Linton P Gordon
Now that the Vybz Kartel case has ended with the jury retuning a verdict of guilty, much is being said about the implication of this case for the Judicial System and for dancehall. In addition, we have seen and heard comments being made which can only be described as tragic. For example, the comment that since Kartel never killed any prominent person he should be set free is a reflection on how we have failed, collectively, to move from the stage where we see persons in the lower economic class as of a lesser value than those we perceive to be “big people”.What is even more significant is that the persons from whom this remark came are apparently from the lower echelon of society. This is a clear indication that there are still some of us who are suffering from an inferiority complex and are still affected by the belief that wealthy members of society are better human beings than are poor members of society. This is a sad state of affairs.The Vybz Kartel case has exposed, in a significant way, the very unfortunate link, that several of our dancehall artistes have cultivated, between their music and their persona on the one hand and the murky underworld of illegal guns, hard drugs, sexual perversion, “badmanism” and donmanship.
REBELLION
Historically, dancehall music was in many ways an expression of rebellion, an expression of consciousness and an expression of pride in who we are, where we are coming from and what we have achieved. Our music was used to convey a message to all but especially the young. This is no longer the case as many of the young artistes have taken the music in a direction that can best be described as non-progressive.Despite this there is no doubt that the new type of dancehall music has appeal especially to the young and to those in the depressed communities. This is so especially in the ghetto type communities of Kingston and St. Catherine. On top of this, it appears to be the dream and ambition of most of our young people to “cut a dancehall tune and buss”.So despite what we might think and despite our view of Vybz Kartel and others of his ilk, his songs are listened to by a wide cross section of our citizens and he is admired especially by those who are involved in the process of pigmentation alteration, that is to say “bleaching”.Vybz Kartel now stands convicted of the offence of murder and is awaiting sentencing. What will happen to him from here on, we cannot say. However, it must be said that given his talent, his ability and the opportunity he has had, it is regretted that he never stayed clear of donmanship, illegal guns and the criminal underworld. All young artistes should take the Vybz Kartel case as a guide and as a lesson.These artistes should stay clear of bad company and of the criminal underworld. They should come to realize that such company and association is the path of destruction.
