Is Dancehall music dying?
The recent reports about artistes and the state of the dancehall music is not good.
Recently it was reported that four deejays and one selector had their visas, both visiting and working, to the United States of America cancelled.
This follows after reports also surfaced that a deejay popularly known to be flossing was held after allegedly illegally trying to enter the United States in a boat.
There was also more bad news earlier of popular dj, Buju Banton being locked up in the US and now awaiting trial for possession and alleged trafficking of cocaine.
Recently yet another door was shut in the face of the music when Vbyz Kartel and Mavado were banned from going to Barbados because the authorities there said the artistes promoted violence.
Promoters overseas are worried and say the potential to market dancehall music overseas has fallen significantly with the travel of some key artistes now curtailed. Those who lost their visas now join a number of artistes who already could not travel to the US such as Busy Signal and Kartel.
It is sad what has been happening and it seems all these things are nails now being drilled into the coffin of dancehall.
Dancehall music is clearly going through some serious times. But are these challenges or just retribution for a controversial expression, which has been blamed for violence and over exposing the society, particularly the youth to sex?
Has the lack of standards and guidelines helped to cause these problems, which now threaten to end dancehall music as we know it?
Is dancehall dying? what are your thoughts?
By Queen
Tags: Alliance, Beenie Man, big ship, Bounty Killer, broadcasting commission, Dancehall, Entertainment, lyrical war, Portmore Empire, vbyz kartel, Vybz Kartel
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196 Responses to “Is Dancehall music dying?”
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Dancehall fi dead. Because I note Giant and safeway drop some
Jamaican product in their stores in DC and I Also note today that
Jamaica is now listed in the top five countries not to visit by gays.
If this homophobic dancehall thing continue we wont be able to sell
our produce abroad.
I blame the disc jockeys on the radio for playing all that rubbish
and the soundman dem. God bless Coxone Dodd, he has never recorder
any of this garbage.
Mass C
Well, my friend, reports of dancehalls demise are grossly exaggerated. False even. Reggae music and Black culture on whole developed without any help from the establishment whatsoever. Dancehall, you should remember became a force only through it’s sheer evident profitability, not from the good nature of anybody overseas in any of the countries that we now see as markets..The genre needs a renaissance anyway. It’s become too ‘foreignized’ to use a local term. Dancehall does not need America or any outside nation to remain a force. It was all about the Jamaican story in the beginning, which appealed to foreigners, to which they were hypnotised and which made them all want to grow dreadlocks and such..Needs to go back to the roots. The sound systems need to migrate from the clubs and return to the lawns and djs should be developed on the sound systems, that’s were it all started.
I strongly hope so !!
Dancehall music has warped into something I no longer recognize. Indeed, sex has long been a staple of this genre, but traditionally the sexually explicit lyrics of people like Lady Saw targeted a more mature audience. That is not true for the works of Vbyz Kartel and others, who seem to target a teen audience. Dancehall needs a rebirth. Maybe, this will force these artists to reflect on their craft and return even better.
I don’t think dancehall is dying just look for alternative market around the world that would prefer the music without putting restriction and expecting the artists to share the same values and beliefs as maybe the current markets.
The only thing dying is my respect for you as a writer. Get real and state the real facts of why these and soon to be more artiste and businessmen had their visas cancelled. And it has nothing to do with the lyrical content of dancehall music. There is an old saying in America “if you want to hit them where it hurts, hit them in their pockets”.
Now to point out some mistakes you obviously didnt research if anyone with dark complexion and doesn’t speak spanish tries to enter the United States illegally on a boat and gets caught LOL they will be arrested. If that is the real reason. And if you get caught in a drug sting that was setup just for you then yeah you will be locked up. But don’t blame it on the music.
What do you blame all the violence that was going on in Jamaica in the 1970′s right through the 80′s. Did you think it was going to just going to miraculously stop. Moses and his stick died a long time ago. Someone had a bad idea and didn’t realize that if you poop at the top of a hill that it all rolls downhill. There was no forward thinking when they armed citizens with guns for political leverage. Don’t blame it on the music now. What’s going on in third world countries around the world has a historical and structural framework. If you want to place the blame on someone or something for all the violence going on in Jamaica right NOW. Find those politicians who were in office from 1970 until 1989 and let them know its their fault our LITTLE island has a BIG crime problem. And then hold them accountable. Only then can you come back and then lay the blame to anyone in the musical arena or any other performing arts that tells of the struggle of poor people.
