Killer, Mavado anger Montego Bay - DJs chided for 'bigging up' Stone Crusher Gang

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( L - R ) Killer and Mavado


WESTERN BUREAU

With more than two-dozen murders under their belt and being singled out by the police for unleashing terror in sections of Montego Bay, the notorious Stone Crusher Gang has received kudos from controversial dancehall artistes Bounty Killer and Mavado.

"Nuff respect to Stone Crusher," Rodney 'Bounty Killa' Pryce said during his closing performance for 'StarJam 2K7' at Aquasol Theme Park, in Montego Bay, on Saturday night.

David 'Mavado' Brooks in his stint, which preceded Bounty's, also recognised Stone Crusher.

Bounty, the co-promoter for the show, advised the hundreds of patrons in attendance " ... Police have dem work fi do and bad man have them ting fi do."

There were mixed reactions to the outbursts as some persons were obviously stoned-faced, while others offered cheers. One uniformed policeman was observed shaking his head in disbelief.

"A ghetto mi come from and Bounty (Killa) a mi artiste, but mi haffi draw di line when dem start a endorse Stone Crusher," said a disgruntled fan while leaving the venue.

Mark Kerr-Jarrett, chairman of the St. James Parish Development Committee, was not pleased with the comments. "To think that these men are looked up to by our young people. I am shocked, totally and completely," he said. "I mean, that is reckless if anything else, that's totally disgraceful."

A member of the Community Organisation for Management and Sustainable Development believes that the deejays are misguided and are unaware of the reputation that is attributed to the Stone Crusher Gang. "What we are experiencing in St. James is not a conflict between the oppressed and the oppressor. What happens is that poor black people are killing each other, and anyone who wishes to celebrate the sort of maiming that happens in Montego Bay, is a traitor to their race, class and country," the member said.

The COMAND is a non-governmental organisation representing Operation Pride sites and marginalised communities in Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland.

Coincidentally, part of the proceeds from the event is to be presented to a Montego Bay woman whose husband was gunned down by armed thugs last year.

"She is crippled and gunman kill her husband last November. She has five kids and she is homeless. So right now, we are taking the opportunity to adopt her and trying to send her kids to school and straighten out her life," co-promoter Sonny Ranking said in an earlier interview backstage.

Bounty was also among several entertainers who gave expletive-laden performances, despite the strong presence of the security forces.

But the lack of respect for the lawmen did not stop there.

"Handcuff deh pon day off. Police nah lock up nobody today a b$@! claat," shouted Dexter Pepper of Pieces Disco, based in Montego Bay. Ironically, the selector was called on stage to start his musical juggling by District Constable Winston 'Chawfine' Campbell.

Deputy Superintendent Meveral Smith, Crime Chief for St. James, told THE STAR yesterday that they are aware of indecent language being used at the entertainment event.

"To review the tapes and make arrests afterwards is the normal process, as when we try to arrest them (artistes) immediately after their performance there is con-frontation. Those artistes who are found to have broken the law, action will definitely be taken against them," he explained.

"I don't consider Bounty Killa a role model," DSP Smith stated bluntly when asked to respond to the utterances of the deejays.

Efforts at reaching Sonny Ranking for a subsequent interview were futile.