It’s a quiet Wednesday morning; most people are still trying to get in the frame of mind to grind out another day at work. But in the heart of Belize City, Lindy D is already bumping Roots Reggae music out of his studio. The Internationally acclaimed DJ, who once won the Belize Heineken Green Synergy DJ Competition, took time to talk to BZHypeMeter.com about his upcoming Roots, Rock, Reggae Concert and the DJ scene in Belize.

Lindy D has been on the Belizean DJ scene for the best part of 15 years. As he explains, he came from a musical family and music was simply part of everyday life. Stating that, “Music is from your heart, when your heart pumps it is music, so music is instilled in you.”

After finishing school, because of the natural party surroundings he grew up in, it was natural for him to try his hand as a DJ. When asked about the early days he mentions, “Back then it was more about Block Parties and Souls; more lovers and couples and stuff. From back then to now there has been a big change, especially with the dancehall thing.”

What are some the toughest parts about being a DJ?

Lindy D: “I won’t lie, it’s hard to be a DJ and be in a relationship. You also have to be very versatile, especially because Belize is such a mix culture. So you have to do a lot of studying but the relationship part is definitely the toughest, especially because of the travels involved.”

When asked about what he got from being a DJ…

Lindy stated: I love seeing people happy at the end of the night after I Dj, that brings joy to me. Dj’s on a whole are a set of leaders because everyone listens to music, music is a part of everyday life, it is a necessity; so as a DJ you are kind of feeding the people. You also get to travel and meet a lot of people, so it’s really nice.

 

Are you conscious of your role as a DJ in terms of helping Belizean Artists?

Lindy D: Well, Artists depends on the Dj’s depend on the Artists. So when we go out or do a show we are always sure to push Belize to the world because a lot of people just play music not knowing that they are promoting other cultures and not promoting themselves. So I work a lot with them, for example, in the Roots, Rock, Reggae show we will be featuring the best Belizean Reggae Artists along with the International Artists. So we have to work with the Belizean Artist or else we will just be paddlers following everybody.

Lindy stressed that young DJ’s shouldn’t run behind the money and stated that if you can use music to change someone’s life or help the community thenyou are doing a lot, by uplifting people, cheering them up and making them feel good.

Who did you look up to?

Lindy D: You have Mr. Banks who played at Ex-Service Men, you had Stone Jam, used to go to his shop. Also, there is DJ Dolla who helped my career a lot and I also got a lot of inspiration from people like Stone Love and Renaissance Sounds. For me it was more Sounds, rather than DJ’s that inspired me; for example, Belizean Movements and now our Sound, Federation 501. 

FWhen asked what was his personal musical choice? Lindy cleverly expresses the stages saying, “My primary school teacher in music was Bob Marley, my high school teacher was Sizzla and my University teacher in music right now is Midnite.” Proving his point that Roots Reggae music is his motivation in life.”

Any last words?

Lindy D: Have to give thanks to Jah every time for blessing me with my talent, thanks to my parents for introducing me to music, especially my mom for being my back bone. Thanks to the whole Federation 501 crew, Stylie, Don Julio, DJ Fiya…my bedrins fi life. Big up all the Belizean Dj’s and people like CrossFire, Gramma D, Courtesy and everyone keeping the Industry going.

If you have not already made plans to attend the 2^ND Annual Roots Rock Reggae Concert this Saturday March 5^th, then be sure to go check it out at the MCC tennis court. As Lindy expresses, although Belize is very much into the Dancehall thing, he is reminding us that Dancehall is not the only movement that exists and assures you that this concert is meant to have a nice, chill, “free up” vibes.  Check out the Flyer below for more information.

She’s one of those artists that always seems to come to mind when thinking about quality Belizean artists. With an outstanding voice, memorable image and great team behind her, Tanya Carter is releasing her first official album with intentions of carving her own place in the international music scene–watch out Rihanna–no, seriously.

So, when did you start your career?

Tanya: Probably at 16 years old. I started singing at events at places like Harbour View and Biltmore, so probably 16.

Can people make real money off singing in Belize?

Tanya: It can with the right marketing tool. Because I’ve made a lot of money off singing but there is sometimes when it’s stagnant and you make nothing and then there are other times when you could make a cool ten thousand dollars off singing depending on the time of the year. For example, in September is probably the highest point where you could probably, depending on who you are, make ten to five thousand dollars. Well yes, cause personally I’ve made a lot of money off singing in Belize.

