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Annetta Brewster-Aitken is the manager for Trendsetter productions; she is also the manger for Ras Myrhdak, a talented artist in the business. We chat with her about her struggle as a woman in the business and her rising star Ras Myrhdak. Ras Myrhdaks "Blazer" on Breath of Fire riddim currently sits comfortably on Jamaicas top 10 chart.
Interview conducted by: Ra-Umi Alkebu Lan
Peppa Pot: How did you get into the music business?
Annetta: Ah [sighs], music music music. First of all I did not want to be in music. I have to tell everyone that Alke [Ra-Umi Alkebu Lan] is the person that drew me into this music business when I shunned it. He encouraged me saying, "No Annetta, you need to get involved". At the time my brother and Alke were at a studio called Bingi Productions because that is where it all started. I went to the studio, started putting in some work and the music gets to you. You cannot hide from music you know, music is life.
Peppa Pot: Is it hard being a woman in the business?
Annetta: It has been a hard road as a woman because nobody really wants to talk to a woman in the business because they figure that women won’t make it in this business, you see it [you understand]. If you really look at the business you will realize that it is male dominated, but since I’ve started I do not plan to give up; even though I have been on some rocky roads. The studio closed and I had to let it go for a while and I held on to the tail end of it. I hung on to my artiste Ras Myrhdak. I have had Ras Myrhdak for over five years. He even left for a while and came back and said "Mum you are the one who has believed in my career so I want you to start managing me again". So I took up back his management.I won t stop working with him because he is one of the toughest [best] young acts out there right now
Peppa Pot: Since 2004 there has been a lot of one drop riddims [beat]. The biggest song for 2005 was actually, "Welcome to Jamrock" by Damion Marley. Do these changes suit your Artiste, Ras Myrhdak?
Annetta Not only does it suit him but it suits us the people on a whole I think. It suits Jamaica; it suits the world. The one drop riddim [beat] has returned and I think it is here to stay and I love that because if you notice, a lot of conscious Artistes are rising right now. So I love the whole vibe that the one drop riddim has brought. I think eventually we will have less violence
Peppa Pot:Outside of managing Ras Myrhdak, can you elaborate on some of the other projects that you have undertaken in the entertainment industry?
Annetta: I was a producer, I had my own studio. I used to put out music; some of the songs got a lot of airplay. I used to link with other people in the business like Bubbles, Papa Keith and of course my brother who started a studio. So wherever Bingi is right now we have to big him up.
Peppa Pot:Do you feel Reggae needs the backing of big corporations?
Annetta: I would definitely encourage companies to re-asses that stance. They definitely have the investment capabilities. Just come to a talent show, come in the ghetto. All it takes is money. They have the money to voice [record with] the Artiste, cover PR costs. It is not like the talent is not there. If businesses did that, Jamaica would dramatically change! I definitely think that it is the music that is going to change Jamaica. With this knowledge they should be investing more money into the music in an attempt to curb crime and poverty. We would have a more beautiful Jamaica.
Peppa Pot: Any final words?
Annetta: Peace, Love and Unity. Do not leave out the Almighty. If you ask in faith of Him, you will receive it. Faith without work is dead, so hold the faith, work hard and never give up. Peppapot, bless up.
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