MACHEL MONTANO CONQUORS CROP OVER
Lil Jon, Pitbull, TOK in Tow
FOX FOTOS: Machel Montano with surprise guests Lil Jon and Pitbull
headline Cohobblopot in Bridgetown, Barbados on August 3, 2008.

“NEW YORK, NY (RHONA FOX, INC.)- Soca superstar Machel Montano brought the excitement and thus the masses to the annual Crop Over celebrations in Barbados, last week. First with the bMobile EnVy concert on July 26, followed by the Brian Lara All-Inclusive Fete on August 2, then performing to a sold-out crowd at Cohobblopot on August 3, and finally hitting the street parade for Grand Kadooment on August 4, Montano was the face of Crop Over this year.”
 
As entertainers and Barbadians, we should note with concern the above international media report.I have been hearing local cultural administrators patting them selves on the back on a successful Cohobblopot and I have been seeing your comments as to how “ram” the show was. Let’s examine its success more closely shall we?
The National Cultural Foundation has a mandate to develop the Barbadian entertainment industry, I believe that’s what “National” means. To re enforce concepts that are suppose to help us define our bajan identity and highlight things that are Bajan. Cohobblopot 2008 failed miserably in that regard. As evidenced by the above excerpt NCF produced a show where bajan acts were relegated to second bananas “begging for a blight”, while Machel was paid the biggest fee and given the most performance time (2 hours) and the highest production budget. Our own Lil Rick had his stage time reduced to “five stinking minutes” as he described it. Other bajan acts had their time reduced which would have diminished their impact. Rupee’s set was interrupted several times to facilitate drawing the car.
There was not enough room in the budget for Bajan Alison Hinds or Mr Dale but enough for an American rapper.
 Cohobblopot 2008 deviated so far from highlighting Barbadiana it was not funny, Bajans were on it but merely as supporting acts. While NCF achieved the objective of cohobblopot being a financial success, it was a cultural failure.  In the opening review of the event they are not saying that Krosfyah, Lil Rick Asiba or RPB dominated the show, they say it was conquered by the Trinis’s and Americans. Instead of 100% bajan music being featured on radio stations as with previous Crop Overs, our national festival airplay time was now diluted with Trini music.

It is not unknown that a Cohobblopot featuring 100% local acts would work, in the 1990’s the event was given to a private promoter and with only local entertainment being featured attendence went to over 25,000 patrons.
Any commercial promoter could have put on a show featuring every foreign Tom Dick Machel and Jon and generated money, the National Cultural Foundation had a further cultural responsibility which they needed to adhere to.    

Here’s one of the burning issues you want me to deal with, Euphoria 2008.             

Regardless of the financial results of the event, its existence is essential to challenging the commercial government strong hold which continues to be maintained on Crop Over the night before kadooment.               
Let’s look at some of Euphoria’s achievements, because of this event there were many Bajan acts included on Cohobblopot that would have been left off.     
The last minute inclusion of 2008 Pic o de Crop monarch Adrian Clarke is an example of this. It was only after Euphoria added him to our line up and started promoting this, did cohobblopot follow suit. It had become the norm for several years that the Pic o De Crop monarch was no longer included in the cohobblopot event.          
The fact that Euphoria was able to overcome the obstacles speaks to the fact that entrepreneurial involvement is being allowed in the festival.                       
Stated government policy supports efforts like euphoria, but certain key individuals are deviating from the policy for their own ends. (If you have a key in your pocket maybe its you)                      
Euphoria offered an opportunity that artistes who were not included on Cohobblopot could still work, it also offered a competitive alternative in terms of ticket prices. If not for the technical challenges, we would have achieved our objective entertainment wise and not have lost out on the flow of patrons who had started to enter the venue.                                    
We want to thank the Prime Minister for endorsing Euphoria publicly and his assistance and Senator Irene Sandiford Garner for attending the event.                             
Euphoria’s misfortune was daring to challenge a government statutory entity which was willing spare no expense of tax payers money to crush a private sector effort.                     
Euphoria’s fortune is that there is still a government intent to truly assist, develop and involve the entrepreneur in Crop Over.

