- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Beenie Man (right) presents Minister of Finance Omar Davies (left) with a picture of himself at the Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday, August 10, 2005 while Dr. Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart enjoys the interaction. Dr. Davies was the guest speaker at the launch of Beenie Man's Summer Sizzle, while Stewart hosted the function.
Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
IN THIS age of commercialisation, coalition forces are apparently not strong enough to hold back insurgent dancehall powers. Amid the recent disassociation of the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors from various artistes, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer and Fantan Mojah, dancehall music and the artistes in question continue to grow from strength to strength.
The code that governs the coalition, which includes Red Stripe, Wray & Nephew, Digicel, Cable & Wireless, Courts and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), has made minimal impact on other sponsors. In addition, the banned artistes have found means of promoting their music. One such is Grammy award winner Beenie Man, formally known as Moses Davis.
On the heels of his ban from Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2005 the Beenie Man Summer Sizzle, held last night at the Jamalco Sports Club in Halse Hall, Clarendon, attracted multiple sponsors.
Among the sponsors were Hype TV, IRIE FM, RJR, TVJ, Radio 92 FM, ZIP FM, BET, JAM TV, Air Jamaica, RE TV, X-News, MTV, Bigga, WATA and Worldtron and Kia Motors.
SPONSORSHIP
'St. Bess Splash', held at the Font Hill Beach Park, St. Elizabeth, on August 14, which featured Bounty Killer in the line-up, was largely sponsored by PG Express. The much publicised 'Appleton Temptation Isle Negril Weekend', which took place between July 29-August 1, 2005, kept its usual mass appeal. This western party weekend also featured Bounty Killer, the title sponsor being Appleton Estate. The party series also garnered sponsorship support from Hype TV, RE TV, Digicel, Pepsi and Wisynco, among others.
'Fully Looaded', which was held at James Bond Beach, St. Mary, on July 24, 2005, was fully loaded with sponsors. This star-studded show featured Bounty Killer and was sponsored by Bareback Condoms, Happy Ice, Solid Agency, Wellman, Whaddat.com, the reggae DVD magazine Lyric, Big Yard Music Group, FAME FM, Zip FM, Irie FM, RE TV, Kings of Kings, VP Records, Hype TV and CVM TV.
Last weekend's Champions in Action at the Caymanas Polo Club had Catherine's Peak as one of the major sponsors. Beenie Man and Bounty Killer were both on the bill, as they were at the 'Negril Roots Fest', held at the Norman Manley Beach Park in early August. Last Sunday's 'Pulse Superjam' at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston, at which Beenie Man performed, was in part sponsored by WATA.
STANDING BY DANCEHALL
Zachary Harding, director of marketing at Wisynco, producers of WATA and Bigga soft drinks, stands by dancehall music in the good times and the bad. According to Mr. Harding, Bigga, in their association with General B, was the first company to endorse a dancehall artiste in a television advertisement. He believes that reggae and dancehall are important assets of the country and contribute to tourism and the economy in general.
Beenie Man's renunciation of violence in the introduction of Dem a Talk played a major role in Wisynco's decision to sponsor Summer Sizzle. "We believe in supporting anything that is good and uplifting and provides an avenue for Jamaicans to interact with the WATA brand," said Mr. Harding.
He supports the effort made by the coalition to disassociate themselves from any socially unacceptable behaviour. However, he believes that "it is hypocritical and exploitative for the members of the coalition to associate themselves with dancehall when it is convenient and disassociate when it is not." Despite Red Stripe's stance with the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors, Harding says they should be commended for their positive influence on the music industry.
OUTSIDE THE COALITION
The 2005 staging of 'St. Mary Mi Come From' at the Gray's Inn Sports Complex, Annotto Bay, was sponsored by companies outside the coalition. These included CVM Television, X-News, IRIE FM, Roots FM, PG Express, Catherine's Peak, Pepsi and Crazy Jim. In an interview with THE STAR on July 28, 2005, organiser of the concert, deejay Capleton, remarked that reggae and dancehall music would always face strong resistance, but he will continue to burn the fire and maintain his resilience.
Air Jamaica Ltd., another sponsor of the Beenie Man Summer Sizzle, is a national carrier of the same train of thought. "Air Jamaica believes in supporting the community because they support us," said Charles Spence, director of sales.
Worldtron and Kia Motors have also thought it fit to endorse the Beenie Man Summer Sizzle. Heather Elliot, marketing consultant for the combined car dealership, is pleased to put the company's logo on an entertainment venture, as they have received invaluable support from the entertainment fraternity. Worldtron feel it is not their place to judge anyone or to single out any artiste. She further adds that in doing business, Worldtron is not concerned with any other company and seeks the continued support of their valued customers.
When asked the reason behind the sponsorship, Heather Elliot commented, "We are doing it in the spirit of the people."
A BLESSING FOR SMALLER SPONSORS
Clyde McKenzie, director of Shocking Vibes Limited, Beenie Man's local label, sees the coalition's stance as a blessing for smaller sponsors to be associated with what he labels a "high keyed event". He adds that a relationship is maintained with some sponsors as he doesn't want the artistes to take a hostile stance against any company. "This kind of impasse is not healthy for the industry ... at the end of the day we want to promote Jamaican culture," said Mr. McKenzie.
Despite opposition, Beenie Man has continued to make strides. Patrick Roberts, Beenie Man's manager, said that since the the coalition ban and the gay rights "excitement", Beenie Man has performed extensively overseas. This includes stops across the U.S. in Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Connecticut, New Jersey and Chicago, where he performed at the Trump Convention Centre for the Martin International Awards.
However, the 'Fireman', as Capleton is also called, is concerned about the cancellation of three or four concerts in America as a result of gay protests. Unlike Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, Capleton did not come under fire from the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors. However, he too has had to deal with international opposition to his lyrics about homosexuality. "Wi jus haffi gwaan hold di struggle, 'cause a nuh jus mental slavery, but physical slavery," he said.
