Krista Henry, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) Beenie Man, CeCile and Mr. Vegas
"Emergency, we a suffer roun ere
Roun ere, man a ded, tings tougher roun ere
Crime scene gone up, tall up man ah go fa roun ere
Missa man, whe yu doing fi the gutter roun ere?"
Vybz Kartel, 'Emergency'
The lyrics of a number of dancehall songs talk about their communities, poverty and hard times in Jamaica. Some artistes sound sincere, but what are they really doing for the gutter round here? Entertainers may haul in big bucks and spend on the latest bling, but a number of stars try their best to assist their communities.
Deejay CeCile says "Actually, I do the charity thing. The late Christine Hewitt, when she had her AIDS benefits, I performed for free. The Mustard Seed Home, I went there as a kind of Christmas gift for them, went to treat them. I also did something for the police, but I can't remember the name."
More than just talk
O'Neil from Voicemail says "We give all the time. I remember we performed for a school for the disabled for free. We always go to schools and preach about AIDS and stuff. We personally see it as necessary. Nuff a di artiste do that. Bounty Killer a di boss of dat. His show he's putting on suppose to go to charity. Beenie Man donates to schools all the time."
Patrick Roberts, Beenie Man's manager, confirmed that he has been giving back for years. Roberts says "I can't even name most right now. He has done the concert Unity Splash for the past seven years at Waterhouse where he came from. He goes to a summer school in Craig Town over the past 10 years. It's an annual thing."
According to Vybz Kartel's manager, Patrick 'Roach' Samuels, Kartel is more than just talk. "We contribute all the time. We give to Waterhouse Primary, not on a consistent basis but if the school asks then we try to meet the demands of the kids. There is also that school for the handicapped in Maxfield, and he gives to his community football team. He does free concerts, but mostly for the schools," Samuels said.
Eager to give
Even if they have not already contributed, performers such as Tami Chynn are eager to do so. "I haven't had a chance to do much charity work, but I want to. People in general should donate to charity. It's important to do so, especially in Jamaica. A lot of persons want to help causes abroad, but they should look at home, 'cause there's a lot to be done. Hopefully, when I'm rich and and famous, I will get to assist the youths, specifically children who don't have parents, and teenage girls," Chynn said.
Cash contributions aren't the only ways of giving back. "I wish everyone would give their name or likeness 'cause sometimes that's all they need, not necessarily tangible money," CeCile said. Vegas agrees, but says sometimes false charities make it difficult. "Of course, entertainers should give back to their communities, but in Jamaica it can be difficult because there are phoney charities," he said.
