Adrian Frater, News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
THE CRUDE behaviour on stage of one of the main acts at a stage show in Savanna-la-Mar last Saturday has forced corporate giant Red Stripe to withhold sponsorship money from the promoter, the company disclosed yesterday.
This unprecedented move comes sharply on the heels of last week's decision by the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors a group of local companies to disassociate themselves from events featuring top DJs Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.
The group, which includes Courts Jamaica, Supreme Ventures, Digicel, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Cable and Wireless, J. Wray and Nephew, and Red Stripe, cites what they called inappropriate behaviour at the recent Jamaica Carnival Last Hurrah by the two artistes as the reason.
"We signed a contract through our product Guinness with promoter Worrell King and in it we included a clause that spoke to issues such as the successful completion of the show and the conduct of the artistes," said Maxine Whittingham, the head of communication at Red Stripe. "That agreement was breached hence the action we have taken."
While performing at the show dubbed 'Western Consciousness' at the Llandilo Cultural Centre, rising star and closing act Fantan Mojah decided that the use of expletives was the way to go, forcing the police to call a halt to his antics. Following Mojah's unceremonious departure, irate fans threw bottles on the stage.
King, for his part, said he carries no ill-feelings towards Red Stripe, saying the company has a responsibility to protect its image.
"I can understand and appreciate the stance that Red Stripe has taken," noted King, who had previously staged 17 incident-free years on Western Consciousness. "No company wants their name sullied by such unfortunate behaviour. It is my pocket that has suffered but as a man of discipline, I must support the action Red Stripe has taken."
ADVERSELY AFFECTS REGGAE
There are, however, concerns in the local music fraternity that the new stance being taken by corporate Jamaica could adversely affect the growth of reggae music, especially as it relates to the careers of young entertainers. President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians, Desmond Young, is one of the voices expressing caution.
"The music is much bigger than an individual entertainer going on stage and cursing bad words," he said, adding that in the early days corporate Jamaica never supported the music. "What we need to look at is the hypocrisy and double standard sweeping the country."
He continued: "When you travel the world and see how people react to reggae music it makes you realise that it is much bigger than all us. I am not worried about corporate Jamaica ... my heart is into getting the music out into the world, where it is truly appreciated."
Promoter Walt Crooks, famous for his days at the popular Club Inferno in Montego Bay, however noted that he is in solid support of corporate Jamaica's attempt to distance itself from entertainers who continue to use profanity as a part of their on stage repertoire. He also made it clear that no such artiste will be allowed to grace the stage on any of his production.
"These guys need to realise that a microphone in their hands does not mean authority and power, it means responsibility and respect," said Mr. Crooks, who is also a director of Summerfest Productions Limited, the promoters of Reggae Sumfest. "I must congratulate corporate Jamaica because someone needs to stand up and tell these guys that this nonsense must stop."
And in regards to the concerns that the entertainment industry might suffer through a lack of cooperate support as it relates to sponsorship, Mr. Crooks said that should be the concerns of those who are morally bankrupt. "I am sure that those people who are putting on quality productions with good clean lyrics will not be affected," he said.
It is also unlikely that King will be able to recoup his losses through legal action against Fantan Mojah, who was charged by the police for the expletives. He was subsequently fined $1,000 or 10 days after he pleaded guilty to the charge in the Savannah-la-Mar RM court.
"I am sad and extremely worried by these development," said King. "Action like this is bound to impact negatively on every single show from the majors such as Reggae Sumfest down to even the small school concerts and all because the artistes are lacking in common decency and respect."
