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May 13, 2006
Gargamel Music Face off With Big Cat Records
GARGAMEL MUSIC IN ROW WITH BIG CAT RECORDS OVER DANCEHALL STAR BUJU BANTON'S ALBUM RELEASE
Dancehall artist Buju Banton and Gargamel Music have threatened legal action against Big Cat Records who recently released an album called "Buju Banton Presents: Toppa Di Top Dirty Rhythms".
According to a release from Gargamel Music's Vice President and General Manager, Tracii McGregor, fans of Buju Banton should not buy the album as no one but Big Cat Records will benefit from the sales on this project, and warned that litigation will be the next step.
A release from Gargamel Music said that "the so called deal that was executed five years ago is null and void today".
"...and despite the fact that the material is just as old, Big Cat records is trying to promote it as a sanctioned new album and has even gone as far as listing Buju Banton as one of their artistes on their website," the release stated.
However, Big Cat Records refutes the claim of Gargamel Music that the release of this album at this time was a malicious attempt to smear or damage the image of reggae superstar Buju Banton.
"I am the one who worked with Buju Banton and other Gargamel Music artistes years ago to facilitate the distribution agreement, so I have a personal interest in the project,” Trea Davenport, of Cool Shades PR, told YardFlex.Com.
"And I empathise with Gargamel Music who believe that the artiste has fresh music out there, music that is less antiquated and would be a better representation of his (Buju's) work, but I understand the position of the record label who believed in this project so much that they wanted to put it out in a big way as if it just came out," she said.
A former employee of Big Cat Records but still au fait with the Atlanta music scene, Ms. Davenport, who is based overseas, added that the record label had planned a media blitz of sorts to promote the album, booking ad spots in XXL, and Source magazines, and had even printed thousands of flyers and posters to ratchet up interest in the project.
"The reason and rationale behind the release at this time is that it is the opportune time for Big Cat to do this project because previously, they only had the resources to access small distribution channels such as 'mom and pops' stores, but now, because of the success of another act, Gucci Mane, who sold over 200,000 records, the record label now has greater resources and access to bigger record stores and the distribution network it wanted so it can finally do justice to the Buju Banton project," she said.
Gucci Mane is a rapper from Atlanta, Georgia whose make-no-bones-about it ode to bling in the single, "So Icy" alongside Young Jeezy became a huge hit (debuted at #24 on Billboard Hot Rap Song Charts) last year, and his album, "Trap House" sold major units. 'Mane' is 'man' in Down South slang.
According to Ms. Davenport, the project was "held back that long out of respect for the artiste...this is not a malicious act...and it's a win-win situation for everyone because everyone can make money when the music is distributed on a global level'.
Efforts to get a comment from Melvin 'Mel Man' Breeden, the president of Big Cat Records, proved unsuccessful as there was no response to emailed questions at deadline time.