Women In the Industry

(Dear WISY)

"I’m writing to tell you a little about what goes on in the entertainment industry.  I want people to know what female artists are faced with on a daily basis.  Let me make it clear that I am speaking about the Dancehall industry in Jamaica.  I’ve been told that female dancehall artists in other islands don’t get treated like we do, but that’s something for them to come talk about.  I can only talk about my own experiences.

I’m going to be as blunt as I possibly can and I would hope that you don’t edit my letter too much.  I’m not asking for advice nor do I need any.  I’ve learned all I need to know in my environment. 

The Dancehall industry in Jamaica is a disgrace as far as women are concerned.  First of all, there are too many women in the industry that don’t write for themselves.  Some producer decides to put one of his f8ck buddies on a riddim and writes all her lyrics and the b*itch can’t even hold a note.  The song is auto tuned to no end and that same song ends up in heavy rotation because of connects and links that the producer has not because the chick can actually sing/perform.

For those of us who can perform and write AND hold a note, we have to bring some lyrics that go above and beyond our male counterparts and when we get on stage we have to do Olympic level gymnastics for the crowd to give us a forward.  We thoroughly entertain and the show promoters won’t even give us the proper amenities back stage.  It’s a damn disgrace!

We have to deal with the rumours of sleeping with whomever we are working with.  If I do a collaboration with a male DJ does it automatically mean I am f*cking him?  Come on people!  I am talented and I’ve worked so hard to keep myself afloat in the industry but every day I am faced with some kind of judgment or stereotype.  It makes me want to leave Dancehall and pursue a career elsewhere.

As I said, this is just a little about the industry.  There’s a lot more that I could discuss, but I just want people to appreciate us more.  Respect the hard work we put in for your entertainment and stop the foolishness."

Not So Rasta

For our answer to this letter, please visit http://everythingepiphani.com/magazine.html

Dear WISY,

At night, I sit and cry because I have tried so hard to be a successful reggae singer, but I can’t seem to get that one opportunity to show my stuff.  I graduated from school a couple years ago and all my friends thought I would be successful with my singing.  We used to have talent shows and everyone asked me to help them write their songs.  I think I’m talented and I think I have what it takes to be an international super star but I just can’t get anyone to take me seriously.  I write songs that are true to me and reflect my upbringing.  I was raised in a Rastafarian family, so I am conscious.

 

I’ve been told that I will not make it in this business unless I sing about sex and slackness because that it what sells.  I really want to be successful so lately I have been contemplating changing my style of writing and singing.  I’ve even started going to the dances where these girls skin out on their head top and wine up on the men.  The lyrics of the songs make me feel uncomfortable, but I think if I continue to attend these types of parties, I will get used to it and be able to transition.  I have already gone against my parents’ wishes and put a relaxer in my hair.  I don’t smoke herb and I eat chicken every once in a while.  So, I have already started to stray from my upbringing.  Would it be so bad if I just continued on my path to gain what I want?

This really goes against everything I’ve been raised to believe in but what am I supposed to do when that seems to be the only key to success?  But then again, I think about my parents and the way they raised me and I would be such a disgrace to the family if I were to ever go on stage and show my body and sing about what is meant to be sacred for acceptance.  As you can guess I’m very confused and need direction.

Please help!

Signed,

Not So Rasta

Artist Fetish

The following is a letter from one of our readers.  Please leave a comment below.  For our answer to this letter, please visit http://everythingepiphani.com/magazine.html

Dear WISY,

I almost don’t even want to send this in but it’s a burden on me and I’ve written to other advice columns before and they haven’t been much help.  So let me stop wasting time and cut to the chase (big sigh).  I am a successful, young entrepreneur and I have an artiste fetish.  I call it that because I get excited when I hear artistes are coming to my city and I do whatever I can to meet them and “greet” them…with my body.  It doesn’t matter what type of music they sing, I have a thing for a man with a mic.

Here is a scenario of what I go through:  I look out for tour schedules online and then wait for the confirmation that the artiste will in fact be in my city and then I set out a plan as to what I’m going to do to get their attention.  I find the ones that play in lounge or club venues are more accessible and I will usually reserve a table in VIP and pop bottles like a baller – no men, just me and a close friend.  The artistes usually prefer to approach a quiet, laid back female rather than a screaming, all out groupie.  So, I always pull their attention.  They probably wonder who this chick is holding her own in VIP, popping bottles bigger or equivalent to theirs.  Oh, I forgot to mention that my hair, make-up (professionally done), nails and outfit are always on point; nothing too trashy though.  A classy look will take you all the way.   

It usually starts with a glance and a smile and then it moves on to me sending them a bottle (boss move).  Then they come over to thank me and end up having a seat.  I act like I’m not impressed by their fame and they say and do whatever they can to make me impressed.  After a few drinks and some tipsy dialogue, I’m on the way to their room (but not after I offer to have him ride in my limo – yes, I hire a car service too!) and a couple hours of artiste fetish bliss. 

The night usually ends with me checking my phone and pretending to have something or someone to rush off to.  He usually asks me to stay a little longer and I decline and kiss him on the forehead and say “it’s been real.”  This one guy insisted on flying me out to the next show with him and I told him I had my business to attend to.  He was floored by my response and somehow managed to find the address of my business and sent me flowers the next day – flattering, yes, but not what I want.

