DUB-PLATES, as costly as they might be, are still in great demand.
Even with less street dances being held a number of sound systems are still clamouring to get their hands on dub-plates.
Dub-plates which are essentially personalized recordings of songs cost as much as $160,000, depending on the artiste involved.
Record producers and sound system operators like Jack Scorpio feel the dub-plate industry is quite popular. "There is a large number of sound system operators who are still buying dub-plates to promote their sounds. Dub-plates easily promote a pre-released single and sound system operators abroad also need these.
The overseas operators after hearing the songs, rush to Jamaica to find the artistes who may charge exorbitant prices.
Ms. Brenda Hamilton, managing director of XL Agency, feels there is a a huge overseas market for Jamaican dub-plates. "People are always calling me for dub-plates from artistes like Baby Cham and Chico. They hear these songs abroad on radio and in clubs, could have played the singles but they usually need to big up sounds with the name of the selectors."
Ms. Hamilton said one reason for the dub-plates popularity is that the customer can even choose the rhythm.
Chris Chambers, selector of Exclusive Sound System says the dub-plate industry is very much alive. "Sound operators in America and in Japan are excited about dub-plates. There are sound system clashes abroad with ninety per cent of the songs from Jamaican dubplates.
But, operators say some of our artistes are overcharging. Chambers said; "We would love if these artistes work with us at an affordable level."
