The first part of an in depth look of the changing face of reggae music.

1. March 3 - 9, 2008
Issue No. 1310
www.voice-online.co.uk
REGGAE FANS needn’t get outraged. This isn’t your run of the mill
article, which hopes to bury reggae six feet under and merrily dance
on its grave.
We’re all too familiar with the battering that the genre has received
in recent years from numerous media outlets who, for the most part,
spared little or no column inches to highlight long-serving or emerg-
ing talent from the reggae scene– yet seemed well-versed in all things
reggae when it came to announcing all of the genre’s ills.
(Homophobic lyrics, the incitement of violence and so forth…)
But since the hullabaloo that put reggae in the spotlight for all the
wrong reasons, what has happened to put the much-loved music in
the headlines on a more positive basis? While some within the reg-
gae fraternity have dubbed this year “two thousand and great,” is
there really much to celebrate?
Granted, last month was deemed Reggae Month in Jamaica and
recent years have seen the emergence of celebrated acts like Tarrus
Riley, Gyptian, Chuck Fenda and Mavado.
But are there any acts with the potential to pick up the baton
where Sean Paul left it and enjoy global stardom? Has the rise of
self-proclaimed ‘gangster for life’ Mavado only served to further
attribute reggae with violence? Did the dancehall fraternity become
so focused on the Beenie Man/ Bounty Killer/ D’Angel love triangle
that they forgot to concentrate on the music?
Are the labels to blame for not promoting reggae artists so they can
enjoy success on the same level as R’n’B and hip-hop stars? Or do the
artists need to think beyond Jamaica (where many of them are
deemed superstars) and aim for success on a more international level?
Whatever the answers, there is no doubt that there has been a
sense amongst many in the reggae world that the industry is in
somewhat of a malaise. 24/7 decided to explore the issue by talking
to a number of respected figures in the reggae industry about what
many are calling a ‘decline in dancehall.’
Veteran DJ David Rodigan can see why some are no longer cele-
brating the genre.
“I think there are essentially two problems,” he says. “In Jamaica
in the last two or three years, young producers– Freddie McGregor's
son [Stephen] is just one example– have started to create beats that
aren't traditionally reggae, but are instead a fusion of different gen-
res. For some, this is an exciting development. But for those who
believe that reggae is a one-drop structure, this is a dramatic change
of form, which has not been welcomed with a positive reaction.”
He continues: “The other thing that concerns me is the negative
lyrics that are coming from some of the new artists. I think that the
glorification of thug violence is tragic. Yes, we live in a world that
is, in many ways, miserable and yes, negative things should be com-
mented on. But they should never be glorified. I am bewildered by
the negativity and resentment and rivalry and anger that exists in
some of the music. Reggae music has traditionally lifted people's
souls. But a lot of the music that is coming out now does nothing to
uplift mankind.”
Continued on page 22
JASMINE | CAUGHT IN THE WEB
DINES WITH KELLY ROWLAND VOLTAGE KEEPS I T VERSATILE
MUSIC | 24/7 BRIEFS
BRAZILIAN FEVER HITS LONDON N E- Y O A N D J HOLIDAY ARRESTED
TV | THEATRE
B E T LAUNCHES I N T H E U K T H E HARDER THEY COME RETURNS T O T H E STAGE