NEW YORK – The Caribbean sometimes seems to have as many international jazz and music festivals as it has islands, but some believe that regional talent is often marginalized. In contrast, BET Networks says islanders have a sure slot on stage and on the BET and BET J channels when the network is involved.
Speaking on BBC Radio’s Caribbean Magazine last week, Cybelle Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for BET Digital Networks, addressed concerns that American artistes are an increasing majority at music festivals. She assured Caribbean music fans that BET makes a concerted effort to feature regional artistes, guaranteeing at least two acts for each day of performances.
Cybelle Brown
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
BET Digital Networks
Brown said this commitment is part of a BET philosophy to make sure the festivals showcase individual destinations and their artistes. Performances are filmed and aired on BET, BET J and on MTV Digital Networks channels such as VH1 Soul and VH1 Classic, affording Caribbean artistes wide international exposure.
“Our goal is always to include the local artistes in the Caribbean region on our roster, on our line-up for each festival so that we’re able to provide them with a platform to present themselves to North America,” Brown told BBC Producer Jacqueline Springer, affirming that BET is sensitive to the representation of regional talent when partnering with Caribbean nations for their events.
Brown announced to BBC listeners that the Turks and Caicos Music Festival will take place from July 31 to August 7, 2006 and to prove her point about tapping islands talent, the diverse line-up includes Jamaica’s Steel Pulse, and T.O.K. Local acts will be confirmed in the weeks ahead.
