LOCAL ARTISTES will be partying during the election campaign but it has nothing to do with a party.
Ever since the bell was rung on January 29, calypsonians and other artistes have proven to be a key component in the election campaign for both the ruling Democratic Labour Party (DLP) and Barbados Labour Party (BLP).
They all agree that the rewards from appearances at mass meetings and the jingles created for both candidates and parties are “sweet” and “good”. The spoils seem to get better and sweeter for those who are working for both sides. It is understood that depending on the song and artiste, a 15-minute performance could rack up between $1 500 and $5 000 in fees.
Coming out of the BLP mass meeting at Haggatt Hall last Saturday, which featured 26 artistes, six DJs and four bands, there has been discussion on the social media and in the wider public domain about whether artistes are showing their affiliation to a particular party by appearing on their stage, and the amount of money being paid out.
