Sumfest highlights seismic shifts

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

ON an annual basis, in a true sense, Reggae Sumfest is a good snapshot, reflecting the current state, impact — national/international — and mood, not only of the local music industry, but also of the social and economic environment in which it operates. Looked at with a keen eye, the line-up for the three big nights this year confirms a realignment occurring in the constellation of dancehall and reggae stars, and the types of songs and tunes that are emanating from Jamaica.

Dancehall night is headlined by the five top superstars — Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Elephant Man — who together have largely ruled the genre over the last decade or more. However, the inclusion of younger artistes like Aidonia, Konshens, Khago, Seanizzle, Laden and Fambo, who are all riding high on the significant number of hits which, between them, they have released in the last two years, should attract a bumper crowd, as well as give patrons a night filled with a wider variety of the styles current in dancehall, both musically and lyrically.

A significant characteristic of most of these relatively new acts is the shift in focus of their lyrics away from the brutish, violent language and images, the constant glorification of the gun, gay bashing and the promotion of misogyny, which dominated the genre locally for more than a decade, buttressed by Christian fundamentalism. This feature had so come to typify dancehall music in the minds of many, that it eventually began to stifle its continued growth outside of Jamaica running counter to the sensitivities and clout of an increasingly successful, politically connected and integrated, powerful social movement, along with tremendous support from human rights activists, with a more liberal viewpoint and self-interest taking hold in many of the major reggae/dancehall markets of the world.

Given the consistently weak sales of CD singles and albums due to a mix of modern technology, illegal duplication, pirating and the global recession, more than before, live performances have now become the primary source of income for reggae/dancehall artistes. More than most others, however, this retinue of young artistes has filled a vacuum on the international circuit, during a time when the visas and entry permits of Jamaica's top dancehall artistes were being cancelled right, left and centre. As an unintended spin-off, this punitive action, on behalf of interest groups by overseas authorities, plunged them into the limelight, and facilitated them in gaining tremendous worldwide exposure through performance tours.

This has had a cumulatively positive impact on all their careers, as well as serving to improve the stage presence and craft of some. Furthermore, as the prolonged loss of international income and prestige has effectively paralysed the careers and deeply hurt the pockets of the traditional purveyors of the sewer lyrics, we are gradually witnessing a similar, less dogmatic trend, even amongst them, borne out by a detected scaling back and toning down of the presence of offensive words and messages in much of their recent releases. In this context, Sumfest should highlight some seismic shifts in dancehall music.

In sharp contrast, since its inception, reggae has traditionally incorporated elements of mysticism, political commentary, reality and romantic ballads to produce its enormous catalogue of international hits. On Friday night, some of Jamaica's best known international exponents will be performing on Sumfest, including Tanya Stephens and Half Pint, both of whom I rate among our 10 best songwriters, the inimitable Beres Hammond, who seems forever to be on a continuous roll, and young Christopher Martin, who astonishes me with his growing writing and performing skills. Of course, one of the world's greatest songwriters, R Kelly, is also slated to perform that night.

On the Saturday night, I expect Gyptian and Cherine Anderson, whose international careers both soared this year, along with Jah Cure, Protoje, Wayne Wonder and Hezron to have an impact, along with the sensational Trinidad/American Nicki Minaj, who borrows so much from our culture to enhance and promote her musical career. Look out for Chalice, however. I saw them recently, and they are in fine form, and could very well steal the show with their fine showmanship, and technically sound, melodic music.

Sumfest director Sydney Reid tells me that the work to upgrade and resurface the car parks, roadways, ring road around the concert area and along the vending and sponsors areas and entrances to the restrooms has been completed. He said, also, that "the roadway leading to the VIP compound and the VIP viewing area in front of the stage has been completely redone and is now covered and compacted with river stones, making the entire area mud-free". Therefore, even if, like last year, the rains come, patrons should be largely unaffected, and will enjoy much improved facilities, regardless.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com



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