STAR of the Month : Artistes should know their worth - Ding Dong

STAR of the Month Ding Dong has hit out against fellow recording artistes for cheapening dancehall by under pricing their brands.

According to the Bad Man Forward singer, artistes should know their worth, and set their prices accordingly.

"If you buy a car for $1, you can't expect to get a working car unless that man who sell you that car is a mad man or a tek coke. Some artistes undermine themselves and make it seem as though you are overpricing your brand," he said.

The artiste, who often travels with at least 10 paid supporting dancers, is banking on his professionalism, and also states that his product carries a strong entertainment value.

"Sometimes people devalue themselves, and because I know what I bring to a show, my prices are left up to the professionals like Solid Agency or Romeich Entertainment to do my booking. If you go to Bounty, Aidonia or Popcaan, they will tell you that 'this is what I am worth so take it or leave it'," he said.

Ding Dong recently gave energetic performances at the Red Stripe Premier League finals and the Racers Grand Prix where sprinter Usain Bolt did his last race in Jamaica. He is also expected to make several stops overseas during the course of this month.

He believes promoters who opt to go for the cheaper acts will receive an equally cheap performance.

"If you want professionalism, you have to pay for it. If you don't want to pay me $500, and you can get somebody for $200, then you will get $200 worth of entertainment. You have some artistes who will take anything, but I will not under charge myself," he told THE STAR.