The way I deliver the lyrics makes up for the rawness, the slackness, of what I’m talking about . . . . – Adidjah Palmer (Vybz Kartel)
The recent decision by government stations in Guyana to ban the music of Vybz Kartel from the airwaves now means that several Caribbean countries deem his music as posing a major threat to the moral fabric of their respective societies.
I recall the developments which led to the decision of the late Prime Minister David Thompson to disallow the group from coming to Barbados to speak to the youth about the rivalry between ‘the Gaza and Gully’.
I was very much part of the raging debate which ensued. Without doubt, the majority of Barbadians perceive that the morals and values which some of the music espoused are potentially detrimental to our youth.
The approach of the government of St Lucia might be instructive for other Caribbean countries which are yet to decide on how to deal with the ‘Vybz’.
According to www.lime-in.net: Having looked carefully at the significant amount of information presented, and considering the views and opinions of the many individuals and institutions as well as available options, the government of St Lucia through the Ministry of Labour, Information and Broadcasting has decided not to grant a work permit to Mr Adidja Azim Palmer, otherwise known as Vybz Kartel, for performances at the Hot FM-promoted Supreme Weekend show held in May last year.
The committee concluded that “in light of the foregoing, and in order to ensure consistency and to avoid discrimination, government has decided that in going forward, it is essential to establish a permanent committee to review applications for artistes seeking permits to perform in St Lucia”.
The citizens of Guyana have been voicing their views on the government’s stance on the issue.
The question is being asked: “If other countries have rejected them, then why should we accept them? It is felt by Guyanese that the music that these guys sing is taken literally by young people. Many of the songs teach most of our youth to become violent according to one private sector employee, who totally disagrees with them coming to Guyana.”
Another Guyanese declared: “First of all, I don’t like their music. Most of their music is twisting the minds of young people. The music of my time was clean music, but music today degrades women and it messes with the young minds. For me I won’t be going [to Jamzone] and never will. I think their [Kartel’s and Mavado’s] music has had a bad influence on young people.”
On the other side of the coin, there are those who argue that it will not have a negative impact on everyone. One commentator actually thinks that some of their songs do give off a peaceful vibe.
Some Christians argue they don’t really care who they bring or for what purpose they are bringing them. What they are concerned about is the impact it is likely to have on the youth.
To date therefore, the intellectual property of a regional entity is deemed as being injurious to the society. I am told that even in Jamaica many of the dancehall songs we in other parts of the region listen to on our airwaves cannot or are not played there.
The 35-year-old Adidjah Palmer launched his career over a decade ago as a ghostwriter for Bounty Killer. Since then, he has dominated Jamaican airwaves with outré, tongue-twisting tunes about everything from X-rated antics to ghetto politics. He has dominated gossip columns as well. His much-hyped feud with fellow dancehall deejay Mavado, ended in a meeting at the prime minister’s office.
The name of his crew – Gaza – a name he also bestowed on the neighbourhood outside Kingston in which he grew up, or his chameleon-like appearance – Kartel’s ever-lightening skin, has generated plenty of angst about so-called “skin bleaching” in Jamaican culture.
It is no wonder then that many young Barbadian and Caribbean males are bleaching their skin.
In schools, boys can be seen taking bleaching soap and frequenting the bathroom just as often as the females.
In Barbados, many of our boys are wearing to school ‘Clarks’. Of course, the shoes are good shoes and have been around long before 35 years ago. When questioned, several boys admitted they were wearing the brand on Vybz’s instructions. One wonders what else they might do under his instructions.
Music is a powerful medium and its impact is not to be minimized or ‘negativised’. It would be good if the creativity of Mr Palmer could be sanitized and made palatable so both the artiste and his music could escape the ‘banned Vybz’ label.
