Local artistes make good on presence of int'l stars

Several international artistes have made Jamaica their choice of destination over the past few years, among them, the likes of Ne-Yo, Snoop Lion (formerly Snoop Dogg), Busta Rhymes, P Diddy, Pusha T, Gwen Steffani, Eve and Sean Kingston.

During their stay in the island, now classified as a 'cultural superpower', at least one has been converted to the Rastafarian faith, while others have ended up working with Jamaican artistes.
Despite the growing visits, however, the local music industry still lacks that once flourishing international success, as it relates to achieving notable breakthrough collaborations between local and international artistes.

According to reggae/dancehall artiste Spragga Benz, who has successful collaborations with Foxy Brown and MMG Records operated by Rick Ross, the Jamaican artistes should aim for higher standards if they want to be taken seriously by international artistes.

"Many international artistes come here (to Jamaica) as visitors and leave without making an impact aside from Snoop Lion who got into the grass roots and tried to integrate himself with the artistes, but some just party and go. Mi nah judge dem still, maybe them just a scope out things," Spragga Benz said.

He encourages professionalism.

"Local artistes have to improve themselves first then international people will gravitate towards them. But if it is not proper or professional then they might not want to be a part of it. If you look at P Diddy show - 'Making the Band' it's not a play thing, it's like a science. Every artiste in Jamaica should at least strive to be at the level that Shabba Ranks was at Sumfest ... I don't think that I am Mr Networking. But I put my all into what I do and if people see that you are putting out 100 per cent they will work with you," he added.

(from Jamaica Star)