- Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer
<From left to right, three directors of Dafamli Entertainment who make Jamaicavibes happen, Trevor Thompson (S.H.A.Q.), Shayne Morris and Jesse Golding. At right, the home of Jamaicavibes.
Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
A YEAR AGO, a group of friends decided to throw their support behind S.H.A.Q., a fledgling artiste and their childhood friend. To this end, they gathered on a weekly basis as sounding boards; a handpicked, non-threatening, non-judgmental audience before which S.H.A.Q. could hone his talent and develop his confidence.
None of them envisaged that what started out essentially as a pet project figuratively holding their friend's hand would mushroom into a weekly event that has the definite markings of one of the 'must go' events in Kingston on a Monday night.
The enterprising group Difamli Entertainment has branded their product Jamaicavibes.
Now, at 30 Haining Road in Kingston, at Jamaican Vibes Restaurant and Bar, when artistes hit the stage with their raw talent and irrepressible energy, more than just a Jamaican vibe is unleashed.
POSITIVE VIBES
The vibes at the venue is reminiscent of a typical Jamaican backyard irie, strictly cultural and uplifting.
Singers and players of instruments are given the opportunity to develop their stage craft in front of a critical, yet receptive, audience of fellow performers as well as managers and producers from within the music industry.
Sophia Golding, public relations manager of Difamli Entertainment, told The Sunday Gleaner that they are very rigid when it comes to upholding the 'no profanity' rule at Jamaicavibes.
She said their philosophy is that being positive is the key to longevity and they urge new artistes to move in that direction. The soft-spoken Rastafarian, whose lips curved frequently into an engaging smile, shifted to no-nonsense mode when the topic was broached.
"The artistes who perform here all have to sing clean lyrics. Regardless of how we feel about artistes' talent we turn off the microphone at the first indication of obscenity and unclean lyrics," she stated firmly. "We are uncompromising of those standards."
"Artistes must be versatile; while we understand that they will have underground records that are not played on air, it is important that they understand that they have to have clean lyrics on their records to be in mainstream."
In reinforcing their decision, she pointed out that a number of artistes have been getting into trouble with the law for using obscene lyrics during their performances.
Having made her point, she flashed a quick smile and disclosed that the performers who have made Jamaicavibes their regular haunt have worked very well with the 'no obscenity' policy.
Jamaicavibes kicks off every Monday night promptly at 10 p.m. after some 'juggling' by DJ Saxi from the Original Skull Bracer.
The artistes are allowed to perform at least three pieces and the show ends promptly at 12 midnight. Sophia said that this self-imposed curfew is strictly observed, as they are respectful of the laws that speak to noise abatement regulations and they are cognisant of the fact that the following day, Tuesday, is a work day.
The weekly shows culminate on the fourth Monday of each month with the 'Best of Jamaicavibes' showcase, which features the 10 artistes who are considered to have been the best performers for the month.
On that night, a top performer is not chosen, in keeping with the intentional 'no pressure' atmosphere of the Jamaicavibes concept. Sophia said the 10 artistes simply perform.
As she said, they are not promoting 'cutthroat' competition, but are simply encouraging and celebrating excellence.
"It is considered enough of an achievement to have been selected to be among the top 10," she explained.
SUPPORT GROWN
Sophia and her husband, Jesse Golding, told The Sunday Gleaner that the support for their weekly events has grown tremendously.
"We started with just about eight people as the audience; now we have expanded to 75 - 100 on a good night," she disclosed.
"We are doing this just out of our love for music," her husband chimed in. "You have to have a passion for young talent to do what we do and the audience has been very supportive," Jesse stated.
"It is our hope that everyone can have an opportunity out of this situation," Sophia confessed.
She said the management team, which includes Adrian Locke, Stephaney Finley, Shayne Morris and Trevor Thompson (S.H.A.Q.), as well as herself and her husband, intend to launch a recording label in the near future.
Artistes who sign with their label will be given advice on copyright and other aspects of the entertainment industry, as Jamaicavibes spreads in a disciplined way.
