Profanity, deejays and dancehall music

THE EDITOR, Sir:

IT IS a sad state of affairs, as this phenomenal monster called dancehall music has cast an indelible gloom over our music, including all its other genres - ska, rocksteady and reggae - which had placed Jamaican music on a pedestal for all the world to see and come to love.

A major portion of the blame must be placed squarely at the feet of promoters who spend millions of dollars annually to provide a platform for these deejays to spew forth their ungodly diatribe under the guise of Jamaican music.

Then to compound matters, after the debacle of this year's Sumfest, one of the promoters is quoted in The Star newspaper of August 14, 2001 as follows:

"We couldn't bring any sanctions against Bounty Killer for use of profanity. We would then have to bring sanctions against all the artistes who performed that night."

Honestly I cannot believe this statement was actually made because, if so, then the promoters are supporting the crudeness and slackness that these dancehall artistes are noted for; and therefore will continue to provide the platform - at great expense - for these artistes to continue to vilify their fellow performers, and their mothers, sisters and fans in the name of providing entertainment.

This year, the situation reached the depths of depravity, when senior deejays brought on stage little children to exude profanities and explicit sexual statements. How come no charges have been filed against these senior deejays? Not only for their own profanities but the corruption of minors and aiding and abetting such behaviour in minors both on stage and in the audience.

How low will we sink before the law steps in?

This is unacceptable, and I call on conscious, well-thinking Jamaicans who support Reggae Sumfest and other shows that encourage and promote like behaviour, to boycott them until a meaningful level of order returns.

Is there something terribly wrong with banning all artistes (including Americans) who use profanity and promote slackness at Jamaican music events? This will certainly be a step in the right direction and send a message to these (so-called) performers to clean up their act. Other Caribbean nations are doing it. Why not Jamaica?

I am, etc.,

MICHAEL BARNETT

4 Easton Avenue

Kingston 5

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