Music Festival performers censored

By L.K. Hewlett
Editor- SKNVibes.com

Busy Signal

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SINCE the release of the artiste line-up for the 12th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, questions have been raised regarding the selection of performers and the use of profanity, sexually explicit and lyrics promoting violence.

Jamaican Dancehall singer Reanno Gordon alias Busy Signal is known for his ‘gangsta’ lyrics which have been perceived in some circles to be glorifying the use of violence to resolve issues. In his 2005 breakout hit single, Step Out, Busy sings “Afta mi step out, inna mi black, Have glock, unda mi throwback. Shot holla pon spot, Badman nuh tek back chat”. The lyrics are a far cry from the performer’s beginnings singing hymns in his mother’s church.

The song’s chorus plays, “Wah mi do? Wuk gyal, Buss guns, Smoke weed, Have fun” while in the second verse Busy Signal says, “Bwoy disrespect, Mi get mi guns fi do a fine job”.

In the light of escalating gun related violence in the Federation, concerned persons question the Music Festival Committee’s choice in contracting the singer, asking if the quest for ‘the almighty dollar’ had superseded taking the high moral road. Considering that the artiste’s fan base consists of youth - males in particular, issues were raised as to the ‘message’ being conveyed by Busy Signal’s lyrics via the Music Festival stage.

Festival CEO Alistair Williams explained that popularity was one of the criteria considered when selecting the artistes as was the individual performer’s local and foreign audience appeal and that measures were in place to circumvent such issues.    

“St. Kitts Music Festival offers a broad and exciting blend of musical expression. We know there are issues and we have done what we must. We have been responsible over the years in ensuring that any artiste we put on the stage understands what our position is with respect to any graphic lyrics and explicit language,” he said.

Williams stated that is it had always been a part of the Festival’s artiste contract that such language not be used onstage and all artistes were required to sign off on that aspect.

“I think the same sentiments were echoed with respect to Lady Saw last year and she performed excellently and persons walked away saying the night belonged to her. We expect good clean music this year,” he assured.

The Festival CEO also referenced Jamaica’s recent move toward ‘cleaning up’ their music following the Red Stripe fallout when the company cancelled their sponsorship of major events that featured artistes who sang anti-gay lyrics promoting violence against homosexuals and also lyrics lionizing violence in general.

Williams gave his assurance that “we will do what we have to do to make sure that we set the proper values and encourage the proper morals as far as the music is concerned”.