Entourage culture in sharp focus

Discussions have resurfaced in the entertainment community about issues surrounding artistes' entourages, following last Sunday night's shooting at the Big Wall event.

Isaiah Laing, founder of Sting, said the entourage phenomenon has long been embedded in dancehall, but the behaviour pattern is changing rapidly, and not in a good way. Laing said he is particularly struck by what he describes as the short-tempered nature of today's entourages, and recalled a time when the groups had structure and added value to an artiste's image.

"They used to come and carry their torch and light to give the artiste forward even when he wasn't getting none," he said, adding that the role has changed drastically.

"I don't know what them a eat or drink, them just different. It's a different set a youth these days, and even on the road with police, they are not backing down. They are fighting the police," he said.

Sunday's incident, that left three individuals nursing gunshot wounds, reportedly involved producer Jahvel 'Jahvy Ambassador' Morrison, members of dancehall artiste 450's entourage, and popular podcaster Jhaedee 'Jaii Frais' Richards.

While some argue that entourages provide an added layer of security between artistes and crowds, Laing firmly dismissed that notion.

"It is not about any security; two of three will do that and they walk at the front. But the rest of them just hang on to get into the show and the artistes don't see them until the next show."

He added that artistes from more affluent upbringing and backgrounds choose professional security details.

"Let's use for example a Sean Paul or Shaggy, they don't walk with an entourage," he said, adding that for "newer days artistes", having that crowd behind them "creates a sense of pride".

"The artistes love that entourage thing because when them buss and have this big entourage behind you, everyone now has to wonder 'Who is that coming'?"

Back in 2022, music manager Romeich Major, while addressing youth at a HEART Academy Dragon 'Be The One' campaign session, warned about the growing influence of entourages on artistes' careers.

"Dem just get inna one big hype, get likkle dub money and, guess wah a di problem after that now? The entourage. A di entourage a manage dem now, enuh, not the manager. Di friend a seh this and a seh that and everybody inna yuh ears," he said.

Standing on more than four decades of experience, Laing said the real issue becomes most problematic when entourages grow out of control.

"I saw one come with 200 people behind them, one bus load, people standing in the big bus and that's their entourage and they expect us to give passes for that amount. But we have to sign an agreement, so they never want to confide," he said. He added that artistes often have little control over the actions of those within their entourages.

"You are going to have one or two who feel they are the boss because they are closest to the artiste and they create the problem all the time," he said. "It is damaging, trust me. The artiste will have 10 main people that go with him. That 10 will have another 10 that the artiste don't know and some might be some real hardcore thugs that don't know how to behave." However, he reiterated that this will never stop "because the artistes like it", as it "makes them feel big". Laing said that promoters and organisers are left to manage the fallout, particularly when entourages exceed agreed limits.

"We give a limited amount of ticket, and they come with twice the amount of people and expect to get in free. Some see their friends in the entourage and join to get in free too and some man is going to bring his woman."

"[But] if it is up to artistes to draw the line, that won't happen. That need legislation and laws."