After they leave town, I don’t hunt them down or anything like that.  I get a thrill out of having them while a million other girls wish they could.  I get a thrill out of being “that girl he left with”.  I don’t do it for money or fame.  I do it because of the high it puts me on. 

Herein lies the problem.  I have come across “a man with a mic” that is pursuing me and I am beginning to fall for him.  I am afraid that word will get around in the industry that I am the classy groupie.  I don’t want him to find out about all the artistes I’ve slept with and the manner in which I left them.  He’ll probably realize that what I did to him is what I’ve done to many others.  He’ll probably realize that what I did to him is just a part of my plot and he will undoubtedly be disgusted and leave me.

Should I back away from him before it gets too serious and spare us both the potential hurt and embarrassment or should I just let the chips fall where they may?    

Signed,

ArtisteLover

Industry Wifey

The following is a letter from one of our readers.  Please leave a comment below.  For our answer to this letter, please visit http://everythingepiphani.com/magazine.html

Dear WISY,

I am the girlfriend of an entertainer.  I don’t want to go too much in detail about what type of entertaining he does, but let’s just say that he is successful with his career and his popularity is growing daily.  Anyway, I know that being the significant other of an entertainer usually means that there will be INsignificant others that he will be involved with on the road.  If I could I would travel with him wherever he goes but my schedule does not permit.

I usually do a very good job of keeping off of his social media sites and if I do happen to take a look, I try my best to not get jealous of the comments and the pictures.  However, the last few times that I’ve looked there is this one groupie who keeps popping up.  I asked him about it and he said that she is someone who works with numerous entertainers and aides them with their travel and coordination needs.  I am not stupid.  I can see the lust in her eyes and the want for my man.  I can see the way she grips on to him as if he belongs to her.  I know she is not just an employee for the road crew.  She is something way more and I feel the need to continue monitoring the situation.

One day, I spoke to one of his friends about groupies in general and he had the balls to tell me that I shouldn’t worry about the chicks that may hunt my man because even if he does sleep with them he is always so excited to come home to me at the end of it all.  He told me that my man expresses his love for me all the time and that nobody respects the groupies so I shouldn’t allow their existence to upset me.

I hear all that and I would actually be ok with it but I feel like this groupie is special.  She might be sneaking in to his heart and I’m afraid that she will replace me.  The reality is that the industry comes with a lot of heart ache and pain for the wife/girlfriend of an entertainer and I believe the men should do everything they can to protect their women from feeling this hurt.  My ultimate wish would be for him to be faithful while he’s out working but I know that’s damn near impossible.  He’s a man and he is flattered by the attention and he thinks with his lower head.  Moreover he is a West Indian man and sadly our culture tolerates unfaithful men.

My question is, is it better to leave him and be lonely (I know I would be lonely because I love him so much that I can’t even imagine seeing someone else at this point) or should I make myself accept what is going on and stay with him in the name of love?  Keep in mind that we have a child and both options can be damaging to the child.

Signed,

Industry Wifey 

Hidden For Too Long

The following is a letter from one of our readers who is on the up and ups in Dancehall.  Please feel free to comment and express your views on her situation.  Please keep it positive.  Thank you.

Dear WISY,

I am a struggling female artist in the dancehall reggae industry.  I fault myself for not following through and accomplishing my childhood goal of being famous.  I got caught up in the stories and false romances that swirl through this industry like a hurricane. 

I started off not realizing my own talent.  Everyone was impressed with my work except for me.  I soon stopped being my worst enemy and I began to write songs daily as if I was making a meal and had to do it to survive.  I couldn’t help but write.  Lyrics poured out of me full force and I dried the ink in my pens and exhausted all my notebook paper.  I recorded more than Vybz Kartel did between ‘08 and his arrest date.  So why am I not on tour performing?  Why am I not heard on the radio constantly?  Why?  Because I got caught up. 

I got caught up in the lyrics of others in the industry.  I fell for "his" lyrics knowing damn well that I myself should not be taken seriously because my words were just that—lyrics.  But somehow “he” was able to break through the tough persona of my lyrics and touch my heart the way a girl dreams of.  I put down my pen and paper for him. 

Meanwhile, he is still recording and gaining major recognition.   When I say major, I mean you’re probably familiar with his songs.  He would never be featured in this magazine because he is not underrated.  He’s made his name.  And me?  I am here writing my gripes to you.  I am like the silly girls I sing about.  I am so disappointed with myself.  One day, I may reveal myself.  Once I hit that top spot, I can write to you again and say, “Hey! Rememba mi?” LOL. 

My advice to any young female trying to buss in this dancehall business is to demand respect—especially if you have talent.  When I say have talent, I mean, nobody has to write a word for you, your voice sounds great on a riddim and you have stage presence.  Demand respect and if possible get a manager who truly has your best interest at heart.  Be wise and don’t let these guys fill your head with nonsense.  The ones that care will help elevate you, not try to get on top of you! - LITERALLY!

Mi gone write yaa.  I promise you will be getting an update from me soon.  Blessings WISY and all the best!

 

Signed,

Anonymous (for now)