Dancehall vocal info / advice needed

[hint]

Hi all... bit of a long shot here, but has anyone on the board had any experience with working with some JA vocalists? I'd be interested to hear if anyone has any tips. Feel free to PM me if you'd rather not discuss the nitty gritty of any business in the forum itself.

From what I've read in the past, I got the impression that the scene can be quite efficient and similar to the process of hiring session musicians - i.e. you pay a fee, you get a vocal in return, job done.

Do most vocalists have agents or managers? I've been trying to dig up contact details but haven't had much luck so far. If anyone here has any suggested starting points, I'd be very grateful.

I've also checked Myspace briefly, but there's always the chance that certain artist pages are set up by fans or imposters, of course, so I'm wary of going down that route if any money might change hands for sessions.

 

[zhao]

yeah my friends in berlin do this all the time... i think you are right about the efficient system. send riddim, artist versions on it, sends back acapella... sorry kind of a pointless post on my part

 

[Lichen]

how do you control what he or she says?

do you send bullet points or something?

 

[hint]

yeah my friends in berlin do this all the time... i think you are right about the efficient system. send riddim, artist versions on it, sends back acapella... sorry kind of a pointless post on my part

Nah - it's good to have some kind of reassurance that I was thinking along the right lines at least. Thanks.

how do you control what he or she says?

do you send bullet points or something?

Well, I wouldn't be comfortable going down that kind of route personally.

I'm sure that there are more suitable ways of guiding things in the right direction - working with artists who don't have a track record of using lyrical themes to which you might personally object, and perhaps suggesting a loose theme from the top ("I think the track would suit lyrics about dancing / space travel / umbrellas", for example.

 

[redcrescent]

In Vienna, some promoters book a studio (or set up in someone's house) the day of a gig or the next morning, put a phone no. on the flyer and you can call them up to book some time with the artist. Drop in with your riddims and shout outs written up, record, pay cash and go home with the acapellas on CDR. Easy and you get exactly what you want (plus some good anecdotes!)

In Hamburg, Roots Messenger announce sessions on their website months beforehand so you can get your stuff together and bring it along to be voiced and cut to wax.

Maybe you could get in touch with promoters in your area to see if they do this, or alternatively, take the plunge yourself and book the artist for a studio session?

 

[hint]

In Vienna, some promoters book a studio (or set up in someone's house) the day of a gig or the next morning, put a phone no. on the flyer and you can call them up to book some time with the artist. Drop in with your riddims and shout outs written up, record, pay cash and go home with the acapellas on CDR. Easy and you get exactly what you want (plus some good anecdotes!)

Isn't this kind of set-up more for dubs / drops though? By which I mean, they'll just adapt existing lyrics to shout out your DJ name / radio show / soundsystem, right?

I'm after a proper full original vocal, for legitimate release.

In Hamburg, Roots Messenger announce sessions on their website months beforehand so you can get your stuff together and bring it along to be voiced and cut to wax.

Maybe you could get in touch with promoters in your area to see if they do this, or alternatively, take the plunge yourself and book the artist for a studio session?

Yes - doing it direct is the ideal scenario, but it's getting access to the artists that I'm finding tricky at the moment... As you point out, European gig promoters seem to manage it, so I just need to gather the right contacts I think.

I'll check out the Roots Messenger guys - thanks for the tip.

 

[Grievous Angel]

Or play some gigs with some dancehall crews, meet the local MCs thereby, find a good one, build a relationship...

 

[hint]

Or play some gigs with some dancehall crews, meet the local MCs thereby, find a good one, build a relationship...

Yes... this is the most "artistically sound" method, of course. I try to work with UK vocalists whenever it's preferable and possible, but in this particular case I have a (realistic) wishlist, and I'm going to use it.

 

[redcrescent]

Or play some gigs with some dancehall crews, meet the local MCs thereby, find a good one, build a relationship...

Or sponsor an MC battle in knockout format: MC vs MC, three rounds of 1 minute each for each contestant, two out of three wins (jury votes) get you to the next stage. Play the riddims you want them to spit over using a set theme or phrase. It's fun and a great way to spot talent.

I have a (realistic) wishlist, and I'm going to use it.

Out of curiosity, who do you have in mind, hint?