Lloyd B Smith

The Broadcasting Commission's decision to ban Vybz Kartel and Spice's Rampin Shop and other "daggerin" explicit lyrics from the regular airwaves is a typical case of attempting to catch the horse after it has bolted through the gate. While all well-thinking citizens will commend that regulatory body for finally mustering up enough testosterone to call a spade a spade and tell it like it is, it is somewhat belated and speaks to a national malaise which sees for the most part the country's decision-makers being reactive rather than proactive.

It is perhaps more than ironic that such a decision should be arrived at during what is being observed as Reggae Month as well as at a time when we have celebrated the birthdays of two of our most prolific musical exponents, Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, who reached international stardom without having to go below the waist in their lyrical offerings. And there's the rub, because what this suggests is that those who are in a position to influence meaningful change in our music have preferred to pander to the lowest common multiple.

The media, both electronic and print, are also to be blamed for the proliferation and widespread acceptance of these lyrics which demean women, cheapen the sexual encounter, advocate violence against gays, glorify the use of guns and "badmanism". In a bid to remain popular and to get good ratings as well as improve their profit margins, several media houses have opted to sensationalise and give full exposure to those artistes who revel in delivering these types of lyrics to their usually eager audiences. Indeed, it is fair to say that what would be seen and treated as underground music in other countries is perceived here as the norm, to the extent that even the youngest among us know the lyrics word for word as well as all the sexually explicit and suggestive dance moves that accompany them.

Against this background, if the Broadcasting Commission's latest decision and others to follow are not to be seen as merely oppressive, punitive or "fighting against poor people music" (whatever that means), then a more holistic approach is necessary. In this vein, I concur with the views of Gerald "Ras Kassa" Hynes, said to be one of Jamaica's leading music video directors, who in a newspaper interview expressed the view that the Broadcasting Commission's clampdown on explicit content should target the airing of other risqué productions such as carnival parades, not only dancehall.

For many Jamaicans, there is a great deal of hypocrisy surrounding the issue of slackness as this relates to carnival (soca) and dancehall. The perception is that it is an uptown versus downtown thing. In other words, uptowners can gyrate lewdly in half-naked costumes during carnival and get away with it, but when a similar scenario unfolds downtown then it is downright slackness and should not be tolerated. Well, what is good for the goose must be good for the gander.

The problem with our popular music in Jamaica is that what has come to the surface is not the best that our musicians, composers and performers truly have to offer. One can only surmise that it is the producers, promoters, editors and programme mangers who have skewed the musical genre into a particular direction in order to appeal to the masses.
But do people always know what is best for them? When should a government intervene and determine what is good or bad? Must morality be subject to the laws of the land? Where does the buck stop? I for one do not believe that we should legislate morality.

Realistically, there is no way that the authorities can rid the society totally of explicit lyrics. In any event, every Jamaican is guaranteed freedom of expression. But with freedom must come responsibility and this is where education and the law come in, because if the purveyors of these dirty lyrics are not prepared to restrict or prohibit their lewd and lascivious carryings-on in public spaces, then they must face the full brunt of the law and what civil society deems as acceptable and lawful.

Corporate Jamaica in some instances has in a somewhat weak-kneed response sought to withhold sponsorship with respect to shows and other events which feature these artistes, but there needs to be a more comprehensive approach which should involve such powerful and influential organisations as the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica. The Ministry of Information, Youth and Culture as well as the Ministry of Education must also come up with clear-cut and pragmatic policies that seek to address this vexing matter. The double standard is too glaring. Take the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, for example, and its many competitions which include dancehall music, shouldn't there be a ban on this being used in the future if there is any lewdness or explicitness in the selections? As for some of the dances involving children at the basic and primary levels and upwards, surely an attempt should be made to have the choreographers tone down on the over-explicit gyrations we often see. The bottom line must be zero tolerance.

It will be argued by many that those of us who want to see this country return to some level of decency and decorum are over-reacting, but when one looks at the moral decay, the decadence, the cra** indiscipline and lawlessness that have overtaken this nation, isn't it time we seek to take back this country from morons, hooligans, criminals and the wide assortment of "buttoos" in our midst? And if not now, when?

Let's face it, sex sells and will always be an integral part of the entertainment industry, but there is a time and place for everything. Subtlety, too, has its place in the scheme of things. Compare the Mighty Sparrow's Salt Fish to the Kartel/Spice Rampin Shop, for example. Maybe we should begin to have ongoing workshops staged by the JCDC and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians which focus on songwriting, because undoubtedly there is a great deal of raw talent to be harnessed. Jamaica's musical industry has tremendous potential in assisting this country on the way forward to economic independence. For too long, we have missed the boat. Let's face it, Rampin Shop will never become one of the best remembered songs of the 21st century. Bob Marley's One Love and Exodus achieved that in the 20th century.