Jamaican indie Allen delivering an electrifying set at Caribbean Export hosted by Caribbean Rhythm Showcase on Sunday.
The Grand Ballroom of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St Andrew came alive on Sunday night as musical acts from across the region showcased their talent at the second annual Caribbean Rhythm Showcase, hosted by talent agency Headline Entertainment in partnership with the Agency of Caribbean Export Development (Caribbean Export) and the European Union.
The music showcase, which aims to showcase the talents of Caribbean artists in front of international music executives and other industry players, saw 20 acts representing 13 regional countries take to the stage in front of domestic audiences as well as hundreds who joined the event . virtually through various online platforms.
The excitement was palpable throughout the event and continued after the proceedings on stage, when guests, including international music industry buyers, had the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the artists in a specially designed lounge.
It was all smiles for Allyson Francis of Caribbean Export. She was absolutely delighted with the way the first live staging of the Caribbean Rhythm Showcase was executed, the talent on display from the region and the response from international buyers and industry leaders.
“The truth is, we’re always taking our artists to other shows like MIDEM or WOMEX and I said to myself, ‘What about a showcase in the Caribbean?’ here tonight, who need that platform, to be given an opportunity. It wasn’t just going on stage and singing, it was just the culmination. It took the form of three full days where they were engaged with buyers, distributors, also passed workshops. So we were providing them with capacity building by understanding what is happening in the industry. And not that we have showcased the talent we hope we have some deals… there are shows that rocked the country and I know the buyers are ready and eager to talk to these artists.
“We just wanted to do something for the Caribbean that was new and different and unique and had an impact,” Francis said.
She also noted that the exhibition’s impact can also be seen in the way it brought together the region’s youth and artists to showcase not only what the region has to offer, but more importantly the diversity of what the Caribbean people have to offer. .
For Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, Gender, Sports and Entertainment Olivia “Babsy” Grange, the Caribbean Rhythm Showcase is an idea whose time has come.
“I’m so happy about what I saw here tonight; it was amazing. There was such a diverse talent pool showcasing different genres, different styles of music, great voices, just talented people all from our Caribbean region. This is a great way to showcase Caribbean talent, getting buyers to come in, connecting them and helping build careers,” she said.
As a veteran of the music industry, Grange said the only advice she would offer to aspiring acts showcasing their talent at the showcase was to put the right management structure in place to guide their careers.
“I don’t know how many of these young artists have management. But they have to look for good management. It’s about management and direction. So a good manager is able to guide you in terms of your focus. You can’t sing everything. You have to decide what your style is, what your image is, how you’re going to be packaged and how you’re going to present and market,” Grange said.
The 20 acts who took to the stage for international buyers and music industry executives were Jamaica’s Lex MD, Kraff, Indie Allen and PinkFox; Mariela “La Marimba” Velazquez of the Dominican Republic. Ava Symone Barrett and Khia “KEEYA” Poitier of the Bahamas; Trinidad and Tobago was represented by Dania DANIA’ Duntin, Aisha Noel and Jiselle “Jiselle Singer” Singh; Arien Seaton of Antigua and Barbuda; Rhea “SugahRhe” Ellis of Barbados; Colton ‘Colton” T” Thomas of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Ryan “Riggy Atmosphere” Riggs from Grenada; Erica Edwards from St Kitts and Nevis; Javid “Jay-R” Rouse, Krystian Mark and Derron “Magikal” Rouse from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Jesse “Justos” Nelson from Saint Lucia; and Jackie “Jaxx” Hanover from Guyana.
Jackie Jaxx
Bajan artist Sugah Rhea (second left) shares the spotlight with Tessellated (left), ZJ Chrome (second right) and Caribbean Export Development Agency Services Specialist (Caribbean Export), Allyson Francis, backstage at the Caribbean Rhythm Showcase at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in St. Andrews on Sunday, September 18.
Caribbean Export Development Agency Services Specialist (Caribbean Export) Allyson Francis (left) and Danrak Productions CEO Stacy-Ann Smith (right) show their support for Caribbean Rhythm Showcase artist Jackie Jacks from the Bahamas. following her rousing performance at the Caribbean Export organized Caribbean Rhythm Showcase at the Jamaica Pegasus in St Andrew on Sunday 18th September.
Artist Krystian Mark (center) from St Vincent and the Grenadines enjoys an animated discussion with Eric Hurt (right), VP, A&R of indie label, distributor and publisher EMPIRE backstage at the Caribbean Rhythm Showcase on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the Hotel Jamaica Pegasus in St Andrew. Right now is Caribbean Export Development Agency Services Specialist Allyson Francis.
