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Samantha aka Hotlipps said:
Seems like 2010 was an unlucky year for many artistes. Every time you turned around, people were saying “Free so &so” because another musician was behind bars. The most notable was probably Buju Banton who spent most of this year behind bars. Banton who is now out on bail, shocked Jamaicans and reggae fans worldwide when he was arrested last December on charges of possession with the intention to distribute more than 5 kilos of coke. It was then that the conspiracy theories began to fly. Banton has been at the center of countless battles with Anti-Gay groups across the world, because of what they consider homophobic lyrics. Their claims are that his music promotes violence against gays, stemming from his 1992 release of Boom Bye Bye. Many believe some of these groups set Buju up or were behind his arrest in some way. Whether you believe Buju is innocent or guilty is merely a matter of opinion. I have learned not to swear for anyone. I think what amazes me is that time and time again, celebrities find themselves in these “compromising” positions. Are they victims? Does their spot in the limelight make them targets for setups, schemes etc? Or are they just arrogant and in some cases stupid enough to believe that they are above the law? This takes me to another artiste who spent some time behind bars this year, Bounty Killer. This was a situation that had me in awe. I rate Killer as an artiste and a foundation artiste at that. But I can never condone a man putting his hands on a woman, let alone a hammer. It amazed me that so many people especially women spoke out in support of Bounty while he was in jail. Are people unable to separate the love of an artiste’s music from the simple morality of right or wrong? Or do many of us think that these women who enter into “relationships” with Bounty are deserving of the abuse since his reputation is public knowledge. This phenomenon has not only affected Jamaican artistes, but American ones as well. Lil Wayne and T.I. both recently spent approximately a year in jail apiece. T.I. must have missed it there because he took no time going back. I just wish these people who have access to so much, would make better choices about what they do, with whom they associate, and what’s important especially because all of these men have children, and as celebrities have other children looking up to them. Of course no one is perfect, and no one asks to be a role model. It sort of just happens. If a celebrity as someone who has money engages in illegal activities, what motivation will a poor child in the ghetto who idolizes them have to not do the same? Unfortunately in most cases I think it’s just a matter of art imitating life. If an artiste talks about something in his songs, and he doesn’t actually do it, he is ridiculed for lacking street credibility. On a whole I think we as a people have lost direction. We idolize criminal behavior as adults, what do we expect our children to grow up idolizing? Of course there are many who are wrongfully jailed but there are many who are not. If we scream “Free so &so” whenever someone lands behind bars, aren’t we showing our children that it is ok to engage in criminal activity? Or there should be no consequences for our actions? Just food for thought. Smooches from Hotlipps
Mishigan from RBZ SAID:
Hmmmm...
Strangely enough, I find myself to be in almost total agreement with my Partner Hotlipps on this topic. But I still have to say a few things to clear the air on many misconceptions.
Music, especially in our culture is a product the downtrodden and the poor. The majority of the artists that "Buss" come out of the Ghetto which is why the masses tend to relate to many of the things they talk about in their songs. We can look at all our artists across time, from Bob Marley to present and we'll see a common thread, Poor people singing to and for Poor people. In many cases music has become the alternative for these artists to break away from a life of crime, or to avoid it altogether. But the nature of where it comes from makes it difficult to separate it from criminals & criminal activity altogether.
In all genres of music, the criminal element is present, even classical music. However as we all know, as West Indians, we are under greater scrutiny than any other culture so it seems to show up more in ours. Many times artists and musicians find themselves working & performing for promoters who receive their money by less than honorable means. Even as a Selector, many times we are booked to play by people that mainstream society would refer to as "Questionable" people. Why? Mainly because they have the money to produce these events and/or to open the clubs that every type of person attends, not just the criminal element. Another reason is because they are more likely to support a person coming from a community similar to theirs in what they are doing, and also like to provide things for their communities, which is what explains many people's allegiances to Dons and certain other major criminal figures. So although Crime & Music are not one and the same, it is hard for Music to condemn crime and certain types of "criminal elements" when many times it is those elements that allow for the artists to work through their events.
