Digital age contributing to reggae’s downward spiral, says Skatta

While in favour of the technological advances in the production and dissemination of reggae music, producer Cordel 'Skatta' Burrell sounded a warning that these advances can be detrimental, if the proper balance is not achieved.

"Technology has always played an intricate role in music. I have come up and seen the technology change. In the last 12 years, it has gone to a whole new level with digital platform, taking it to NFTs and going to the metaverse, and I am happy that we are thinking along those lines. [However] we should not lose the essence of what makes our music special," Skatta said.

The outspoken producer stated that "the digital age has contributed to the downward spiral of reggae music because you cannot hear drum and bass through a cell phone".

Drum and bass, which establish the tempo, the melody and the beat, are the foundation of reggae music. Skatta told the recent JN Talking Reggae symposium that with the cell phone being the main medium through which music is consumed, reggae and dancehall music are at a disadvantage.

"If we are not allowed to feel that drum and bass, then that means that we are losing a part of that spirituality of our music and our culture, so we need to keep that in mind," he said.

Skatta was among the panellists at the symposium. The wide-ranging discussion saw views aired on various topics, including the financial education of artistes as well as the importance of teaching music in much the same way as sports. Regarding the financial illiteracy of artistes, Skatta lamented that there are no lessons on how artistes should spend their money.

"Artistes know how to buy the flashy stuff and so on, but investment is not even secondary or is even taught to them. At one point in time when I got worried about my future, I opened a wholesale in St Thomas. I tried it for three months and it didn't work out, so I packed up and left. We only know about music," Skatta said.