REGGAEXCLUSIVE’S VIEWS
GEOGRAPHY 101 AND THE SPEED OF SOUND By: Brian Kotler
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id you know that Montreal is just 550km from Toronto? Only about one hour by plane and about 5 1/2 hours by car. Why I am telling you this? Because
sometimes it seems that we are worlds apart! I won’t even get into Vancouver, Calgary or Winnipeg thing because for that, I’d need a book. Our cities seem to be like islands in the great big ocean called Canada. Unlike Jamaica where Reggae is #1, #2 and #3, here in Canada it’s about #5 or #6, right after Country music. And that’s a fact whether we like it or not! But hopefully it will change and change for the better. We don’t have any national radio station or TV program that specializes in Reggae music. While there are some internet radio shows like Bluntlife Radio that do help, its not always possible to listen on-line. Being involved in the Reggae Music Industry on this planet’s second largest country isn’t easy. The great love for reggae music in Canada seems to be reserved to artists in our own cities and the great international superstars. We are missing out on so much. Hey Toronto! Have you ever heard of Dan Fiyah Beats, Sampaloo, Juliet Nelson or even Won-J? Those artists are some of Montreal’s best
and they have been doing their thing for years! And in Montreal, most people don’t really know of Dahlia, Norval Edgehill, King Ujah or Empress Divine! And in both cases, it’s a shame. We all know most of the young new artists out of Jamaica, but almost none of the ones in our own country. Working with Reggaexclusive magazine and with Indie-Rootz Records as well as doing my photography thing, I have been blessed to link with, meet or listen to lots of the great talented artists that we have in Canada but that is just me. I think, actually I know that we in Canada have world class reggae artists, just as good and maybe even better than in Jamaica.
is why we all must not take our artists for granted and support them. This is why I am pushing ReggaeXclusive in Montreal; it’s not just for me, but for everybody. I also believe that what you put in is what you will get out. If you don’t push/promote yourself, who will? If you can’t do it, then get some one that will. Believe in yourself, invest in yourself and always do your best. Example, when I started out with Indie-Rootz, it was mainly me who did the promoting, then Deborah “Ms Rebelle” joined us and even now I hired 2 other PR people to help. I know that our music is top notch; the trick is to get it out to the people! And they will hear what I know and believe.
In Canada, it seems that most people involved in Reggae Music, must have a regular 9 to 5 job (including me) to survive. That’s why I give great respect to Donna Makeda, Kay Morris and the few others that have been able to make the jump to doing what they love full time and for a living. It is a labour of love that we all hope will develop into a full time career. That
I thank you for taking the time and hearing me out. Maybe some of you are sleeping, some are inspired and even some think I am crazy, well if you are not sleeping then maybe I did do some good. There is something special in reggae music, let’s share it with the world. I do it because I love it and believe in it. Jah Guidance!
ATTENTION ALL MONTREAL BASED BUSINESS AND ARTISTES! Increase your business and fan base in Toronto and surrounding cities and more! Advertise in Canada’s biggest and best printed Reggae publication, ReggaeXclusive magazine. With all the latest news in Reggae, Culture and more from Canada and all over the world! For all info (including rates and publication dates) Contact BRIAN KOTLER @ Tel: 514-792-4774 email: bkpro66@hotmail.com. If you would like to have ReggaeXclusive in your Montreal business (it’s a free publication), let us know! One love
Brian Kotler Executive Producer at Indie Rootz Records B’s Glamour Shotz Photography 514-792-4775 or 514-400-2497 reggaeXclusive -- Web Site: www.reggaexclusive.com --- Phone: 416-519-0831 -- Email: reggaexclusive@rogers.com Pg - 7