5 Questions.....

What does Wall Street have in common with the local music industry? Michelle Williams. The vivacious regional director in charge of Caribbean and Latin America for powerhouse reggae and dancehall label VP Records had an illustrious career on Wall Street before heeding the call of music and laying her tracks at VP.

After migrating to the US and subsequently attending college there, Williams did a major in finance and then started climbing the ladder and breaking a glass ceiling or two in the process. At her first job, she was the only woman in that position, and when her boss – who was not at her job interview – finally met her, he assumed that she was the fill-in secretary.

“It was very trying working with that man. He didn’t want a woman in that position, and he called me all sorts of names, and, of course, my Jamaican heritage was also an issue,” she recalled. However, she was focused on trading. “It was the challenge that attracted me to trading. It’s a game where you’re going to have to compete, and you better equip yourself to be able to compete aggressively with self- confidence and nerve.

“I love the idea of competition, watching the eyes and overall movement of the different traders, learning how to understand how they react in advance and then beating them to the punch,” she said. But now, back in Jamaica, with no intention of going back into the steely world of finance, Williams is still enjoying challenges.

“My focus now is to get reggae music in territories where we are not a factor. We at VP are having success in places such as Malta, Chile, and Argentina. I have been in dialogue with several radio stations, and we have sent them songs from our catalogue, both old and new, and then follow up for feedback. Another of my immediate goals is to get our industry more attuned to the whole reality of streaming. When you see other “reggae” artistes moving thousands of copies, the large majority of that is streaming, so we need to get in tune,” she said. Five Questions caught up with Williams at Big Yard Studio in Kingston, and managed to squeeze in a quick chat.

1. What do you consider the best part of your job now, compared to life on Wall Street?

Being a trader on Wall Street is a mission. From the moment I entered the stock market scene and opened the door to this arcane world of shouting and gesticulations, I was hooked!

The music industry is a much calmer and relaxed atmosphere. The best part of my job is building a bond and becoming family with artistes; we spend so much time together we just blend as family.

2. What is the best/worst purchase you’ve ever made?

The best purchase I’ve ever made is books! I love to read, sometimes I read four books at the same time. If the book is good, I read it in one day!

Don’t have a bad buy because I do my research on products prior to making a purchase.

3 Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?

Superman of course!

4. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Persons that are lacking vitality and uninspired.

5. What’s your annoying habit?

I’m a perfectionist, everything has to be done just right.

Brawta

If necessary, would you defend VP against trolls?

There’s no need to defend VP against trolls. The company has been around more than 60 years and has accomplished many milestones in the industry, both locally and internationally, with our artistes. Our work, love, and dedication to Caribbean music speaks for itself. #milesahead #brandjamaica