BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- Guyana's President and Chair of CARICOM, Dr. Irfan Ali, has called for the region to reassess the lyrics that artists continue to present, given their potential to portray the region in an unfavorable light.
The Caribbean has long been celebrated for popular music genres such as Soca, Dancehall, and Reggae, which have garnered international acclaim. However, there are also lyrics that glorify gun violence, a troubling trend in a region grappling with increasing criminal activity in recent years.
During his address, Ali emphasized the need for regional unity and advocated for a cultural shift towards promoting positive lyrics that inspire thought and encourage constructive action.
“As leaders of this region, we have to take this situation very seriously and ensure that the lyrics of the region are the lyrics of Bob Marley, the lyrics of positivity and of positive living and positive change. We must take this responsibility today,” Ali asserted.
He urged fellow leaders to actively invest in initiatives that utilize culture and music as tools for unity and storytelling, showcasing the rich cultural dynamics of the Caribbean identity.
While stressing the significance of preserving the Caribbean's unique narrative, Ali underscored the unnecessary promotion of violent lyrics across the region. This sentiment was echoed against the backdrop of a recent incident involving the banning of a popular young regional artist from performing in Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago due to their inclusion on an Interpol Red List.
“For some, this may seem a soft issue, but, this is a fundamental issue. Only recent[ly] Prime Minister Rowley and I were having a conversation when many young brilliant people questioned the decision of not having a certain artiste perform in the country because that artiste is on an Interpol Red List. We cannot allow our culture to be captured in this narrative,” Ali emphasized.
In a recent development, police in St. Kitts and Nevis prohibited Kashif Alexander, known as 'Kman 6ixx', from performing at a concert scheduled for March 2nd, citing concerns over security and the nature of his lyrics.
“The performance restriction on Kman 6ixx aligns with the RSCNPF’s ongoing efforts to ensure that artists whose performances and content may pose security risks are not permitted to perform within the country. The meticulous evaluation of the potentially negative impact on public order and safety bolsters our decision,” the police statement read.
