La vi artis rèd: a look at the reality of Martinican artists
BPM (Balan Pou Mizik) hosted an event at Patio 19 in Fort-de-France.
Thomas Boutant and Eric Bolnet evoked the emblematic song by the artist Kali, “La vi artis rèd”, underlining the extent to which its lyrics remain topical. They addressed the persistent challenges facing Martinican artists, particularly in terms of travel, structuring and valorizing their work.
One of the major points raised was the need for artists to better understand how to manage their income and the economic impact of their music in a constantly changing context.
BPM: A young association with big ambitions
The BPM (Balan Pou Mizik) association, founded by Thomas Boutant and Eric Bolnet aka Rico, is fast becoming a key player on the Martinique music scene. Founded with the aim of solving problems linked to the structuring of the local music industry, BPM focuses on the creation of a supportive and dynamic community.
At the meeting, the two founders highlighted the difficulties faced by artists, producers and managers in Martinique, particularly in terms of funding, distribution and access to information.
The challenges of structuring the music industry
At the event, Thomas and Eric stressed the importance of accurate local economic data. Without concrete figures, it is difficult to defend the economic value of local music to investors and public institutions. BPM aims to remedy this shortcoming by offering analysis and structuring tools adapted to local realities.
Kassav: an inspiring example for the local scene
The example of the group Kassav was cited as a key reference. With over 27 albums to their credit and worldwide recognition, Kassav has proved that West Indian music can shine on the international stage. The group has conquered prestigious stages such as the Zénith in Paris with over 60 consecutive concerts. Their success shows that a solid structure and a well-defined market strategy are essential keys to exporting Caribbean music.
A few key figures about Kassav :
- 6 million albums sold worldwide (excluding cassettes).
- 3000 concerts over the course of their career.
- 57 the number of Kassav albums, including those by the group’s artists.
- 155 musical works.
- 2 million cumulative spectators since 2009.
- 60 Zenith (Paris and Province).
- 12 consecutive concerts at the Zénith in Paris.
- 1st zouk band to play the Stade de France.
- 72 countries explored through their international tours.
A business model to be redefined
Discussions highlighted the need to rethink the economic model ofMartinique’s music industry. With a population of just 365,000, local artists need to adopt a global vision, relying on streaming platforms and international market opportunities.
Concrete examples, such as merchandising sales on tour, were cited as ways of diversifying revenues.
One striking example was an artist who arrived with a suitcase full of merchandising, including t-shirts, caps and even baby onesies emblazoned with his logo. Thanks to this initiative, he was able to generate significant revenue in addition to his artistic fee, illustrating the importance of a proactive commercial approach to maximize financial opportunities. merchandising during tours, were cited as avenues for revenue diversification.
Joining forces to structure: Federating and supporting
A crucial point raised at the event was the need to better federate the players in the music industry. Too often, artists work in isolation, which limits their ability to access funding and opportunities.
BPM offers support to artists, helping them to navigate the administrative maze, structure their projects and create synergies between them. The audience also shared their experiences and expectations in the face of these challenges.
The event brought together local music industry professionals and highlighted the many challenges facing the local music industry, as well as the solutions envisaged by BPM.
With a strategy focused on structuring, data collection and federating players, BPM is positioning itself as an essential lever for the sustainable development of the music industry in Martinique. The challenges facing the local music industry, but also the solutions envisaged by BPM.
