Aaron Talbert, vp of sales and marketing at New York City- based Reggae independent vp Records said” They applauded the Marley team for developing a key platform for Jamaican artists who can’t travel to the U.S. It builds greater demand for them that can hopefully break through the visa barriers”.
On the morning after his great performance aboard the Cruise, Jah Cure disembarked the Pearl in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, he was surrounded by excited fans, they all had cell phone cameras ready. Cure waited a while before he joined them and posed for selfies with each of them. “People came all the way from England to see me here so I am happy to take photos with them,” he said.
His chart topping album “The Cure” is a Grammy nominee for best reggae album.Dancehall and Reggae artistes have been relying on concert dates, instead of record sales, to earn an income. Not being able to perform in the United States, Canada and the U.K. greatly reduces their overall earning potential and reduces their opportunities for exposure.
Ms.J. Lexy Brooks, the founder/CEO of the Manahattan based entertainment company VIP Connected Entertainment, LLC usually books many artistes for International events. She has helped to petition for several Dancehall artistes US visas. And now she says “Promoters are frustrated because they are recycling the acts for shows, fans want more too. It’s supply-and-demand, and the supply from Jamaica has dwindled.”
The List
1. Bounty Killer
2. Popcaan
4. Jah Cure
5. Busy Signal
6. Beenie Man(conditional)
7. Vybz Kartel
8. Aidonia
9. Laden
10. Sizzla
11. Ninja Man
12. Tommy Lee Sparta
13. Aidonia
14. Queen ifrica
15. Kalado
16. Capleton
17. Deablo (Govana)
18. Mr. Lexx
19. Flexxx
20. Ricky Trooper
Mavado (unsure)
Alkaline (unsure)
Anthony B (unsure)Elephant Man recently got back his visaArtists would normally apply for “P” visas, P1, as part of an internationally recognized group, P2 for an exchange program and P3 for culturally unique artists. They must present a contract with their petitioner, the start and end dates for their various engagements and a description of the events they would be participating in.An advisory opinion, stating their qualifications, would also also be submitted.
Bounty Killer , Popcaan, Jah Cure and Busy Signal cannot travel to US for reasons that are varied. In June 2012, Busy Signal ( Glendale Gordon) was planning a tour, in support of his “Reggae Music Again “ (VP Records), which peaked at Number 3 on the Reggae albums chart. But he ended up being arrested and extradited to the U.S. for escaping from custody while on bail over a 2002 drug case. He served two months in a Minnesota prison before he was released ahead of time in November 2012, the judge was impressed with his accomplishments and clean record over the past 10 years. He can now reapply for a visa.
Popcaan (Andre Sutherland) had his visa application delayed because of Marijuana related offenses, Bounty Killer (Rodney Price) was among a group of 5 artistes that lost their visas March 2010. The others were Movado (David Brooks) , Aidonia (Sheldon Ricardo Aitana Lawrence) Ricky Trooper (Garfield Augustus Mckoy) and Beenie Man (Moses Anthony Davis).
However Beenie Man has been able to recover his visa and Movado is a resident of the US though there are speculations about is current status. So the incarceration of the Mega Star Buju Banton and the absense of Vybz Kartel, who didn’t even have a visa, when he was imprisoned for murder, has been bad for the business.
In a recent interview on ER a reputable source told Mr. Miller that most of these artistes who got their visa taken will never get it back no matter how much they try to. Commonly because the USA think that if an artiste has a criminal record they will be labelled as a criminal thus not allowing he/she in the USA. Another major issue is because of anti gay lyrics in their dancehall and reggae songs. Artistes have been also known to get their visas taken because of weed violations.
Jah Cure (B Siccature Alcock) has had a rough time in his career, but he has always said he was innocent and he was released from prison early, because of his good behavior. He has managed to rebound, even though he is unable to travel to the US because of his status as a convicted felon. But there is hope that he could win a Grammy award, as he has been performing at many different places, as he has and this could help him to get a US visa. Cure is not giving up, It has been alleged that he is trying to contact the right people who can help him to get through with his visa application, as he is interested in helping other artistes to build their careers.
This is very important for the future of the Reggae and Dance Hall industry, as the Jamaican economy could benefit from the growth and there could be a reduction in the level of crime and violence in the society. Recently Jamaicans have been very excited about the rise of Nesbeth ( Greg Nesbeth) and other young artistes. Nesbeth has been able to sing a hit song, “My Dream”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHW2BW4jFhg This song has been able to motivate and inspire the people. As Nesbeth sing’s about his life’s journey, from the rough times to the good time’s, and how he has realized his dream.
There is hope that the upcoming Jamaican artistes will learn from the mistakes the artistes made in the past, and do more to stay out of trouble, or do more to stay away from trouble makers so that they will be able to travel and perform as they did in the past. And the success of the Jamrock Reggae Cruise has come at a good time. There is hope that the Jamrock Reggae Cruise will continue doing well as more artistes will be added to the line up on the cruise.
More on Jamrock Reggae Cruise
Now that the Jamrock Reggae Cruise has started sailing the seas, it has been sailing between two Jamaican ports, before it returns to Miami. On the third night of the five-day festival cruise founded by Damian Marley, the first class roster including singer Jah Cure, the young dancehall star Popcaan, the one of a kind sing-jay Busy Signal and the veteran deejay Bounty Killa delivered to an international audience of reggae lovers some of the island’s best music. Even though the performers had different styles and they had age differences, they all share a major career challenge: all have no visas or work permits for the US, the UK and Canada. So the Jamrock cruise organizers made an opportunity and presented four in-demand Jamaican acts that American, Canadian and British reggae lovers are unable to see in their countries — the artists all boarded the ship at the first port in Jamaica.
Please feel free to to update us in comments as to which artistes should be added or removed…
Article Credits: Yardhype