Following a strong performance at Reggae Sumfest last weekend, dancehall artist Tifa is calling on promoters and other industry players to keep the music free of bias.
In a post-performance interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, the deejay, who was perhaps not pleased with the time she was given to perform, lashed out at what she described as “favoritism in dancehall”, pointing out that this will be the downfall of the industry.
“Me feel like this industry can’t get no better because it’s too much buy out, too much bias and favoritism,” she said. “Because of favoritisms and buyouts, we can’t reach nowhere as an industry. Meanwhile, Drake and Rihanna have two of the biggest dancehall hits in the world. Me feel like dem (industry players) need fi give artiste dem just and true shine, especially on platforms like these.”
The artiste, who turned in an impressive performance, was perhaps forgotten by night’s end, as she performed early in the night, a move many said was a blatant disrespect to the entertainer’s talent.
It is popular belief that at any stage show or concert, the later you perform is an indication of how much you are rated in the business. Prime-time slots on shows are an indication of your status in dancehall, and the time you are given to perform at these events separates the up-and-coming acts from established entertainers.
Following her performance at Sumfest, many took to social media to voice their disgust at the time slot that the Spell It Out singer was given to perform.
SLEEPING On TALENT
Among those who aired their grouse was DJ Nicco. In an Instagram post, the industry insider warned promoters against sleeping on talent like Tifa, pointing out that she put in one of the best performances of the night.
“Unuh gwaan sleep pan her yuh hear! @itsthetifa, you and @dingdongravers dealt with Sumfest 100 per cent. I not gonna lie though, I didn’t like the time slot them give unuh.”
Devin Di Dakta, who turned in a good performance earlier in the night, expressed similar sentiments.
The entertainer, who performed at Sumfest last year and also delivered a good set, said he felt like he had proven himself and earned the right to perform at a later time slot. He, however, pointed out that in the business of music, one has to wait their turn.
“Me feel like me graduate to a later time, yes, but until the promoters dem see that, me just a gwaan wait my turn,” he said. “If me did come and a only eight people inna di audience a watch me, me woulda put out me best just the same.”
During his performance, Ding Dong also expressed an issue with the time he was billed to perform, stating out loud that unless organisers booked him for a prime-time slot next year, he would not be attending Reggae Sumfest.
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