Red Stripe Attempts to Clean up Dancehall

Recently Red Stripe announced that it has made a decision to withdraw its sponsorship of live music events which it describes as facilitators of "violent and anti-social" lyrics. This move sees Red Strip ceasing to sponsor two of the biggest annual shows in Jamaica, Reggae Sumfest and Sting. In a statement to The Star, the Red Stripe spokesperson said, "... a very negative trend of glorifying violence has crept into some of the music, causing much consternation among well thinking Jamaicans and others at home and abroad. This has far-reaching and damaging implications for the industry and for the country as a whole," the release stated... While our most recent efforts through the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors have met with some measure of success, some performers continue to propagate, through their live performances, violent and anti-social lyrics..."

I applaud Red Stripe for this bold move in an attempt to stem the violence and violent behavior being projected by some of these Dancehall entertainers by means of their songs. I'm not sure if they are being pressured by the government or their international partners, but whatever the driving force is behind this decision, it still is a very good decision in my eyes. I am not anti-Dancehall, in fact I do love Dancehall music! Which Jamaican in his twenties wouldn't? And yes this move by Red Stripe is a blow for Dancehall music as the sponsorship dollars Red Stripe pump into these world renowned events, Reggae Sumfest and Sting, is a much needed boost as people from all over attend these events. But some of the lyrics a lot of these Dancehall artistes radiate through their music and performances do glorify violence and guns, which in turn does affect our society negatively. The crime rate here in Jamaica keeps souring to new limits every year and instead of sending out positive messages, denouncing this trend, these artistes continue to support this trend with the songs they continue to release.

Some may argue, especially some of the artistes, that they are singing about reality and what they see around them in the "garrisons' and "ghettos" and just reflecting what is going on in society. Some of these artistes may also argue that they are not role models and they don't want to be role models and that parents should be the ones to instill good values in their children. All of that is just a load of bull sh..! and a lame way of excusing themselves. Yes, our society is violent, and life in these lower income communities are harsh and marred by violence, gangs and dons. But that doesn't mean you have to glorify violent behaviours, put the gun on a pedestal and encourage "bad man" behaviour. There are many other issues that a Dancehall artiste can use his powerful music to sing about and yet still keep it real! Also, whether an DJ, likes it or not he is a role model. Many youths, teen and adults, look up to these artistes and emulate them, their style of dressing, their slangs, their speech and even the content of their lyrics. Not everyone in Jamaica has the luxury of great parents that will set good values and steer them in the right way or have the level of reasoning to only view these songs only as entertainment and not a way of life. As, such Dancehall artistes have a social responsibility to honour. The fame, the money, the rides, the bling all come with a price, social responsibility. And since these artistes accepted all the goodies, they should also accept the responsibility that comes with it.

Red Stripe has made a step, now the question is will others jump aboard this campaign to cleanup one of Jamaica's best export and local stress relief, Dancehall music? I would love to see other sponsors in corporate Jamaica as well as the media, take a similar step to curb this ugly trend that our great Dancheall music has developed. By doing this they will be sending a message to these artistes and to their producers who are equally responsible, and cleanup our great, powerful, culture defining Dancedall music. That is my two cents on the matter, what do you think?