PM Urges Artists to Think Globally, Citing Claudette Peters and Asa Banton
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called on Antiguan and Barbudan artists to adopt a global outlook if they are to fully realise their potential in the music industry.
Speaking on his Browne and Browne radio programme on Pointe FM, Browne said many talented local performers fail to gain international recognition due to a lack of strategic management and exposure.
He cited acclaimed soca singer Claudette Peters as one such example.
“Somebody like Claudette Peters, for example, who has had a significant amount of material — I don’t think that she has realised her full potential, and through no fault of hers,” he said. “But [she] never had the type of management to really take her beyond a certain exposure.”
In contrast, he pointed to Bouyon artist Asa Banton from Dominica as someone who has benefitted from proactive self-promotion.
“I see artists, for example, with far less ability — people like, no disrespect to him, the same Asa Banton. But when you look at the Bouyon boss, the man has now promoted himself,” Browne said. “Getting more jobs than them now.”
He warned that focusing solely on small domestic markets would limit artistic growth and economic success.
“I’ve seen too many of our talented people literally kill their talents by focusing exclusively on a small domestic market that cannot sustain them,” he said. “All competition is global.”
The Prime Minister referenced global superstars such as Bob Marley and Rihanna to emphasise the importance of thinking beyond the Caribbean.
“Look at Bob Marley — he has literally dominated the globe with his reggae. Rihanna, for example, is a Caribbean talent,” he said. “If they were domesticated in their outlook, they would not have achieved what they achieved.”
Browne also praised the late Antiguan calypsonian Arrow, known for the international hit “Hot Hot Hot,” as an example of someone who understood how to break through international markets.
“Arrow emanated out of Montserrat… you think Arrow had the talent of King Swallow? But Arrow had management and exposure,” he said.
Browne stressed the need for greater industry support and the use of modern tools such as artificial intelligence to enhance creativity.
“If we’re going to become a more creative people, then we have to engage the use of technologies — AI and so on — to ensure that all aspects of our creative development, there’s some improvement,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s comments were part of a wider discussion on cultural development and his administration’s plans to invest in the performing arts.
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Claudette Peters shoulda been a global star long time. She have the voice, the presence, the catalog — but we just never pushed her properly. PM talking facts here.
Not even from here, but Claudette remind me of Tanya Stephens with that raw talent. Antigua, y’all sleeping on gold.
Asa Banton smart — he promote himself hard and collect every booking. No shade, but if Claudette had that kinda machine behind her, she’d be in Europe every Carnival season.
It’s sad though that it takes the PM to say it for people to realise. Why the private sector and tourism board not investing in cultural ambassadors?
Browne right bout Arrow too. Man buss international with ‘Hot Hot Hot’ cause he had vision. We need more of that.
PM say Claudette didn’t have the right management… but who in authority ever stepped in to change that? All we do is praise dem after they get old.
We need to stop thinking like 108 square miles. We got the talent — what we need now is the platform and real industry support.
Talk nice, but action better. How many of our artists getting export-ready support? Talk is cheap.
PM highlighting real issues. We need to create systems so the next Claudette don’t get left behind.
Too many of our artists just perform for the same local crowd year after year. No growth, no change in approach. PM drop some heavy truths dey.
Claudette Peters deserve big stage. If she was from Trinidad she woulda deh pan every major Carnival circuit.
Such bullet the man has more talent he knows how to handle his business like a pro he is,how dare u make such statement about asa that man is talented
Not only that. Asa is a people’s person. So you gotta love people, give back to the community and take care of others just what the bouyon boss does.
That’s because they think too much of themselves. They are both very difficult to manage. Plus their managers are weak.
If u want ur house. Pait and ur family painter a cut stile and. A. Go on like he. To good for that small task a wa u go do. Sit and wait till them come round. TALLL GET SOME BODY EALS. FU GET IT DONE. THOSE 2 FROM ANTIGUA. A. ONLY. SUmmer time. We hear. About them. Just like politicians only. Voting time and pre. Voting event/rally e we see them
First things first, what you mean by “far less ability”? Don’t do that Mr PM. we gone act like the PM didn’t say that.
But on a more serious note, Asa Banton is a humble man, and more than anything he used his social media to build his audience, he interacted with his followers and he is very relatable.
Two, bouyon music is a genre of its own, it is unique, unlike soca which every year has hundreds of songs and there is a lot of competition to stand out amongst the Trinidads,St Vincents and Grenadas of the region.
Thirdly, Asa does alot of collaborations, not just on music but he shares his stage with many up and coming artists and musicians, supporting and promoting them and in turn they do the same.
Fourthly, Asa is not stooch, even with all his success he still performs at the little village festivals in Dominica. Once he can make it he will be there even if it’s a little late. He will still give you all the energy and put on a great performance rain or sunshine, night or day.
Sixtly, Asa has his own fete. He saw a void in the market and he capitalized on it. There is no fancy product and crazy graphics for marketing, again he leveraged his social media and he went out and asked for sponsorship. He also gives back to the people whether in cash or kind, every chance he gets. it’s Only in the last shower of rain given the raise and popularity of bouyon has the DA government started assisting where possible.
Lastly, Being great and having international recognition and demand is not a guarantee. You have to want it, no management can give it too you. You have people like Spice who to this day says she is her own manager and booking agent. So just like Asa, she wants it. So Claudette & Tian if you want more go get it and don’t let anyone stand in your way. Carve out your own space in the industry. Try new sounds, work with other artists, build your fan base and have a bigger social media presence.. It’s not a “I’m better or should be further than you thing” like the PM is trying to imply, there is room for everyone at the regional and international table. It’s y’all who need to bring your chair and not wait for someone to hand you it.
@Nature Isle, you are SO RIGHT!!! Asa talks to everyone as if he’s known you for years…. Very personable. This is what some artist fail to realize. You can’t have your nose in the air and a stick up your a$$ at your fans. Your fans make you!!!! You’d be nowhere without your fans!!!! Tian is too “nuff”!!! That attitude will keep you “Local”.
We need to get with the time, every year we come with the same concept, which is making music for Wadadli and Wadadli only and this been going on for years. By the way it’s not CP and Tian only, all our artists in regards to music are trending the same way and that’s why after carnival, internationally our music done.
The government now serms to be helping them out by giving them a trip to the U.S for Labor day and Miami, but even abroad the music still seems to captures the same Wadadli audience, while Asa on the other hand will have the entire music world jumping, partying and destroying the place. Even the guy Pumpa from the VI making waves and our top name artists just can’t seems to catch tat big break
Yes we might have the better voice etc, but our music is not reaching the rest of the world. Take a look at our Road marches, stagnant no further! even the ones we used to send to TnT to represent us on the Big stage was a joke and we knew that but we still let them embarrassed us, and the trend continues.
The Bouyon Boss is charismatic…a people’s person! He blends in with blue and red…no political puppet! He is 100 TIMES MORE CREATIVE THAN Claudette and Tian because he does not limit himself to music. He is a philanthropist who gives back to community and one who is endeared by many…even the differently-abled and mentally challenged! Dominica loves Asa! Ask Polo!
One of the main problem we are having is refusing Non nationals for taking part in cultural events, anything Antiguans and Barbudans appreciate non nationals more in the culture, and Music industry,they will do much better…