thanks
First of all, I would like to thank the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the International Office of the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg for their consideration in the context of the PROMOS scholarship and the accompanying provision of financial means and personal advice. In this context, I would also like to thank Prof. Dr. Ulrich Konrad, Prof. Dr. Juniper Hill and Dr. Lisa Herrmann-Fertig for extensive advice and support before, during and after my field research as well as during the writing of this thesis.
Special thanks also go to Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Dr. Ray Hitchins, and Camelia Campbell from my partner institution in Jamaica, the Institute of Caribbean Studies at the University of The West Indies in Kingston.
They welcomed me to Jamaica with open arms, gave me access, advice, and made my collaboration with them as straightforward as possible.
I would also like to thank Kay-Yaneeke Tapper for interesting conversations and a valuable exchange. I thank Courtney for the first nights in Kingston’s green hills and numerous interesting conversations about Jamaica’s rich musical world, Zion for no less inspiring conversations and above all endless miles on Kingston’s streets – no matter what time of day. Besides Inilek Wilmot and his family, the entire Jamnesia team for their openness and commitment to music. I would also like to thank all the other residents of Bull Bay and Kingston who were always and everywhere open and helpful to me.
This work would not be possible without my interview partners Paris, Lila, Protoje and mediator Jamila, who took their time, were interested and cordial and gave me the opportunity to meet the people I had previously only known from looking at the stage and the screen. Meeting them and meeting them again meant a lot to me, even apart from my research.
I would like to thank Keisha, probably the best and most caring hostess in Jamaica, for a wonderful time, for providing a month-long home that was always a place of well-being, and for countless moments and conversations that I hope can be repeated.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family, friends and especially Verena for her constant support of all kinds, companionship, encouragement, interest, sharing and defying my whims.
The last thanks go to the artistes, the musicians, the producers, the managers, the organizers and all the people who make the music from this small country so big and create in studios as well as on stages the sound that has accompanied me for so long.
– Dem Likkle But Dem Tallawah.
