In the case of artist vs producer, we the jury find the defendant…….#raytaytay.
For the last couple of days, there has been a buzz circulating on various social media and digital platforms involving a music producer and a soca artist. I find it horrendously appalling that we as Grenadians are forever in our feelings as it relates to the “big man- small man” saga. This nonsensical ideology is the reason that we as a people are stagnated in regards to development across the business spectrum.
Hector Thomas (Mr. Legs) is the owner and producer of the raytaytay riddim, and as is expected, he stands to gain financially from it. Upon hearing the initial story, I myself was in my feelings about his decision to remove the song from online mediums. However, after listening to an interview on Mikey live between Mr. Legs and Mikey, and also doing my personal research, I’ve come to the realisation that from a business standpoint he (Mr. Legs) has done no wrong. If we non-biasly check the operations within the music industry we would see that he was well within his rights to acquire all of the royalties from online sales. Imagine the artist (Mya) is collecting 100% of the monies earned at the stage shows; is there a percentage been given to the producer? Off course not. Are producers expected to endure tireless nights of blood, sweat and tears in the studio and not be rewarded accordingly?
We have been exposed to the notion that friend in business is a norm and acceptable within the business realm. “Giving ah man ah bly” is an easy road to acceptance and popularity. This is wrong wrong wrong. How would the bus man feel if he gets a no ball from all of his passengers?… Or what about a shop keeper giving away his goods for free? Most loud mouth individuals on social media are extremely uneducated on the inner workings of the music sector, or any business operation for that matter. #WiseUp
You see, friendship in business is detrimental to progressive enhancement. I urge all businesses, irregardless of size, to put all the proper structures in place to benefit from their hard-working efforts.
On a different note, I wonder if Mr. Legs paid or got permission to sing over Bessie down. #raytaytay
Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece submitted and does not reflect the views of #IamGrenadian
By Shaundel Gordon