About time. These guys are destroying the Reggae music industry.Let them keep their nastiness and violence in their backyard. Its about time someone did something about it.The cream will rise to the top and then the reggae music industry will recover and again be respected.
They (the artist)are the main reason for their own demise.For some time they have been ask to clean up their acts.No!!! they continue with their lewdness and dirty lyrics ,words that promote violence, words that disgrace women ,words that put sections of the city against each other etc etc.I for one would be glad if it DIES. We need to go back to the former days of good music etc Paragons.Kingstonians,Dennis Brown ,Delroy Wilson and many more who gave us those wonderfull sounds to promote Jamaican music.CLEAN UP GUYS ,The government should take a stance.our children are the ones who are suffering .I Hope it dies. Thanks
Dance hall music has been on quick sands for years. The sales of records have decline steadily for years now and has been getting worst. This is further compounded by the long list of wayward song that are been produce into the industry. I don’t think it can be safe until these artist see that must of the songs they are singing is like pampers as it only last for a little while. As bad as some of the dance hall music was in the 80 – 90, they are a lot better than most of what is produce today. Just do a quick an look back of music produce since 200 and tell me how much of that music will be played back as old hits. Then you will see what I am talking about.
If yuh mek yuh bed outa pure nails yuh haffi lie dung inna it. and yuh reap what yuh sow. Gone are the days when Jamaica did have good singers dem people today a no singers dem a entataina.
Yes it is dead becuase of gully gaza stupid acts,plus we are so hype thats we forget that people are suffering and dying for hunger.but we throw money into crowed the $US when the US inression.we are too hype,dump and stupid.
Products like these that have been said to be created in Jamaica should not have been allowed to see the light of day: They should have been dead at birth. Those that had/have the authority to set standards must have been drugged or brianwashed or paid off for this crap to spread to this extent. Now we all pay for the slasckness.
I think dancehall is dying because every blood shed because of the influence of these deejays will not go unpunished. Retribution is a must. The Lord said no sin shall go unpunished. It is time for us to seek God as Country before it is too late. Remember HAITI!!!!
It’s well on it’s way to be being dead!! The dancehall thing is over the top now and it’s no longer enjoyment. If artiste not bashing each other, they talking about guns, violence, sex, daggering ah whole heap of nothings…. what do society stand to gain from all this immoralistic behaviors. People around the world love Reggae music, the beat the rhythm but I think people are tired of all that vulgar speech, degradation of women and violence and gang/don rivalry lifestyle… This is the turning point and something need to be done else the music will be lost for GOOD!
dancehall is a place not a type of music lets get this clear.ever one in the music bizz as a part to play .when the music was getting out of hand to much people were silent. some of the artist are mad and there madness as damage this great music.the good will suffer for the bad on till the music is clean up from with in the bizz. to much pay for play that the big problem.
It’s not dying but will be dead soon if we continue to have division in the Dancehall Business. Yes it’s VERY healthy for a little competition like STING and the Sound Clash but when you have ordinary everyday people taking sides on a serious level like Bloods and Crips (Gully and Gaza) then it will definitely die. The artists need to stop calling themselves Kings of the Dancehall and GADs without merit and votes by the patrons of dancehall. I do not think that they are role models and they should not be, but I do think that they can do better in helping the kids with something positive in the time when it seems like everyone outside if Jamaica is looking at Jamaica in a negative light. The dancehall is a MAJOR avenue for immediate success for some artists. We also have a corrupt government who is happy that there is division in the dancehall, why, because they get to do their dirty deeds without notice. I call upon all DJs, Singers, Selectors, Producers, Prompters, Patrons, and Listeners to help save the music, if we do not then you going to loose it to Reggaeton.
And so it should. What message does it provide the youths and the people in general? How often are they encouraged to go to school to take up education so they can better their lives? To love thy neighbour? The lyrics are degrading, obessed with a persons sexuality (there are more important things in life – like food clothes and shelter the basic needs of every individual of this world)it is also obsessed with killing a next man who looks at another too hard!!! Women are defined as mere chattels, and how the man will handle them in bed. This is not music. Music should bring out the best in people enlighten our hearts and send a message. How many dancehals tunes relate to the state of JA politics? the state of the education – that many parents find it difficult to find money to send there children to school so that their child can be properly educated and stand a better chance in life to help eliviate poverty?
