The young often regard dancehall and reggae artistes as the ideal to which to aspire in society. At the height of their success, entertainers have the world in their hands and the young wanting to be like them, spouting their lyrics, imitating their styles and lifestyles.

Entertainers are the role models that the next generation are being brought up on, and their views and actions often affect the ways in which the young view certain issues. Lyrically, the words of these artistes are heard constantly, being absorbed into the minds of those listening and becoming a part of our culture. The lyrics of those few artistes who preach good music have to compete with the slackness and violence of others. Should an artiste bear this in mind when he or she put pen to paper or microphone to mouth?

In a recent lecture at St. Michael's Theological College, Dr. Anna Perkins noted that for some youths, dancehall artistes are the only adult role models they have. More important, Dr. Perkins emphasised that like any popular music, dancehall, being the dominant form, is important to the moral make-up of society, moulding and influencing its attitudes.

Lecturer Dr. Sonijah Stanley Niaah commented on www.morefyah.com, "though some of them (artistes) maintain that they are not anyone's role models, the minute you pick up a mic, you gain admirers. So whether they want to believe it or not, singing about sex and other issues comes with responsibility."

According to Dr. Donna Hope, writer and lecturer, dancehall artistes are undeniably role models in society although the majority don't see themselves as such. "They are very important to young people 'cause you know dancehall is a youth culture, it's very hype and flashy and they gravitate towards that. They gravitate to them and look up to them as people they want to be," she said.

She told the STAR that dancehall artistes are a mix of positive and negative figures. "Talking about promiscuity, that can be negative, the glorification of the gun as something powerful is bad and materialism is never good. Another negative area is the examples of men onstage fighting one another. Its not just word fighting anymore especially last year with fighting on the stage which is encouraging violence," Hope said.

She cited veteran dancehall artiste Lady Saw as a positive role model. Hope explained that someone like Lady Saw who came out of the gra**c*at-roots country area to take the stage and achieve success and is able to raise her family and holds on to to her self-esteem is a good representation for black women. Persons who rise from the ghetto to gain success is another good example for persons to emulate.

Dancehall artiste Munga Honourable knows that he is a role model to the youth, as there are persons who are always coming up to him, praising his style, his voice and other characteristics. He says that while as a Rastafarian he tries to uphold positive messages and praise everything that is beautiful, at the end of the day some of his message is from the life that he is living.

"Art imitates life. At the end of the day, I'm a person singing about what I live and what is true to me," he said. He says that it is up to the nation to decide whether he is positive or negative for his music is his life.