Reggae artiste, MitchDiSinga, believes the genre is safe in the hands of the current generation of reggae artistes.
“I’m tired of hearing so-called music industry experts and critics say reggae music is dying or reggae is dead, that is nonsense. Reggae is still alive and well, it’s one of the most powerful and influential genres in the world today. I’ve travelled far and wide and everywhere I have been reggae is known.”
He continued, “The persons who are sounding the death knell for reggae need to accept the fact the music business has changed significantly over the past two decades and dancehall has become the most popular genre of music in Jamaica. We must also acknowledge the fact that most reggae artistes get exposure through live performances at home and abroad. The local media needs to play a bigger role in the continued development and preservation of reggae music.”
The former ARP group member says the current generation of reggae artistes are just as talented as their predecessors.
“Often times I’ve heard people making comparisons and saying that the artistes from earlier eras of the music are more talented than the current ones. I think that’s a very unfair thing to say because there are many talented reggae singers and musicians around today and many of us are just as talented or even more talented than some of the ones who came before us.”
He added, “On a personal note I’m not daunted by the negative comments that are being made about the current state of reggae music. All I want to do is continue to make good reggae music that will last forever.”
MitchDiSinga is currently promoting a new single which is reggae version of the R&B song You Just Can’t Smile It Away which was originally recorded by Bill Withers.
The musical accompaniment was provided by a group of top-flight musicians including Kirk ‘Kirkledove’ Bennett, Glen Browne, Mitchum Chin, Carol McLaughlin and Dean Fraser. You Just Can’t Smile It Away was mixed by award-winning studio engineer Delroy ‘Phatta’ Pottinger.
Produced by US-based independent label Raw Vue Music the song was released to all digital platforms on February 24.