The director speaking with Dancehall Report from Geneva Switzerland via WhatsApp messenger said there is “no list” of songs to be banned but the directive applies to any song that fits the description outlined. On Tuesday the Jamaican music community reacted to the news of the Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission’s “Halt On All Versions Of Music & Music Videos That Promote Violence & Drugs Use”

The statement issued today under the heading “BROADCAST COMMISSION ISSUES DIRECTIVE ON SONGS PROMOTING ILLEGAL ACTIVITY” outlines that television and radio stations operating in the island should halt “any audio or video recording, live song, or speech which promotes and/or glorifies scamming. illegal use or abuse of drugs (e.g. ‘Molly’), illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, “jungle justice” or any other form of illegal or criminal activity.”

According to the Commission’s website the entity is mandated by the Broadcasting and Radio Re-diffusion Act (BRRA) to monitor and regulate free-to-air television, broadcast radio and subscriber television (Cable) services to ensure their operation at appropriate levels in relation to technical, programming, and service standards.

In the last four years much of the music that has saturated Jamaica’s airwaves first got recognition via YouTube and other streaming platforms and then radio disc jocks include edited versions of those songs in their playlists.

That practice can no longer happen for songs that fall in the category stated as the Commission further stated that all edited versions of songs that had the promotion of illegal activities should not be played on the airwaves.

“Any edited song which directly or indirectly promotes scamming, illegal drugs, illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, jungle justice, or any form of illegal or criminal activity. This includes live editing and original editing (e.g. edits by producer/label) as well as the use of near-sounding words as substitutes for effective lyrics, expletives, or profanities.”

Dancehall artist Skeng has the two most streamed songs in Jamaica as more and more young people are moving away from radio and television as their main mode of consumption.

Radio Disc Jock Bloodline Franco of Fame FM told our affiliate World Music Views that his organization had already take steps to ban the songs containing drug use and violence.

“The RJR Gleaner group has already take a stand in house, so for any DJ in the RJR Gleaner group we were not able to play these songs regardless, but I think there will be some dissonance between what the younger demographic wants and what can be played on air. So we have to see if the radio listener will be appreciative of the difference in catalogue in what you hear in the parties vs in the radio,” he said.

“Or will they use new media and new platforms that technology provide for their fill of music vs listening to traditional broadcast radio. The onus is now on radio DJ and radio producers to add more value than just talk with more radio personalities other than just playing song A and Song B. This will force radio to have to do more to engage the listeners. We can no longer relay on ready made hits,” he continued.

Franco said artists like Skillibeng, Squash and Intence and other artist who do hardcore dancehall are really in favor now, so young listeners know their songs. Radio disc jocks capitalized on their popularity when they go on the radio. Still he says the ban may not apply to older songs from Bob Marley and Gregory Isaacs which are noted to reference the use of marijuana.

“I do believe Bob Marley songs like Kaya that mention marijuana or Gregory Isaac’s “Night Nurse” will still be played because it’s not as explicit as the newer songs.”

Franca said the prejudice lies in the how vs the what, “It is the way artists express their songs vs what they are expressing,” he concluded.

Producer Stephen Di Genius responded sarcastically to news of the halt from the Broadcast Commission, “Yay!!  Crime and violence gonna magically stop now . Jamaica the most sample place on earth.”

Di Genius followed up by saying, “Just another manifestation of the lack of accountability from the powers/showaz that be. It’s always gonna be music that’s causing all the issues . All if grace thrillers and love 101 start run di place crime won’t budge”

One comment on twitter said he is not convinced this will have the desired effect.

Music producer and promoter Romeich posted on instagram:

“While I understand why people feel like this and even I don’t agree with glorifying guns or any use of any drug at all, we can’t stop the creatives (artistes) from singing about what they see around them or grew around.
Jamaica has one of the strictest regulations against music, OUR OWN DANCEHALL MUSIC and what is to be played…so not even edited music can’t be played? Are you going to ban Apple Music, Spotify, SoundCloud and other platforms where the same people have the same access to the same songs? For example there are strict regulations against anything sexual (even edited) being played on local radio because children listen to radio…is Jamaica the only country that has children? Because the same children listen to these same songs elsewhere.
Ok if that’s the case since you want everything off of radio, what if promoters stop spending money on radio? Cause at this rate no one will be listening to radio soon cause all that will be on radio is international music ONLY so promoters won’t need to advertise there. Then what?”

Multiplatinum and billion streaming Producer Rvssian responded by saying, “Good thing we don’t need radio anymore. I can’t remember last royalties they paid me. . YouTube d ting Deh anyway.”

Producer Notnice also commented: “Waste of time, tell me the last song radio buss.”

Listen to audio from the Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission Cordel Green here.

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