Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea
THE Government of Jamaica is siding with deejay Vybz Kartel following his ban from performing in the sister Caribbean island of St Lucia and now has the matter under investigation.
Wilton Dyer, head of communications at the trade ministry said the ministry has contacted its high commission in Trinidad & Tobago which has responsibility for St Lucia and also intends to speak with Vybz Kartel as they probe the decision to ban the artiste.
Last week, St. Lucia became the latest CARICOM country to place a ban on the Jamaican dancehall singer, who had been scheduled to perform here at the end of the month. Vybz Kartel and Movado recently weren't allowed to perform in Barbados following outcry from the general public, and some leaders.
This stemmed from the influence of these Jamaican artistes, and the violence and sex plainly portrayed in their lyrics, which seems to be influencing the rising gang related crimes in some of these islands, which has acted as a trigger (no pun intended) in the public outcry.
There is concern as to whether the ban imposed by the government of St Lucia on the deejay has breached the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Free Movement of Skills Initiative which relates to artistes, sports persons, musicians and media workers.
It is of note, however, that the Jamaican Government as recent as early 2009 was willing to take a stance against lewd and violent music by going to parliament to make changes to any law so as to clean up the Jamaican society.
"We are going to find a way to deal with the nastiness that is out there. And if it is some law that needs to be changed, let us prepare the legislation and go to Parliament and change it. If it is some resources that we have to find then, as tough as things are, make us find it, because we cannot afford to allow this assault not only on our music, but on our psyche and our identity as a people, to continue." Mr. Golding stated on the Jamaican Government Information website.