By Shuntel Glasgow
In a candid reflection on her career, Jackie Hanover, known as ‘Jackie Jaxx’, voiced her frustration about being overlooked for major national events. Despite her contributions to the music scene, she describes her recent booking experiences as disappointing and unsatisfactory.
Hanover, in an interview with Stabroek News, revealed that many of her bookings have been made at the last minute, often lacking the necessary arrangements to support a high-quality performance. This situation has led to feelings of disappointment and a belief that her artistic standards are being undermined. “I believe that because I spoke up and requested better conditions for myself and other artists, I started to be overlooked for other performances.”
She emphasised that the treatment of artistes should reflect their commitment to their craft, noting that it appears there is an expectation for performers to accept mediocre conditions without complaint. Taking pride in her work, the artiste insists on maintaining high standards for her performances as she evolves in her career. Hanover argued that artistes deserve better treatment and should not be forced to compromise their quality due to inadequate arrangements or late bookings.
Reflecting on being honoured to perform her song “Guyana” at many significant national occasions, Hanover highlighted the series of unsatisfactory bookings that led to frustrating experiences.
“I was honoured to perform my song “Guyana” at occasions of national significance in the past. However, a series of unsatisfactory bookings for national events has led to many frustrating experiences. Bookings are often last minute with inadequate arrangements. This undermined my ability to perform at a standard I think is acceptable. I believe that because I spoke up and requested better conditions for myself and other artists, I started to be overlooked for other performances. From these experiences, it appears that artists are not supposed to have standards and that we are not deserving of better treatment. As an artist, I take great pride in my work, and it’s crucial that I consistently elevate the quality of my performances as I evolve.”
The artiste’s journey had more than a few hurdles as part of a remarkable evolution underpinned by an unwavering commitment to personal growth. Hanover disclosed that she entered the music industry under the guidance of SSignal Productions as a Soca Monarch freshman. This initial phase set the stage for her artistic journey, but after parting ways with the label, Jackie spent three years collaborating with the Heatwave band. During this time, she participated in various singing competitions that significantly enhanced her performance skills and helped her conquer the stage fright and anxiety that had previously hindered her.
With newfound confidence, she began to collaborate with music producers like Darrell Pugsley, Ian ‘Fojo’ Corbin, and Osley ‘Spida’ Hopkinson. These partnerships led to the production of her first self-written songs, which not only showcased her talent but also propelled her further into the public eye. It was during this period that she started to develop a unique dancehall-influenced sound that emphasised women’s empowerment and delivered strong messages of encouragement to her audience.
One of the pivotal moments in Hanover’s career came with the release of her song “Guyana,” which became her most significant hit to date. The track resonated deeply with listeners and established her as a cultural ambassador for her country. This success marked a transformative phase for the musician, allowing her to carve out a distinct identity within the music industry while building a loyal fan base.
“It was during this time that I gained many fans, whose support led to the creation of my biggest song to date, ‘Guyana’. This song catapulted me into the role of cultural ambassador and marked the dawn of a new sound for Jackie Jaxx.”
Over the years, Hanover has dedicated herself to understanding the intricacies of being an independent artiste. She learned about music publishing, copyrights, and effective strategies for managing, marketing, showcasing, and protecting her work.
As she reflects on her career thus far, Jaxx emphasised the importance of advocating for Guyanese artistes. She believes that fostering respect for local talent and prioritising copyright protection are crucial for the growth of the music industry in Guyana. She articulated her vision for the future of music in Guyana. Hanover is committed to ensuring that issues related to copyright and artiste protection remain at the forefront of national discussions. Her passion for these matters underscores her dedication not only to her craft but also to the broader artistic community, Hanover explained. As the musician continues to evolve as a musician and advocate, she remains a powerful voice for change and empowerment within Guyana’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Commenting on some challenges faced and how they were conquered, Hanover noted that copyright issues have become a significant hurdle in safeguarding her creative works from misuse and ensuring they receive due royalties. The current copyright laws in Guyana are outdated, fostering a culture of piracy that undermines the value of artistic contributions. The musician shared her experience of the unauthorised use of her music on CDs that are sold to the public and receiving no compensation for public performances of her songs on local radio, television, and various other venues. This has led to a considerable loss of income over the years and has contributed to disrespect, as her work is often perceived as free entertainment rather than a valuable product deserving of protection and remuneration.
Financial instability was outlined as a challenge stemming from the unpredictable nature of performance fees and a lack of copyright protection for her work. To combat this challenge, she expanded her portfolio beyond live performances by venturing into writing commercial jingles for corporate clients. Diversity played a great role as she successfully created songs and jingles for major companies in Guyana that created income streams. In addition to her work in music, she capitalised on her skills as a trained visual artist by monetising her artwork and music online. Hanover sells paintings, sketches, and various merchandise, which has further supported her music career and lifestyle. Moreover, the artiste has received generous support from individuals who have contributed financially to her projects over the years.
“In Guyana, there is little respect for artists and musicians, which has forced me to find ways to earn income outside of music. We constantly struggle to be paid fairly, and the lack of copyright enforcement and royalties drives many musicians to seek additional work to support their lifestyle. Non-compliance with contracts and inadequate resources, such as proper stage, lighting, and sound, severely impact our performances. It has been particularly challenging to earn respect for my craft and receive the same consideration that our Caribbean colleagues enjoy, especially when they perform in Guyana.”
The independent artist noted that high stress levels was a challenge she battled with while emphasising the demands of dealing with industry gatekeepers, being underpaid for performances, personal trials, facing public scrutiny, and the constant demand for output, as contributing factors.
Hanover explained that after releasing her work titled “Guyana,” she experienced such overwhelming stress that she took a hiatus for several years to address burnout. This period of rest was crucial for her recovery, highlighting the importance of managing stress in a demanding career. Hanover said things have improved drastically and emphasised the necessity for musicians to create a comprehensive plan to manage stress effectively.
“I’m happy to say that things have drastically improved, and I urge every musician to create a plan to manage the stresses that come with this career path. I love my craft and my country. I just need respect.”
Hanover and Ivan Harry performing as ‘D’Ivan’, recently filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in the US Eastern District Court, New York, against telecommunications giant, One Communications (Guyana) Inc and singer Tennicia DeFreitas, known as ‘Nekeita’.
Hanover and Harry, in their lawsuit filed have accused the defendants of using their songs “Guyana” and “Oh Guyana” without permission during a rebranding event for One Communi-cations on September 6, 2024. The plaintiffs claim that their musical works were broadcast and commercially exploited without consent, leading to significant profits for One Communications at their expense.
According to the complaint filed by the two and seen by this newspaper, it was not a simple copyright infringement but includes “economic torts such as tortious interference, unjust enrichment and deceptive and unfair business practices.”
“Plaintiffs sent Defendant One Communications notice of the infringement and a demand for settlement but to no avail. Wherefore, Plain-tiffs were compelled to seek judicial remedy,” the document indicated.
