Adrian Frater, News Editor

Ninja Man during his performance at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2007 Explosion in Montego Bay (left) and Cham asking persons conducting violent acts associated with the elections to rethink their behaviour during his performance (right). - Photos by Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

Western Bureau:

Amid the musical excitement as Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 15 unfolded in Montego Bay on Thursday night, several artistes made references to Jamaica’s upcoming general election in their performances.

While ace deejay Beenie Man seems to have no stomach for what he described as ‘dutty politics’, other artistes such as Lutan Fyah, Shane O, Little Hero, WayneMarshall, Chuck Fenda, Cham, Aidonia, Ninja Man and Bounty Killer all offered up interesting perspectives on the upcoming election.

“I am not burning politicians tonight, I want to give them some advice,” said Lutan Fyah, who is well known for his fiery lyrics. “I want them to start taking a serious stance against those persons who are molesting our children because our children are the future.”

Shane-O and Little Hero echoed sentiments that are frequently expressed by politicians when they noted that unlike some supporters, the politicians are not maiming and killing each other because of opposing political views.

“Don’t go out and fight each other for politicians because the politicians are not fighting each other,” said Shane-O, as he called for a peaceful election.

“What we need to do is show more love to each other,” said Little Hero, prior to belting out his popular song entitled, Me Nuh Love What A Gwaan.

Wayne Marshall was quite forthright in declaring: “it is about time we have a peaceful election in Jamaica. A full time we dun with the idiot thing wah a gwaan.”

While expressing similar sentiments to Wayne Marshall, Chuck Fenda went a little bit further, declaring that: “election a come but it can’t help we ... so why we fighting each other over this thing. I am tired of this black on black violence.”

Rethink their behaviour

Cham and Aidonia both issued urgent calls to the persons who have been involved in the various incidents of political violence to re-think their behaviour if they really care about Jamaica.

“I don’t like what a gwaan because some bwoy a gwaan crazy,” said Aidonia. “We need fe just stop de foolishness wha a gwaan.”

However, ace DJ Ninja man, who hit the stage wearing a Jamaica Labour Party bracelet on one hand and a People’s National Party bracelet on the other, raised objection to the August 27 election day.

“Me nuh like how it so close to when schools fe reopen,” said Ninja Man, who also called for peaceful elections. “It might just interfere with our children’s education.”

Read more coverage on Sumfest in The Gleaner tomorrow and online at www.go-jamaica.com.

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com