After the recent stabbing murder of 16 year old Shaquille Roberts, local DJ Kwesi "Hypa Hoppa" Hopkinson has called on his peers in the entertainment industry to take a stand against violent music. Artists mentioned in his call include popular dancehall artists Movado and Busy Signal as well as hip hop mogul 50 Cent.

Hopkinson, of Radioactive and RED 96.7 fame, in an interview with the Trinidad Express stated, "There is no doubt that the music is influencing the youths towards violence. Particularly an artiste like Movado who says he's a gangsta for life and has the youths emulating that lifestyle." Other individuals do not necessarily hold Hypa Hoppa's views on the matter while some are in total agreement.

Although Hopkinson has nothing personal against Movado or his music, he is concerned that the youths in Trinidad and Tobago are be adversely affected by the lyrical content along with the image that certain artists in the music industry are promoting. One person stated that he was absolutely disgusted to know that at 7am while in a maxi, that young students were b****arded with lyrics talking about shooting and murder. In his opinion it does not set the right example for the future of the nation.

Other people seem to think that the responsibility lies at home squarely on the parents shoulders. As another commented, when he was younger he also listened to very violent lyrics and music, however due to his parenting, he knew that was where the violence stops, with the end of the song.

In any event, with the senseless murders that have consumed Trinidad and Tobago, at least one person is willing to take a stand, and put his name on the line also. Kudos for Kwesi for speaking out this issue, for whatever his reasons are. Hypa Hoppa also said, "We need to understand what Movado is doing to the youths when he says he's a gangsta for life. We have to take a stand against the music that's inflaming these young minds, because they are not strong enough to withstand these messages."

He continued to say that in his Afternoon Drive programme that no violent music will be played and is also urging other radio personalities to follow suit and set an example. Hopkinson is not calling for a ban against the music, but an exercise of caution when playing music on the national airwaves.