Music promoters based in NY encourage artistes to set higher standards

Felix Augustine Jr. (L) and Craig Bellot

By DNO Correspondent

Two sons of the soil based in New York who have been persistently working to promote local music worldwide have urged Dominican artists to put more effort into their work and take the art form more serious.

Craig Bellot, originally from Loubiere and Felix Augustine Jr. of Belfast – creators of Numusiczone.com – a website which provides persons across the globe with authentic Dominican music for a minimal price, advised artistes here to take a more proactive role in getting their product to a higher standard and upgrade their marketing strategies.

“We’d like artistes here to take the music business more serious. We can understand that a lot of artistes here cannot do it full time because of the whole economic situation, but there are a lot of other things that they can be doing in the mean time that will take them a little bit to the next level. That next level does not have to cost a million dollars, you know, at very minimal cost. Just a little bit more self input into the art form could take them to the next level,” Augustine stated in an interview.

“For one, utilization of websites, the generation of media kits. A media kit doesn’t cost a million dollars to put this and once you’re complete with it you can send it to a lot of people who might be interested in your product. That is one thing that we do not do here. And a lot of them are just casual musicians -an hour a day; it’s gonna take a little more dedication than that even when you juggle work and play,” Augustine said.

Though Bellot believes that the government could play better a role in the development of local music, the first move should be from the artistes themselves.

“I think the government could do a little more, but you really have to set up the business yourself. If you have to wait for government  to help you you wouldn’t get anywhere. If you believe in yourself and you believe in your product and you know people want your product, you should get out there and start selling you product. Don’t wait for the government to do anything. When you make a name for yourself you will find a lot of people running to help you, but you  have to put that initial effort and create a  good product first,” Bellot said.

Bellot suggested that artistes create music with elements that attract the international market.

Numusiczone features music of some of the top Dominican artistes including Triple Kay, Grammacks and Midnight Groovers. Each song costs 99 cents. Bellot said that every artiste receives 60 percent of the revenue for the sale of every song..

Numusiczone.com was created  three years ago and according to Bellot, the response to the site has been good so far since there is a high demand for Dominican music in the Diaspora.

“We really trying to push the music and get it out there.  The response is very good, there’s a lot of demand for Dominican music by the diaspora,-people in the UK, New York where they can’t go into a record shop and just get music so the site has made that very simple where they can just log unto the website and get their music,”   Bellot said.

The two entrepreneurs recently took a trip to Dominica to conduct interviews with the Dominican musicians featured on the site. These interviews can be accessed on the website.

Augustine noted that the interviews seek to encourage local artistes to create music videos to better market themselves.

“What we’re trying to do with the videos is to encourage the artistes here to get involved in making music videos. Right now, the only way you can truly market your product now is via internet and tv, radio-yes, but in terms of getting your product with the [appropriate] medium and if you don’t do any videos and stuff it’s not gonna be seen.  So the whole idea is to add a visual component to the site,” Augustine explained.

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32 Comments

  1. October 29, 2011

    Great Job Guys. save Wikileaks from the dictators like China and USA. Truth shall win

  2. May 11, 2010

    To be honest I love my bouyon music but them lyrics now adays mi cant iya. so guys plz improve on the vibes and don’t let what the 1st wck and I say the 1st wck and 1st senerade started to be deemed memorable to fall in ur generation. lyke what dancehall iz doing to Bob, Peter , Burning Spear etc. reggae musiz.
    Man ah pure vibes we need so let’s burn that trash.
    JAAAAAAH RAAAASTAFARIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!

  3. May 11, 2010

    Da shall be high in this Armageddon, keep doing what you idrens doing, this will be a stepping stone for coming generations.
    King Selassie I blessings

  4. Visitor
    May 7, 2010

    It amazing how Dominicans bash their own so frequently. Have you not listened to the lyrics of hit song put out in the states. Yet the songs make millions. Its all about about marketing and good beats, which Dominican music has.

  5. WINNIE
    May 7, 2010

    Lixx and Craig

    Great work as usually. it’s always great to see our own people return and make meaningful contributions to our lovely island. what is even more impressive is the fact that though you all no longer reside here you take the time out of your busy schedules where you are and assist our Dominican artist.

    Great job guys and keep doing what you guys do.

    http://www.numusiczone.com

    Authentic Caribbean Music

  6. May 6, 2010

    Oh snap I forgot to mention Dominican Rapper Klass Money based in Miami FL….son of Carol and Jefferson Scotland….check out his interview too!
    http://www.20questionswiththelime.com/2009/04/klass-money.html

  7. May 6, 2010

    The Lime is also making efforts to highlight Dominican music and artists….click the link to see our interviews with Dice, marie-claire, Nelly Stharre… (more Dominican artists to come)
    http://www.20questionswiththelime.com/search?q=dominica

    As far as the comments by the NuMusicZone team, I concur. Artists can start with just the basics, like having a bio, or sending an image when you release a song, many forms of promotion are done like they are promoting to friends….If artists want to be taken seriously on the international market they must not only be professional, but inform themselves as to what it takes to be a success in said market. Having an EPK is standard, setting up a MySpace, FaceBook, You Tube page is a must….and please update after you set up. Finding media to promote your music is key. Well written press-releases etc. go a long way in cementing your name in the field and earning respect.

