Jamaica Eliminates Sex & Violence from music- Banned from radio

[Yasemin-Hanah]

The nation of Jamaica has instituted an island-wide ban of all music which glorifies violence or sexual activity.

The ban, which became official earlier this week, is targeted at quelling the growing dancehall trend called "daggering," where participants stimulate sexual intercourse on the dance floor.

The style was popularized by dancehall star Mr. Vegas, who released a song and video of the same name last June.

Under the new regulation, all music with lyrics detailing murder, arson, rape, and gun violence cannot be heard over Jamaica's TV and radio broadcast systems.
Furthermore, DJ's are not even allowed to be play censored versions of songs, as the intent and suggestive nature of the tracks would still be discernible.

As the country's most popular music genre, dancehall stands to be the most affected by the new ruling.

In recent years, the genre has endured heavy international criticism for the vehement anti-gay stance many of its artists advocate.

However, the decree will also limit the accessibility of Soca and Hip-Hop on the island.
Soca music is rarely explicit, but sometimes utilizes sexual innuendo in its lyrics and is a staple sound of Jamaican street carnivals.

Hip-Hop has strong roots with the Caribbean island due to Jamaican-born DJ Kool Herc, who helped launch the genre of Hip-Hop in the 70s, after migrating to New York City in the late 1960s.

At press time, there has been no organized movement to challenge the government's ruling on free speech grounds.


*This is a really funny ban that just was initiated. Not only does it take away from the culture of the people, but it also limits the amount of income that is given to their economy. Though boot-legs are considered "illegal"..in certain areas and for certain individuals--boot-leg cd's and underground music keeps the trends up to date and the music lovers informed. Money is generated in this "underground sound" of Soca--Dancehall-Battle Dancing--DJ MixTapes...and the government apparently wants to slow down the amount of "trafficking" is being permitted in that area in order to keep the people controlled.
For Entrepreneurs in the business/music & entertainment industry this is a very important fact to know. There can be a large decrease of sales and promotion for [you] in that international market. Unless a U.S. counterpart could interact with the "islands" most respected/reputable DJ's and common dancehall/soca supporters to 'outsource' their music here....you sure ain't gonna put your music there.> well, at least not if the songs have any words relating to the "common society", anyway. This ban can be very drastic change for Reggae, Calypso, Soca Music as we know it.

And if there purpose for the ban came from trying to control the masses, imagine what taking their music, and freedom of expression will do them? "Music calms the savage beast"--and they just woke 'em up.

Until Next Time--

"Thank God for living in an "Independent Nation" and rights for freedom of expression.

Yasemin-Hanah