Among the more striking examples of mob justice being put on record is Buju Banton’s early 1990s’ song, Man Fe Dead, for which there were two versions. The better known is the ‘informer’ version, but there is also the rendition which advocates:
“Man fe dead, tell dem say we nah spare no lead
Gunshot fe buss up inna petty tief head”
There is also mob justice being used to keep order in the community, as Spragga Benz writes in the late 1990s’ Peace. The order is laid down, that no one should commit violence in the area, and anyone who breaks the law will be “chase and beat”.
However, there is also a case of the Jamaican attitude not being applicable to another society. In the late 1980s’ NFAP Man, Admiral Bailey deejays about Jamaicans being in New York on the famed 42nd Street and seeing two homosexuals walking together.
However, when there is a move to stone them, the person is cautioned “this a gay man country low dem make dem dweet”.
Soften Image
Chuck Fendah is noted for doing those kinds of songs as well. His other name, ‘Living Fire’, pays tribute to this element of his music. Lately, there has, however, been a concerted effort, it seems, to soften that image a little.
He has been singing about the ladies.
Although he has been doing heavy studio work since January, Chuck Fendah laughs as he says “a lot of people hear me singing some girl song an’ say me no drop no girl song since year start.”
Those new tracks for 2011 are Real Man in Your Life, done for producer Donovan Germaine, and Treat Her Right for Anthony Ennis, for which a video will be coming out. Another single which will soon be released is Didn’t I Tell You.
He says “me have to go with how me feel. Me have to defend the girls, just like how me defend the youths out a road.”
He will be going on the road late next month, heading to the United States, Barbados and Union Island in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
He will be doing more recordings. “People rate you on the amount of songs you have. Songs is like a artiste ammunition,” Chuck Fendah said.
Source: jamaica-gleaner
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