Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

Only Love is my gift to the world. We make records, we think global, and it’s my hope that this song will bring love to everyone and touch them in a special way.

his nine year-old daughter, whose life was being sustained by an incubator donated through Shaggy’s Foundation. This inspired him to do more, and that year the first Shaggy and Friends Benefit Concert was hosted, raising just over US$300,000. In 2014, the concert raised US$700,000 and, according to Shaggy, the aim is “to far exceed the last goals set”. Shaggy’s latest collaboration, with Pitbull and Gene Noble, has given audiences the single Only Love. “Only Love is my gift to the world. We make records, we think global, and it’s my hope that this song will bring love to everyone and touch them in a special way,” he says. As Shaggy continues to love and create as he was divinely created to do, the world will continue to listen, learn and love.

exposure. Shaggy points out that there is a new global resurgence of ‘cool Caribbean reggae’, with some of the top international artistes releasing interpretations of reggae with great public appeal. “As regional pioneers, we must capitalise on this worldwide attention and let our music be heard . . . we are the authentic! If, as a region, we could incubate and export this immense new talent coming out of the Caribbean, collaborating the plethora of voice and style, wewoulddominate the music industry on the world stage,” he contends. The Commander of Order of Distinction (CD) honouree exhibits his philanthropic passion through the Shaggy Foundation, raising some US$1.6 million to date for the Bustamante Hospital for Children. A visit to a friend’s son, who was a patient there 15 years ago, catapulted him to action. Then in 2009, while visiting the hospital, a distraught father took Shaggy to see

market before you can conquer it. Analyse your competition and assess where and how you fit in . . . yet always strive to be different. Be a head turner, and shine your own unique light.With the world becoming smaller, andwith the dynamism of technology, Caribbean artistes must consider their niche markets,” Shaggy says. He also says it’s important to get a good lawyer and representative who will keep you informed of everything pertaining to your career. And a loyal and efficient manager or agent is also a vital note in the song of success in this industry, the music veteran adds. The multinational maestro maintains that the US market remains the biggest window of opportunity for Caribbean music. Not only because of the sheer size of the population, including a large West Indian Diaspora, but also because it is a fast market in terms of sales and

Lisa Stiebel is an architect by profession and artist at heart, with a passion for the creative arts. She is a graduate of Howard University, and specializes in Interior and Mural Design.

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