When you say 'dubplates', I take it you mean having exclusive upfront trax from artists (of which you get acetates cut or cds burnt). These you get by having links in the biz to lots of artists. Obviously it helps if you're on some kind of platform (eg. legal radio hence the name brand status) or area (a big club DJ), because you're in a stronger position of benefit to the artists and are therefore more likely to get exclusives.
However, its far from impossible to make those links as a regular DJ who's really into what he or she does. Become a taste-maker. Read your scenes' magazines, find out where artists are going to be and make those links. Develop relationships with labels (their contact info is always possible to find) and producers and give them reason to want you playing their stuff.
Regarding exclusive specials recorded for you, most artists (especially in reggae) will record bits for you for a fee. The more you're prepared to pay, the bigger the artist you can expect to get and the more you can get from them. But you still need to make those links to get them to take you seriously and show them how you're going to benefit them.
Put yourself about and make the connections, it won't be easy but remember, every artist loves to have their ego massaged, that's why they're artists!
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