Veteran female reggae/dancehall star Tanya Stephens will not be gracing the stage of this year’s Pepsi Rebel Salute.
In a press release to the media, Tanya Stephens downplay advertisements that she will be among several artists to perform on Rebel Salute 2011, schedule to take place this weekend January 15th.
The promoter of Rebel Salute, Tony Rebel, whose real name is Patrick Barrett, has not confirmed Stephens for the event.
According to the press release, “Barrett had contacted Stephens’ manager, Andrew Henton, inquiring about Stephens’ schedule and if it could accommodate the Rebel Salute date. Henton told Barrett that Stephens would be available and thereafter sent a contract to Barrett’s camp on December 22, 2010. Upon sending the contract, no further discussion occurred between the two parties.”
“The only thing that confirms an engagement is a contract, so when they didn’t contact us after, I assumed I wasn’t on the show. Am I to assume that I am booked for any and all shows people call my manager about, yet do not call back to confirm and send a signed contract? Do I just show up at these events because they called to enquire?” Tanya Stephens said in the release.
“I am weary of the bad business practices in Jamaica. There is no misunderstanding. We didn’t have a discussion that I was booked for the show, neither did I sign a contract, yet I am being advertised and, at the end of the day, I get the bad rap when my fans do not know why I don’t appear on some of these shows,” she added
An obviously furious Tanya Stephens said she has major issues with protocol in the Jamaican music industry.
“I am not here to teach Jamaican people how to do business, but they will know how to do business with Tanya Stephens. My issue goes far beyond Tony Rebel not having the gall to call back and confirm or do things the right way, the issue of following protocol in the Jamaican music industry is my problem. I have an obligation to my fans to come out as Tanya Stephens and let them know it’s false; I will not be at the show,” she concluded.
Tanya Stephens is being widely regarded as one of the most lyrically gifted female artist in reggae music.
Just last month, promoters of the popular one night show Sting, falsely advertise Vybz Kartel as being on its roster. An issue the deejay came out publicly and deny.
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