Jamaican Musicians need to get back to the basics.There was a time when people could go out and enjoy themselves without have to hear what beyond every woman’s garment.
I we cease to play so of these garbage being produced, I can assure you they won’t be missed!
Dancehall is not dead. What are you talking about? As far as I know, Etana, Taurus, Queen Ifrica…concious music singers…people who do not bash gays…are still around…still allowed to travel to other places and their music is still very well known. I am very happy that other countries have taken a stand against these uneducated uncouth idiots that call themselves artistes. Hurray!!! They need to invest their money in other things now so that they have a steady income because I am just fearful that with no work they will actually go and kill people because that is what they sing about.
The music in Jamaica need to be allowed to evolve. While I love dancehall music, we have to understand that Jamaica’s history of music have gone through various changes. We had Ska, rocksteady and dancehall as examples. Dancehall had a remarkable run for approximately thirty years and counting. I would not worry about the death of Dancehall as it is now time for musical talent in Jamaica to be allowed to evolve.
It’s called Hip Hop now
Well, I believe that the visa revocation is a HUGE victory on many levels (the rejecting of this type of “music” being only one). So PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW. The prayers of the righteous availeth MUCH. Who would have thought that the U.S. would be the bearer of such GOOD NEWS!
For years some of us have fooled ourselves into believing that this is an “art” and that it is mirroring live as it actually appears. Well thinking Jamaicans have being saying that dance hall music is depravity in its purest form and that this form of “musical expression” helps to propagate violence, obscenity and ill-treatment of women, underage sex, etc.
Now, at long last we see where other cultures are saying that they do not want our type of “music” in their countries because of its depravity.
Well, if dance hall music is dying all I have to say is SLEEP ON BELOVED!
Thank God the gutter rats music is dead it was the number 1 cause why Jamaica is in the state it is in now.
TO KEEP THIS DEMON MUSIC DOWN IN ITS GRAVE WE NEED A STAKE.
Its about time something was done to this type of music.Long gone are the days of U-Roy ,Jerry and those guys.I am a born jamaica and at times I cant even understand some of the garbage they are saying
Do I think dance hall music is dead? Certainly not!
The dance hall music needs a new drive, new motivation to steer it back to where it should rightfully stand. The vulgarity and unnecessary portayal of violence in the lyrics is crippling in the sense that it stereotypes jamaicans as a people.
Some of these artistes lived the hard life, but when they are given the chance to make a difference they allow the current hype to influence them, thus resulting in a bag of you know what coming out of their mouth.
Jamaicans get good education and its full time we utilise the little we could afford.
I wouldn’t write off the music because its global, but these artistes need a reality check.
There is a clear difference between dancehall music and reggae. Dancehall is the bad stepchild of reggae, the stepchild who believes that no one should scold him no matter how badly he behaves. people like beenieman has fought vigerously for the autonomy and existence of this fraud even when it is clear that it needed reform, and it gets worst. we are now looking down at reggae as if it is some antiquated being and dancehall is modern and hip. Albeit except for Bob Marley and Dennis Brown most reggae artist performed for pennies as against their dancehall counterparts who made millions surviving and riding on the backs of their poor and ignorant neighbors. When a dancehall artist was broke and upcoming he promised to be the vanguard for the poor, he cursed babylon in any and every form babylonia existed, he would find the way to connect policemen and babylon, he would fight crack smoking, oral sex, gayism, align tight pants to gayism, bun bloody men and praise jah minutely, but as soon as he reached the apex of the business all the things that was wrong becomes the norm and we all should all gravitate to them ie Vybz Kartel and his strings of oral sex excapades, the artist tried to justify his nasty behavour thats hypocritical because the holy graille of dancehall said ” dont bow ” the long and short of it is most dancehall artists are irresponsible, they are directly corrupting the younger generation with there nonsensical useless dialogues, propaganding muderous words they say are lyrics, promoting vane living most people cant afford which includes large comsupmtion of alchohol and lavish spending, they have totally capitalised on the subbliminal ability of the electronic medias to promote and propagand self destructive information which goes against the grain of our original culture and religion, artist are now saying that they worship the devil when did we get to this and to make my point let me give you a status report on the illegal and or immoral conduct of some of our artist over the years. Flipper Mafia is in jail in America, Buju Banton is in jail in America, Lexus is presently fighting a case in America,Merciless just got released from jail in America, Ninjaman is presently in jail here in Jamaica, Bounty killer is presently in jail here in Jamaica, Zebra had multiple stints here for rape, Jah Cure did time in prison for rape, Bascom x was implicated in illegal gun activity, Kartel has a gloomy shadow hanging over him and was questioned on several occasions by the police including the death of the Tivoli gardens strongman Nunu Puss and the im[plication of beatings of women in the Portmore Empire and others, Sizzla has been questioned on numerous occasions for gun runnings, Liciano has been implicated for harboring a fugitive and i could go on. The irony of this matter is that on a per capita basis it would appear that the artists are out doing the rest of the population which is sad as we are a music loving people and the bad stepchild must know that he has to be scolded and we call that tough love.
