'Beef' in the dancehall has been a historical fact dating to the beginning when artistes would lyrically clash to show their dominance. Yet, in recent times the clashes have gone past the lyrical and into the battlefield, often resulting in a violent end.

While the entertainers carry on the warfare well into 2008, the entertainment community is fed up, dubbing this year 'Two thousand and love,' hoping the entertainers will take a hint.

According to Boswell 'Stam-pede' Lammie from Stampede Street Charts, violence among entertainers should not happen. "Dem a role model for the yutes. When di yutes see dem how dem, mus feel? Dem nah set the right example. When yuh sing bout peace one instance and sing bout war later and a act so is contrary," he told the STAR.

According to popular Fame FM disc jockey Arif Cooper, the violence is unnecessary. He said: "Its ridiculous and not a good image for the dancehall. The artistes would benefit more financially and socially if they were more peaceful." Cooper claims that the music is good but the image of the entertainers is negative.

This image carries on to the international level and according to Lammie it affects the business outside of Jamaica as well.He explained that when persons hear the music and read the negative news, they will not want to listen to reggae and dancehall music anymore because of its violent nature.

Persons from the entertainment fraternity aren't the only ones that are tired of the feuds, as the fans, patrons and the general population have become vocal in their dislike.

Vybz Kartel - File

In recent months, the feuds have extended beyond the stage, affecting the artistes and the fans. Munga Honourable experienced the after effects of his feud with Deva Brat at Stone Love anniversary when he appeared at 'East Fest', in St. Thomas. Some patrons went from being pleased with Munga's performance to shouting boos when he tried to address his rival. "Mi nuh haffi call nuh name, everybody know a who mi a talk," he said, and unleashed some lyrical artillery at Deva Brat. The artiste soon changed his tune when he saw the crowd's reaction.

At the weekly event, 'Bembe Thursdays', held on Constant Spring Road, patrons recently got up, close and personal with the feuding. The event was disrupted for two consecutive weeks when fights erupted first between Kartel's and Mavado's entourages. The following week, there was a dispute between Vybz Kartel and Bembe selector Jigsy King where Jigsy was allegedly boxed. Bembe was prematurely shut down. One female exclaimed: "Mi caan bodda wid dis foolishness. Last week, mi haffi run outta Bembe like fool cause di people dem a war. Now mi come again and it done early. Dem entertainers need to stop di foolishness. Dem ruining people's good time."

One disgusted citizen also voiced discontent when he said: "There is too much commotion going on in the new year already, everybody needs to relax. Soon there will be a dancehall police out here like they do with the rappers and they will begin denying all reggae/dancehall artistes entry to other countries, citing that violence occurs at their shows. The artistes, management, publicists and entourages all need a wake up call. They are not Hollywood actors or rock singers. If entertainers cannot make money out there, that's a big loss to everyone's pockets including the small economies of Caribbean nations."

While some fans may be fed up, according to Lammie, there are some fans that love the feuding. "Some people love it, they are caught up in the hype. Di people who want positive music, they don't like it. Some artistes love it cause it gives them a 'media hype' where they will be in the papers" Lammie said.

Cooper reiterates by saying: "Its only good for the hype. People will talk about it but after the reaction has died down people look on the artiste wid shame for what they did."