Greater respect for local artists, is said to be one of the burning issues affecting the music industry in Dominica, and at least two well-known musicians are voicing their concerns on the entire matter and calling for change.
Val “Young Bull” Cuffy, who is a Calypsonian/ Entertainer and Michelle Henderson Delsol, Musician/Composer/Entertainer chose a meeting between the Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and cabinet ministers and government officials along with the stakeholders of the industry, to drive their point home.
“When I was at the Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) it was always a problem for people to respect the fact that our local musicians are entertainers as well,” Cuffy said. “We had some people who do not understand the value of respecting our local talents.”
To add insult to injury, Cuffy stated that when local artistes make certain requests for payment, it is perceived as a problem.
“People making fuss because they are not getting respected, little bands get to play on the stage, because is a little half an hour they playing for,” he stated.
Cuffy said he is in the music industry because of his love for it.
“People like me don’t need music but I love the industry … I can sell condoms and survive,” he noted. “Many of you here, all you know is to do a little music and you feel happy because somebody call you for a little show somewhere but you not realizing that you have to bathe, use soap, use water, roll-on, you have to buy clothes. To the point, Mr. Prime Minister, that people even perform with the same clothes that you see them with in the last show, because they can’t buy clothes.”
Meantime Henderson-Delsol who is no stranger in the industry and has graced several local, regional and international stages, said the treatment of local artistes at the flagship event of Dominica, the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), needs to be improved.
“Whereas we have seen improvements over the years, there is still room for a lot more improvements and I don’t think that there should be a distinction between local and foreign artists where treatment is concerned,” she pointed out.
She also noted that the training of practitioners in the music industry on all levels is important.
Henderson-Delsol also has a major gripe in the manner the WCMF is being marketed, arguing that artistes should have an input.
“We would also like to have our input when discussing marketing plans for the festival so that the musicians, managers, publicists are involved, so we can put together a more robust, compact, marketing plan that can have a better effect,” she pointed out, adding that marketing in the French market should be maximized to have a bigger impact.
I support the cause, all that said, then why did Val consistently leave a top local band Midnight Groovers out of WCMF despite public outcry, when he was at the helm? Then Wadix had to unequivocally reinstate them.Tell me who lacks respect for local musicians.
Carcon, if you have to rely on govt. to give you a living as a musician you are obviously not worth listening to.
happy that the condom industry is doing so well in my beautiful island…… Wooossshhh Val you are the best
Guys, with all due respect you chose your trade and the kind of music you play. The public is free to make its own choice too. So it is up to you really. To get support you must play and present the kind of music that is popular. We are not obliged to support you and respect you just because you are Dominican. That is small thinking man. After all you want to be appreciated by a world-wide audience, don’t you? That’s where the real money is, so put your target on that!
People have no respect for artists who suck up to corrupt politicians….”never let a politician, grant you a favour, they will always want to, control you forever” (Bob Marley…Natty Dread Album).
Big up to Nasio….
Two other people have mentioned what I am thinking but I will add my piece
Mr. Cuffy I do not live in Dominica–that is from a long time now–I have no idea what is the mentality of those who are involved in music–whom you called “local artists”.
But I am familiar with the lyrics of calypso; I know that you people do not sing the words like “Gregory Isaac’s”, for example–not that I expect that from the lyrics of Calypso. But those people gained a tremendous amount of respect–both locally and internationally
I knew a man in Dominica, he was a friend of all of us in my village, but he was not from there–I think he was from Penville, we called him “Starrette”. He was born blind, but he could play any musical instrument, so beautifully–I know for sure that, that man was well respected by all people around him.
My point? We do not demand respect from other people; respect is like a “paycheck” that is earned, not granted–I hope you know this.
Get your in formation correct Starette was from the village of Thibaud.
Wcmf is a three day music festival and not a company to market dominica music.da musicians must define their market,local, regional or international and produce the music that will satisfy their customers.no government can develop music industry . it has not happenedlk, in the most developed music countries in the world and it will not happen in dominica.the government must give assistance to the musicians,but it is the responsibility of the musicians to develop their industry.
Well give respect to others and then it will comes right back to you. You must give it to own it.
How do you respect artists who are bent at imitating Jamaicans and Americans? It makes more sense to get the real thing…Then again, the people want Nasio, figure it out!
The Dominican singers need to be open minded when comes to music and entertaining, most can’t even dance and they
and not taking lessons. look at the Fanatic video, “let’s Go Fanatik” the police from Salisbury looking like, you know what…
It’s about time they make and sing songs for the region and the world and done with that local approach. As long as they
stay local, they’ll remain like a hamster running on a hamster wheel.
It seems they want me person who is not into the music scene to come on the music train and show them how its done…
I used to like Fanatik, until that police start singing for them. Coming and sing for people in your undercover uniform (baggy jeans, over sized polo shirt, and police boots). No stage presence, no voice training, ok you know the words of the song, but that is about it. Best Mr. stick to the calypso. that kind of stage life just not for you buddy. who doh like it stay vex.
That’s Bull Crap! you earn respect by giving respect Mr. Bull, the Dominica music industry has turned into a political fiascos, thanks to musicians like you. You choose to air your political views and expect us to buy or listen to that crap. You musicians are your worst enemies. Express yourself in the form off comedy or metaphor, not malice or maypeew, example in your song you sang Kleva jealous Mon ell, now you want to pass the bucks. Clean your house first, Mr. Bullies
You guys are echoing old frustrations. Dominica has always been a dictatorship. There is no room for innovation, input or ideas of others. Only a few control everything. It makes sense that musicians should be involved in the promotion of WCM. Then again, you guys have Colin Idiot at the helm. This man is a moron on all accounts.
Most are quiet and say nothing, so the idiots continue to run things as usual.
The only thing you all can do best is call others idiot and moron this is pure example of no respect.
What kind of respect are these people demanding? Just about anybody who have the desire to play a musical instrument, once they put their mind to it the will succeed. There is nothing special about anybody in Dominica who wrote patios song, and are capable of playing an instrument.
One do not demand Respect from people, respect is something earned. What are you people contributing to the welfare of society? Dance music, if someone goes out and dance on an empty stomach, they can collapsed and die. There are musicians in this country they are remembered most of the time when one see a billboard advertising a venue where they are performing.
People donot walk around revering simply because they play music, if you have a talent, who cares that’s yours, if you can live by it “fair ye well,” but don’t expect people to put you on a pedestal, and kiss your Butt; that’s what you want!
Well I can understand the plight of the local musicians , but we have to also take into consideration that, the influx of foreigners to the WCMF will only be huge because of well known international musical stars, if we want it to be profitable economically to Dominica, and we must stop believing because we are known as local musicians we should get paid like international superstars, as for Mr. Cuffy he is a paradox because he made it so difficult for a local musical group to perform at the WCMF. At the same time we cannot exclude our local musicians in the WCMF, it just has to be well balance
make better music and all you will get more respect. Michelle you not bad at all, but the rest, majority is crap.
And thats no bull”. Straight talk.
Cuffy and Henderson hats off to you all,Piper has no clue about music and look @the position he is in,our country will keep going backward until this stigma comes to a stop,this is what you all should have been asking for a long time,i have helped so many musicians in the past and will continue,but as per the ones in charge of the festival,they should all get walking papers.
Respect is earned. You do not have to ask for it. I will not settle for mediocrity just because it is from Dominica.