Thoughts on Bouyon…

Outspoken Dominican music producer, Krishna 'Dada' Lawrence has some frank comments about Bouyon.

'Dada' who operates Cotton Grove Studios said there is room for improvement and development in every aspect of Bouyon.

He underscored the need for better lyrics, stating that the lyrics Bouyon songwriters produce are largely substandard.

Further, he feels that young, entry-level performers need to learn the musical formula and fundamentals of the genre before jumping on the Bouyon bandwagon.

"Nobody should be a chef and don't know how to cook," he said, adding, "Learn to play the music. Learn the sound of it because a lot of [young musicians] don't know the sound of it…"

He is also concerned that Bouyon has "too many owners" and people producing Bouyon outside of its inner circle are stonewalled.

Another concern is that Bouyon dies after Carnival and does not come alive again until the next music season.

"I don't want to die with the music," Dada said, noting that he has been producing Bouyon 'riddims' successfully for many Caribbean musicians.

"Everybody wants to have it under their arm…" he said, adding, "In my perspective I am trying to sell it to the world so it can become bigger."

He said that success in Bouyon matches exactly the work that was put into it and, unless there is significant and consistent production and promotion, the music will not progress.

Additionally, he recommends that Bouyon music should be produced for an international market instead of constricted pockets of fans. Otherwise, international success would be elusive.

He said a lack of vision and self-motivation has hindered the development of the genre. "Bouyon has no industry; no market-- no nothing!" he declared.

Dada pointed out that Soca has gained international momentum in the world because the artistes and producers are pushing it to the world.

He noted that for years, there has not been significant production of Bouyon because there is a power struggle in which Dominican artistes and deejays resist linking the genre to 'Soca'.

"That is the power struggle right there…Bouyon has no industry, no market…Soca has the greatest infrastructure . . . the market we have to sell the Bouyon in is the Soca market," he declared.

Dada explained that Bouyon and Soca are consumed in the same way and the Soca market is the most receptive to Bouyon.

He said there is no escaping the reality that Soca is a dominant force, while Bouyon has no industry and far fewer followers.

In fact, Dada says it is by following his own advice that he has been successful in making inroads in a wider market than Dominica.

"The reason why I was able to make progress is because I was able to sell the music as Soca" he maintained, adding that this strategy produced significant returns and traction for Bouyon music.

"We need to watch the Soca vibe to sell the music in there and improve the standard of recording and writing…and we will be fine…I am doing it with foreign artistes," he said.

Commenting on Bouyon's lyrical content, Dada stated, "It's garbage that's there. If you want my opinion to change-- write better songs."