Local and regional music producer, Krishna “Dada” Lawrence believes Bouyon music should be “released” to the world but, what does this really mean? The answer may surprise you.
Speaking with DNO at the video shoot at the Cabrits for the Bouyon Soca hit “Famalay” last week, Lawrence expressed his observations on bouyon music, the music industry in general and the impact his collaboration with Machel Montano, Bunji Garlin and Skinny Fabulous has had.
When asked about the controversy that has been brewing over the original handling of the classification of the song as Soca instead of Bouyon Soca (which has since been corrected and addressed by Skinny Fabulous), he explained that it is a question of numbers, “Bouyon doesn’t have the numbers.” He understands why the argument was made for a simple Soca label, to increase marketability.
Dada’s statement is significant here because according to his own account, he had always pushed for the song to be labeled Bouyon Soca.
He explained that the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPA) tracks the numbers concerning the use of music and if a genre of Bouyon can get significant numbers then the organization will make provisions for that genre.
These numbers have wide spread influence and a practical effect on the genre including classification and marketing of the music. For example, iTunes sales tracking (songs purchased and downloaded worldwide through iTunes) does not recognize the Bouyon genre or even the soca genre. The song Famalay was able to reach number 1 as the most downloaded reggae song on January 5th less than 24 hours after its release.
The song took the top spot above Bob Marley’s “three little birds” which worldwide, is the number one downloaded reggae song on the chart over the last few years.
Dada supports Machel Montano’s long standing campaign to promote Caribbean music and culture to the world. In his bid to emphasize regional unity, Machel has also stated that his genre of music doesn’t belong to one island.
“Going back to the same thing Machel was saying, we need to release the music….” Dada said.
He went on to elaborate, “That is one of the reasons Bouyon music stayed in Dominica and stay back for all these years…..we had great artists we had great songs but we keep the music limited to Dominica alone…”
Dada recognizes that there are areas outside of Dominica (such as Antigua and the Virgin Islands) where Bouyon has spread its influence but according to him, mainly Dominicans living there are the ones consuming the music.
He continued, “So now as we release the music, look at what happen from it, an international hit number one. The song never struggle at all…”
He urges everyone to focus on the positivity of this achievement, and maintains that much of the negativity comes from ignorance of how the music industry works. “You tube have everything on it, FOR FREE,…you can learn [the] music business, learn how the system works.”
Dada is very optimistic about the future potential of Bouyon. He noted that the song Famalay beat out Bob Marley’s and Shaggy’s and Sting’s songs on iTunes to become number one in the reggae genre.
“Shaggy and sting just won a grammy,” he exclaimed.
The producer went on to explain the significance of that fact. “Machel Montano’s GOAT album debuted at number 1 on the Bill Board Reggae One Hundred Chart.
“BILL BOARD you know…so what that saying now is we may very well get a grammy nomination for that song and that album, …next year at the grammys.”
He also said to underscore the point, “We make the history already, right now we not talking about little Caribbean numbers, you talking about international – where it matters, the Drake(s )the Cardi Bs that’s the numbers we talkin about there you know.” Let’s look forward to that and lets keep the positive energy flowing.”
He was very pleased with the turn out for the video and the “positive vibes” and expressed that he only wished Bunji Garlin could have joined Machel and Skinny Fabulous in the shoot in Dominica. He explained that Bunji was unable to make it due to an issue over his flight and scheduling.
*Editor’s note* DBS radio will be hosting the fourth Bouyon day on 26th February 2019 (tomorrow) and encourages the public to attend and make a contribution. All local stations are asked to commemorate the day by playing only Bouyon songs. A “Bouyon festival” is scheduled to be held between the E.C Loblack Bridge and the West Bridge from 6pm in Roseau.
No, please leave bouyon music in Dominica. Its an awful genre, without any musicality or any redeeming qualities. For instance, if it was taken to Jamaica, they would rightfully run it off island.
Keep bouyon in Dominica; they deserve it.
No thanks. Bouyon is the worse music in the world. It has no redeeming qualities or musicality. If this was taken to Jamaica for instance, they would chase you off island.
Let bouyon stay in Dominica with the small island mentality; its where it belongs.
so, every year, not to the world the music being released to? Our problem is we do not partner with others and market our music properly. the level of bouyon being made today by these new artists cannot and will not last on the world stage. Artists need to take the craft seriously and work on their lyrical content, delivery and overall stage performance and production. We want to emulate everyone else but not realizing that everyone else is searching for something original and authentic, which is what dominica has always produced.
i wonder how much DADA will make
In days of WCK the original and Serenade Bouyon made sense. There was lyrics, melody, musical arrangements. Now its just fellas talking majee thats where Dominicans drew away from it. Look what Machel did with it? This is going to make him milliions. I hope we learned something.
Which world? the Caribbean is our world. Bouyon music must evolved, it is to limited, there’s no movement. I would suggest more vocal harmony, more love messages, some slower songs and less noise.
and better lyrics.. they are so basic and repetitive..
in the late 90’s and early 2000’s i went to eastern parkway every year
i remember in one year WCK was out with de Marathon song and you should have seWCK are de original pioneers of de Bouyon sound. Machel Montano knows this too well………he was on de park way with us too!!!!
Dat ting we call bouyon sound like de days of drum machine…….creating rhythms.
Wadicole contributed.
But dat drum machine rhythm style was what Jamband used to play in USVI
Efex Band came closest to the Jam sound,,,,,while WCK was creating de BOUYON.
dat ting i hear today doh even have a shak shak or accordion………today tunes is just noise and beff……without much positive inspiration for todays youths………it us seen as bad man music imagine that…….see where we come
True Vibes, And We Need To Write Better Lyrics.
Dada your 100 pct right my brother,Look @ the Bouyon Original pioneers,what did they accomplish,more than back stabbed each other,when they were the ones to push Bouyon all over the world,but now wants to get upset,these guys made egos ruin their careers.smh!!!!
Reggae, as sting and shaggy easy get promoted internationally cuz of real talent, no doubt its really good music. Not everyone can stand bouillon, soca, not even zouk. Nothing comparable actually! I’m afraid it’s a no chance for that worldwide appart from diaspora people maybe. Same way, Jazz is not Dominica vibes. Soca is not worldwide people vibes. Sorry to say but that’s a fact.
A MOST VALID POINT YOU MAKE HERE !
Bouyon Music has become too noisy.
This is so true. Bouyon music, if it can really be considered as such has been degraded over the years. When the genre was created the music had real potential. All of that got lost with the shout out to gangs when the younger folks started infusing hip hop and dancehall into the genre. I had no problem with that since I have always maintained that the bouyon riddim is a great one. It almost seems that it is our own artists who are doing the injustice to the genre.
When a Trini puts on a bouyon song and hears call outs to gangs of people for the first minute and a half of every song, people that they dont even know who they are, can our music leave Dominica? Some of our artists need to know their strengths also. Some have lyrics but no diction, I like to listen to music and not shouting. Montano isn’t the first to use our bouyon beat better than us, what lessons can our guys learn? The St. Lucian in recent years have risen with their own brand collaborating with everyone.
I used to like (some) Bouyon music but it just sounds like pots & pans to me now
Well Said Dada that’s so true we need to ”Release the music to the world” and stop limiting it to Dominica or Dominicans.