Roots Archives Forum

Personally not the buggiest fan of pre pubscent artits. Though Sizzla at 16 probably had as deep of lyrical content that he ever had.

Do you think that the producers hired so many kids to sing because they could pay them less?

Beenieman

Musical Youth

Burning Bush

"Do you think that the producers hired so many kids to sing because they could pay them less?"

I think that could be true.
Many producers didnt have facilities and had to book studio hours, and then hope for a hit if they wanted to see any money come back to them. So one way to mitigate this was to pay little money (or sometimes even just food and shelter, pair of shoes, a cut of a riddim or two...)

Same is true for musicians, ie see how Perry's Upsetters were rapidly changing (all stars, hippy boys, soul syndicate). I do believe that he hired the hippy boys when all stars growing notoriety made them more expensive. And he had to change to soul syndicate when the barretts brothers followed marley's abroad. (but this is also a sign of "recognition" = higher prices)

But seeing how people like delroy wilson or errol dunkley made huge impact on the island when they started their career, i guess many producers tried to just ride the wave of juvenile performers, hoping for a hit.

In and all, this might have been good for reggae atleast in the 60s 70s, there was little money in the industry (expect a few producers) so they often had to try differents things, differents performers, and be more creative? And gave more room to nattys... atleast i imagine it that way.

Kashief Lindo

don't forget Nadine Sutherland..


Delroy Wilson was definitely the blueprint of the child star; he was Coxsone's weapon of choice in the early days when he needed a leg up on the opposing sound.

Freddie McGregor might have been the youngest, when he was with The Clarendonians. at 7 years old, he had to stand on a crate to reach the microphone.

To add a few more singers: Yammi Bolo, Little Kirk.....on the DJ side Beenieman, Risto Benjie.....

davek wrote:To add a few more singers: Yammi Bolo, Little Kirk.....on the DJ side Beenieman, Risto Benjie.....

think Bellyman got all of them in his list....

blakbeltjonez wrote:davek wrote :To add a few more singers: Yammi Bolo, Little Kirk.....on the DJ side Beenieman, Risto Benjie.....

think Bellyman got all of them in his list....

True enough, Bellyman a lick. I should read page 1 before 2 next go round.

no worries man, i do the same thing all the time...