Popular deejay Buju Banton has issued an emotional appeal to his fellow entertainers to clean up their lyrics in order to help Jamaica to recover from its present social decay.
The deejay, who posted a message in his newsletter, The Gargamel Gleaner, said that the country is presently having a problem with; crime, politics, the dons, the deejays and lesbian and gays.
“We are suffering a social decay yet no one, not a single one of our entertainers, have seen the need for a change in the lyrical content they are selling,” the deejay said.
The rastafarian deejay further stated that in the past, entertainers were such a vocal set that even church leaders would quote them during service.
“What happened? Have we all become followers now, instead of leaders for our people? No wonder these political snipers are getting away with blue murder. Everybody is afraid of what speaking out might bring,” he stated in the newsletter.
Conscious message
Buju became known for the conscious message in his songs, after he took on the rastafarian faith in the late 90s. He released songs such as Murderer and Til I’m Laid To Rest. The deejay since then has released notable albums such as Inna Heights and the most recent Too Bad.
But while the deejay has never been afraid of expressing his thoughts in his music he only recently began expressing himself through the Gargamel newsletter.
The deejay in his emotional statement further said; “I have no friend in high society. My friends are those I can identify with, those who have a heart, conscience, those who see our country overrun by crooks and cut throats, and are calling deep inside for their champions to restore their pride and dignity so we Jamaicans can once more hold our heads high and serve this great nation with our all. We have a responsibility. Let’s pull together.”
A few weeks ago one of dancehall music’s largest sponsors, Red Stripe beer, also made a similar appeal. The beer company took the stance to pull its endorsement of dancehall music that promoted violence.
This decision was largely criticised by some entertainers who promised to boycott the product.
Source: JamaicaStar
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