BY STEVEN JACKSON Observer writer

Sunday, May 02, 2010

RESPECTED underground dubpoet Steppa lashed out at deejay Vybz Kartel, disc jockeys and promoters for frustrating poets into leaving the profession.

Poets don't get a fraction of radio play of hardcore dancehall nor do they get paid as artistes, he stated at Seh Sup'm, a monthly event geared at exposing talent, held on Sunday at Village Café in Kingston.

"Mr disc jockey nah play poetry, dem fraid to recognise it. Many times I try but I get frustrated and you see some poppy show a go on," Steppa told the cheering group of about 50, "and you see some poppy show a go on 'A where you get that from dawdy'... we a trample dem and those things long time".

Steppa was alluding to the song by Kartel which lauds Clarks, a UK-based shoe. The Observer previously reported that the popularity of the single led to a 30 per cent rise in the price of Clarks from $6,000 to $8,000 at some stores.

Steppa, whose lyrical attack is a cross between DYCR and 70s poet Mickey Smith, left the profession at his zenith some five years ago in frustration. During his hiatus, he did social work in the prisons. He reappeared early this year at Fi Wi Sinting in Portland and performed alongside Royal African Soldiers prior to Sunday's performance.

"When you go to events dem want you perform for free or share the entrance," he stated about the struggling life of many poets. Despite the negatives of the business, Steppa is in the process of publishing an anthology of 65 poems which would include a CD.

Prior to Steppa's performance another respected set of poets Sage and Dubmaster Lynch of the group LSX rejected the term poetry as it represented for them poverty.

"We are dancehall poets," said Dubmaster Lynch at the event. "In fact, I don't even like the name poetry because it is too poor, we need a new word."

Both members currently attend the Edna Manley College and since 2010 the group, and its friends including the poet Ganja have been experimenting with a rhythmic flow that is neither dub nor dancehall. It is reflects not merely an attempt at innovation but a desire to make it mainstream.

The show's headliner was singjay Infinity backed by the Omega band. Highlights included his catchy song Psycho which warned fans of his stalker girlfriend. "I not going to let May end without releasing the song as a single," Infinity told the Observer after his performance.

Infinity also quit music in 2005 having been shepherded by known reggae producer Phillip 'Fattis' Burrell from the Xterminator label. His single will be produced by Andrew 'Pregs' Thompson, who is also the drummer for international dancehall artiste Sean Paul. Infinity born Daniel Edwards is also an insurance manager at Sagicor.

Seh Sup'm invites artistes who generally lack commercial success (to date) but who display artistic freedom of form and lyricism unknown to pop artistes constrained by commercialism.