lol wow DOC is see you pick up my comments from the " is dancehall dead post". There are some good points listed here as to dancehall distribution. VP records just bought out Greensleeves label is that to improve distribution- doubt it. Dancehall has always been different than other genres of music, even soca doesnt REALLY use riddims but is more centered on the artist and not the producer. Dancehall artist really only make there money via dub plates, and stage shows however there are so many ppl now with home studio putting music out. If you not established already you have to push your music or hook up with someone that break you into the business. How many of theses ppl with dancehall hits do you think actually makin any real money, not many. Dancehall is very popular in Europe, Japan, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, most of Florida, parts of Texas and Cali. Outside of the Caribbean your market is limited more positive exposure is need. Alicia Keys song with Jr. Reid and her performance on the awards show helped dancehall. Artist, producers, and record labels need to properly market dancehall and take advantage of the positive vibes that do occur in dancehall. I personally think that dancehall and some other forms of music need the underground push be it Raj (although he should have worked with the artist n labels better) and places like slsk and the ZONE. I can personally attest to being the first to actually get music on the air in my country by giving them to different radio programmers and telling them hey this is going to be a hit in a year or so. I even give some songs/cds/ riddims to other DJ friends in the business for free, in order to get the music out there, because they have no clue or idea where to get it from. Dancehall artist depend a great deal on which DJs going to play there music and keep pushing it, theses DJs need the access to the music and the fans need the chance to be exposed to it. OK thats enough typing..just a few thoughts on the topic.
Actually I never read the "is dancehall dead" post but I'm glad to see someone else who views it the same way. However, I feel there are two separate distribution networks in dancehall: the one for the professionals (radio, sound systems, club DJs, etc.) and for the consumers (the average listener at home). As the pro distribution net continues to transition away from vinyl to digital I think this network is only going to get better (it's pretty good already). The limiting factor here is audience response/demand and the best quality distribution network can't change that.
On the other hand, the consumer distribution network is the one I feel is poor and probably won't change until some fundamental issues are changed in the dancehall music industry...
fyahhh....u got it right a pure politics a gwaan reggae/dancehall artists nuh compromise fi keep di music real but in return it nuh get nuh recognition from main distribution, remember di batty man dem nuh want nuh dancehall and di politicians dem nuh need another BOB MARELY fi f**k up dem movement.