Corey Todd, boss of Unlimited Daggering, which markets and bottles the famous Street Vybz Rum (news of 27/02/2008) has had a new idea to develop his marketing: setting up a talent contest sponsored by Gaza, Vybz Kartel's crew.
This Gaza Talent Search will take place every Friday, at the club The Building, in place of the Fresh Fridays nights. Each winner, in addition to receiving a cheque, will be able to join the monthly final, before applying for the big concert to be held in December, which will bring together the winners of each category. The grand prize winner will be offered a recording contract with the Portmore Empire, 500,000 Jamaican dollars (4,400 euros), and the shooting of a video for their first single.
A talent contest marketed as "Gaza" that will be unlike the others, showcasing hardcore dancehall. "Street Vybz has real credibility with the street and the dancehall community, participants will not be censored. And unlike other talent contests, the winner will really be well promoted," he told the website Outaroad.
It makes you wonder about the candidates selected: will a young talent on Bounty Killer's Alliance side be allowed to take part? Questions brushed aside by Todd, who points out that The Building welcomes everyone. On the other hand, someone who is unlikely to look kindly on this contest is Arif Cooper, who ran the Fresh Fridays. Corey Todd lays his cards on the table: "It was the weakest night of the week. Arif needs to realise he didn't promote Fresh Fridays enough, they have almost no buzz in the streets."