THE TIMING, if not the wording, of the statement issued last Friday by six companies which utilise Jamaican music and entertainers to varying degrees is a clear indicator that the pressure of overseas gay rights organisations has struck home.
The six, a prominent sampling of corporate Jamaica, have taken a stand that they will "no longer lend their names to anything that incites or promotes violence"; indicating that, while reggae and dancehall have been a source of pride, concerns have been raised about "the content and tone of some of the music".
That 'concern' obviously relates to the Outrage-led protests against gay-bashing in dancehall music, protests which have led to nominations for Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man in this year's Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards being withdrawn, as well as cancellation of Beenie Man and Buju Banton concerts in England, where Outrage! is based.
The statement by the 'super six' companies is very late, but still welcome. We hope, however, that it is applied as quoted and lyrical violence against gays not be singled out for special treatment. Close to 1,100 persons have been murdered in the country so far this year; gays bleed no redder than anyone else and in dancehall music death is advocated for offenders as varied as informers, petty criminals and oral sex practitioners. All forms of violence in music must be discouraged.
At a time when there is an unprecedented synergy between corporate Jamaica and the music industry, with Red Stripe's title sponsorship of Reggae Sumfest being the marquee event, the importance of the companies' stance cannot be overstated. Live dancehall productions have long graduated from stringing up a sound system under a tree, the cost of staging them rising with the sophistication. A promoter of a show such as Pepsi Teen Splash would have to dig much deeper into the pocket to stage the annual event, without corporate support.
However, the statement does not only arouse a sense of satisfaction, but also a healthy dose of cynicism. Cable and Wireless has Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, two of the targets of the gay groups' ire, largely displayed on its billboards, and Jamaica National uses Elephant Man in its money transfer ads because these artistes have reached a certain level of popularity and hence are good for business.
Some companies can also claim an interest in the development of Jamaican music. That honour goes to Tastee, which can point to Yellowman and Nadine Sutherland among the alumni of its long-running talent contest and has strict rules about the lyrical content that is allowed on its stage.
The companies, of course, could not have been unaware of the content used by its hired entertainers long before Outrage! was causing ruckus outside Jamaica. Hence the stance of Mother's in dropping Kip Rich after certain statements about the Prime Minister at Sumfest 2001.
We sincerely hope that their intention to "work with public sector organisations, the music industry and other interest groups to ensure that Jamaica's music continues to contribute to Jamaica's positive image, locally and internationally" does not herald an effort to create a mild-mannered, inoffensive beat that lacks the vitality which has claimed a significant niche in world music.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
