DANCEHALL producer Ainsley ‘Notnice’ Morris says his association with controversial acts Vybz Kartel and Alkaline have caused some artists to shy away from him.
According to Morris, it is one of the biggest challenges he faces in the industry. But he says he is, however, determined to keep doing what he has been.
“The same thing that happen with Vybz Kartel is happening with Alkaline. They believe that I just want to work with a particular act, but it’s not like that. I just work with who will work with me,” he told Splash.
“Sometimes when I link some of the artists, they tell me to send them the rhythm. They say they are ready to voice on it, but they don’t. And they dont return my calls or respond to the messages either. I really don’t know what the problem is,” the 28-year-old continued.
Vybz Kartel, given name Adidja Palmer, is currently serving a life sentence for his role in the disappearance of Clive ‘Lizard’ Campbell. He will be eligible for parole after 35 years.
Alkaline, known for his bleached skin and tatooed eyes, has been making the news in recent times with several Caribbean islands protesting his visit and lewd lyrics.
Morris, in 2009, got some international attention with Ramping Shop — a collab with Kartel and Spice. The single peaked at number 76 on the Billboard Top 100 charts. The track, however, stirred controversy after EMI Publishing ordered the single remixed after it infringed on the copyright licence of Neyo’s Miss Independent.
The producer told Splash he has his sights set on returning to the Billboard charts.
“I want to reach back on Billboard with an original rhythm,” he said.
He is hoping to achive this with his yet-to-be-titled upcoming rhythm slated for release later this month.
Hailing from the Waterford community in Portmore, St Catherine, Morris attended St Catherine High School in Spanish Town.
He emerged on the dancehall circuit in 2007.
“Being a young producer, I only knew Shawn Storm, Jah Vinci and Deva Bratt, and a few others from the Gaza camp. Soon after, some of my recordings caught Kartel’s ears, and we began working shortly after,” he recalled.
He instantly became a household name as the producer behind Vybz Kartel’s Last Man Standing, Cake Soap, Mama, and Get Wild. He also has production credits on Jah Vinci’s Watch Yuh Friends, Popcaan’s Gangster City and Dream, and Shawn Storm’s My Life.
Morris said he severed ties with Vybz Kartel in 2011 and went solo the following year.
He said the key to producing is understanding each artiste.
“My ears are always open. I don’t just record, as every act is different. Therefore, I take a different approach with each,” he said.
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