The summer is practically over and I can now happily report that, during the performances at most events, we detected a significant reduction in
lyrics glorifying the gun and violence from the major dancehall
artistes. Even the usually constant diet of graphic, crude, vulgar
lyrics and subject matter seems to have been less on display.

I believe that a number of factors precipitated this positive turn of events. Firstly, the Broadcasting Commission must be congratulated for resolutely sticking to its policy of cleaning up the airwaves. This has
forced the artistes, songwriters and producers to become more creative
and discerning in their choice of issues and words, because they all
wish to have their music played on radio in Jamaica.

Secondly, the dancehall artiste fraternity has been hard-hit by the series of USA visa revocations, and entry or working visa denials for European and even Caribbean countries. As I have previously stated in
these columns there is absolutely no use in having a hit song in
Barbados, Germany, or the USA, for example, if the artiste cannot
benefit from touring those countries, because this is the primary source
of income in today’s digitised world.

The third reason, of course, is the determination of some criminal elements on the one hand, and the security forces on the other, to target artistes, and the consequences of these interactions —
notwithstanding the dissimilar motivations since the start of the year
and the State of Emergency.

Many people question the sincerity of actions like the recent truce to their long standing public feud declared by Bounty Killer and Beenie Man at Fully Loaded. I, however, am quite prepared to give them the
benefit of the doubt. Even before the onset of summer, Bounty had
already begun to utter some public pronouncements hinting at a more
mature, forward-looking disposition and mindset. His reported statements
from the Sumfest stage, calling for a state of urgency in addressing
some of the social ills of inner-city youths urging support for the
security forces, and non-interference by the politicians in the work of
the police were very powerful indeed. A reformed Bounty Killer could be
such a good ambassador for civility, decency and peace in the dancehall,
helping to guide the reimaging necessary to stem the erosion of our
international market share.

Addressing another significant development during the last fortnight, the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Rastafari Millennium Council ultimately could not resolve their differences and so they
simultaneously held separate conferences on Rastafari. No matter the
attempts to gloss over the reasons behind this failure and even with all
the finger pointing, the University’s haughty approach, the presumption
of a pre-eminence of scholarship above conviction, and an initial
disregard for authentic, indigenous grass-roots organisations fostered
the suspicions and eventual discord. Needless to say, these were
manipulated by elements within the millennium council, seemingly
interested only in their own self-projection.

From all reports, however, both conferences facilitated the presentation of some excellent research findings and position papers, therefore the organisers should be given due credit. I do have some
outstanding questions that I would appreciate answers to. Is there a
difference between a Rasta academic and an academic Rasta? Secondly, I
gather that elements within the University are equating Dudus to Leonard
Howell. I would like to know the perceived nexus between both.

It is precisely for this reason — to guard against these revisionist theories — that the university and the society as a whole are better served when the university works alongside authentic organisation and
proponents, rather than attempting to lead the process without a proper
‘groundation’.