( L - R ) Producer Cordel 'Scatta' Burrell. , Nanko - File photos

Hype in the dancehall is as common as scantily clad women and catchy lyrics. From the old to the young, dancehall's artistes sometimes have more ego than good sense. As managers and producers scope the musical landscape for fresh talent they have to keep them under tight reins from catching the hype factor.

When a young artiste enters the business green and full of expectations, they don't often have the financial backing to get the push needed on radio, in dances and on stage shows. This is where the manager or producer steps in, spots talent and funds the promotion of the artiste. However, once the artiste spreads their wings they get caught up in the glitz and glamour, leaving their management behind, burnt and unwilling to give chances to new talent.

Was discouraged

There is an extended list of young artistes and managers in dancehall who have been through splitsville due to hype. Producer Cordell 'Scatta' Burrell felt that burden when he severed ties with artiste Aidonia, who he had worked with for over a year.

According to reports in THE STAR, the two split after Aidonia refused to sign a contract that was put together by Scatta's lawyer. After the experience of pumping money into the artiste's promotion, Scatta said that he was discouraged from working with any other new artiste stating, "as far as mi concern, the situation wid Aidonia just mek it bad fi any young artiste weh woulda even waan think 'bout approach mi. When me a drive a road or no weh, mi nuh waan si no yout a come to mi a tell mi seh dem a artiste. All young artiste, just leave mi alone."

Downsound records also felt the growing pains when ties were severed with Fantan Mojah and Nanko. When THE STAR had previously spoken with Mojah, he claimed the two parties were not seeing eye-to-eye, stating that he needed to look out for himself. Trouble continued to brew for Downsound with their up and coming artiste Nanko who reportedly had problems with his contract.

As previously reported, after contractual concerns were voiced, the artiste and label adjusted their contract. However, that did not stop Nanko from leaving. Nanko reportedly left the island, leaving the record company, and refused to take their calls or respond to emails. In a statement released by Downsound, they had emphasised that a significant sun of US dollars had been spent on the artiste for recordings, videos, personal expenses and promotion.

More recently it has been rumoured that Konshens and management Natural Bridge have parted company. On a popular entertainment website, Natural Bridge CEO Mark Pinnock said that he had decided to drop the artiste from the label as his five year contract with him was officially over.

Lacked vision

He told the website "at the time the contract was signed, I had something to prove, because the artiste I had before lacked vision and the drive to move forward. I got him out there in only eight months, but now, Konshens is showing that he's self-centred, egotistical and full of himself and he still has no clue of the business." Pinnock further commented that he has lost money that he put into the artiste's career.

While the managers complain, according to Boswell 'Stampede' Lammie of Stampede Street Charts, he believes the blame shouldn't be placed solely on the artistes. Stampede has worked over the years on 'bussing' artistes like RDX, Macka Diamond, Bascom X, I Wayne, Gyptian and others.

"You see most of di new artistes can't be blamed cause dem get carried away wid di hype and wid di friends round dem who hype. Management need to understand and talk to di artistes cause sometimes they are like kids who get carried away with the excitement," Stampede said.

Stampede's method of dealing with the artistes he says, is to 'low dem', let them explore new avenues and then they realise what they had and return to the nest.