7 months ago
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Comar ‘Frankie Music’ Campbell is a name that has become a heavyweight in the music industry in a relatively short time. The Grammy- and Billboard Award-winning producer and manager is acknowledged as a visionary within music circles, and over the last decade he has honed his skills as sharp as the razors that he uses when he chooses to spend his time in his other profession of choice — barbering.
Three months after the third staging of his annual Essence of Reggae Music Festival, which has been hailed as a tremendous success, Frankie Music is still basking in the glory, but he is simultaneously focused on his musical projects for 2024.
“I am totally satisfied with the results of this year’s Essence of Reggae Festival. It had the right look and feel ... and the big plus is that all the people who were targeted showed up. Big shout-out to all the volunteers, the accountants, the lawyers who were there, and to the sponsors and the people who came for the teaching and the entertainment. All the artistes on the line-up were present ... Sizzla gave a real European performance ... and it’s a good look for the next staging,” Frankie shared of the day-into-night event which was staged at the Police Officers’ Club on February 3.
His vision is to ultimately produce up to a week-long reggae festival, “just like what we see outside of Jamaica in some places that don’t even speak English”; and his mission is to assist with educating those in the musical ecosystem about the business side of the music business. However, the producer of Koffee’s Grammy Award=winning Ragamuffin knows only too well that patience is a virtue, and he has loads of it.
“It is important that we all understand the business of the music, as that will help us to make better decisions. For example, in America, it is estimated that it takes US$200,000 to break a song, and that is probably the budget for just one state. Therefore, when young artistes go into a contract with people who are investing money in their careers, it is important to respect that contract. People make investments to get a return,” Frankie Music stated.
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He emphasised, “The first thing in business ... any business ... is to respect everybody. I have as much respect for my janitor who cleans my business as I have for my accountant, lawyer and artistes.”
NEW PROJECTS
Sharing a bit about his current projects, the Frankie Music CEO disclosed that dancehall artistes Laalee as well as the duo of Kevyn and Qraig (Voicemail), who are all signed to his production label, have new music that is ready for the road. Laalee has returned with the singles Screechie and Gyal Dem Time, which features ReniGAD, and an EP from him is also in the works for a possible summer release.
From Voicemail has come the controversial single, Pay Grade.
On the heels of the release of these singles came the dancehall project titled the ‘Bashment ’ Riddim, for which Frankie Music hosted a listening party at the Molynes Road studio last Thursday.
In collaboration with event coordinator/producer Luigi Society, Frankie also unveiled what he described as “the high-calibre reggae juggling” ‘Smooth Sailing’ riddim , featuring 11 artistes, including Lutan Fyah, Turbulence, Junior Kelly, Munga Honorable, Voicemail, and others.
He has also been teasing a new reggae single from message music singer Natural Blacks.
Currently in expansion mode, Frankie is now opening a second studio as well as an official office for Frankie Music Production Booking Agency at his Molynes Road location.
He shared that post-COVID, his outfit is fully in business and ready to take on the challenge of moving the reggae music industry into its rightful slot.
Quizzed about upcoming project with ‘Grammy Kid’ Koffee, Frankie Music said “not at the present”, but he isn’t ruling anything out.
“When you are signed to a management team, they call the shots, but any time they are ready for me to do work with Koffee, I am ready,” the super producer declared.
Frankie Music, which has distributed impressive musical projects through distribution giants VPAL Music and 21st Hapilos, took on its current name 2012 and is described as “the musical creative side of Comar ‘Frankie’ Campbell, who strives to produce and promote excellent quality music, no matter the genre”.
He has produced hits such as Jah Glory (Raging Fyah); Dat You Want, (RR, feat. Sizzla Kalonji); Love Her (Duane Stephenson); Mine, (Shawn Antoine, feat. Lia Caribe); She’s Happy, (Konshens and Delus); Dweet Again, (Beenie Man) and the ‘Chillax’ riddim (featuring Konshens’ Love You Forever Drunk Confession).
English (US) ·