and do not reflect what is taking place in the industry.

"Local chart is a money-making thing. Everybody know weh mi a talk. If you have money, you good wid the local charts," he told THE STAR.

"Whole heap a song weh you see hit on the charts nah play inna di dancehall, so mi nuh too follow up the local charts. When selectors from abroad come, a di dancehall dem come fi see what a gwaan. The charts are not a reflection of what's happening," he said.

While he is aware that money may play a part in some cases, dancehall artiste Elephant Man says he thinks all the charts count.

"Even a real chart you find seh even when the people try to be honest, somebody a seh sup'm fi sup'm. Everybody waan money. It don't just happen in the dancehall, it happen in hip hop. Likkle grease palm haffi gwaan down the line no matter how yuh tek it," he said.

"Some a dem overdo it, but it is a business. So mi nah go beat down a man weh a try eat a food. Just don't overdo it. Don't try mek it look like dem a hustle di music."

Nonetheless, he believes they all play a part in the industry.

"I think every chart counts. Some of them might not be top of the top, but they are still showing what's happening in the music. Anything representing music good or bad, people a look pon dem," he told THE STAR.

But the creator of the Stampede Street Chart, Boswell 'Stampede' Lammie, says his chart is as credible as they come.

"Mi nuh know bout the rest of charts but mi know bout my chart. Records not selling anymore so I judge the songs based on popularity in the streets. The sources are selectors from all over the island 'cause songs that are hot in Kingston are not necessarily popular elsewhere," he said.

He also added that the placement of the songs is not only determined by what selectors say, but also the responses songs get at events he attend.

Stampede added that his chart is aired on 89 radio stations across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.
"When they want to know what's hot, they check Stampede Street Chart. If dem check the songs weh play inna di party and check my chart, dem see the same thing," he told THE STAR.

Admitting that there are credible charts and some that are "definitely fraud", singjay I-Octane says persons around the world pay attention to them. In some cases, he says the charts translate into overseas shows for artistes and promotion of their songs.

(from Jamaica Star)