New Partnership to Elevate Jamaican Music Globally
Independent music powerhouse Reservoir Media, Inc. is teaming up with renowned music producer Cordel “Skatta” Burrell and Abood Music, a prominent reggae and dancehall publisher, to create a significant impact on Jamaica’s music scene. This collaboration aims to acquire catalogs in local genres while nurturing and developing emerging artists and songwriters.
The partnership seeks to propel a new wave of Jamaican talent, enhancing the country’s rich musical legacy on a global scale. Burrell expressed his enthusiasm in a recent interview, highlighting the need to reach wider audiences in today’s commercialized music landscape. He strongly believes that Jamaica’s vast talent pool is capable of achieving international success, provided that opportunities for emerging artists are created.
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Burrell noted that historically, gatekeepers in the industry have limited access to opportunities for new talent. However, this partnership is aimed at breaking that cycle. He emphasized the global influence of reggae and dancehall, mentioning how his own success in these genres has motivated him to collaborate with Reservoir and Abood Music to further the global impact of Jamaican music.
“Dancehall and reggae have the potential to dominate not only locally but also on an international scale,” Burrell stated. He is committed to combining resources, collaborating on projects, and creating pathways for artists to share their music worldwide.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Burrell shared the recent resurgence of his critically acclaimed Coolie Dance rhythm, originally released in 2003. The rhythm has gained renewed international popularity, especially after being sampled in the Grammy-nominated hit After Hours by Kehlani. Abood Music acquired the rhythm in 2020, and it has since become a staple in various film and television licenses.
The Coolie Dance rhythm has made waves not just in Jamaica, but also in markets like Asia and Europe. Burrell mentioned that it has become the number one rhythm in Turkey, accumulating millions of streams and significant sales. He aims to replicate this success for other local artists through the partnership.
Abood Music, founded by Othman Mukhlis in 2001, has a long-standing history in publishing Jamaican music. Mukhlis expressed his admiration for Jamaica’s talent and its unparalleled influence on the global stage. He believes this joint venture will help ensure that Jamaican artists receive the recognition and rewards they deserve.
Mukhlis pointed out that despite Jamaica’s small size, its pool of talent is remarkably large, and the country has made significant cultural and social contributions worldwide. He sees this partnership as a way to enhance the success of Jamaican artists and producers, providing them with the necessary support to thrive both locally and globally.
Reservoir’s President and COO, Rell Lafargue, also shared his excitement about the collaboration. He stated that Reservoir is committed to supporting both established and emerging Jamaican creators, amplifying their artistry and extending their global reach. The partnership aims to elevate Jamaican music further on the world stage, ensuring that reggae and dancehall continue their upward trajectory.
For more information about Reservoir Media, visit their official site here.
