Entertainment

MTV to launch Caribbean music network

By TEINO EVANS, Staff Reporter

Sean Paul - file

CARIBBEAN MUSIC MAY be about to get another big break on the international scene, as Tempo, a new cable television network dedicated to Caribbean music and culture, will be launched by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc.

The new cable network is set to debut in the Caribbean in October 2005 and North America in 2006.

"MTV Networks is committed to identifying underserved communities and creating the most innovative, exciting and authentic channels for them and with them," said Judy McGrath, chairman and CEO, MTV Networks in a release. "Tempo will be built around music, and be dedicated to all things Caribbean: music, food, travel, sports, culture and more," she further stated.

Locally, many artiste managers and producers see this as a step in the right direction, as this can only mean positive things for reggae/dancehall music and Caribbean culture in general.

Jerome Hamilton, director, Headline Entertainment, locally responsible for artistes like Wayne Wonder, Sean Paul, TOK and others, believes it could only be positive for local music.

"Anything that promotes our culture more on the international scene is great, every product needs this and it's just for us now to capitalise on it," said Hamilton.

Producer Cordel 'Scatta' Burrell believes this shows that people still believe in what the Caribbean had to offer.

"Personally, it goes to show that they actually see something in the Caribbean culture that can be marketed to the rest of the world. It also goes to show that with all the fight that reggae/dancehall music is getting, there are still people who embrace it and we need to forget about all the foolishness and help put our music on the forefront," said Burrell.

Burrell also added that "If we kill our culture, we nah guh get fi represent. A Trinidad a guh come wid dem soca music. Hopefully, our side will be justified."

Next level

As it related to the output of our local products, 'Scatta' said that producers would now have to work harder to improve on the quality, diversity and international appeal of music videos and songs.

"Definitely, we will have to put out some more articulate concepts. We can't go the cheap way, we just have to spend the money and spend it wisely. We have to take it to a next level to match even the R&B music. We have to now understand that we are not just producing material for a local audience and these people will not just air any and anything on MTV, so we will have to step up to the challenge," Burrell said.

Fredrick Morton, senior vice-president and deputy general counsel of MTV Networks, who is developing the network, announced that Wyclef Jean has been enlisted to share his expertise in helping to shape the musical taste and tone of the network.

"As Tempo represents a positive cultural influence for all people of the Caribbean, we are proud to announce a creative partnership with a true ambassador of the Caribbean, Wyclef Jean. We will work with him to develop some original series and documentaries," Morton said

Cable and Wireless has also joined in the action is the corporate company as the charter sponsor for the new cable network.

According to Rachelle Franklin, senior vice-president, corporate marketing, Cable and Wireless, Caribbean Region, sponsoring Tempo is a chance for them to celebrate island heritage and contribute to the community's future.

Tempo joins Viacom's roster of popular and highly targeted cable networks, which includes MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV.