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

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196 Responses to “Is Dancehall music dying?”

  1. Trevor Campbell says:

    There is a saying “the things you say today may oneday come back and bite you in the ass”.Jamaican musicians must understand that the music is not just a national sound…… it is international and we are all listening.

  2. Vincent White says:

    I feel you Steve! I sincerly hpe this avenue will open the eyes of us JAMAICANS that we have had enough of NOTHINGNESS and we are bent on creating a new path of FORWARDNESS. It’s a NECESSITY.

  3. Kevine says:

    It’s not dying because the demand is there for the music; shame on all of you for putting down dancehall music. Before i go any further let me say this; Bob, Freddie, Peter, Dennis etc can’t say enough about them luv dem!

    Jah Cure he should not have even had radio play, Bounty crazy,all the names Ever mention he had some valid points. Ever nothing wrong with oral sex!!!
    Di b***y man ting we are not God we don’t get to decide who lives or die. I am all for freedom of speech but it is time to get over it. You do not have to like gays but you need to keep ur opinons to yourself. My best friend happens to be gay and you cannot find a kinder, gentler soul.

    Dancehall music can be fun it’s just that right now the dancehall artists all wanna prove that dem a bad man but when dem backside innna jail mi wan dem fi tell mi a who a di bad man in dey.
    Basically all i am trying to say is it’s the artist and not the music.
    Ever mi and mi man ejoy oral sex!!!:)

  4. latonya69 says:

    I’m so pissed at most of these comments bashing dancehall music im do not agree with most of these statements. while it is true that some songs do have violence and degrading women but when since its just danchehall have u guys listen to the rap music? well as far as im concern i love my dancehall and will follow it forever and it sucks that us are banning the artist them just a fight against us but our artist can still perform and should still make music

  5. Rasjoseph says:

    I wouldn’t say Reggae music is dying!
    i strongly believe the artist should keep the music clean it would have a better outcome. Just like generation 20-30years ago they did so can the others.
    One Universal Love to you all!

  6. G says:

    foresight, exodus because babylon is fullfilling the works of xterminating the black race before people can repatriate to the motherland

    No one remembers old Marcus Garvey ( Moses )

  7. music watcher says:

    Ever your comment says it all, I hope someone will tell these idiots about these comments, when this non art is finally dead at least we will get rid of the tight pants men dancing in the middle of the dance to the video lights and only a bottle of water in their hands.

  8. Ann-stacy says:

    EVER,I concur with your opinions to a large extent and I am impressed with your stepchild association of Dance-hall music to that of Reggae.

    I too believe that Dancehall music is at its last straw, which is a relief for Christians, non-believers with Christian values, and the elites in Jamaica as well as for Human Rights activists in the USA and Europe.

    Most of today’s Dancehall artists do promote gun-play, sexism, violence against Babylon(the system/oppressors etc),homophobia… It is these artists who have dragged Dancehall to its shameful end, forgetting that what tends to be acceptable ” a yard”, is not abroad. Indeed, they have gone over the limit to such an extent where many are now banned from the USA and Europe.

    On the other hand, conscious Dance-hall artistes like Assasin, Blessed, Tanya Stephens, and a few others are left to suffer the repercussions of unacceptable behaviour of the black sheeps. If only all 21st century Dancehall artistes could express their socio-economic and political discontentment in a fashion respected by all Jamaicans and the rest of the world.

    Why should sentient Dancehall artistes pay for the bad deeds of the others?

    Jamaicans have got so much to offer yet we settle for mediocrity in the Dancehall music industry.

    I believe a reform is needed! Conscious lyrics should be constant and not short lived, as seen with most artistes in the debut of their careers. Otherwise, adieu to Dancehall music.

  9. yardy girl says:

    As a dancehall fan I can say that the music is dying. I have been a fan since Yellow Man and Shabba Ranks, when Shabba was considered to be “slack.” If you listen to the music, not all are filled with violence and filth, some deal with real and current issues. There is an audience for dancehall, just like rap in the US, which is considered the step-child to R and B. The DJ’s can do without including some of the ranchy items,but for some it is entertaining. You can always opt to turn your radio off and not listen. No matter the time, there will always be a space for music that is disturbing to the masses, and fans of that music. This will never change. Some of the music is degrading and insulting, I opt to turn it off when I hear it and have conversations with my children about not listening to it. Jamaica’s problems are not solely as a result of the music, I think the opposite, the music is as a result of the problems in Jamaica. We have become a society that uphold’s criminal behaviour and obsturct laws. We live in fear, we hate people because of there sexual preference, we say “informers must die,” we don’t encourage marriage and monogamy. Dancehall music reflect what is happening in Jamaica period. People don’t like to hear it, because it is a reflection of what life in Jamaica has become.

  10. dionne selhower says:

    we jamaican people dont know right from wrong because when someone kill some one they rjoice they dont care they think that they should get up and kill people every day if you listen to what some of the reggae music said about killing and go pick up the guns and they even said in the music about digging up a grave and all kind of war that those music teach young people so that when they grow up they should do the same thing these entertainer needs to stay in jamaica with the war that they want to preach dont go to another man country and do the same thing keep it in your own country because you would not like a white man come to jamaica and kill some one and get away with it so stay in jamaica with the killing when they have a dance here is shooting and stabbing that goes on if that dont happen the jamaicans dont enjoy them self, i am a jamaican and i experience every them i spend my money to go is shooting you have to know how to jump hopscoch to miss a bullet since them i go in a white club and sit down and have a drink and listen some r&b music every time you turn around if these white people here that you are a jamaican they are ready to run for there life we need to stop because one bad apple spoil the whole bunch we can not complain because this is there country we were not born here we only come here and see a beautifull place we need to get busy and fix jamaica up with some of the money that they use to buy gun with all these artiste should have put there money together and rebuild a beautifull jamaica so we can have more and more tourist to come visit make jamaica a paradise why you people have to be like a animal.

  11. oneil jackson says:

    I agree fully with Ever, I do enjoy listening to my reggae from time to time but the brand dancehall is promoting is quiet disgusting. Ever summed it all up. Dancehall is dying and will be DEAD soon if we dont get a HOUSECLEANING.

  12. Cudjoe Sankofa says:

    I see no artistry in explicit descriptions of violence and sex. The idiots should not be called artists; most are criminals anyway. There was never any life in these expresseions, only decomposition and death. Good riddance!

  13. pat says:

    outside of jamaican innercity communities in the US and England, no-one in the world even acknowledges a musical genre called ‘dancehall’.
    the genre only exists in the minds of jamaican music ‘media’ and a UWI prof, who have given the false impression that a bunch of idiot rappers are ‘popular’ and ‘famous’ worldwide! nothing could be further from the truth.
    however, what is tragic is that in jamaica these non-musical individuals have been elevated above the actual singers and players of instruments; thus they have destroyed jamaica’s musical reputation worldwide. shame on those who assisted and promoted them.

  14. LadyJA says:

    RIP dance/duncehall music. Good riddance to all that rubbish. These guys should use the money that they’ve made to educate themselves. They should invest some of that money in a course of adult study in either law, psychology or sociology with UTECH or NCU. This should make them better songwriters, musicians and role models. All is not lost, they are still young enough to turn their lives around if they can be bothered. Selah.

  15. SPRAT says:

    MOST DJ’S AS THEY CALL THEM SELVES ARE LYRICALLY BANKRUPT THEY IDOLIZE MATREIAL THINGS JAMAICAN ARTISE HAVE EMULATED THE AMERICAN RAPPERS SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE NOW GETTING THERE JUST REWARDS I HOPE THEY NEVER LET THEM BACK IN AMERICA AND LET THEM NOW SEE AND LIVE AS AN AVERAGE JAMAICAN MAY BE THE WILL START TO PULL THERE PANTS UP

  16. noel Sinclair says:

    It should have died at birth. This so call art form is largely responsible for the decline in the quality of reggae music and 100% responsible for the GUN CULTURE in the society. Jamaica and the world can do without this garbage.
    It should have died “in still birt”.
    No regrets……

  17. no one special says:

    I can’t believe so many other interesting stories are on the gleaner website and dance hall is the only one people are commenting one. It goes shows how much we care that our country is in self-destruct mode!!!!!!!

  18. peter says:

    I would not want dancheall culture to die completely. But it’s obviously time to engage in some self censure, self introspection and forge a new direction such as providing , better lyrics on more meaningful topics, better performance value for money, improved entertainment quality. Less of the kill battyman lyrics (tired, worn and useless), less of the dont have oral sex (leave people’s private sexual matters alone), less of the (kill informer, mek marrow spill shit) that’s not even metaphorical gunfire, or role play of badmannism or escapist lyrics into fantasy – Carolyn Cooper is guilty of promoting that kind of academic foolishness in defense of some of these depraved lyrics. (though I love her work!). It is a genre fully capable of producing stellar work but too much hurry come up people who just want to eat a food is in the business. May this wonderful yet corrupt cultural phenomenon undergo some serious transformation to become more meaningful and beneficial to the society.

  19. Simone says:

    If we want to agree or not dancehall cannot die, just like other aspects of the society it is going through a rough time. it we loose dancehall we would have lost a part of our identity.

  20. zmo says:

    Not out here in California…it’s on the radio right now. And the youth is thirsty for more. so there’s more to dancehall lyrics than violence. there’s real political commentary, social advice and lessons…up to the people to weed (!) out the fluff from the foundation. NAH GIVE UP!

  21. goose says:

    Did someone say dancehall is on its way out because it glorifies sex? What planet does this person live on? If that was the case then Holywood would have been out of business long time ago. No my dear, sex sells! Welcome to planet earth. In any case, those dancehall artists are quite creative in their lyrics and style. Don’t fool yourself, people do not gravitate to non-creativity, the human brain is just not wired like that! Even an illiterate person can tell when a football match has creative stuff. Stop relying on the entertainment industry to save your country. Only factories and employment can sustainably do that! Oh I forgot, Jamaica is going green, it was de-industrialised and privatized by the PNP and WTO duet of the mid-1990′s and early 2000′s.

  22. Blacks says:

    People have Right to criticized and say what they feel but I wouldnt put the sole blame on dancehall for the demise of Jamaica. Yes dancehall is dead and it’s not because of the violence or the homophebia in the music but because of money,white people want to listens dancehall so in order for them become audience of this genre the music have to tone down. It’s being over 40years Jamaican have being singing about sex etc and people shouldn’t putting the blame. On any individual artiste. I has a person wouldn’t like to see the fully demise of dancehall because it helps to feed a large section of ghetto people directly and indirectly.in my opinion I think society is to be blame for the under productivety of Jamaica and not dancehall, must people don’t want to hear consicousness.

  23. Jo says:

    IT SHOULD HAVE DEAD LONGTIME TIME!!! PEOPLE WHO LISTEN AND LIKE DANCEHALL TELLS YOU WHAT SORT OF PERSON THERE ARE————ROUGH

  24. BlazinFire says:

    Although i may disagree with Goose on who screwed up Jamaica he is on point about if you want to stop sex from selling then cut all communications with the rest of the world. Last time i checked SOCA music was filled with songs that discuss sex. For future knowledge though Goose it wasnt just the PNP that sent Jamaica in this downward spiral and i would be remiss not to include both parties as they both were destroying the country from 1970 until now all because they wanted to maintain the status quo.

    This thing started when a few men decided that them being in a political office was far more important than the safety and security of the entire country and they armed the worst criminals with high powered weapons to crush their opponents and intimidate them from voting. Thats where all the crime and allegiance to the Don’s and Garrisons comes from. Dont blame it the music, or any other media outlet or just on one party. There is enough blame to go around for everyone. The CIA, FBI, JLP, PNP and the regular citizen who watched, did and said nothing. Do the research.

  25. max2k2 says:

    Well I live in the U.S, and i am glad to hear that Bounty Killer is no longer allowed here, because it seems he can do anything he wants in Jamaica. So I hope dancehall is dying.

  26. In chew leck shoe all says:

    Dancehall is long dying. We have slowly, but surely been on a suicidal track for years. The infrastructure has been crumbling for years. Watch Rockers, watch Horsemouth pon im 150 up an dung de island selling 45s. Guess what..nobaddy nah play 45 again. Everybaddy have CD an laptop an big man have pad (not maxi, but I pod). For those who can guh back to de days of Jaro wid Early B, Super Cat, an oddaz pon de sound. Memba when Briggy, an Josey, an Bailey dem deh pon sound. Dem ting nah gwan again. Barry G, Gemini, Rodigan de professor we need a nex generation of dem man. Wha happen to sound clash? Big respec to Irish an CHin, but we neva need dem pan fi put on clash, man use to tek it upon demself fi clash. Now everybody tun “jugglin sound”. De man dem need fi specialize back inna dem rootz an strength. Sizzla memba when u a say “Black woman an child” we want some more tune like dem deh fi upliftment. 2 years ago mi could a ferocioulsy defen Luciano as a Rastaman, not again. We as a society are to blame. Watch de gully/gaza feature pon dancehallusa.com very insightful. Goldin..beg u do tek Jamaica back to 2 channels. Eliminate cable. Who waan buy dish dat a fi dem bizness. Junior say “worry dem a worry dem foreign mind”. Assassin a one bright light mi see inna dancehall right now. De singers dem continue to do dem ting. Alaine u mek mi chills when mi hear u music. Ray Darwin, nice one chune de odda day. Selector dem tap play de tap 40 chune dem..an de 7/8 artistes dem.. Unno program like machine. Ron Muschette u nah buss nuh artists again? Nuff selecta licky licky dem nah play good music if money nuh back a it. There are 10000 different demons destroying dancehall, we need to systematicallly address dem one by one.

  27. Gman says:

    I don’t know but it needs to die. They treasure evil acts and standards and call it music and fun. Girls demeaning themselves like trash on the street who wants a wife that does the things these girls do. What that artist do not realize is that the same Jamaicans that says they love the music written will turn on them when the suffering starts and after the US and all the other countries turn their backs on JAMAICA

  28. jon brown says:

    i agree with goose…why are these NERDS lashing out at dancehall? and this whole visa situation must be bigger than what most of us think. All my years listening to dancehall i realized that its not what they say but how they say it (creativity) thats all. They can choose any topic..doesn’t have to be sex or guns…what about social commentary, what about safe sex…wow..now don’t try to shift everyones focus to dancehall when we still cant fix the underlying problems in our country…maybe if these artistes had a better background their lyrical content would be different…

  29. Ras JMan says:

    It is dying fast every hyped event leads to the same small crowd that chooses to dance amongst themselves and everyone else participates in the fashion show part of the event, save your money and time doing more positive things. Also the hard work in the recording studio’s is only played for (five seconds at these dancehalls shame) on the culture.

  30. jon brown says:

    what about the enjoyment, what about the dancing…you guys must realize that its not the dancehall culture…its what these guys do behind the scenes in their regular day to day life. Some artistes do get carried away and get overly excited because they are making money and are not used to that level of respect and power…therefore its not the dancehall culture.

  31. ananomous says:

    Is dancehall dying? Seem this said question was asked some years before about HIP-HOP. I am impressed by the intellectual contributions of the previous replies but as black people around the world USA and now Jamaica we are quick to point fingers at ntertainment artist for “the demise of society”. when in actuallity it’s the parents faults why the youths act the way they do, and also the lack of volunteers to help those youths who dont have a good role model in their lives. Music is for entertainment, and however one chooses to edntertain should be left to their discretion, this is their rights as artist, to express themselves freely and however creative. Stop blamming societies problems on just these few individuals.The remedy for a better society lies not within the lyrics of dance hall but in individuals homes and communities….leave the artist alone we all have to answer to GOD, judge not unless ye be judges….badmind people

  32. RW says:

    I know all of you guys missing the real picture of this. It have nothing to do with the lyics of the artis nor any sexual activity they may proform.. This is the “AMERICAN ” government sending the “JAMAICA” GOV. a message, saying until you extradite the person we requested, we will cancell the visas of the indiveduals that contribute new money to the econome.

  33. true dat says:

    I WAS AT FULLY LOADED AND FAT JOE WAS ON STAGE. ALL U HEAR IS 2344@#$$ AND THAT WAS IT . HE DID NOT DO MUCH MORE THAN SWEAR. AND IT WAS NOT TO ENERGETIC COMPARED TO THE THER ARTIST KEPT WAITING FOR POLICE TO SHUT THIM OR FINE HIM.
    es american born here. And sex is part of planet to say least. people are talking about issun es i myself relate to not even coming from a gun related enviorment , just for fact that society itself is cut throat. life in jungle. even in nyc work force.. streets. cant turn ur back on anyone..
    Althgh jamaica it self can find anything to kill someone for . Even in harder they come the preacher had to do with creating a monster out of Ivan.. in church enviorment.
    Just cause people east some veg dont mean they dont sin, and contribute.
    i enjoy both worlds. only because my view is young. not violent.Assertive. fun and i am one of least violence oriented..
    however what comes out of an enviormental struggle creat lyrics.

  34. Allana says:

    First to answer the question, No , I don’t believe that reggae music is dead.

    Why the bashing of Reggae music , not because the artist are not living their life to your standard, does not mean that you have to rip the industry apart , based on your preception of what the music should be about. The examples which were given about the state of affair of the reggae artist the same can be said about, the American artist. If you don’t enjoy the music , then don’t bash , just tune out. The artists are trying , this is their way out of their environment without leaving in a coffin.
    As stated before reagge music is not for everyone, but for the few who enjoy it ..let them do so.

    The same negative remarks were say about Elvis Presley’s music, ( it was the devils music) but that did not stop him.

    I don’t listen to all the reggae artist, but there are more than a few who have messages in their music. Their music is reflection of their envireonment, this is their outlet.

    If anyone is fooled into thinking that Jamaica is been corrupted by reggae music , then you are grossly mis-informed

  35. Rugs says:

    Music is a reflection of society. The music will never die, it will only transform. For the record, the characterisitcs of musicians (art in general) has always or mostly come from those who not of the mainstream. Leave the people and their music alone. If you dont like it, dont buy it or attend the concerts. it is just another commodity. Look at how we love the Jame Browns and other R&B singers….how were their lives? Government banning music performances is nonsense and it infringes upon the rights of individuals to make informed decisions. Best advice..put it all in relative perspective.

  36. Mass C says:

    In the end only reggae and green jobs shall stand.
    Now the Fire a bun all a dem wah a puddung positive reggae music and lyrics and tekkup the alternative dancehall. May the lord god Jah wipe them all out for keeping down the real reggae music and country. The public should demand better standard. How can Bob Marley be dead and yet still making more money than all them dancehall artiste alive today. Are you telling me that Bob Marley and the Wailers are greater than all them dancehall artiste put together? If that is true that means all a dem nuh worth one ah Bob Marley. Shame!

  37. melonie says:

    I think it is just the lenght that the djs have gone to,and taking expressions to another level.Yes, singing is a form of poetry in which u express feelings, anger and pain..but in no way should u promote violence and sexual slaughter to an audience.I love dancehall,but i love the 90′s dancehall,listen to one from the 90′s and now and u hear and feel the difference.They argued with each other but in a fun and realistic way than they do now.The gully and gaza thing is just ignorance,people either take the meaning out of it, or maybe there was no meaning at all.Nonetheless i think it went out of context.One thing we must remember is that music coincide with new generations,and generation is a reflection of the country,and the country is in the hands of the government.Now going backward, if the government better the country,the country will show growth and prosperity,the entertainers will sing good things and the new generation will reflect such good deed.Monkey see,monkey do.To answer the question,no dancehall is not dead,just the degartory content ought to be,butwith the removal of filt(government)i beleieve this music will once again rise to the top.To add most of the dj’s are not educated so they themselves are ignorant and knows no better.

  38. outonbail says:

    It should never have been given birth!

  39. Chris says:

    Dancehall plays a very important role in the lives of many Jamaicans. The last time I checked there is a thing called freedom of speech. I can speak you dont have to listen. I am posing a challenge, put a reggae show, a dancehall show on the same night and see which show will pull more crowd. Im not saying that the dancehall will(which more than likely will) but my point is that both shows would be attended. This goes to show that there is a market for dancehall. I cant understand why you all want Dancehall to die because you do not think it is good but what about the persons who love it? Have we ever called for reggae to be retired? We love reggae music, we love dancehall, we love ska. What do they have in common? They are all made in Jamaica, by Jamaicans, for the Jamaica plus the world. Ever you seems to know a lot, so tell me, are there any reggae acts left in Jamaica? Are Jamaicans the top reggae acts in the world? Are Jamaican reggae acts selling the most records? Are you supporting reggae?

  40. Steve Reid says:

    Dancehall music as we know it is dying.What’s happening is a change of guards.The music will never die.The pioneers and young positive artists will rise as the thugs kingdom crumbles.Since Yellowman became “king”Dancehall music took a nose dive.Jamaica needs to be seen internationally for what it is a spiritual and cultural power house where our musical ambassadors are embraced not banned.

  41. REV RUN SIMMONS says:

    To all my people in this forum. Dancehall music can not and will not die. Dancehall is and art, it’s lyrically creative and changes like the weather. How long have you guys been hearing this nonsense about dancehall music dying and the producers, sound system selectors, radio dj’s and artist just keep on growing. Understand this, the more you fight a culture and especially young life style that changes direction with attitude versus creativity it will never die, You guys are only fooling yourselves here and bring more attention to dancehall. Go listen to PAPA SAN…”DANCEHALL GOOD TO WE”

  42. jon brown says:

    the day hip hop dies is the day dancehall dies…they are like two brothers from different moms…So lets face it Dancehall is not going anywhere for now..and even if thats supposed to happen, the youth will find other ways of expressing themselves through music…lots of people have been hoping dancehall would die 20 yrs ago but it won’t go away. so lets deal with it and try to make it better instead of hoping it dies…cause once it dies somthing else is gonna come emerge, having the same effect or worse.

  43. Robert Delhaye says:

    Hi there Jamaicans,
    I’m mailing from Belgium, Europe. No, I don’t think Dancehall style is dying at all. Gully Gaza like Vybz Kartel is big ina Europe! Also Sean Paul is on nearly every radio and tv station several times a day. I am originally from Jamaica and old seventies rockers like cornerstone, soul syndicate, upsetters to in-crowd and all. But, I love the newest Dancehall too, like Mavado, Munga, Popcaan, Lisa Hyper (she may becom big bout yah). So Dancehall is definetely there fe stay, like all other Jamaican style of music from ska to loversrock. Selah!
    Robert Delhaye (Belgium)

  44. Robert Delhaye says:

    I see there is a lot of mention regarding sexually explicit lyrics. Now either the people who give their opinions on this blog are very young, or have a bad memory. What about Laurel Aitken (ska days), Max Romeo – “Wet Dream”, Lee Perry – “Dr. Dick” and “Bed Jamming”. Not to mention some albums recorded by LLoydie (LLoyd Charmers) & the Lowbites around 1973-74, where lyrics of some popular songs where changed in an extremely explicit way…
    Robert Delhaye (Belgium). Selah!

  45. Mass C says:

    Here, here to Steve Reid. Good comment.
    The music never dies but the acts will.

    Mass. C

  46. Rick Styles says:

    Dancehall music is slowing down at the moment. The world is at war in the UK, USA and Afghanistan etc. The economy is bad and unemployment is very high in UK, USA and more places. Prices are also rising. But at the same time, TV shows praise the rich minority on MTV Cribs and My Super Sweet 16 etc. With all these confusing images inspiration is lost.

    When the war finally stops then people will be inspired again and we shall hear great music. Whether it be soul, reggae, hip hop, dancehall or rock; there will be good music playing again.

    People, Pray for peace, say no to narcotic drugs and love your neighbor as you would love yourself.

  47. A. Osbourne says:

    There are some positive artists in dancehall, e.g Konshens. I don’t want to see dancehall dead, it just desperately needs to metamorphosise into more meaningful and positive music. Some dancehall artistes claim their music reflect what’s happening in society, why not be more creative and suggest what could be, rather than what is. Despite their denial, their music does influence people, particularly the young. They are not to be blamed for all the ills in Jamaican society, but should accept responsibility for their action or inaction. Unfortunately, like so many sections of society,including government, money and lining their own pockets seems to be far more important than uplifting the people.

  48. vinbro says:

    Most of these young artists are not to be blamed for the music that is getting promoted. Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Ninga Man…………….. and the rest of older guys that’s creating violence songs should get the blame. I’m sick and tired of hearing these older guys making songs about killing each other. I would like for everyone to pull one song from those artist and see if killing not involve. They need to take a page from Bob, Beres, Garnet, and Luciano book. It’s not too late to sit down with the younger youths evaluate all the garbage that is playing to our younger generations. AS FOR BEENIE AND BOUNTY IT’S TIME FOR THESE GUYS TO GROW-UP. FROM THE THESE GUY GETS ON STAGE THEY ARE AT EACH OTHER TRYING TO PROVE WHO THE BEST IS. PLEASE PLEASE……………………………………….STOP OUR YOUTHS ARE DYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ONE LOVE “BOB”

  49. PC says:

    I am not crying…instead you should see the grin on my face. Good riddance…welcome back reggae music..big up the singers like Beres Hammond and Freddie McGregor et al.

  50. jon brown says:

    A. Osbourne….well said

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francine Posted by: francine April 8, 2010 at 6:14 pm