Jobs in the music business
Danelia Doyle,Youthlink Writer

Jobs are available, you won't get fired and it's accessible to almost anyone interested. Truly, the music industry is one of the most diverse fields you'll ever find. Though jobs are rated differently, having a knack for what you do surely helps you stay in the game; that plus the fact that the perks are just as good as getting paid.

Sound system selectors rank high on the music industry's scale of importance. Let's face it, parties and clubbing would be a tad bit dreary without them. They definitely add something, something animated. Never mind those who have recently arrived on the scene, 'pouch and all', there are some who have been around from as far back as 1976. Introducing Coppershot!

DONNIE

THE HISTORY

Piled into a room with six of the 11 members, if the antics among them didn't speak to the bond they shared, the energy they exuded as soon as the interview began sure did! Plus, they weren't hard to look at either. Trendsetters, producers as well as promoters, the men from Coppershot are playing the field from all angles and are loving every minute of it. But how? Isn't being a DJ a hobby?

"No," answers Matthew, one of the older members. "University grads are a part of the group and some members are still in university." One of the biggest problems the 2009 recipients of the Youth View Awards Best Sound System face and the worst part of their job is the trifling manner in which their employment is viewed. They don't dwell on it though, "because when you see how people react to the variation of the music you're giving them at a party, it makes you feel like you're doing something worthwhile", rebutted Mark.

UPTOWN FLAVOUR WITH A HARDCORE VIBE

The consensus when asked to describe themselves. Stereotypes don't bother them as long as they are the truth. Here are some more truths from the men of Coppershot.

BLAINE

Youthlink: What's one thing your mom would be surprised to know about you?

Sanjay: She doesn't know half the places we go to play because she'd have a heart attack if she heard about some of the inner-city communities I went to.

What's the best way to get over a girl?

Mark: Music - and a new girl - (lol).

Is there any item of clothing you think should be retired?

Donnie: Dem idiot-looking, big-buckle belts!

What's the funniest misconception you've ever heard about the group?

Blaine: That we are rich or have a lot of girls (raises shoulders as if to ask a question).

MATTHEW

Finish this sentence, a dating deal-breaker for me is.

Andrew: A beautiful girl who's dumb and can't dress properly.

TALKING HEADS

1. What's the most daring thing you've ever done in public?

Sanjay: (insert pic here) I volunteered at a U-Tech (University of Technology) auction and I was stripped all the way down to my Speedos, onstage.

Blaine: (insert pic here) I got the minister at the time, Aloun Assamba, to talk on my mike at Carnival road march!

Mark: (insert pic here) We were performing in Trinidad once and I felt the urge to jump off in the crowd!

MARK

2. Who's the most famous person's number you have in you cellphone?

Blaine: Vybz Kartel

Sanjay: Tony Matterhorn

Matthew: Sean Paul

Mark: Tanesha Scott (dancer)

Donnie: Flexx (T.O.K)

Andrew: Busy Signal

3. Which multimillion-dollar business idea do you wish you had thought of?

SANJAY

Matthew: Ebay

Donnie: Google

Blaine: Youtube

Sanjay: Facebook

Mark: BlackBerry

4. What's the nicest thing you've ever done for a girl?

Mark: For our six-month anniversary I was away but I still ensured that she got flowers and made her feel special for the day.

Andrew: When my girlfriend lost her mother, I was really there for her, anything she needed, to talk, whatever, I was there.

Sanjay: I got this girl a personalised birthday card and a spa day.

ANDREW

Matthew: I just prepared a romantic evening for her, candles, flowers, dinner.

Donnie: Drove all the way from Kingston to St Elizabeth and bought her peppered shrimp because she likes them.

5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Movie: Taken (Donnie)

TV show: Family Guy (Mark)

Fragrance: Dolce and Gabana, Light Blue (Sanjay)

Shoes: Creative Recreation (Blaine)

Gadget: Mino Flip HD Camcorder (Mark)