15 entertainers join voices on thought-provoking project

Amidst the increase in crime across the Caribbean, several local acts have joined forces to release a new single and music video, titled Brighter Days. Three years in the making, the project speaks about the rights of women and denounces violence, crime and ills that plague society, including the string of kidnappings and murders of women.

“These things happening from long time; crime and violence are ever-present in our society, so we can never have enough songs like these where we tell people we want unity. It speaks to our need as creatives to see and be a change in society. We can’t become comfortable on the issue of crime, rape, murder and injustice,” said Junior ‘Chambah’ Stevens, co-founder of Silver Birds Records and one of the producers of the song.

He pointed out that dancehall may be labelled as an aggressive genre, but that producers and entertainers also have the opportunity to spread positivity. “Tommy Lee Sparta even said it in this song that, ‘This is not game, a lot things me do, me just a do it fi entertain … now it’s time to love and spread love and make it rain’, we have a platform that can be just as powerful to send positive messages,” he told The Gleaner.

The other producer is Dean Barnett, who said, “We are simply doing our part, the best way we know how – through music and song.” As active members of the Silver Birds Steelpan Orchestra, Stevens and Barnett have managed to create a signature sound over the past decade by incorporating the steelpan’s chromatically pitched, full-bodied rhythms. It can be heard resonating on the mid-tempo, thought-provoking project.

TOMMY LEE SPARTA MADE SUGGESTION

Stevens said that the suggestion to include a handful of entertainers on the track came from dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta, and was inspired by the classic 1985 song, We Are The World. We Are The World was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones and recorded by USA for Africa to benefit famine relief in that continent.

“He (Tommy Lee Sparta) is a deep-thinker and kind. The public probably don’t see that side, just the hardcore entertainer, but working with him, is a different person we see. He wanted us to do a Jamaican edition of We Are The World, intrigued by what they did for Haiti, but it didn’t work out that way. Instead, we decided it was better we come up with our own beat, melodies and lyrics,” Stevens told The Gleaner.

He added: “Music has a big influence on people, and sometimes they listen [to] songs and don’t know why they feel a certain way about the song. As a producer, you have to know the emotions the rhythm influences, so when artiste like Tommy Lee Sparta come studio, I give him happy-sounding rhythms … even if the lyrics still sound like a badman tune, the listener will think of it as a party tune.”

The producer explained it was challenging to get a roster of artistes anywhere close to the numbers recorded on any of the two We Are The World releases. The original featured 45 different entertainers, including Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Bob Dylan and Tina Turner, among other popular entertainers. While the re-cut version released in 2010 to assist Haiti following the devastating earthquake had over 80 artistes, from Wyclef Jean, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion to Jamie Foxx, Mary Mary and Busta Rhymes.

THREE YEARS TO CREATE

Stevens said he is humbled that 15 of Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall artistes – controversial figures or not – are on Brighter Days, noting the challenges creating a song of this nature present. Along with Tommy Lee Sparta, Gyptian, Julian Marley, Bounty Killer, Turbulence, Anthony B, Saaje, Jahvillani, Mr Pike, ZJ Liquid, Maestro Don, Leaha, Kiprich, Wasp and Dre Island are also featured.

“Locally, we won’t find producers and entertainers doing projects like these, not because they don’t want to, but songs like these take a lot of time, and it is so challenging to get the artistes together. It took over three years to pull everything together and get people to answer the call,” he shared.

The producer started with the artistes in his circle before branching out. “The way things work is word of mouth first, but saying and doing something is two different things. In order to make a change, we have to be part of the change, and our way is through music, so I linked the artistes who I am closer to in order to get the ball rolling. We knew it would have more impact as one song and not a juggling,” said Stevens.

But a producer’s status within the reggae and dancehall community is a big factor in determining who responds to the call. “I meet up on so much trouble to complete this song, and then again, when it came to doing the video aspect of it, it was hard to get everybody one time. Some artistes [who] we thought would agree to be on it because they speak of peace and consciousness, did not. And yet we have people like Bounty Killer and Tommy Lee, who are known to have rivalry between them. Maybe, if I or Silver Birds Entertainment was well-known, it would’ve been much easier,” Stevens remarked.

Bounty Killer told The Gleaner that it was important for him to be a part of the project. “Adding my voice to Brighter Days is significant. In recent years, dancehall is mostly rivalry, no togetherness or collaborative efforts. So, for established and upcoming artistes to come together in unity to send a message to the people on one track, it is ideal,” he said.

The Sufferer deejay said that the world, particularly Jamaica, has been plagued with crime over the decades. The song is aimed at raising awareness and spreading messages of love and unity.

He added: “It is imperative and profound for us to keep these messages alive for the younger generations. My ‘brighter days’ would be days where people value others as they value themselves. And for people to live in love and unity, and remember there is a God. Nothing too technical, we all want brighter days.”

Tommy Lee Sparta’s management is urging persons to listen to the meaning of the lyrics and the message the artistes are sending, not individual reputations.

“These artistes, like Tommy, are passionate about issues hurting nations across the world. From injustice, woman’s rights, abuse against women and children, poverty, hunger and the lack of assistance in providing proper education. Tommy just wanted a song similar to We Are The World, and this is it … spreading the word of unity and justice for everyone,” said Nicole Taban of Boss Lady Muzik.

“It is a very important song for the time we living in. In speaking about the social issues, we are sharing our opinions. The times we have all been facing coming through and having to really have faith to see and trod towards the brighter days … Brighter Days speaks for itself as a humanitarian song. Generations and nations need this one,” shared Julian Marley.

The track and accompanying visuals will be released on Good Friday, April 2, and will be available across all digital-streaming platforms.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com