Going major still matters

OVER the past few weeks there have been discussions on social media platforms about the relationship between Jamaican artistes and major US record companies. Some persons have argued that major labels offer nothing to the careers of Jamaican artistes, whom they claim achieve greater success by remaining independent, while others have reasoned that the labels provide opportunities that artistes would not have been able to achieve independently. The Jamaica Observer spoke to industry professionals who shared their experiences working with major labels and reggae and dancehall artistes.

Jeremy Harding, a respected music producer and artiste manager, has worked with major labels on the production side. He produced Kevin Lyttle and Spragga Benz’s Turn Me On for Atlantic Records, remixed Body Party by Ciara for Epic Records, and mixed and engineered songs on Kardinal Offishal’s Not 4 Sale album for KonLive/Geffen. Harding is also the former manager of international dancehall artiste Sean Paul.

Asked if he believed that, in today’s music environment, Jamaican artistes do not need the support of a major label, Harding said, “ ‘Do not need’ is too definitive of a statement to place on the requirements of a successful career. Jamaican artistes have had mixed success being signed to major labels over the years, with some achieving multi-platinum successes and many more, unfortunately, being released from deals without being able to chart, sell or stream enough for the major label to continue its investment in them or without being able to recoup [on investment] or [to make a] profit. There have been many successful artistes from Jamaica that have had lucrative and celebratory careers without a major label, for sure.

We have a very supportive Diaspora market which keeps them touring and doing shows, and their social media base can also be very supportive in keeping their fan base energised and keeping them relevant. But that’s doesn’t say artistes ‘do not need’ a major label.” Harding continued, “If that artiste’s ambition is to be on top of the Billboard charts consistently and to line their walls with gold and platinum plaques, to be on late night network TV shows, appear on top-rated Spotify playlists and top 40 radio across the world, then that 100 per cent requires being signed to a major label for their resources, relationships and budgets that ma…