GREETINGS -
DANCE(“DUNCE”)-HALL MUSIC IS MATERIALISTIC ORIENTED, ‘FARIN’- MINDED AND EXHIBITIONISTIC HYPE. THE GENRE HAS EXPOSED ITSELF AS A BLATANT APPEAL TO THE EGO AND THE(NON)SENSE OF CHIC,FRIVOLITY AND BLING.
AND THIS WHEN JAMAICAN “SUFFERERS” REQUIRE THE GUIDANCE AND THE INSPIRATION OF OUR CULTURAL-MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS.
CULTURE-MUSIC ON THE OTHER HAND IS UNIVERSAL,
SOCIALLLY CONSCIOUS AND SELF-ELEVATING, A MUSIC EMANATING THE VIBRANT ROOTS AND TRANSCENDENT NATURE OF DAILY LIFE ITSELF.
TENNAYSTELLIN – MAY JAH BE WITH(IN)YOU.
RAS MANNAHAM MAKKABEE
TOO MUCH ENTOURAGE A FOLLOW UP DE ARTISTES,AND A CREATE NEGATIVE MIX UP AND BLENDER. IF DE ARTISTES DEM JUST WALK WITH DEM SELF OR A ONE ASSOCIATE, DEM A GO MUCH BETTA OFF. REMEMBER,BADNESS AND ENTERTAINMENT DON’T MIX.
Well said!! Dancehall music serves no purpose. Time to get rid of this rubbish.
EVER I am truly amazed and impressed with your knowledge of dance hall artists. I am so far removed from the “scene” that I only know of the most popular ones. If what you say is true, (and I believe you), then what these people are morally compromised social miscreants!
Ever, don’t you agree that it is a shame that these “entertainers” have to be arrested abroad before their crimes are taken seriously? In Jamaica it seems that they can keep doing what they want for YEARS before justice is finally served.
For example, this paper published that Bounty Killer had several charges against him in the Jamaican “justice” system. YET, he was out and about doing whatever he wanted. Somehow I feel that if he was arrested here in the U.S. his fans would be insisting that he was innocent (and that he was “set-up”).
Dancehall music will never die. Its just getting a fight. and I know that it will overcome all the obsticles and evil in its way, So haters of dancehall music don’t even hold your breath, its not going to die!
Interesting comments reading from where I sit in Barbados. Very interesting !
Barbados just banned Movado and Vybes but trust me , their music is as popular as ever. Personally , I do not like the vulgarity in some of their songs because it is unnecessary and a waste of creative energy!
We love reggae music in Barbados and Jamaican music dominates the airwaves in Barbados much to the chargin of Bajan performing and recording artistes
Dancehall is immortal!!
However the garbage that is commonly mistaken to be dancehall is dying because it is only a symptom of a poisoned culture that must be purged.
Can never blame the DJs…”We”, the people, are the ones buying their music. They gave us what we wanted..” WE ” made them who they are. We supported them.. Now ask yourselves, “who’s really to blame???”
Ignorance is bliss, If most of what was written here was true there are many other genres of music that would be in the same state as dancehall. Remember when the ‘holier-than-though’ crowd were saying the same about Marley and reggae in general? Remember when Mento, Ska and Rastafarians were all in the same boat?
