WORDS: Christopher “Icey Jace” Campbell DATE: August 12, 2007
Freelance Writer
ENTERTAINMENT & POLITICS
Dancehallsoca.com PUBLICATION
Ok let me make this crystal clear. Not many people nowadays at least where I reside dare talk politics, it’s not that they don’t havefreedom of speechor that they don’thave a viewits just that it’s safer and less worrying to forget freedom of speech and keep your view on politics closer to your heart than any past or current girlfriend. You see Jamaica is definitely the land of reggae music, sun, sand and beach, dread locks, irie vibes, nuff niceness, smoke some herb and take it easy, off the plane or off the ship bring you girl and take a dip, Yea mon… Blessed, It’s all that but theirs also the political violence and carnage that seeps into our communities especially during an election year like this one. Keep inmind there are issues that arise as it relates to how government policies will affect our entertainers and the industry they currently make their living in. There has always been a stigma attached to dancehall music which leaves many entertainment professionals questioning what our government has done to support an industry that net earning put hundreds of millions of dollars annually back into Jamaican pockets.
Ø Several pressing issues including the Copyright Act that needs urgent updating, the need for more institutions that offer territary level professional music programs that covers all areas of the business from Electronic Music Production to Show Production & Touring. Intellectual Property Agencies and Associations like the Jamaica Association of Composers Authors & Publishers (JACAP) get little help from government as it relates to policies and penalties that ensure music users like radio programmers and DJ’s, show organizers or promoters operate within the stipulated law. There is a substantial loss that is suffered when bootleggers are allow to sell substandard products opening in Half Way Tree Square in full view of police officer. Our music has suffered for years because of lack of representation in parliament, we need to ensure that whoever forms the next government sees the benefits of dancehall & reggae music as also our local industry professionals much of whom are entrepreneurs that have stepped out in the global arena and made Jamaica proud with their creative & productive genius. Our entertainers need to be taken serious, they must also take themselves serious and recognize they are products that if marketed and packaged correctly with a little promotion can become major earners for their people and communities. The creative Industry is now trading like never before with the movement of professional Music Video Directors, Producers, Engineers, Recording Artist, Entertainment Lawyers, Managers and Agents to and fro becoming more common than rappers wearing diamonds. Though many members of our local entertainment fraternity seem to disregard the whole political climate the truth is if politicians were seeking to address our issues and acknowledge our presents as contributors to society then I’m sure we members of the fraternity would view them and the work they do in a brighter light, but the fact of the matter is 90 % of dancehall detractors sees dancehall music as the cause of our social problems while we point all the fingers including the thumb and pinky at our leaders.
Ø Almost every song that talks about sufferation and poverty has a line that hits out against politicians. We are cut from the same cloth but some how don’t know it. No one can attest to ghetto levity or hardship more than a DJ or singer who has emerged from it, has the courage to speak out against it and in doing so shines a light on people who are still their often time forgotten by the wider society. Now if our leaders who have the resources and knowledge base expertise to curb poverty were working along side the entertainers I’m sure the future of poor Jamaicans would be more paved and less filled with craters for potholes. Many of us hope and ponder if the day will come when saying you’re a Recording Artist or an Entertainment Consultant will bring the same respect that a Banker or Politician for that matter affords, it’s really hard to hold your head high nowadays as an aspirant in the industry. Yes we are talented and creative individuals but we are also professionals, working in non conventional jobs that require far more versatility than a Banker whose job is excessively repetitive, trust me I know. One of the major contributors to this stigma is the lack of degree and diploma programs in our field of work. We’ve been neglected, how can we spawn a global and widely respected art form like reggae music, move from Bob Marley, Junior Gong, Shaggy, Sean Paul & Tanya Stephens but not have an Institution that allows us the opportunity to be certified Musicians and Entertainment Representatives. There’s a lot more to be said of what we should and could do but I’ve taken the first step and highlighted the issues for all who have eyes to see. Many of us say we love music and it’s the only profession we’ve even seen ourselves in. Ok fine it’s your move on this chessboard but keep in mind in POLITICS we are PAWNS moving among BISHOPS & KNIGHTS with the KING & QUEEN of it all keeping a watchful eye, make your moves carefully.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK.INSPIRATION IS FREE BUT CHANGE IS COSTLY. WHICH CAN YOU AFFORD?
SHOUT OUT TO ALL ASPIRING ASTISTS, MUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPRESENTATIVES.Please direct all suggestions and feedback to jamiceyjace@yahoo.com
- represents jokes, exaggerations & Jamaican patois
DANCEHALLSOCA.COM PUBLICATION
ARTICLE LAYOUT & DESIGN BY:Christopher “Icey Jace” Campbell
Copyright 2007