Young artistes united by a love for music

A group of youth in Red Lands in St Gregory, Clarendon, asserts that the community is an area of musicians.

The young artistes say the love for music has brought unity among youth and has kept them out of trouble. Ricardo 'DJ Fantaz' Powell, 22, owner of 7H Records in the community, told THE WEEKEND STAR that he is on a mission to unearth talents in Red Lands, and provide fellow music enthusiasts with affordable services to voice their songs.

"A lot of artiste don't have the opportunity fi go a studio and pay a certain amount of money weh the studio require," he said. "Me look out fi any artistes as long as me see the progress and them waa do the music. Me waa highlight Red Lands and the youth them in a Red Lands say them can do them ting."

He disclosed that the name of the studio was derived from his zeal to be part of the 'top grade' in high school, adding that the story is synonymous with his quest to aim higher.

Damar 'Nemesis' Palmer lauded the music as a unifying factor in the community. "It bring we together 'cause even most youth weh me and them a friends now, we weren't friends before the music," he told THE WEEKEND STAR. He refuted narratives which suggest that music has an influence on criminal activities.

NOT SOLE FACTOR

"Some of the lyrics out there violent, but me don't think the music could be the sole [reason] why someone would do violence ... it has to be other factors. Someone could not just murder someone or do other things just because they hear a song, I don't think it has that power," he said. Another artiste, Jevari 'FletchaDon' Fletcher, said he was inspired by the other Red Lands artistes to join the musical sphere.

"Music is a gift and we just a bring out the talent right now, and bring it to a different level," he said. Fletcher praised the community-based studio that was founded three years ago.

"7H Records is a big thing for the community. It help youth like myself fi showcase the talent and it bring a joy in the community, especially fi the musicians," he said. The group hopes the rural community will one day become home to one of the country's biggest music shows.