[Don P]

Most people will say $20 and so will I - in BKK I was happy getting free drinks all night plus the return taxi fare

But if it's been gig after gig like that for months..... then I'd prefer to get $150 to play to an empty house - my wife would be happier for sure

[David Pablo]

Considering many reggae legends work regular dayjobs (Jimmy Riley,for example, who penned and sang many classic songs,works as a bricklayer) to make ends meet, you reallt have to be humble in this buisiness of reggae music and be grateful for the $20.However, if the possibility to make $ without comprimising owns artistic vision exists, by all means it must be taken.Because there are barriers (the stereotypes of the reggae/Rasta musician/fan as a dope smoking ,anti-establishment
soul rebel,for example) , it is up to us, our generation, to, in the late words of Mikey Dread, "Break Down The Walls" and create those marketing ops and bring some real money into the industry so that ,with demand, these living legends will be able to retire of the money made from making music and not , like I-Roy, die penniless in the Kingston ghetto.Mikey was very enthusiastic about the fact reggae had been not only been embraced but studied ,assimilated and played by people from the four corners of the world( which is why he agreed to work with extensivly with the Clash back when.He would also show excitement when I would discuss with him the old site and the possibillities the internet has for musical collaborationand it's implications for Jamaican studios in particular (the online dubplate as percursor to more original works created with talent from yard ,abroad and foriegn with no one leaving their homes until sales necessitated a tour,etc).
At the same time, humility is a must, as reggae is first and foremost a Jamaican creation, and needs to be respected as such.Case in point (and yet, yawn, I know,I know, another Mikey anecdote):I was w. mikey backstage at a show ,along with a rather famous reggae producer who I will not namehere.The producer began a rant to Mikey how reggae was being lost-foreigners were making it now, with computerized ragga riddims carrying the swing in JA studios and dancehalls for years now.A "Jamaican creation was being stolen from it's rightful owners! ", the producer exclaimed, getting increasing more agitated , bloodc@@ting and bumbo-
cl$%ting left right and center,and Mikey just listening.At one point Mikey looked me in the eye as if to say "wow, this guy is full of s#$@,don't let him worry yuh none,,Pabs",as my plan to introduce myself to this producer vanished like a cloud of ganja smoke into the night.
The point of that story? Be humble,but strive to make reggae commercialy viable and make money at it ,while keeping in mind the originators of the music,whom should rightfuly get a share of the spoils via sharing the bill with you on your worldwide,sold out tours, guesting on your multi-platinum records and the videos,sharing the limo ride or,better,having there own limo to the gig,etc.....
Like Mikey said in "Roots and culture"-
"Don't you let the lifestyle feed you...
Don't you burn your bridges deh behind you..
Remember your Roots and Culture"

Originally Posted by Lion of the Tribe

Same gig, but the band is hot and tight that night, the dancefloor is packed and the crowd cant get enough, wicked vibes but the pay is only like $20 per man for the set

What would bring you more satisfaction?

Is it a $20 plus for me or 20$ in total? If I had travelling expenses of I don't know 100$ and then get only a total of 20$ for the set, I would definitely chose the first scenario where I get 150$ and can actually play all the stuff that I like without caring if the people don't like it because they obviously don't like it either way. If the travel expenses would be covered and then I get an additional 20$ which leaves me with a little plus, I would choose the second scenario.

[el bib]

only way to make regular money djing is to join a dj agency.downside is they ask you to categorise yourself to one genre.i was down as latin house which i love ,but found it a little restrictive.also if they book you as a reggae dj ,they want you to play only well known stuff allnight,play something from here and you lose your job.i know ,i nearly lost mine for playing some deep house versions of mutabaraka.the agency boss came in and told me if didnt start playing latin again ,i wouldnt get paid.saying that i was getting 70 quid a week without question and had some great gigs.another downside is the amount of responsibility you carry if youre gettin paid regular.if you have a quiet night due to bad weather etc.you the dj get the blame.i played there for one year,but one week i go there and theres two kids playin r and b.the geezer didnt even have the courtesy to tell me id been replaced.