The second edition of the Island Music Conference (IMC), which concluded on Sunday, February 25th, provided five days of dynamic discussions revolving around various aspects of entertainment and the current landscape of the regional music industry, with a particular focus on Jamaica. One notable panel held on Friday featured esteemed entertainment journalist Winford Williams from ONStage TV, among others, who delved into the topic of ‘How To Make The News.’
During the discussion, the veteran journalist underscored the prevalence of fake news originating from social platforms, cautioning against its dissemination due to its detrimental effects on the credibility of artists, their teams, and news outlets. He emphasized that the mere act of debunking such falsehoods can itself become newsworthy. However, Winford stressed the importance for artists to prioritize honing their craft over seeking attention, stating,
“As an artiste, your focus shouldn’t be on how to make the news, but instead, focus on building your craft so the news will have to talk about your work.”
In response to the discussion, an Instagram user commented, highlighting the success of Vybz Kartel, who, despite facing being incarcerated, maintained focus on his craft, garnering news coverage organically, “That’s what vybz kartel did focus on his craft and he still make the news even been convicted.”
Another user echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the value of hard work over innate talent, “Hard work beats talent any day! Big up @winfordw”
The Island Music Conference (IMC) serves as a pivotal gathering for music professionals to exchange experiences, foster collaborations, enhance industry knowledge, showcase emerging talent, and connect with global industry trends. Chaired by Orville “Shaggy” Burrell and co-founded by Judith Bodley and Sharon Burke, the IMC aims to serve as an informative platform for artists and music professionals in Jamaica and throughout the wider region and beyond. Originating in Kingston, Jamaica, the inaugural staging of the Island Music Conference unfolded in February 2023.
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