Dancehall is now being blamed for everything that’s wrong in Jamaica, I suppose the extremely corrupt public officials (politicians) who import and distribute guns and ammunition, develop and maintain garrison communities, create and maintain a very corrupt and murderous police force and an unjust society are not to be blamed.
In a country sinking under enormous corruption and a crippling crime problem that successive governments have no intention of ‘fixing’ some people choose to throw the blame at dancehall music; talk about keeping your head in a hole in the ground.
Believe it or not, one of the biggest problem with dancehall is payola and radio. In the past the dancehall and all that happened in it had its place. Most radio stations in Jamaica have become an extension of the dancehall greedy DJ’s are collecting money to play songs that were never meant for radio while doing everything to sound like sound system selectors. Everybody, (including the radio station basses) turned a blind eye and pretended it wasn’t happening until the Gully, Gaza madness, and even then they only played lip service to the situation and no one has brought up the payola issue.
The dancehall music scene is going through a bad patch, but it will not die, it cannot die, because if it does it will negatively affect the entire music scene in Jamaica. Anybody who does not believe this clearly does not understand the history of our music and the important role dancehall has played in it.
Ever, Just knowing some names and pointing out what they may have done in the past and how they live their lives is only part of the story, You have not touched on any of the root causes of the problems.
Dancehall existed long before Beenieman, Kartel and all the people you mentioned, and the the dancehall was always raunchy and dealt with adult themes…and a lot of reggae, rock, Jazz and pop artists are guilty of the numerous crimes you listed.
I know for a fact that some of your remarks are either false or half truths; your remark about who earns what is one of them.
I’m not a defender of the dancehall or its protagonist, there is a lot I don’t like about it too, but throwing the baby out with the bath water by muddying the water with ignorance and half-truths passing for fact does not help or educate.
Yes Vibes cartoon and Mafrado kill it. Dancehall is all ignorance. I cannot relate it now. Its not even reggae it more RNB beats they’re creating. some of the songs is about 200 BPM how can that be reggae and don’t even mention the lyrics.
I wanted to say to all these people that have to put their two-cents in about dance-hall music. Stop critisizing these artistes, granted the music that they make may not be to your liking, or that there is a lot of vulgarity in some songs. But did you ever think that not all artists can come up with the same kind of music that everyone is going to appreciate. There is no way that every-one of of them can come up with same melody that will for one sound right, or make them a hit. Why is it that us as a people keep fighting against each other, perhaps some of these artistes would have been better off, having a secondary plan to establish themselves and some do. But who are you to judge and discriminate against them. People talk about thanking God that there might be an end to REGGAE MUSIC alltogether,what kind of person would say this!!! No matter what i will forever be true to my culture and love reggae no matter what form individuals think it sounds like. There is a saying to each his own. In this world there is a lot of music is offensive, certain hip-hop artistes and most definately Rap music and yes i do listen to their lyrics which are way more offensive than these so called dancehall music put together. Jamaicans do listen to that to so now that you are all so concerned with vulgar lyrics, why dont you put a stop to these artistes as well. I am in no way making a excuse about dancehall music but right is right. If you put a stop to one then you need to put an end to the other. Stop being DECEIVERS, i have also listened to dancehall music that very conscious so dont make it seem as if it is that extremely bad. No one is God and no one has the right to judge!! Everybody has their own sins that they will eventually have to deal with so you all need to stop judging, because you are no better. As for BUJU BANTON, he is one of my artistes of all time,so what he sang that song in the 90′s, and so what, if he does not approve of gays. Thats his right, and the man should not have to justify his views to no-one. The USA likes to talk about FREEDOM of SPEECH, but i guess its when it suits them or its to their liking. Now they think that to get their way they think that they can punish certain artistes. That for one is a load of BULL, we as Jamaicans should be able to have that right and say of what is acceptabe in our country or not. What would they like to do next BURN the Bible? Rewrite it? Well i hope not for i would have to pray and ask God to have mercy on their souls. I justhope that everything turns out right for thes guys and as to my guy BUJU, this is one of your #1 FANSi LIFT UP YOUR HEAD AND HOLD IT UP HIGH!!! Let no man undermind your beliefs.
