Devon Dick
STING 2005 should be commended for the intention to promote peace, love and unity in response to our gun culture and high murder rate. This is a good move to disassociate entertainment from violence and immorality.
There is also an urgent need for those promoters to add responsible sexual lyrics and to encourage honesty. In the USA, rap mogul, Irving Lorenzo, who named his record label Murder Inc has been accused of laundering money.
Too many reggae artistes are self-promoting their sexual prowess. They fill the airwaves with songs that tell girls if they are not satisfied with their partners then they must 'call me'. They are not interested in a committed relationship, only a "one night stand". It is a throwback to slavery days when African men were not encouraged to marry or raise families but were sexual studs. These artistes are unwittingly debasing themselves as sex studs and women as sex objects.
'UGLY' BABY
And worse, there are songs which are calling fellow artistes' name with a female artiste is claiming that she would not want to have a baby by certain artistes because they are ugly and so the baby would be ugly. In addition, some male artistes have a song named 'Ugly' and they are identifying which female artiste is 'ugly'. When one speaks with the media managers and owners they all claim that they are against these types of songs yet they dominate the airwaves. I spoke to an executive of Shocking Vibes and asked how they allowed a certain song by Beenie Man and I was told that he recorded it independently. Therefore, the recording studios have little control so the radio stations should ban these inappropriate songs from the airwaves.
If there is no self-censorship, regulation or pressure from promoters and radio stations, it will get worse in Jamaica with "tracing" and persons being encouraged to be sex studs and sex objects. Not to mention that the lyrics of even our celebrated artistes appear as repeats and the videos are usually with many women 'wining' around the artiste to massage his ego. That stereotype of women and sex is outdated and should be the exception in the media rather than the rule.
BIG ALBUM PUBLICITY
According to the WEEKEND STAR, Sean Paul said that TOK's song Chi Chi Man was degrading the industry. But aren't Sean Paul's songs and videos degrading women? Sean Paul's latest album is getting big publicity in London and it would be good if he portrayed women as industrious, intelligent and worthy of a committed relationship.
Sex is a beautiful gift from God, which is given for procreation, pleasure, intimacy and solidarity between a man and a woman. It should not be pro-moted as a commodity, allowing the person with the most money to be able to purchase the most sex and have the most women. It should not be used as a competitive tool to prove which reggae artiste is better in bed. Sex is not primarily about performance and technique but rather a bonding between persons in a committed relationship growing in love and understanding of each other's needs, moods and goals. It should be engaged in with thanksgiving to God for his wonderful provision, which is beyond description.
The movie industry with its glorification of 'loveless sex' has turned sex into a cartoon with too many fakes, props and unrealistic 'performances'. And the reggae artistes are aping a decadent culture. In two days it will be World Aids Day, and the reggae artistes are singing as if responsible sex is not part of their vocabulary. The alcohol industry encourages responsible drinking and the music industry should be purveyors of having responsible sex.
Some years ago, former Editor-in-Chief of The Gleaner, Wyvolyn Gager, had a meeting with the entertainers with a view to 'cleaning up their act'. Another meeting is overdue.
Interestingly, there are good positive songs not getting adequate airplay. For example, a witty song with an engaging rhythm by General Degrees, which chides old men for having sexual relations with under-age girls, I have heard once in two months. Why aren't the radio stations giving such songs more airplay?
The music industry in many instances is facilitating reggae artistes as sex studs and women as sex objects.
Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of Boulevard Baptist Church and author of 'Rebellion to Riot: the Church in Nation Building'.