Now please overstand that this is not a defense for crime or criminal activity. I'm merely stating facts on the issue. When the artists themselves commit crimes we then have a problem. The Artists are in the forefront and have the attention of the people and especially the youth. Whether they choose to admit it or accept it, once they have placed themselves in the limelight, they MUST be more responsible for their actions. As much as we can say it, we all know it to be true that the youth in mass don't look up to their teachers or their parents. They look up to who they think is "Cool" and most of the time this image comes from artists in music and sports figures. Artists need to be held more accountable for their actions.
Inspired by the most recent controversy with one of music's greatest artists ever Buju Banton's arrest, it is interesting to hear the debate on both sides of the issue. Should we feel compelled to support him or any other artist in the same predicament just because of their celebrity? You tell me...
RRRRRRRRR...
Strangely enough, I find myself to be in almost total agreement with my Partner Hotlipps on this topic. But I still have to say a few things to clear the air on many misconceptions.
Music, especially in our culture is a product the downtrodden and the poor. The majority of the artists that "Buss" come out of the Ghetto which is why the masses tend to relate to many of the things they talk about in their songs. We can look at all our artists across time, from Bob Marley to present and we'll see a common thread, Poor people singing to and for Poor people. In many cases music has become the alternative for these artists to break away from a life of crime, or to avoid it altogether. But the nature of where it comes from makes it difficult to separate it from criminals & criminal activity altogether.
In all genres of music, the criminal element is present, even classical music. However as we all know, as West Indians, we are under greater scrutiny than any other culture so it seems to show up more in ours. Many times artists and musicians find themselves working & performing for promoters who receive their money by less than honorable means. Even as a Selector, many times we are booked to play by people that mainstream society would refer to as "Questionable" people. Why? Mainly because they have the money to produce these events and/or to open the clubs that every type of person attends, not just the criminal element. Another reason is because they are more likely to support a person coming from a community similar to theirs in what they are doing, and also like to provide things for their communities, which is what explains many people's allegiances to Dons and certain other major criminal figures. So although Crime & Music are not one and the same, it is hard for Music to condemn crime and certain types of "criminal elements" when many times it is those elements that allow for the artists to work through their events.
Now please overstand that this is not a defense for crime or criminal activity. I'm merely stating facts on the issue. When the artists themselves commit crimes we then have a problem. The Artists are in the forefront and have the attention of the people and especially the youth. Whether they choose to admit it or accept it, once they have placed themselves in the limelight, they MUST be more responsible for their actions. As much as we can say it, we all know it to be true that the youth in mass don't look up to their teachers or their parents. They look up to who they think is "Cool" and most of the time this image comes from artists in music and sports figures. Artists need to be held more accountable for their actions.
Inspired by the most recent controversy with one of music's greatest artists ever Buju Banton's arrest, it is interesting to hear the debate on both sides of the issue. Should we feel compelled to support him or any other artist in the same predicament just because of their celebrity? You tell me...
RRRRRRRRR...
This was definitely the year of the "free so and so". We as west indians idolize violence and criminal activity in some way. Whether it's in our music,movies,plays or in just day to day conversations. We are very dramatic and passionate people. With that anger there are consequences,with that criminal behavior are also consequences. Artistes don't do worse than the "average criminal" but they're easier to "spot". It's easier to make an example out of a celebrity than it would be that average person. Whether it's drug sales,violence or violating probation, the artistes had to pay for their behavior this year.
ReplyDeleteIf we remove the violence,sex and drug talk out of our songs, will we enjoy the music just the same?! We would be bored!!! Sadly all listeners aren't able to differentiate entertainment from reality. If they follow what the celebrities sing in their songs and break the law...who's fault is that?! Rappers,Athletes and Dancehall Artistes aren't responsible for raising our children. I've been listening to ALL types of music since birth and I've never committed a crime. It's because of my family upbringing and background,education AND I know better!!