A second video posted by the singer, says her initial video was possibly misunderstood by many. “I was not questioning Vybz Kartel’s price. If de man worth 4 million or 20 million, that is his price!” she remarked, explaining that any of these artistes can call the price they believe they deserve.
Terri says she believes the artistes of that genre have made their culture gold and have stood firm and fast on what they know their culture is worth. “They made their culture gold, rubies and pearls and they honor it. Knowing your worth is not just knowing your price. It’s knowing your culture and what it’s worth,” she explained.
The Calypso queen who holds multiple titles, including the Queen of Queens Regional Calypso title, says in order for Calypso and Soca music to get to where it should be, there must be a love for the music by Trinbagonians themselves. “We have to know our own worth. We can’t just be giving people a price and we not even putting in the respect and honoring what is ours,” she argued.
Terri noted how passionate Jamaicans are about their culture, their food and all else Jamaican, and lamented that sadly, many Trinbagonians do not hold on to their identity, even when they travel overseas. “We have to love up we ting and put it on a pedestal where if anybody singing soca or calypso, and they give a price, it would not be questioned.”
Terri Lyons became vocal online, on the heels of the non appearance of Jamaican dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel, at the One Caribbean Music Festival on May 31st, in Trinidad. It was subsequently learnt that the entertainer had charged the event’s promoter 1.3 Million USD for his appearance at the concert. He was paid over $900,000 USD up front and cancelled his appearance after what his team cited as a contractual breach, having not received the balance prior to his arrival in T&T.