    Big up to all the artists on Facebook….but that is just a start……

  8. DA4LYFE
    May 6, 2010

    Finally the lack of creativity in Dominican music is being brought to light…THANK YOU… To be utterly honest the Dominica music and artists that’s out today SUCK..They lack creativity,lyrics,again LYRICS the only good thing in Dominican music is the bouyon beats but the Dominican artist not utilizing those beats to it full potential (hence,that’s why other artist from other countries (**cough** St Lucia) stealing our beats and making a name for themselves an international name to be exact). I think we need to bring back Dominican music from 15yr-20yrs ago like the original WCK band the new bands in Dominica SUCK,again SUCK that’s why nobody know them outside of Dominica..Before you guys start to attack my comment let me be clear again Triple Kay and New WCK SUCK just a bunch of noise..

    P.S

    Numusiczone.com is an excellent site I recommended everyone to join..

    DA4LYFE

    • May 6, 2010

      Everything is not for everyone…that’s why you have your Dice, you Michelle Henderson, your Shalli (she is half Dominican-half Jamaican), Nelly Stharre, Symplz, OlBenz, marie-claire, Puskey and KoKo Killa and Falcon from Esclav Band, Lazo, Ben Caesar (French Dominican Rapper) I could go on and on…. Point is find the one that works for you and run with that….I love CK and Triple K and MFR each one have its time and place in my life, but I listen to a wide variety of artists too…as they say variety is the spice of life…..

    • PALANCER
      May 6, 2010

      TRIPLE KAY SOUSE IS THE NUMBER ONE TUNE IN ST.LUCIA AND LAST YEAR IT WAS NUMBER ONE ST.VINCENT AND NUMBER ONE IN ANTIGUA. BOUYON JUST NEED GOOD MARKETING AND GOOD ARTIST WE ALREADY GOT THE BEATS THE RIDDIIM WE GOT THIS.. WE NEED STAGE PERFORMERS AND ARTIST WITH LYRICS.. A FEW CHANTS HERE AND THERE CAN STILL ROCK A FET BUT WE NEED MORE SUBSTANCE IN THE MUSIC.

      • May 6, 2010

        Ya and I want to add that many Trini artists use Bouyon beats and it works for them, so maybe its not so much the beats that need to be improved on but the quality of the lyrics and the cadence of the songs themselves….

    • DA4LYFE
      May 6, 2010

      @ Ayeola/The Lime
      I didn’t know Dominica had so many artistes.I myself only knew a few names listed above which is Dice and Michelle Henderson aka cutey cutey ,midnight groovers,..The rest of the artistes are new to me and probably the rest of the diaspora but more power to them I wish them great success..My point still stand those artistes are not international known compare with triple kay band or wck…Poeple who are not from Dominica are more likely to mention those two bands as representation of Dominica music in most cases but all cases…I reside in NYC, Brooklyn to exact,and let me tell you this Triple Kay band/WCK are hardly on any Caribbean radio station in BK and anyone who stay in Brooklyn can attest to this,everybody country get love because they bring good music with good lyrics…If you cannot get constant radio play in BK off all places there is good chance it’s the same in different parts of USA,Canada,UK…

      @Palancer
      Lyrical content is lacking bad in Dominican artistes today,I mean have have you heard the wood dem song I’m pretty sure you did and even the one hit you mention “souse” the lyric’s are so bad “girl you looking good like a plate of food,tonight I am feeling rude I want to go down in your souse (2X)”..Now really come on now…I keep thinking the lead singer of triple kay band international have some mucus stuck in his throat every time I hear him sing… I digress…We have the riddem/beats but we lack good performers…we need a Dominican Ricky T… when you go to Caribbeans club they actually play those smaller island artistes because it’s good.. Mostly all the beat/riddems on Ricky T uses have been from D’ca recycle beats..

      DA4LYFE

  9. W
    May 6, 2010

    so long i been sayign that and people just responding WCK is the best when the music is rubbish worst every year. it was good before in the early yrs

  10. May 6, 2010

    SOME OF THAT BOUYON GIVES ME TROLORLOR…..ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT THINK THEY CAN SING.

    • labourrrrrr power 2
      May 6, 2010

      hahahahahhahahaha

      • badman doh play
        May 7, 2010

        hahahhaha boiii lookk joke labour power allu hire the pwerson so much……and u lauging

  11. BAMMY
    May 6, 2010

    To be Politically INCORRECT- THIS BOUYON CRAP CANNOT CAPTURE ANY MARKET.LYRICS THAT IS CRAPTASTIC AND MEL MUSICIANSHIP – POOR POOR -FAILING GRADE. THE SINGERS CANNOT SING ( JUST IMAGINE THE LEAD SINBGER OF KKK BAND GETTTING NATIONAL AWARD FOR BEST VOCALIST- ARE YOU KIDDING ME)

    TO MITCHELLE AND OTHERS WHO PRIDE THEMSELVES IN MAKING VALUABLE MUSIC I IMPLORE YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY. THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CAN BE EXCRUCIATING. YOUR BEST SHOULD BE TO KEEP TRYING AND BE PROFESSIONAL

    TRUE PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS WILL KNOW THAT THIS BOUYON MUSIC -THE WAY IT IS IS DOOMED.

