Many might wonder how an island closer to Venezuela than to Jamaica can have such a shocking surge of reggae culture, as opposed to a greater influence of Latin American music. Trinidadian reggae artists are often remarked as lesser to Jamaican reggae artists, but the plight is all the same.

It is indeed hard to ignore (Trinidadian-born) Mr. King’s, “Laventille”, but most people gravitate towards the more renown likes of Damian Marley’s “Welcome to Jamrock”.

Poverty is indeed a problem on this island republic, and most of the local reggae artists have covered this topic in many of their songs. Especially with focus on Laventille; an area in north Trinidad which hails the most drug and gang related crime in the country. These reggae melodies usually plead to the young people to put down their guns and unite.

Both Jamaica and Trinidad are going through the same crisis and reggae provides a good format to express feelings as a struggling person who feels like every move is being taken under surveillance.

There is no doubt that music speaks to people and entertainers have the power to make a difference and now more than ever that difference is needed.

Studio 53 is a trio of young producers from La Horquetta who are responsible for the beats behind the hits from Isasha and Million Voice. As a mini-record label stepping out of obscurity late last year, the three Jabari Charles, Kwesi Robinson and Roberito Angelo Pantin have signed nine up-and-coming reggae artistes whom they said would take T&T by storm by 2009.

Written by Jamie Jaggernauth.

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