Against Scammers & Demons

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

Right off the bat, let me declare that we at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) are totally opposed to the illegal practice of scamming as well as the worship of demons. Furthermore we do not support the promotion through songs of any antisocial behaviour inimical to the best interest of the Jamaican populace. Unfortunately though, as I have repeatedly pointed out in my columns over the years, the dancehall fraternity practices the principles of buzz marketing to promote their products. This essentially requires an outrageous or deviant catch phrase or hook line that will instantly grab the attention of the media and propel debate and discussions which then drive the popularity of the particular song in reference. It’s a tried and tested strategy which has worked effectively most of the time.

So here we are again with two current dancehall songs {Tommy Lee's "Uncle Demon" and Vybz Kartel ft Gaza Slim "Reparation"} grabbing the attention of the media, outraging civil society and earning the wrath of the Minister of National Security, Honourable Peter Bunting and opposition spokesman, Christopher Tufton. They are both calling for new laws to impose sanctions on artistes who sing about illegal and/or antisocial activities and behaviour. I am for freedom of speech and therefore am totally opposed to any form of censorship. This is not the approach that should be taken. What is required is the pending amendments to the broadcast commission act be brought to parliament expeditiously, speedily debated and enacted into law. This would make payola illegal in Jamaica and consequently open up the airways to a broader range of music. So much excellent music is being produced in Jamaica which is not being aired on radio because of this dastardly practice. It would broaden the remit of the act to include sound systems as a mode of public broadcasting and provide sanctions for any media concern which plays these antisocial songs on their systems or networks.

In my view though, this could be a case of smoke and mirrors, a distraction from the lethargy in our political class and government to pass laws and take decisive measures to stamp out this crime that has so injured this country’s reputation and international business relations. To quote Member of Parliament for Central St. James, Lloyd B. Smith “the government (of which he’s a part) has not been effectively responding to the lottery scam phenomena which has its roots in the western parish.” In his Gleaner interview, he also says that Montego Bay has “always had a sub culture of operating outside the law” and quoting the Gleaner he argued that not enough was being done to counter criminal activities such as scamming. Lloyd B. Smith makes a profound point in saying that “In Montego Bay rarely does one find anybody against scamming”. This creates fertile ground for the Vybz Kartel’s lyrics which says “big up every scamma/Weh mek US Dolla/Build up di house fi yuh mama”.

This whole affair also forces me to ask the security authorities, how is it that they continue to allow Vybz Kartel to record and release songs from behind bars? There must be some collusion with prison authorities. Donkey seh “dis werl nuh lebble”.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Against-scammers-and-demons_13017662