“If a song is made for the streets leave it on the streets".
By Kon-Vick
OutAroad.com Writer
Since recently the attacks on dancehall music has skyrocketed as many persons begin to aggressively criticize the negative nature of the music. Fingers are being pointed in all directions as influential individuals in society and corporate entities try to find someone or a group of individuals guilty for the ‘decline’ of the dancehall genre.
Many criticize dancehall acts from yester year, and chastise the current crap. However, many of those pointing fingers forget to identify the persons that actually make the music reach the mass. Argument is now emerging that disc jocks are often overlooked, while they are indeed some of the biggest culprits.
When OutAroad.com contacted ZJ Liquid from Zip 103 FM, he agreed that radio disc jocks should shoulder some of the blame for spreading negative dancehall music.
“Radio disc jocks contribute a little to the negativity of course, a small percentage, but we cannot be solely blamed. Not everybody ago listen and duh what the song say.
Kurt ‘The Party Animal’ Riley’s stance on the issue disc jocks contributing to the negativity in dancehall by playing gangster tunes is somewhat defensive as he outlines that negativity springs from various sources.
According to FAME FM disc jock: “It is alleged that disc jocks contribute to the negativity in dancehall, but anything that is negative is just negative. If we should play a Wu Tang, or a Tupac or Biggy it is still negative. Remember that it was Bob Marley who sang that he shot the sheriff, then Bob would be deemed negative also. Radio disc jocks may add to the negativity, but not much,” explained Kurt.
ZJ Elektra shared similar sentiments.
“Many persons are influenced by what they hear and mainly by how the masses react to songs,” she said via email, adding, “But one cannot put blame on disc jocks more so, but rather the deejays who voice these tracks. Disc jocks have no control of the actions of the masses other than taking a stance in not playing certain tracks.”
The decision as to which song is air worthy seem to be getting difficult these days as ‘beeping’ out songs has become commonplace on radio stations. The disc jocks do not share this view however.
“Every song has something about it really. There is a certain point that I will not make it pass. As a disc jock you have to be the judge of what is fit to play or what shouldn’t be played or else you shouldn’t be on radio,” argued Liquid.
Elektra was adamant that a lot goes into deciding what to play and what not to.
“There is a lot of thought process which deals with the playing of songs, for example, at ZIP we listen to new music every week and we all decide what is fit for radio, at which time, etc. The quality of the production as well as the content at times determines where and when I play certain songs,” she outlined.
According to Colin Hines, quoted from his Direct Connect show, on Saturday June 7, 2008, there are certain music that should never be played on radio.
“If a song is made for the streets leave it on the streets. The songs these days are not rude boy tunes, is kill people tunes. Everybody needs to be responsible,” argued The Captain.
Kurt Riley put a twist on things, adding: “I play music to make people dance. I play for the women to make them feel good. I don’t play for man.”
OutAroad.com: “Would you play a song deemed lyrically violent if it is hot in the streets?”
LIQUID
“There is a possibility depending on the time. After 10 p.m. when the children rating have transpired, I might play the song. It all depends on the vibe and the time. I will chance it sometimes, but yuh know seh every disc jock different still.”
ELEKTRA
“If it is lyrically violent? No! If it hot in the streets, then play it in the streets, but radio is a whole different playing field.
KURT RILEY
“No.”
Posted on June 11, 2008 12:53
This is a really good story that has substance. Well done outaroad.
Posted on June 11, 2008 13:19
they are equally culpable they are the waiters that serve up the dirty food, the bloody food in dirty plates made by these parasitic chefs who we call DJ's.
Everyone must be held accountable and responsible - certain tunes nuff fi play pon radio and these waiters/ress do it for a hype and popularity
a fyahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Posted on June 11, 2008 13:34
very interesting and simulating story,but i agree they must take a part of the blame as well and should take decisive actions to protect their integrity.I personally switch the radio station when ever i hear any form of negative gangster music.
Posted on June 11, 2008 13:53
What about station managers and programming directors? They also chose what's being played. bottom line is there should be a balance of everything. Full time now the people start realize if dem artist really ah gangsta (While creating the music) dem would eventually be in jail or dead. Being a lyrical gansta is different from being a real gansta.
Posted on June 11, 2008 17:50
I am a music and event producer. IT IS THE DISC JOCKS, ARTISTES, PRODUCERS, and RADIO STATIONS who are ALL RESPONSIBLE for the current surge in desiring EVIL music.
THEY MAKE IT TASTY FOR AN ARTISTE to sing NEGATIVE music. MUSIC IS NOW A COMPETITION...who can be more evil, who can be more skilled at delivering murderous lyrics. Im a PRODUCER with STANDARDS. Other people in the business arent musicians. Just doing things for the hype and ratings and popularity. THEY MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY and stop blaming the economy. When im in half way tree and in the streets. All the babies and teens know every word to the nasty songs but dont know them BOOK!!!
Posted on June 11, 2008 17:53
I am a music and event producer. IT IS THE DISC JOCKS, ARTISTES, PRODUCERS, and RADIO STATIONS who are ALL RESPONSIBLE for the current surge in desiring EVIL music.
THEY MAKE IT TASTY FOR AN ARTISTE to sing NEGATIVE music. MUSIC IS NOW A COMPETITION...who can be more evil, who can be more skilled at delivering murderous lyrics. Im a PRODUCER with STANDARDS. Other people in the business arent musicians. Just doing things for the hype and ratings and popularity.
THEY MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY and stop blaming the economy. When im in half way tree and in the streets. All the babies and teens know every word to the nasty songs but dont know them BOOK!!!
Posted on June 11, 2008 18:15
What about just dont play Music at all? Then what would the next culprit be?
Music is free speech, it shows the creativity of an individual, trust me some of the music is garbage, but when yuh listen to a man like Kartel, Idonia, killa, the way these yutes put metephores, similies how they manipulate the english language to create the product this is nothing short of genious..
instead of fighting the yutes, kick food outa dem mouth, break down the lyrics and apply it to an english writing class, story telling "Creativity" What else yuh want a yute from the ghetto fi duh?
Is either dem ina di dance a chat lyrics or dem a buss shot somewhere else.. Don't sit her on your high pedestol and look down on one of the biggest most regonizable product weh come outa yaard.
Posted on June 11, 2008 21:49
I think everyone has a part to play.We keep on pointing fingers and not pointing it at ourselves.If we as a people take a stance against the kind of music we want to hear the artistes,they would be force to stop the negative lyrics.Music is a unversial language that we all speak and not everyone understand that they are just words and being creative.So clean it up for a better Jamaica and for the sake of our future generation.
Posted on June 12, 2008 00:02
This is a good article and the radio disc jocks should be partially blamed, so too should the producers, managers, etc. It is not boxing food out of ghetto yutes mouth, it is about teaching them to be positive
Posted on June 12, 2008 11:43
WELL AS AND ARTIST I KNOW THAT EVERYONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAVE TO TAKE SOME BLAME WE ALL CONTRIBUTE,THE ONLY THING I BLAME DISC JOCK;S FOR IS THAT THE DONT PLAY MUSIC ON MERIT IF A SONG IS GOOD PLAY AND STOP LOOKING FOR BIG NAMES ONLY THAT IS WHAT STIFLING THE INDUSTRY !!!!!
Posted on June 26, 2008 23:38
As a UP COMING (DJ).I BELIEVE Artists must write more uplifting SONGS,RADIO DISC JOC MUST PLAY THEM ALSO, FANS WILL LESSON, AN THEN JAMAICA WILL BE MORE UNITED....ZIGGIE BLESS.