Where does your inspiration come from to sing?

Tanya: Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve always liked it, from small and it’s just something that is like my getaway. So like for me not having to drink, I could just sing but if am not singing ah d drink (lol).

What are some of the challenges of being an artist in Belize?

Tanya:  Hmm…support, you don’t really have the support. Like yea you’ll have a lot of people posting on your facebook page and a lot of people will post on your myspace and you have 5000 friends and fans or whatever but when you need it, like especially in my genre, I have a lot of bougie fans that won’t turn out at anything quote on quote, “ghetto” because they are afraid they get shot. So then when the regular artist has their crowd that comes out and support them I am left alone with like 3 fans (lol). So it’s very hard because you don’t have the support; then when you are a female you get snubbed, like seriously.

 

So that’s the bad side, what’s the good side of singing in Belize?

Tanya: The positive side is that you get to show younger females that not just because you’re pretty you can’t make a change; that’s like one of my mottos because like you have it but you don’t have to use your body or do a lot of things to put you in a bad light. You can take your God given talent and use it to your advantage, along with your looks and become a positive role model. I mean, it might sound like a cliché but we have too many pretty girls in Belize giving away their body and doing a lot of silliness and I am showing them like we don’t have to go down this route. If you have brains then use your brains and your beauty, if you have arts and craft then use that; whatever it is you can use hand in hand with your beauty as your advantage.

So it’s an advantage to be pretty?

Tanya: It is, it is…it’s a blessing to be pretty.

Is this your first album?

Tanya: Yes, this is my first album but I have had promo cd’s and stuff like that before that were released in New York and L.A but this is my first album.

When is the release party?

Tanya: The Album release party is the 4^th of February at Thirsty Thursdays. Of course I will be performing there and in Placencia the following night, February 5^th, at my birthday party.

The name of the album?

Tanya: “Day Dreaming”

What are the singles like?

Tanya: I am actually releasing different singles on different radio stations. The two main ones are “Day Dreaming” and “What Does She Have Over Me?”I’m giving the people different flavours because “Day Dreaming” is Reggae with fusion of R&B; while “What does she have over me?” is a fusion of Reggaeton and a nice Soca vibes. I wanted everyone to get the idea that this isn’t a regular album, this is different and it has a lot of genres in there. But the video that I am going to do is for “Day Dreaming”.

Where can people buy your album?

Tanya: Well I am going to be teaming up with Venus, Tambran and Record Shack, those are the three places where my stuff will be for sale.

Which artists had a big influence on you?

Tanya: I am a very oldies type of person, so I listen to people like James Brown and Luther Vandross but I also love Jasmine Sullivan and Tesan Chinn even Alaine, nu mind how sometimes ih sound similar to me—sometimes am like errrrrr—but umm yeah a lot of different influences. Of course, Beyonce because you gravitate to people who sing like you and I also love Anita Baker and Shade, I think they are my ultimate favourites.

What are your future plans?

Tanya: To be bigger than Rihanna.

In terms of regional exposure, do you do a lot of international work?

Tanya: In the states, yes a lot. I get hired by the Belize Association in L.A and also in New York. They hire me almost every year to perform; which is really cool because you get to meet a lot of people and network.

Are you targeting the Caribbean market as well?

Tanya: To be honest with you, no because it’s like, I want to but I don’t want to put my eggs in one basket. I want to go where I will have mass distribution, basically I want to go where the bucks are because you won’t make any money in Jamaica and those places. When they make money they will make thirty thousand but I want to be in India, Europe and America where the market is millions and millions of people. So I am looking at mass distribution to help me get where I want to go. Because I know by doing that I will trickle right back down to the Caribbean.

What advice do you have for new singer?

Tanya: Get voice lessons, work with a band, and develop your air. I’m tired of hearing lacking stuff where you know the person has massive potential but Belize is not the place to be critiqued. Because usually people are offended when you tell them they need voice lessons, like how dare you? You’re jealous of me.

Anyone you want to shout out or thank?

Tanya: I just want to thank my team that has been behind me, they aren’t hired or anything. Like especially my mom, who has been my lawyer for some time and I can’t pay her; to my significant other, my family, my friends and supporters. I couldn’t come this far if I didn’t have them.