Local Artists On-going Challenges as Unique Sound Gains Popularity Globally
By Ana Do’oro
Solomon Islands music industry has long been home to exceptional talent. Despite facing challenges with exposure, bands and artists have remained dedicated to their craft. Legendary Solomon Islands artist Eddie Fiti recently shared his experiences from his early days in the music industry. “It was hard to make music back then; the struggle for exposure was far greater compared to today, when platforms like social media were not accessible,” Mr. Fiti reflected.
Today, the unique music style is receiving the recognition it deserves. The Solomon Islands distinctive sound is popular in the region and has even reached the U.S. Bands such as DMP, Wantox, Dezine, and Unique Seven, as well as artists like Sean Rii and Jaro Local, are leading the charge in bringing the Solomon’s unique sound to a global audience.
Dezine, founded in 2009 by Albert Saeni (aka Mi Santana), Sean Rii, and Jaro Local, has been instrumental in this movement.”When we first started making music, we weren’t even sure if we were on the right track,” Albert Saeni of Dezine admitted “The competition was fierce, and our marketing strategy was lacking. We used to send our music to radio stations, and it wasn’t until one of our hit songs gained international recognition that we won our first award.”
Despite the growing popularity of Solomon Islands’ music in the region, local artists still struggle to gain the recognition they deserve. Dennis Marita, former president of the Music Federation and current Director for Culture, sheds light on this issue. “What is the actual return from all this exposure?” Marita questioned. “With the amount of content artists post on platforms like YouTube and social media, what tangible benefits are they receiving?” He emphasized the need for mechanisms to support musicians and artists more effectively, pointing out the importance of Intellectual Property rights in ensuring artists receive their due benefits. Solomon Islands is currently reviewing its Intellectual Property regime. The review process will focus on addressing current shortcomings in the law and proposing changes to better align with modern technological realities. The existing IP laws in the Solomon Islands date back to the 1990s and are largely outdated, failing to fully accommodate the demands of the Internet era.
Despite these challenges, the number of aspiring musicians continues to grow. Christopher Mana, also known as Jammin, is one such emerging artist. He has recently founded a label called Unix Tunes to help aspiring musicians gain exposure and recognition. “Currently, our label works with eleven artists,” Mana explained. “These versatile artists draw inspiration from people’s experiences and their own emotions. I handle all the productions, while the team assists with recording. I also mentor them, teaching them confidence, songwriting, and how to use social media for promotion.” Mana hopes to expand their roster in the future.
