BAJAN SUN MAGAZINE
DEC 2014
Caribbean Youth Has Spoken
By Leighton Adams
Q: What in your opinion
should be a key area of
focus for the Caribbean at
present?
A: In my bias opinion I
think music should also be
given high priority in a
rounded education within
the Caribbean.
Q: Why do you see this area as relevant to the Caribbean
presently?
A: My reason for stating music is simple; everybody loves
music. I strongly believe that music can have strong
implications on any country’s economy. It is going to
open the door for several business types within the Music
Industry; such as Composers, Writers, Producers,
Engineers, Back Up singers, Promoters, Film Directors,
and Promotion just to name a few. If done right I am sure
that money will be circulating in the economy. I also
believe that having a healthy music industry will have
positive implication on one’s Tourism industry too.
Countries are sometimes branded by the music they
produce. For instance Reggae is automatically associated
with Jamaica, Reggaeton with Puerto Rico and Soca and
calypso with Trinidad and Tobago.
My reason for stating education is, whenever I commute
in my communities I will often meet folks who are very
talented in their field of work or hobby. I see people with
true potential. I will often see these people neglecting their
passion because they lack opportunity or exposure to the
art form or the mere belief that they can’t make a living
from it. Sometimes they neglect their passion, which
might be unique in most cases, because based on X, Y&Z
success on making his/her dream work they will figure
that they too will be successful if they do what X, Y&Z
are doing. As a result, the industry tends to get saturated
with all these similar businesses. I have been to places and
met people who are extraordinary singers, or writers,
programmers, coaches, composers, footballers, etc but
never really had the opportunity to actualize that God
given talent into a dream like Rihanna, Timbaland, Bill
Gates, Steve Jobs or Mark Zukerberg. However, I do think
they lack the know-how of making their talent be the
revenue earner or their dream occupation. I also think we
are sometimes not appreciative of our own. We find it
hard to support our fellow citizen venture. So we need to
be educated on why it is important for us to support local
and the implications it can have on the economy.
Q: What do you think can be done to enhance/develop/
market etc this particular area?
A: Workshops on how one can make their dream or
hobby into a reality. Having Associations on various
aspects of the industry in which the members can
formulate ideas that they can implement to make the
industry function, as it should.
Q: What in your opinion are our challenges within the
Caribbean in achieving this relevant area?
A: I think here we see the music industry as a hobby and
not a business. So we will only see seasonal performing
artiste.
Q: Who do you think needs to be done to ensure this area
is developed adequately?
A: I think everybody needs to get on board with it. All
producers, performing artiste, listeners, all citizens, as well
as the government should get on board on shaping this
industry.
Q: What role do you see yourself playing in aiding the
achievement of this particular area?
A: Well currently I am apart of an Association which main
objective is to develop a standard in the Music Industry.
So I see myself as one of the facilitator in developing the
standards.
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