When old-school deejay Mad Cobra ventured into the music business in the late 1980s, the technology was not half as advanced as it is today. There was no social media for artistes to promote their work, and music devotees would have to make the trek to a record shop and endure lines before snatching that newly released album sold on vinyl and cassettes.
Today, the Flex star is proud of the strides made by dancehall acts, but believes more can be done to make use of what his contemporaries lacked decades ago.
“It is easier for them now. Back in the day, when we do a record, those records would have to be transferred overseas physically by going on vinyl, print up, carry and ship it to Japan or wherever in the world. But now, with just one press of a button, it is there in a split second,” Mad Cobra told THE WEEKEND STAR.
“It is easier for the music to spread now with the technology. You just need to build the network. I don’t think the artistes now are using the technology the way they should.”
He added that the genre has also evolved to a more foreign sound. Though he has incorporated hip hop, R&B and jazz in some of his records, Mad Cobra said that it is important to uphold the hardcore sonic of dancehall.
“I notice that you don’t have to be musical to do dancehall right now,” he said.
“There are a few producers that are keeping the style of the art form, but sometimes it sways more to the hip hop side. The music is more watered-down to me. It is not as hardcore.”
In pushing the genre forward, Mad Cobra encouraged artistes to not become distracted by the glitz and glamour of celebrity life, and channel their creative juices into recording timeless music.
“Youngsters, think about the music more than the hype and negativity. Yes, negative is good sometimes ’cause it creates a buzz, but you don’t want to create so much damage that you have to do damage control. I know some artistes are on the right path because I will hear their names mentioned when I am in certain circles,” he said.