DO DANCEHALL FEUDS DRIVE OR KILL THE GENRE?

By Sadeke Brooks—

While industry players can identify the pros and cons of dancehall feuds, the verdict is still out about whether or not they are good for the music business.

In recent weeks, there has been much talk about Mavado and his mentor, Bounty Killer, being involved in a lyrical feud. But this is just one of many involving dancehall artists over the years.

Although he has been part of his fair share of lyrical wars, dancehall artist Khago says he is staying clear of feuds because there is nothing to be gained.

“It’s good for the business, but when people a go tek it serious, yuh haffi tek weh from it. It work fi some people and it nuh work fi some. If you can laugh bout it, it good. But if you tek it serious, a nuh nutten good,” he told The Gleaner.

“There is a time and place for everything. Right now, a happy time, a nuh time fi clash. Right now, Khago just focus pon him career. Mi a tour the world and see seh fi wi music bigger than wi. Mi see seh mi ting a gwaan inna di United States market so mi haffi let it go.”

Khago

KIPRICH SAYS FEUDS HELP

Having been the victor of several clashes, KipRich believes feuds can help the artist.

“It’s not bad for business. The only time it get bad is when the followers tek it personal and take it to the next level,” he said.

“But for the artist, it’s not a bad thing ’cause you are getting the attentions and more of your songs are getting listened to. You get shows ’cause controversy sells and you will get dubplates. It’s how you deal with the situation.”

KipRich noted that corporate shows might not necessarily come your way because the corporate world does not embrace feuds.

“If an artist know how fi play him cards right, it won’t affect your image. It is what you do with the attention that you get from the people. Lead them the way you want. Corporate nuh really embrace it, but if you keep yourself inna the thing and you are hot enough, they will always come back,” KipRich told The Gleaner.

Kiprich

But selector Boom Boom does not believe there is anything to be gained from feuds.

“It is bad for business. It affect selectors big time because the selectors nuh really waah play the songs. But because of the respect for some artists, the selectors still play it,” Boom Boom told The Gleaner.

He added that the producers of these clash songs won’t gain either, as no record company will buy these songs.

“It can’t help internationally. All of this is just foolishness. It need fi stop ’cause it just a mek the music look bad,” Boom Boom said.