Shabba'FOREIGN, here I come,' is becoming the talk of many entertainers who would rather live abroad than Jamaica. And, it's all about the money.
Some entertainers feel that they may be unsafe given the wave of robberies directed at them. Some have reportedly said that they missed becoming victims "by the skin of their teeth," THE STAR understands.
The police, however, have ruled out violence as the main reason why entertainers run off to greener pastures. According to Detective Inspector E. Scott, of the Denham Town Police Station: "It is surely not because of violence why entertainers migrate. Only a small percentage of entertainers are victims of violence. But, Jamaicans can make big money abroad as Jamaicans support deejays abroad."
Some of the entertainers who have made 'foreign' their home includes deejay Shabba Ranks, Diana King, Singing Melody, Sanchez, Junior Tucker, Wayne Wonder, Super Cat, Chakademus and Pliers, Beres Hammond, Sister Charmaine, Lady Junior, Major Mackerel, Brigadier Jerry.
Deejay Shabba Ranks, outraged by a robbery at his Seaview Gardens home years ago has been residing in New York with his family for the past six years. Sanchez has been living in Miami since last year. Beres Hammond, a victim of a hold-up, migrated in the early nineties.
Super Cat moved to New York shortly after he did Boops in the mid 80s. Junior Tucker has been living in Miami for the past three years, the Star understands.
Show promoters feel a number of these entertainers are able to make more money abroad. Linval Gibbons, show promoter, feels these entertainers are looking for greener pastures. An artiste can make thousands of US dollars yearly through appearances, dub plate specials and live shows.
A spokesperson for Ebony Promotions, an entertainment company, feels entertainers migrate because of several reasons, including personal safety, availability of work, and some migrate because of family connections.
He explained that while some people might want to use the shooting of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh in the 1970s, and Dirtsman, as cases to consider, the incidents were too far apart to be used as a strong reason for migration. A few entertainers also migrate because of foreign connections such as the case of Sister Charmaine, the spokesperson added.
Entertainer Boris Gardiner said he has thought about migrating in the past because of economic pressures.
"When the economy gets out of hand, we are the ones targeted because people cut back at entertainment."
Young deejays like 'Shaka Pow' who has been robbed twice since this year has also entertained thoughts of migrating, but claims that he has 'family and friends to think about'.
However, deejay Hawkeye feels he would live abroad if he could not survive the economic pressures.
"I think when life gets tough for entertainers they fly out because it is easier to make some money abroad," he said.