Euphoria Inc would also like to thank our sponsors Starcom Network, Eqity Insurance and major sponsor The Plantation Garden Theatre, with out them and others who assisted and gave advice behind the scenes, the event would not have been possible.

Coming up:Cohobblopot Analysis

Just to show there is no hard feelings, this morning I am going to give Cohobblopot some free promotion! Lets focus on the latest addition to the Crop Over National Festival Cohobblopot, American Rap artiste Lil Jon.
Lets take some time to peruse some lyrics of Mr lil Jon, here”s his song ‘Bitches aint Sh*t’.

Back in the days i use to like bitches
But i tell you now days bitches aint sh*t
And if you wonder why i say this
I’ve had a lot of women and bitches think they slick
Sneakin’ around f**kin’ around whenever were not around
Actin’ all sophisticated spending money that she didnt make
I get so mad that i could slap her actin like she cleopatra
Aint no need to ask shes a slave to tha money and im the master  
Thats why i smoke sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday
Dont let no girl no bitch (hey) no man no nigga get in my way
I keep my gun with me (always) for peace i keep it right by my side
Big nate long beach we’ll keep Lil’ Jon tight beat

Whoa, that is what you call hard hitting lyrics, I now see why Soca Queen Alison Hinds and Mr Dale could not get on Cohobblopot. Decision makers at the National Cultural Foundation have F@#king out done them selves in their attempt to deepen our cultural awareness. I take my F@#king hat off to them, I am learning something from Lil Jon already…

Every year consistently without fail, the Royal Barbados Police Force does its utmost to stop Euphoria!
In our first year 2005 they denied police security and then spent the entire weekend of the show harassing the euphoria venue owner contriving reasons the show should not go on. They failed.                                 
 In 2007 the letter we sent to police requesting security mysteriously disappeared and conversations we had with them they could not remember having. They failed to stop the event then too.                           
Now in 2008 the Police once again  has stepped up to the plate in its draconian and even more aggressive efforts stand in the way of cultural entrepreneurs.Not only are they denying security but by calling the media to ensure that the message is sent that Euphoria production is in joepordary achieves a more sinister objective we will reveal.                         
Why has the agency whose primary task is to prevent crime also added to its objectives stopping an entertainment event?         
Let Boyce tell you why, because every Euphoria event has been on the same night as cohobblopot. Therefore the police has been constantly used as a tool to protect the financial interests of the government by stamping on private enterprise.
Even if you look at their call to the media, as you would know the police is not known to be a friend of newspapers as media has a nasty habit of reporting on incidents of abuse done by the police.                                 
The malicious intent of the timing of their phone call is to effectively remove “euphoria” as competition so that cohobblopot tickets would be free to sell. 

In all the previous years that we have had Euphoria there is one person who stood by us in these times of difficulty with the police.
 That person is our now Prime Minister David Thompson. Back then he was David our legal advisor and he was very effective in representing us in these Police issues.
I can honestly say if not for the efforts of David there would be no Euphoria.

Guess who I have written too?

Euphoria Cliff hanger continues tomorrow….

He might be wrong and he usually is, but this week during an interview on CBC radio he was dead right… Well let’s say just “right”.
Blogging about veteran entertainer Smokey Burke and some comments in an interview with Admiral that was literally right on the money.
 Smokey stated that because of the support the United States entertainment industry got from its government, the sector in turn generated billions of dollars and contributed greatly to the U.S economy annually.             
Boyce agrees with this statement one billion percent!
The U.S government supports the industry without getting involved and unfairly competing against the people in it.   In 2007 the movie industry grossed over $9.7 billion in ticket sales, yet you will never hear Condlezza Rice or Vice President Cheney planning to produce  movies and get involved in the entertainment business, they leave that to the persons who specialise and make their living in that sector.   
In Barbados there seems to be perennial mindset by certain misguided officials that Government should be using its awesome power and might to extinguish and crush entrepreneurial cultural spirit. The current Crop Over showdown now on of the mighty government Cohobblopot vs. local entertainers Euphoria event is a blatant example of that perversion of power. 

