FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 4, 2025

Statement from Asten Isaac on the Urgent Need to Fairly Value and Compensate Local Artistes

As a longstanding stakeholder in Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural economy, I feel compelled to speak candidly and con- structively in light of the recent developments at the One Caribbean Music Festival. The fallout from the non-appearance of Vybz Kartel—after hundreds of thousands of TT dollars were spent to secure his participation—has pulled back the curtain on a much deeper issue: the chronic underpayment and undervaluing of local artistes.

Let me be clear. This is not about blaming any promoter or foreign artiste. This is about recalibrating a system that is structurally imbalanced, economically shortsighted, and culturally harmful.

The Heart of the Matter: Value and Respect

Trinidad and Tobago is blessed with world-class talent. Our soca artistes, chutney performers, steelpan players, calyp- sonians, and fusion creators are not just entertainers—they are ambassadors of our identity. And yet, we continue to treat them as secondary players, reserving six-figure deals for foreign acts while offering our own sons and daughters “a little thing” and a pat on the back.

This disparity is not just unfair—it’s unsustainable.

Why This Matters

1. Cultural Injustice: When our artistes are asked to perform for exposure while foreign acts are guaranteed tens of thousands in hard currency, we are telling our people that excellence only matters when it comes from somewhere else.

2. Economic Drain: Every dollar sent abroad for an unreliable act is a dollar not reinvested into our own creative econ- omy. That money could pay for studios, lighting techs, backline crews, writers, dancers, designers, and entire ecosystems of talent right here at home.

3. Reputational Risk: Foreign acts cancel. Flights delay. Visas fail. When this happens, it’s our local artistes who show up and save the show. Yet they are not paid—or even respected—accordingly.

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Solutions That Can Take Effect Immediately

I’m not here just to highlight problems. I’m here to offer solutions. And we don’t need a task force, a white paper, or a symposium to start implementing them.

1. Create a Local Artiste Fee Benchmark Framework

The Ministry of Culture, in consultation with established event promoters and artiste representatives, should immediately establish minimum payment standards for local performers based on experience, draw, and genre.

This should be enshrined in all state-sponsored events and encouraged through tax incentives in the private sector. 2. Mandate a Local Performance Quota in Major Festivals

Every large-scale event (especially those receiving public funding or use of public space) should include a minimum of 60% local performance content, with clear rules about payment parity.

3. Make Payment Transparency a Condition of Event Licensing

Any promoter applying for an event license over a certain size or budget must disclose a breakdown of performer fees. This will discourage the practice of overcompensating foreign acts while underpaying locals.

4. Establish a Performer Protection Clause in Contracts

Government should work with T&T Copyright Collection Organisation (TTCO) and promoter groups to ensure contracts include clauses that guarantee payment within a defined period—no more “we’ll sort you out later.”

5. Launch a National Creative Pay Equity Campaign

A public-private campaign that educates the public, promoters, and even artistes themselves on the true value of local talent, and why investing in them pays cultural and economic dividends for the entire nation.

A Time for Courage and Leadership

Let’s stop dancing around the issue. Trinidad and Tobago cannot afford to export its culture while importing disrespect. We must become the first investors in our own talent. We must build systems that honour our heroes while they are still on stage—not just in memoriam.

To every promoter, government official, and industry player reading this: I am open to working with all of you. But we must act now. This is a turning point, not just for our industry, but for how we see ourselves as a nation.

Let us rise to meet the moment.

With respect and resolve,