Truly, i can say for once that i agree with most comments that i’ve read so far on the board… I am a LOVER of reggae music and dancehall music (2 different things as rightfully stated by Ever). I had hoped that over the years, as dancehall matured, it would have gotten better as most creative vehicles do. I actually do not want to see dancehall in a nd of itself die, but i do want to see some kind of evolution (for the better). I pray and hope that the what is going on now will force a much needed change in a positive direction.
BTW… I’m no old foogie (lol) – I go to parties etc but OMG! how do people dance to the dancehall music nowadays? With the exception of a few that really good and “tek off”, most of them have nonsensical lyrics and the rhythm/beats/tracks are so wack!!! How do u even dance to them… Bring back good music and some good beats! we go to parties to dance and enjoy.
Dancehall is not dying, dancehall is dead. The press/media gave dancehall a cruel death. We wait until other people see the bad in us and want to keep us out of their countries. I am in total agreement with that. The press/media promote music that is not good for society and now turn around asking if dancehall is dying. Even the blind can see that dancehall is cremated.
Seriously EVER you must be in the music business because you surely know what’s the scoop on all these musicians…and while i agree and like your analogy of dancehall being the bad stepchild of reggae, i dont think it plays such an important roles in people’s lives if a parent’s shape their children in the right direction early…besides let me remind you that people like dancehall for what it is, i am a mid 80′s baby so late 90′s is when i started to appreciate music, and in my opinion late 90′s dancehall was some of the best music ever made,songs like (“bruck out”‘ – buccaneer, “traffic blockin” – general degree, “Who am i” – beenie man etc.)even still today when these songs are played with the right crowd, people go crazy!!(feelin the music, not nonsense)…and while i agree with you that it’s contents maybe too vulgar for our younger generations, i do believe if parents do their jobs which is raising your children to build on whatever you’ve already achieved while censoring them to what you want them to know…then i don’t think the argument of dancehall having the impact it claims to have on our younger generation would have a stance. and while the power of music should never be undermined a child personality, morals, way of seeing life usually develops by age 8, while raising a child is not done then if a moral foundation is set by then i don’t think dancehall music has enough influence to change that person’s character. so basically i don’t feel like dancehall music should affect your child if you raise them the right way, i definitely don’t think dancehall music is going anywhere, esp. with positive artist such jah vinci, laden, and chino.
Well said Ever !! I concur with you totally !!
All of this is so amazing, not that it couldn’t happen but just the short space of time in which it has happened. Our society has suffer from the blatant disrespect from those the young considers to be role models. For too long they have been dominant, all in the name of “entertainment” to get a “hype” or a “forward” from what ever subject they deemed necessary, such as beneath the ladies clothes and or course the disrespect and violence meted out to citizens because of their sexuality. Our society is in need of and is going through major structural changes. Today we see it in all aspect of our society and it is going to get worst, but it is just the start or the revolution for better to come. That which we have long for. It is so hypocritical that others from all over the world have to see the flaws in our music before we do and accept them. However it is a start, and i say thumbs up to all the different countries that are saying enough. It is only now when these artiste sees that their main sources of revenue has rejected them that they will aspire to change. It may be too late, it may not be. Who to tell? All i know we are at the funeral service, so if you asked me i would say dance-hall music had already died, just waiting confirmation.
Dance hall music never made sense, the lyrics was all style and no substance, its just a matter of time before it self destructs, as fans became bored with gangster drama and hate messages. Bring back real Jamaican reggae music that have positive messages and peaceful vibes.
Reggae or Dancehall will not die,it’s part of our fabric.All artist have to do now is make good music and everything will be “Irie”.
For the folks who lump ever artist in one category(should know that there is good and bad in everything in life).
Jamaicans please wake up. This is a real world and we have been allowing uneducated fools and selfish misfits of our society to determine the type of environment we live in even when their actions are distroying us all young and old. Many of us have been guided by our Music from the 50s to present. Up to the 80s, any morning one awakes with a worry, the first Jamaican radio music eliminates that worry and leaves a smile on that persons face. No wonder Jamaicans were one time known for our beautiful smiles. Not any more. Most of our Dancehall artists has created music that has robbed us of this virtue. Many of our young people now look like they are in horror movies daily. They dont know how to listen.
I hope that the withdrawal of Visas will wake up those who have not realise the seriousness we are in.
