One of the smallest parishes in Jamaica, Hanover's music bona fides come through native sons Lee "Scratch" Perry, Ashanti Roy (of The Congos) and Jah Cure. Businessman Delroy Pinnock would like to introduce a new generation of dancehall/reggae artists.
He is major shareholder of the Overcome Family, which operates out of Salt Spring, a small district in Hanover, which is about 15 miles from the tourist town of Negril.
The company recently ventured into the music business with "Grand Pree", a song by singer Acea, who is also from Salt Spring.
"Salt Spring is not the most developed community but regardless it has a lot of talent musically and otherwise with willing souls. They are waiting to be nurtured and groomed to shine in their true colors," he said.
Gareth Pinnock, his younger brother and partner in the business, agrees.
"Our background in music is in the premature stage as the management and staff of the company would just listen to various genres of music. However, it is natural as one can depict what is a good product or a bad product.. so we are still learning but catching on very fast," he said.
Released in March, "Grand Pree" is geared at the dancehall audience which even the youths in rustic Salt Spring gravitate to. "Tell Dem", the follow-up, is scheduled for release in April.
There are similar independent labels like Overcome Family in rural Jamaica. They have been responsible for the rise of artists like Garnet Silk, Tommy Lee Sparta and Jahvinci.
Written By Howard Campbell