“

Like sands in the hour glass”
“So are the “Days of our Controversial Lives”

I hope you are happy now…
All those people who have been harassing and all the media who have been constantly dropping remarks…
I told you I would soon have to withdraw my controversy apology. Yesterday’s broadcast media heralded my Boyce announcement that the controversial “Euphoria” event is on, As usual on the same night as Cohobblopot.
I also made some statements as to how authorities were forcing artistes to sign exclusive contracts in order to prevent Euphoria from going on. On one hand you have offical statements being made stating events will be given out to allow the private cultural industries to get involved in Crop Over.

On the other hand you have underhanded nasty tactics being used maintain control of the most prized Crop Over asset aka “Cohobblopot”. I understand they are attempting to get people to sign off on 2 year agreements, which means they dont have any intention of releasing control any time in the near future. But yet people standing up in front a microphone and talking bout encouraging entreprenuers to get involve in Crop Over, it makes my ass sick.

So it can be officially stated that you have come to the end of your quiet time ladies and gentlemen, its time to kick some ass!
The immediate reaction I have been getting from people is” I know he couldn’t help”; he could not let a whole Crop Over go and not cause no problems”.
I am pretty disappointed you had no faith in me, I knew I couldn’t do it, but I am hurt that you didn’t think I could.
They are several things that are wrong with that Cohobblopot scenario,Things that need to be spoken to,
so let’s speak to them then!

Stay tuned to Boyce Voice and the media for more, as we commence in what can be termed another episode in the “Days of our Controversial Lives”.

I have been standing in bedazzled wonderment at the metamorphosis of the event which is known to be the climax of our Crop Over festival aka “Cohobblopot”.

It morphs and morphs and morphs, like a “Terminator” special effect.
First cultural authorities started out by saying there would be NO trini acts headlining crop over events that the government staged. 

Then they changed their position and announced that Machel Montano from Trinidad was going to be headliner.
Alright that’s one trini in the “pot” because of Caricom and all that. All right we went on.

Next I see in the media, Trinidadians Patrice Roberts and David Rudder are now being added to be all headliner acts of Cohobblopot, also I hear that Sparrow and Farmer Nappy are included some where in the mix as well.
That’s quite a change in position that started out NO TRINIS will be headlining Cohobblopot.
Next I read that negotiations are now being finalised to include the Brian Lara fete in Cohobblopot. OK then!
There is so much Trini injection into our Cohobblopot that all that is needed to complete the transformation is an appropriate name which optimizes the metamorphosis taking place. Boyce has a suggestion … “Trini-Pot”!
It’s short, to the point and captures the essence of the now diluted event, and best of all its easier to spell…

P.s or what about this one… The “Trini- Metamorphosis-pot”,  thats if you must have a long name

Where is the Controversy this Crop Over?
I am hearing that question at the Beach, at the Supermarket and at the shows…

People have been writing letters to the media asking in an almost adamant manner where is the controversy.

I am constantly being asked “Boyce wha happen? Wha I ent hearing you this year?”
It was the basis of a newspaper article just last week. In that interview I shed some light on why I had not been keeping noise and explain how I had been doing things differently. It’s almost like I have had to come up with an excuse as to why I have not been fulfilling my usual nefarious role.
The people seem vexed and annoyed. 

There are some people who are of the firm belief that in order for Crop Over to be succussfull there must be controversy, I have even heard that back in the 80’s the then NCF would strategically plan with key calypsonians creating controversial issues at key times to stimulate interest in the festival.For all the years I have been around previous NCF CEO Estwick has never called me and said “lets stir up some trouble Boyce!” I am almost hurt.

So I would like to take this opportunity to offer my sincere apologies this year for not stirring up any trouble.I apologise for not attacking NCF and Government nor cursing anybody’s ass.