There is no expression of real love in this garbage music, which robs our young people of real human feelings and is now creating a generation that is filled with hate, deceit, arrogance, illinformed, uncaring, unable to hold a civilize conversation and ready to kill by guns, knives or whatever. Only a few of our dancehall artists have shown concern for any sector of our society and have offered financial help. Our country needs Training Centers for our young, Agricultural Marketing Centers, for the Farmers, Manufacturing Plants for our Entrepreneurs. They can come together and create these realities nationally, but go further within their communities and lead like Shaggy. In the same way that dancehall music is portrayed, Jamaicans have become loud and aggressive, ready to kill without adequate dialogue, worshipers of vanity eg, motor cars, watch, jewellery, clothes, etc.
These entertainers are dunces and all need to be schooled because most were not and if we allow this foolishness to continue we will be guilty of allowing Jamaica to self distruct. When something is wrong we need to see it and do something to correct that wrong.
The Regulating Body and all Civilised Jamaicans need to change, “dash wey” this garbage we call dancehall and/or do better. We are a better people, but some of us are bent on distruction. Just look at the rest of the Caribbean how some Islands are doing better than we are. They dont have so many of their people doing foolishness with their lives and the lives of so many citizens. This is why their economy is doing better than Jamaica. Our People needs to be enlightened as too many dunces are here.
Tough love or Censorship Ever. You people amaze me. Just a few years ago its was rock n roll that was the devil’s music then funk, disco then hip hop now its dancehall. The older generations love to say how good their generation was and how the current one is so much more morally corrupt. NONSENSE. In South Africa during aparteid they wouldn’t even allow some of Bob Marley’s music to be played. Even certain gospel songs were banned during slavery because the MASTER found out there were hidden messages in the music. So ok MASSA EVER, MASSA CHARM, and MASSA ST. MARIAN WE’S GON BE A GOOD NEGRA AND LISTENS TO WHAT YOU SAYS!
Forget blaming the one’s who left their children in Jamaica to be raised by people who didn’t care whether they lived or died, lets not blame the one’s who instead of helping our children burn them up in buildings, lets not blame the one’s who have children with numerous woman and don’t take care of them or the women who sleep with them and have children with them. No lets blame the one outlet that has made lives for these people who otherwise would be sticking a gun in your face. If given the choice of giving them a mic or a gun uummm… i’m going to to with the mic. RAISE YOUR CHILDREN, DONT EXPECT THE SCHOOLS TO DO IT, NOT THE GOVERNMENT, NOT YOUR NEIGHBOR OR YOUR PARENTS. IF YOU DONT WANT VYBES HAVING SEX WITH YOUR DAUGHTER ON VIDEO THEN YOU TEACH HER BETTER. People always want to blame someone else for what is going wrong. We all share is this blame. From the man w ho takes money and turns his head when a shipment of guns come in to this who see a hungry child on the street and instead of feeding him run him away. Jamaica look in the mirror and look to the elders who put making money, being politically connected as a higher priorities than raising their kids. Again i go back to the 70′s and how Jamaica was then transformed from a luxurious island into a war zone just because people wanted to hold a certain office. Please forgive me if i dont feel any sympathy for you and your cause because like rock n roll, and hip hop Dancehall is the conduit, that expresses the whats going on in society, but how did it get there? That should be your concern. If you dont like what Beenie, Movado, Vybes or Bounty is saying. Den Tun off di radio dont buy di cd but stop complaining. if you poop at the top of the hill what do you really expect to happen.
Thank God. There is nothing about DanceHall that’s worth saving. The few positive messages that have been delivered via this media could have been delivered just as effectively by other means. If they do not have a singing voice and they have something to say they could try a Mutabaruka or a Linton Qwesi Johnson style. Express the hard thruth with class and do it in a way that bears some semblance to art. The overwhelmingly violent messages and general coarseness of the genre are better of dead and buried
Jamaican musicians of yester-year were talented people, many have now left us and they would turn in their graves, if they could listen to the rubbish that some of these artist are now producing. I have been praying for the last 15yrs, hoping that this talentless music would die, so i am really hoping that they will be a change.
This stupid music is effecting Jamaican society in every way. It is also a shame that Jamaica is no longer the home of reggae music, how sad is that.
Bwoy Ever! you could not have said it better . Reggae stepchild musted be scolded and all other reggae artist must now take note of this .