PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association (TTPA) Monday said that it is “extremely concerned” at the circumstances that led to Jamaican dancehall artiste, Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer, not performing in the country as advertised last weekend.
In a two-page statement, the association said that the promoters of the One Caribbean Musical Festival (OCMF) are not members of the TTPA, and “to be clear — we do not speak for the group, nor do we speak on behalf on behalf of the group”.
“We do, however, want to say at all times, it is our hope that events held on our shores are executed successfully. When that does not happen it affects the whole industry.”
In a statement on Saturday, the day of the event, Kartel’s management team said, despite numerous efforts to resolve the issues over the past couple of months, the promoter was unable to fulfil the stipulated requirements as outlined in the performance agreement.
“Vybz Kartel has always been committed to delivering captivating and unforgettable performances for his fans. However, we cannot in good conscience allow him to participate in an event where the organisers have not honoured their basic contractual obligations.”
In an Instagram post on May 31, Kartel told fans and others concerned about issues with concert promoters, JACHO Entertainment, regarding the show that had been mired in some level of controversy , with the new government outlining measures for the singer to adopt while in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Grammy-nominated artiste said he was brought into loggerheads with the Trinidad and Tobago government because of the promoter’s insistence that he visit a school or youth centre.
He added that the promoter wanted to host the event during Carnival, and he was among many who advised the promoter not to do so.
The artiste said the promoter needed to tell the people that he just could not manage a Kartel show and that his only regret was that the promoter robbed the fans of the chance to see him after so many years.
Kartel apologised to the fans and the government.
A release from OCMF said the Jamaican was formally contracted to perform for US$ 1.35 million and “to date, US$950,000 has been paid directly to the artiste. An additional US$150,000 was disbursed to his legal representative”.
“The remaining balance due was made available in full; however, due to legal and financial regulations in Trinidad and Tobago, the organisers were unable to disburse the final amount in cash.”
In its statement, the TTPA said it values the Trinidad and Tobago brand and that “we have a solid reputation worldwide as event producers of tremendous quality, the environment that our industry operates in matters, the stakeholders that we all serve when we have an event matter”.
“This event was no up to our standards and about this we are extremely concerned,” the TTPA said, adding “Coming out of this, we believe that it is time to broaden dialogue with the state and our private sector partners in an effort to ensure that issues like the ones being discussed are minimal or wholly non-existent.”
“We want to lead a consultative approach towards achieving deep legislative reform, specific to the entertainment and tourism sectors.”
The TTPA said that it wants to “recommence negotiations with the Attorney General’s Office to achieve the drafting and passage of specific and modern legislation that, among other things, protects patrons, entertainers/creatives and event producers in the future from similar situations”.