T&T’s Machel Montano and St Vincent’s Skinny Fabulous are today smiling from ear to ear no doubt, having recently sealed a deal with ESPN’s publishing rep, PILOT, for the use of their collaborative 2016 soca track, Go Hard.
Ebuzztt spoke with the local rep for DirectionTT—the company which initiated the Go Hard collaboration in the Caribbean—and according to the rep, the deal struck is a financially “sound” one that will hear the track played across ESPN channels worldwide for four months.
Skinny Fabulous, Montano and College Boy Jesse, along with producer Mr Spine penned the track. Barbados’ De Red Boys produced the single and now, they’re all said to be benefiting in some way from the deal.
According to DirectionTT, PILOT, acting on behalf of the sport network ESPN, has been seeking out new music for a new campaign they’ve been working on.
“We’ve received reports that it’s already been heard on ESPN Alaska and it’s expected to be played on all ESPN channels around the world,” said the rep.
In a chat with Skinny Fabulous today, Ebuzztt learnt that the initial contact was made with Montano’s team.
“As an artiste these are the things that we count as rewards for what we do. When we go on stage and we see people react positively to our music—when they jump and wave and dance, this is the reward we get. It’s not always about the financial gain. When these things happen, it means that somebody, somewhere in the world, other than the Caribbean region, recognises that there are songs and talent that’s worthy of that level of programming,” said Skinny—real name, Gamal Doyle.
When we caught up with Skinny earlier, he’d been in the studio preparing to lay down some new music. He’s in preparation mode for St Vincent’s Carnival, which culminates during the first weekend in July.
(courtesy Ebuzztt)