Teflonzincfence tests artistes’ creativity under curfew

For music producers, it can be challenging to pitch a rhythm to recording artistes who they imagine on a rhythm. It can also test one’s patience waiting to see who will take on the task of creating the next hit, said Grammy Award-winning producer, Teflonzincfence.

“Rhythms are usually shared with the select few,” he said, but for his latest production, the Curfew Riddim, the owner of Zincfence Records tried a different method. He shared the link to the project on social media so that recording artistes with an interest to record or even freestyle could have access to it.

He told The Gleaner: “I did not want to have a rhythm with the name COVID-19 or coronavirus because it’s serious where people are dying from it. It is a rhythm to test people’s talents and the quality of an artiste’s lyricism and it does not necessarily have to focus on the virus or the curfew.”

In sharing the rhythm, the producer called out several of Jamaica’s biggest names in reggae and dancehall, including Beenie Man, Chronixx, Popcaan, Koffee, Vybz Kartel and Buju Banton, as well international artistes like Burna Boy, Tory Lanz and Meek Mill, to take on the challenge officially dubbed the #curfewriddimchallenge.

Inspired by the nationwide curfew which began at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, Teflonzincfence said he anticipates that more entertainers will be motivated to drop a verse on what he hopes could be combined to create one powerful single.

“A curfew can be enforced at any time – so happens it is what we are experiencing now. It is hilarious to see Jamaicans making it out to be worse when all it means is we should be home at a certain time,” he said.

The rhythm at present includes sound bites from the viral social media video of the Arnett Gardens man, identified as Dayne Mitchell, who seemingly not only defied curfew orders but entertained a live broadcast where he hurled expletives at Prime Minister Andrew Holness as a sign of his disapproval of the restrictions.

“It was originally done for fun and to promote the riddim which includes other sounds like the siren and door slamming, which show how resourceful we can get in producing music,” he said.

GOOD RESPONSE

“I don’t know if in completing the project I will keep his vocals on the track, but looking at the response I am getting from the industry, I may have to keep it. I also don’t encourage the use of expletives. Too much is too much and I have limited the ones I share on my page and there’s over 50 submissions that I have not even had a chance to listen to as yet.”

Teflonzincfence says while being inside can be frustrating, he believes in the control as a means to protect the people from further crisis. He also urged persons to use the time to delve deeper into their creative spaces.

“I am not selecting a winner but will be connecting with the entertainers that are serious and present the best lyrics to see where it can go. I have spoken to Chronixx, maybe he is creating something mentally, but artistes like Kabaka Pyramid, Iotosh, Zagga and Yaadcore have also shared their spin on the Curfew Riddim,” he said.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com