Jamaica’s morality police are banning all explicit references to sex and violence over the airwaves. The Caribbean island’s broadcast commission says it’s time to block all songs and videos that depict or glorify sex acts or gun violence, murder, rape or arson. But critics, such as Rob Kenner, editor at large for Vibe magazine, say that the government ban is a “cheap cop out” from addressing serious issues in a substantive way. “While the crime rate in Jamaica is sky high, blaming music for this problem is a cheap cop out,” Kenner said. “Government regulation of culture is never a good idea, and the Jamaican Broadcasting Commission’s recent crackdown is no exception. Even radio edits of reggae hits have been banned while some American songs with similar lyrics are allowed to play.” Specifically targeted in the new prohibition are dancehall tunes and videos depicting “daggering” — a dance style popular among Jamaican youth that features pelvic grinding simulating sex. The ban also targets hip hop and soca, a dance music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago. “It’s not only a blow to the artists who make the music but also to those who use it as a release from the stresses of daily life,” said Kenner. “Dancehall music was originally created to be heard in the dancehall. These were artists who could not be played on the radio singing and rhyming without any filter or censorship whatsoever. Some songs deal with sex and violence, others with humor, social criticism, spirituality and love.”
http://www.bet.com/Music/News/musicnews_jamaicaban_2.24.09.htm

TAGS: Caribbean, daggering, Dancehall, Jamaica Broadcasting Commission, Rob Kenner

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