Tastee, team IMC ready to invest in Jamaican entertainment
Published:Friday | February 2, 2024 | 12:12 AMKenrick Morgan/Gleaner Writer
On February 21, the highly anticipated Island Music Conference (IMC) returns to Jamaica’s shores to provide a wealth of knowledge and exclusive access to industry professionals for the second year in a row, with the help of Tastee Limited.
The annual event has long been lauded for its ability to bring together the likes of artistes, managers, producers, labels, booking agencies, and just about anyone involved in entertainment.
But for media stalwart Judith Bodley, the IMC is a lot more than just an annual get-together.
“It is about the growth and development of Caribbean music as a whole. We are all in this thing together. It also forms a large part of our goal to unite the world through music – IMC forms a huge part of that,” Bodley said in a conversation with The Gleaner.
“Unfortunately, many of us never become aware of the myriad avenues and tools available to music professionals that can significantly impact the trajectory and outcome of our individual careers. So we want to help fix that.”
Bodley forms part of an entertainment triple threat – alongside fellow industry icons Sharon Burke and Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell – the three of who serve as the executive branch of the IMC team.
While Tastee returns as IMC’s main sponsor for a second year in a row, the company has had a long and rich history with Jamaican entertainment.
In fact, according to Grammy-winner entertainer Shaggy, patties may even be the source of Jamaican’s talent. “We are so rich in talent as a people. I don’t know where we get it from - if it’s the water, or the patty,” he said jokingly.
But wherever the source is, Tastee’s director Simone Changpong says the company has long been happy to help give budding entertainers the spotlight they need.
“I guess it started from my dad [Vincent Changpong] starting the Tastee Talent Competition, which ran for about 30-plus years. And to see so much talent come out from that, it is a wonderful feeling,” she said.
Changpong explained that the popular event started when reggae music icon Cecil ‘Sonny’ Bradshaw approached her father with the idea of giving young artistes an opening to shine.
In that regard, the show fulfilled its purpose, giving many other musical legends – including Yellowman, Beenie Man, T.O.K., and Nadine Sutherland – a platform in the process.
LASTING IMPACT
The IMC will run from February 21 to 25 this year. During that time, members of the entertainment fraternity are invited to attend the over a dozen panels and educational forums planned.
The panels include social media music marketing, the art of event production, money management, investment and insurance and many more.
“Our duty is to spread the word and the value of Jamaican entertainment. In many countries, the entertainment sector is something that is tangible. And we want it to be the same in Jamaica. It is time for it to get organised,” Shaggy told The Gleaner.
Registration for the IMC closes on February 10.