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Located
in the heart of Trench Town, Big Link studios founded by Balla T is the real
deal community Jamaican studio, staying true to the ethos of the studio at the
core of everyday Jamaican life. Offering opportunity and affordability to many
rising artistes, Big Link has over the years also produced with
the all-time greats of the roots reggae world including Capleton, I-Wayne and
Lutan Fyah. Jamarado visited in April 2019 and got inspired with the work Ball
T and his team have done to keep reggae music production alive in the very
community it came from. We’ve loaded a Big Link, Trench Town to our
Special Selectahs which features Capleton, I Wayne, Nebeth, Ikushini,
Action Kay, Akeem Garrison and more on the Soul Root Riddim. Its real roots vibes direct from the
source. If you’d like to record or visit
the studio for a true Trench Town experience please contact info@jamarado.com . The album Soul Roots is
available for download on all digital platforms. Here’s what Balla T has to say about his
creation and vision for Big Link. How
did Big Link Studios come about? When did you start? Big Link Crew was
a name we gave ourselves, going back as far as the mid 90’s. We used to keep
parties in the community under that name. Therefore, the name has been with us
for quite some time now. However, the studio itself started in 2013, with a
laptop and a speaker.
I-Wayne who has recorded with Big Links What
is the Big Link mission? What are the main goals of Big Link? Our mission is to produce quality music. Primarily reggae music, but
we produce dancehall music as well. Our main goal is to become a productive and
professional studio, and make a difference in our community. What
challenges did you face in setting up Big Link and what continues to challenge
you? Our biggest challenge was always finding the
money to purchase the equipment we need for the upgrade and maintenance of the
studio. We continue face that challenge up to this day and time. Who
has supported you, and who have you worked with to develop Big Link? Many people have helped us over the years. We cannot mention all of
them here, but, there are some that deserve honorable mention. Howard
Chevannes, Abdel Morrow, Iffa Cush, Dorian Drummonds, Chris Bicknell and Mark
Golden.
Music Producer, Iffa Cush with Balla T on the right. Name,
some of the most, well known, works, to come out of Big Link? I Wayne, Stay Humble. Capleton Time
will tell. Lutan Fyah, Africa. Akeem Garrison, Running out of time. Artists
that Big Link has helped develop? Akeem Garrison is one of our most promising
artist. He has been with us from the beginning. Presently he is on tour
overseas promoting his album, produced by Big Links Studio.
Akeem Garrison, rising Jamaican Reggae singer What
does Big Link studio mean to the community of Trench Town? For many young
artists in Trench Town, Big Link represents an opportunity to realize their
dream of achieving recognition for their talent. This possible because we
charge very little for studio time, and in some cases, we charge nothing.
Therefore, the community understands that we are here to work with them. After
all, this is our community. Where
are you at right now? How do you want to take Big Link forward? What help do
you need? Right
now, we are at the threshold of realizing our full potential. In order for us
to move forward, we need significant promotion. To accomplish this, we need all
the help we can get to access the internet and radio services. These services
come at a cost, and our financial situation has not allowed us to take full
advantage them. What
are your biggest highlights on the Big Link journey? One was to
witness Akeem Garrison going on tour overseas. The other was to complete the
Soul Roots album and have it promoted.
Tell
us about, the youth foundation connected to Big Link? Fathers United for
Change (F.U.F.C) AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES 1. To mentor, counsel and inspire the
men to make the change and be the change within the community. 2. To foster and promote unity and
co-operation among all community members especially the males. 3. To look after the general welfare
of its members in terms of: a) Breaking the cycle of male bad
parenting practices. b) Contributing positively towards
personal and community well-being. c) Promoting better parenting
practices. d) Promoting cultural and social
development. e) Creating an enabling environment
for positive community development initiatives. f) Fostering a peaceful and safe
environment. 4. Lobby for improved community
infrastructure and enhanced standards. 5. Promote, encourage and inculcate a
sense of belonging and teamwork for its members and all persons of interest. 6. To create a community networking mechanism to foster better relationships among community members and persons of other communities.
The Foundation Youth Programme. What’s
your biggest motto/ saying in Life? It is best to do nothing, than to do good with a bad attitude.
If
you could sit down and reason with 3 people past or present who would they be? Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Haile Selassie.
