In a recent article in The Star, one of Jamaica’s leading newspapers, emerging artist Shac lamented on the challenges he’s having as it relates to advancing his career. According to the Clarendon-born sing-jay, ‘music industry gatekeepers’ have implemented barriers that can only be penetrated by money and/or contacts (links).
Debatable as it may be, it has been proven that Shac‘s argument is applicable in some instances. However, it must also be noted that there are professional music practitioners (radio personalities, deejays, producers, etc.) who have worked with and continue to support up-and-coming artists. As a matter of fact, the production team behind the song he was promoting at the time of The Star’s interview has done just that.
Pandemic Records & Entertainment LLC is a Jamaican-American record label that must be credited for their unwavering bolstering of new talents. One of their recent releases, the Confine Riddim, features eight tracks performed exclusively by emerging artists. This is the rhythm-driven project on which Shac‘s single, Heart of Mine, is presented. On it Shac is joined by Xip Boss, Vehnom, Shayy Soprano, Mr. Banging, Jahn’ll, Jah Lama, Frass Khalifa, and iBlack Lion.
Although the Confine Riddim does not have any established or well-known artists, it’s still getting consistent rotation on music platforms. Members of the public can get behind these young acts by streaming and/or downloading their individual songs on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and all other digital music stores.