1)Gothic Image and demonic lyrics
Throughout 2012 ‘darkness’ swelled the Jamaican Dancehall genre. With the incarceration of not 1, not 2 but 3 Stars a new star was born. But then, Tommy Lee’s gothic image and ‘demonic’ music did little to enlighten the darkness hence Dancehall 2012 lost it’s colourfulness. Grrrrr….
2) Artistes Murder/Suicide/Drug Related Charges & Arrests
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| Late Capt. Barkey & lover Tracey |
News of Captain Barkey’s murder sent shockwave across the music industry. A married Captain Barkey was killed in the parking lot of a motel in New York by his girlfriend’s ex-lover who later killed himself. There was the Murder/Drug Related Arrests and subsequent sentencing of several key artistes in the Dancehall which cast a cloud of doubt on the future of the genre. Ace Dancehall and Reggae/Dancehall artistes Vybz Kartel, Busy Signal and Buju Banton found themselves on the wrong side of the law. While hope for Buju’s release is now a wish or miracle by Jah, Vybz Kartel is yet to know of his faith.
3) Busy Signal Freed
After serving 6 months in US Federal prisons, Busy Signal return to Jamaica receiving celebrity treatment. Busy gave his best performance ever at an historic staging of STING and his first anywhere after his release. Busy’s freedom signals hope for the genre and the future of his colleagues as many fans, have been holding their breath with fingers crossed that Vybz Kartel will return to the Dancehall sometime in 2013.
4) Homophobia and Homosexual issues
Will this issue ever go away? Most Jamaicans are totally against homosexual lifestyle and believes it is within their right to express their views. Such views are expressed in the music in which homosexual groups totally disregard. Well artistes like Sizzla Kolanji voiced his frustration and ended up performing a gig that was cancelled by gay activists. 2013 would be a good year if any for all to find a resolve to this continuous issue.
5) Sexual Conduct/Preferences
Another issue that stands out in Dancehall is one particular sexual conduct between Heterosexual couples. Most artistes have zero tolerance for any man who goes ‘down’ on his female companion and preaches their disgust on the practice not only in the Dancehall but publicly on stage.
by Sophia McKay
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