File photos - Burru Banton and General Trees.

Sadeke Brooks, STAR Writer

Not being on the hottest rhythm or getting constant airplay is no reason to believe that an artiste needs to quit the entertainment business, as some artistes have been active in other areas.

Veteran deejay General Trees says he knows when to quit but that time is yet to come. Though his popularity started around 1985, he says he believes he has many years left as U Roy, Big Youth and Charlie Chaplain have been around for long.

"Anytime mi feel like fi give it up mi will do it but a jus' music right now. As long as God seh do music, yuh jus' haffi gwaan do it. Wi jus' a work fi di best," commented Trees.

He added, "I am not a person who try to live on Mini Bus and Gone A Negril. I try to keep a flavour over the years. For a guy weh nuh have no new tune and a get book fi so much show mi haffi a do something good."

Trees says he has already been booked for at least 10 shows between now and April, both locally and overseas. He says he is not voicing forty-fives but he is working on his album titled Reach A Negril.

For Burro Banton, quitting is not something that he is considering right now either. "Mi nuh feel seh no deejay bigger than me. From mi can mek a tune mi still inna di ting. Mi have bout four new tune now but mi nuh know weh fi head wid it," Burro Banton said.

He says that he gets some airplay from persons like Nikki Z, GT Taylor and Digital Chris but believes he could get airplay from other persons as well.

"I am not the worst. Mi can find mi dinner. Anything weh mi can get (airplay) mi tek 'cause mi can't afford fi pay nobody fi play mi song dem. In Europe weh mi nuh haffi pay nobody fi play mi song, I am the King," said Burro Banton who has been in the business since 1975.

"Every man have dem time. Today for me, tomorrow fi di next man. Some a dem (artistes) love fight fi di hype," said Danger Zone and Bembe selector Jigsy.

He added, "Di years nuh have nutten fi do wid a man career. It is how long dem can keep up."

Jigsy says some artistes have their time as some will seem inactive but they are merely waiting on the right time to record their songs. He says he has to commend those artistes who manage to stay focused and produce hit songs.

Upcoming artiste Bugle, who has done popular songs like Doh and Journey, says he does not foresee an end to his career as he has many years left as an entertainer.

"I will do music forever till death. Music to the grave. Trying to stick around won't help You have to maintain what you have," he said.