    • BB
      May 6, 2010

      That’s a generalization if I’ve ever heard one! Every genre of music has its crap. There are Bouyon lyrics and songs that are pretty good and can be very marketable. Though I’m not a fan, I would not make such generalizations about the genre.

    • pastense
      May 6, 2010

      its time local music artists go outside of this bouyon failing genre or re-invent it because it has died a miserable death. and its about time we had some rock and metal bands emerging from the caribbean. too much rap, hip hop and RnB mainstream slave trade music. open up your eyes man!

      • May 11, 2010

        we need more rasta, roots, reggae music!
        this is ras rick ready to roll

    • PALANCER
      May 6, 2010

      LOL U SOUND MAD.. ONLYTHING CRAP ABOUT BOUYON IS THE LYRICS OF THE NEW BOUYONS NOT THE OLD ONES. DOMINICA GAINS ALOT OF RESPECT IN OTHER ISLANDS WITH BOUYON BELIEVE IT OR NOT.

  12. May 6, 2010

    i love this interview very intresting and i Do agree 100% wit felix and criag we need to take the artform to the next level while we need to do so i think we as artist and other people in the field of entertainment need to come together and make it happen as much as i would love to make a music video usually the peeps in DA ask for like 3 and 5 grand to do a musci video which i find is a bit high

  13. badman doh play
    May 6, 2010

    DOMINICA MUSIC HAVE TO GO FAR FROM WHERE TRIPLE KAY PUTT IT NOW EVERBODY HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW FOR OURR MUSIC …….WOOD DEMM WOOD DEMMMM…..BEND DOWN FOR THE WOOD …………I HOPE IS DATT THEY NOT POSTING UP ON THE WEBSITE …..HAHAHA………ALLL DOMINCAS LIKE IT SO WHO AM II

  14. May 6, 2010

    i had never heard of this website before..thanks for letting me know about it..this is such a great idea..i really hope people will support our local musicians on there..i have to say i agree with the music videos..the local bands should try to make more music videos to market their music…Musi cvideos is a good way of motivating people to buy music..i know the local artists may say it’s costly but in business u have to spend money to make money..they can also try to get sponsorship to help pay for the cost of the music video..Anyway dats just my input..i really hope people buy music on the website..

  15. tm
    May 6, 2010

    great keep on doing wat u doing its a positive thing

  16. Flexible
    May 6, 2010

    I checked out the site and it amazing man. it is about time that somebody with genuine interest for musicians looked out for them and so numusiczone should be highly commended for their efforts. Boiii, I found songs I had not heard for so long. I got all dem calypso for this year. Numusiczone keep them tracks coming. I hope dem other artist upload more tracks soon. I always use to ask man to send me tracks, through pirate, but for just 99 cents i can support my country artist man and i doh have to buy the whole album. Again the site is dope. Nuffff respect guys. Hey and i check out the little videos and them things proper man. I checking i never knew them things Cornel was saying there.

  17. Mr Augustine & Mr Bellot, There’s A young group from the village of Paix-Bouche . called (Symplz int) and I know that they are waiting for the opportunity to sell their music. I have been listening to their music and they got some lovely tracts.

    Mr Augustine I know that your Roots are from Paix-Bouche, and am sure Symplz would do well with your help. so please contact them . or you can check them out on FB and youtube thanks.

  18. dangles
    May 6, 2010

    guys continuue representing yourselves and the nature isle out there.you,ve been doing a pretty good job and from us at home we want to wish you the continued blessings of the father and may ressovoirs of blessings fall apon you all.

  19. NIKE
    May 6, 2010

    Great move guys!

    I remember having a similar discussion with Cuffy during a session at DFC last year.

    But that rough ting is promoters say this and that and when musicians try to get their help they want 75 cents from every dollar. There is no grace period to say we will promote you for 1 year to get you established and them after that we will work out a commission the minute the sell one song they want there cut. So what you find is the more popular musicians who are already in demand will get a great push because everybody know their music as oppose to pushing somebody new and upcoming.

    We appreciate the role of the promoters but they need to understand that musicians are the one taking the grinds and if working with them is not viable its too costly musicians would prefer walk with CDs in their bags and sell and know whatever they make is theirs, no commission to pay.

    It would be good to know the basic cost of maketing a single and an average CD with 12 hits?

  20. Jeff
    May 6, 2010

    Great site guys. Keep up the good work.

    • Amigarosa
      May 6, 2010

      Bellee and Felix,

      You guys are doing an amazing job. The site looks better than ever. Keep it up! All the success to you two!!!

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