Portrait of H.I.M Haile Selassie I that hangs in the studio How do you see the future of Reggae? The future of reggae is strong, and we believe that with our contribution, it will become even stronger. To visit Balla T and the studio please contact info@jamarado.com
|  Reggae artiste, Dahvid Slur, relaxing at the Studio  Jamardo Founder, Karen Proctor visiting the studio  Nesbeth, who has recorded at the Studio |
Big Link Studio, Jamaica
Foundation Sounds
Located in the heart of Trench Town, Big Link studios founded by Balla T is the real deal community Jamaican studio, staying true to the ethos of the studio at the core of everyday Jamaican life. Offering opportunity and affordability to many rising artistes, Big Link has over the years also produced with the all-time greats of the roots reggae world including Capleton, I-Wayne and Lutan Fyah. Jamarado visited in April 2019 and got inspired with the work Ball T and his team have done to keep reggae music production alive in the very community it came from.
We’ve loaded a Big Link, Trench Town to our
Special Selectahs which features Capleton, I Wayne, Nebeth, Ikushini,
Action Kay, Akeem Garrison and more on the Soul Root Riddim. Its real roots vibes direct from the
source. If you’d like to record or visit
the studio for a true Trench Town experience please contact info@jamarado.com . The album Soul Roots is
available for download on all digital platforms.
Here’s what Balla T has to say about his
creation and vision for Big Link.
How
did Big Link Studios come about? When did you start? Big Link Crew was
a name we gave ourselves, going back as far as the mid 90’s. We used to keep
parties in the community under that name. Therefore, the name has been with us
for quite some time now. However, the studio itself started in 2013, with a
laptop and a speaker.
I-Wayne, who has recorded with Big LInk Studio
What is the Big Link mission? What are the main goals of Big Link? Our mission is to produce quality music. Primarily reggae music, but we produce dancehall music as well. Our main goal is to become a productive and professional studio, and make a difference in our community.
What
challenges did you face in setting up Big Link and what continues to challenge
you? Our biggest challenge was always finding the
money to purchase the equipment we need for the upgrade and maintenance of the
studio. We continue face that challenge up to this day and time.
Who
has supported you, and who have you worked with to develop Big Link? Many people have helped us over the years. We cannot mention all of
them here, but, there are some that deserve honorable mention. Howard
Chevannes, Abdel Morrow, Iffa Cush, Dorian Drummonds, Chris Bicknell and Mark
Golden.
Balla T (right) with Iffa Cush Music Producer (left)
Name,
some of the most, well known, works, to come out of Big Link? I Wayne, Stay Humble. Capleton Time Will Tell. Lutan Fyah, Africa. Akeem Garrison, Running Out of Time.
Artists
that Big Link has helped develop? Akeem Garrison is one of our most promising
artist. He has been with us from the beginning. Presently he is on tour
overseas promoting his album, produced by Big Links Studio.
Akeem Garrison, rising Reggae artiste from Big Link Studio
What
does Big Link studio mean to the community of Trench Town? For many young
artists in Trench Town, Big Link represents an opportunity to realize their
dream of achieving recognition for their talent. This possible because we
charge very little for studio time, and in some cases, we charge nothing.
Therefore, the community understands that we are here to work with them. After
all, this is our community.
Reggae artiste, Dahvid Slur at the Studio
Nesbeth, who has recorded at Big Link
Where
are you at right now? How do you want to take Big Link forward? What help do
you need? Right
now, we are at the threshold of realizing our full potential. In order for us
to move forward, we need significant promotion. To accomplish this, we need all
the help we can get to access the internet and radio services. These services
come at a cost, and our financial situation has not allowed us to take full
advantage them.
What
are your biggest highlights on the Big Link journey? One was to
witness Akeem Garrison going on tour overseas. The other was to complete the
Soul Roots album and have it promoted.
Tell
us about, the youth foundation connected to Big Link?
Fathers United for
Change (F.U.F.C)
AIMS AND
OBJECTIVES
1. To mentor, counsel and inspire the
men to make the change and be the change within the community.
2. To foster and promote unity and
co-operation among all community members especially the males.
3. To look after the general welfare
of its members in terms of:
a) Breaking the cycle of male bad
parenting practices.
b) Contributing positively towards
personal and community well-being.
c) Promoting better parenting
practices.
d) Promoting cultural and social
development.
e) Creating an enabling environment
for positive community development initiatives.
f) Fostering a peaceful and safe
environment.
4. Lobby for improved community
infrastructure and enhanced standards.
5. Promote, encourage and inculcate a
sense of belonging and teamwork for its members and all persons of interest.
6. To create a community networking
mechanism to foster better relationships among community members and persons of
other communities.
The Big Link projects
What’s your biggest motto/ saying in Life? It is best to do nothing, than to do good with a bad attitude.
If
you could sit down and reason with 3 people past or present who would they be? Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Haile Selassie.
Portrait of H.I.M Haile Selassie at Big Link Studio
How do you see the future of Reggae? The future of reggae is strong, and we believe that with our contribution, it will become even stronger.
To visit Balla T and the studio please contact info@jamarado.com
Karen Proctor, Jamarado Founder at Big LInk