But wait a minute….
To all you controversy lovers out there, all my fans who follow Boyce contentious issues with “Days of our lives” fanaticism, there is still hope on the horizon. Soon there is a possibility you will get your hearts desire, after all what is Crop Over without controversy.
I might soon have to withdraw my apology!

Did you see me on TV last night? Yuh Idiot! Making comments about my Visit to Llaro court to meet the Prime Minister of Barbados. I was part of the entertainment industry who met with the PM to make submissions to his drafting of the budget.
I have the official statement entered below but I will also give you a Boyce Voice exclusive behind the scenes commentary.
Lets start with my pictures….

That’s beautiful ent it? That is like the yard of Llaro Court taken from the back porch where we were sitting, don’t you wish you had a yard like that?  It looks like one of those picture post cards somebody send you from over in away. But its taken right here in Barbados the most beautiful garden you ever saw.

Speaking of beautiful here’s me and Santia, while it is true I am beautiful right now I am refering to Santia who is the head of Pyramaid Entertainment who attended the consultation.

Who was also beautiful that was there was the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Natasha King, not that I am looking but if I were, I would look for her. I apologise for not having a picture of her as I would have been holding her too and that would have been good.

Lets go into my one dissapointment of the visit, you know I can’t keep, I was so vex then.

As we were waiting we were offered drinks and i asked for powerade AND THERE WAS NONE!

Heres me after I did not get my Powerade, I almost left, I was going to ask for Bakes but I decided not to push it

Here is the Entertainment delegation Norman Barrow,President of Batman Sinclair Gittens and Michael Agard manager of Krosfyah, never go any place with Norman, he gets all the damn kisses, thats the second reason I almost left…

Heres the group again this time with Jan, why is Jan smiling like a cheshire cat? She got the drink she wanted,if I had gotten the drink I wanted I would have been happy too, but smiling like a tom cat..

 Heres the offical press release I put out:…

On Wednesday 25th June a delegation representing the entertainment industry met with the Prime Minister at Llaro Court to make recommendations as the PM prepares for his budget speech.

This delegation consisted of Norman Barrow, Santia Bradshaw, Peter Boyce, Hilana Layne, Michael Agard of Krosfyah and Sinclair Gittens the President of BATMAN.

In our non traditional industry, entertainment. We are not usually included in discussions at this level and we were thankful for the opportunity and that the PM should see us as important a sector to invite.

Discussions were frank and productive and we were able to make submissions that would be  beneficial not only for cultural industries but to the Barbados economy as a whole.

I beleive that statement speaks for it self, In terms of going into more depth as to what was discussed and the proposals which were put forward, NO!
You so malicious then you does get me sick, you want to know every thing, if you are nice I might tell you some time later

I apologise for not having a picture of me and Prime Minister David, and I know there are some people out there who would say I really did’nt meet him, but i did honest…

Peter “who met the prime minister ‘Boyce is moving away from the computer…

I have been observing with keen interest the furor over the government’s statement of being committed to Bajan talent for Crop Over.

Government stated that they could not allow a situation to occur where foreign acts would be brought here to headline our premiere Crop Over events over local acts. So what the ass is the matter with that? That is a government policy we should applaud and as artistes we should be jumping with joy when we hear it.

I know you will start saying “Boyce you working with the NCF doing Cavalcades now and you supporting them” . That is not true, my position was always the same.

The Boyce position was well ventilated in several posts I wrote in 2007 including a famous Open the gates my ass where I cursed the previous administration over not only having a Trinidad act headlining our Party Monarch show but a radio ad with the Trini inviting us to our own Bajan national event.

Also last year the previous government had their ass royally kicked whem they had a Cohobblopot which featured Jamaican, Mr. Vegas causing the event to be scorned by the public who chose to attend the competitive 100% Bajan event “Euphoria” instead.

So without any reservation we need to applaud and endorse the stated government policy to highlight our Bajan entertainers during our Crop over season.