big ship recording studio group research

INSTITUTE OF CARIBBEAN STUDIES

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, MONA CAMPUS

CLTR2505 (AR25E) – ENTERTAINMENT, MEDIA & CULTURE

RECORDING STUDIO

A cultural enterprise in the Jamaican music Industry

Group membersID#20043045 Carla GittensID#03016307 Devene ColemanID# Laron HarrisID# Miguel ReidID# Robert Williams

Course Lecturer: Dr. Donna Hope Submission Date: November 19th, 2010

The Caribbean contribution to the global cultural economy has been exceptionally significant. It

is noted that the region’s impact on the global cultural economy has been great in relation to its

size. From this viewpoint, the challenges for the cultural industries in the Caribbean go further

than the issue of artist creativity to the challenges of industrial organization and market

development. In fact, it is about taking advantage of budding opportunities and generating new

and alternative art forms and genres in global, regional, and national markets that are

increasingly saturated with content from the main cultural exporters like the USA and the EU.

BIG SHIP Recording Studio is one such cultural enterprise.

In 1989 Freddie McGregor launched his own record label BIG SHIP, featuring ‘Jamaican

Classic Volume One’ as the first major release. His decision to open his own production house

was a strong factor in the development of his offspring’s' musical talents and ambitions,

dancehall artiste Daniel ‘Chino’ McGregor, star producer Stephen 'Di Genius’ McGregor and

upcoming singer Yashimabeth McGregor. Since his children were even more exposed to music

after he set up his studio, perhaps it was inevitable that one day the McGregor boys would take a

spot in the industry. From their days of hanging out and messing around in the studio and being

taken on tours, the youngsters were unknowingly being groomed. Together they are not just a

family unit, but also a musical team, who all play important roles within their family enterprise.

The Organization was registered in the 1990’s and the studio was built in 1995. Big ship

was formed after the success of Freddy McGregor’s song “Big Ship Sailing on the Ocean”. Mr.

McGregor saw it fit to invest in the music industry and develop a company to deal with bookings

and such and named it after the song due to the song’s success. Big Ship is a cultural enterprise

that deals with artiste management, music production, artiste bookings and promotions. Artistes

such as Freddy McGregor, Stephen, Chino, Laden, Bramma, Singing Sweet, and Frisco Kid are

some artistes attached to the production company. Events such as Reggae and Symphony (New

York, Florida), Rock Steady – Reggae Meets Dancehall are examples of events hosted by the

enterprise. Today Big Ship is the largest and most recognized reggae label in Japan handling its

own production, manufacturing, distribution and promotions. Big Ship Studios has put out

numerous rhythms over the years. Among them are 'Cartoon', 'Red Bull and Guinness', '12

Gauge', 'Work out', 'Powercut', 'Tremor', 'Stick Up', 'After Dark', 'Dark Again', '2070s', 'Party',

'Darker Shadow', 'Shadow', 'Ghetto Whiskey', 'Chiney K', 'Daybreak' and 'Forever'. Big Ship is

also responsible for singles such as Always on My Mind by Da'Ville, Overcome from Mavado,

Bounty Killer's War Bridge, I'm Sorry by Laden and numerous others. The youngest

McGregor has worked with 'everybody' in the business, including regulars such as Elephant

Man, Vybz Kartel, and Aidonia. Stephen is very young and has already produced over 500

riddims. The producer's work hasn't gone unnoticed either, as he is nominated in the categories

of Rhythm of the Year, Producer of the Year (reggae and dancehall) at Richie B's EME Awards.

The year 2009 -2010 was also a great year for Big Ship Artistes Laden, Chino and Bramma.

Like every other cultural enterprise, there are challenges faced in Big Ship’s initial stages

of development. The studio which was built in 1995 had some challenges in its physical

infrastructure. If it had depended solely on the first architect asked to design the studio, it

wouldn’t have been built due to the small space available in the McGregor’s home, allocated for

its location. It was however eventually built in the allocated space. Even though small, the studio

can be described as colorful and high-tech and its recruits don’t seem to mind working in its

small space. Competition was rigid and posed a challenge for this young enterprise. Since they

are an independent label, the marketing and promotion of their products and services were

extremely difficult. The off springs also faced difficulties from other key players in the industry.

"The stereotype is that we have it easy and for that, they will want to give you a hard time,"

Chino expresses. Hard work and determination helped this enterprise to overcome its challenges.

According to Stephen McGregor, creating better ideas than the competitors and being different,

gives them the edge. What makes them different, Stephen went on by saying they are family

oriented, so that brings a level of comfort, people are able to relate to them easier. They consider

themselves ‘down to earth’.

Neither the government nor any other private sector company played any part in the

success of this cultural enterprise. Capital was from personal funding, hard work and

determination did the rest. Big Ship networks with companies such as Solid Agency and

Headline Entertainment who does booking for them for a commission cost. Big Ship has a

somewhat large overseas audience. The company’s artistes are in demand internationally.

Therefore, it can be argued that there must be some level of international influence, or… the

argument can be rebutted and be deduced to the famous concept of Bob Marley opening the

gates for reggae music worldwide, and that reggae and or dancehall music will always have a

significant impact internationally. Often times, most African American musical artistes such as

Jay Z mention roots in Jamaica. Even the latest single ‘Man Down’ by Rihanna on her LOUD

album have major reggae influence from the rhythm to the lyrics and pronunciation.

At Big Ship large numbers of calls are processed everyday from the USA, Canada and

especially Europe. Customers of their services are usually promoters for artiste booking, Record

Labels, Sound Systems and Artiste (Dub plates, Beats and Rhythms, Studio time). Fan base is

from both the young population (Chino, Stephen, and Laden) and the Older Population (Freddy).

The fans played a role in the success of this company by receiving the products and services with

appreciation, which encourages them at Big Ship to work harder, according to Stephen.