@FiveSteez on why Jcan rap is marginalized
"Because Jamaica is fucked up in general.
Why else would the land of Kool Herc not acknowledge and proudly proclaim part ownership of the biggest genre in youth culture and celebrate its own creators right here at home?
There is an answer.
In one simple word... it is "Reggae".
That is over simplifying the issue, however. The reality is that Bob Marley and Reggae made Jamaica known to the world. Both Bob Marley and Reggae music are loved all over ... a proud accomplishment for a tiny island in the Caribbean. This pride in Reggae (and by extension, Dancehall) coupled with a poorly structured industry built solely around Reggae & Dancehall makes it difficult for anyone using a "foreign" art form to be heard and seen through the traditional channels and avenues such as radio and stageshows.
Internally [within Jamaican rap music], there are also problems. In spite of the external challenges, local Hip Hop has never properly organized itself as a community and none of the individuals or entities within ever successfully established a profitable business model in the music business. Hence, for the most part, there have been no avenues for exposure or even congregation aside from certain studios that are home to various rappers and crews and the few events that took place during different periods. In general, we have not done enough to get out there. But that is changing right now. And things are looking better than ever."
