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April 02, 2008
Dance Hall Music and Jamaican Society
By: Jodi-Kaye Watson
 Dance Hall music is a vital part of Jamaican society. What would Jamaica be without dance hall music? It is unimaginable. Although dance hall music is an important aspect of the Jamaican society this genre of music has proven to bring about both positive and negative effects on Jamaica.
Economically, dance hall music contributes to the National Income of
Jamaica. Tourists are drawn to Jamaica because of our music. When tourists visit Jamaica they bring in foreign exchange that helps in the growth of the Jamaican economy. Many of our artists contribute to the economy in the form of taxes. Several of our dancehall artistes have charity programmes and help in the building of community centers. This is referred to as Social Responsibility.
Whether you are a fan of dancehall music or not you will still come in
contact with it. Dancehall music is everywhere in Jamaica. You may hear it while travelling in buses or taxes, while walking down the street and just about anywhere. For a genre that is so popular in society why has it been having so many negative impacts on society?
Some dancehall artistes promote violence. This can lead to an increase in criminal activities in Jamaica. Some of these lyrics make it seem
acceptable to just hurt or kill someone without showing any remorse. It has also been alleged that some artists have been involved in some of these criminal activities.
What some of these artistes fail to realize is that they are role
models. Men, women, boys and girls look up to them. When will some of
them realize how influential their lyrics are? Just imagine a Jamaica with only positive and uplifting music? Crimes will decrease and then we can truly say "SWEET SWEET JAMICA".
Teenage Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases are on the
continuous increase in Jamaica. Teenagers seem to be having more sexual relationships than adults. Promiscuous behaviours that are taking over this beautiful island have become one of many reasons for an overwhelming increase in the number of HIV/AIDS and STD cases.
Some of these dancehall lyrics promote immoral acts. Women nowadays no
longer seem to be concerned with establishing relationships or marriages before "sleeping" with men. Many women are guilty of having "one night stands" (unprotected).
Although the guys are involved we truly can't blame them. If women
respected themselves men would show them respect. If dancehall music was to address and speak out against these behaviours it is safe to say there could be a decrease in the number of teenage pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Whilst there is a negative side to how dancehall music impacts on the
Jamaican society it has also brought about positive impacts. Some lyrics of our dancehall artists uplift men and women in society. They often push ghetto people and people in general to be strong and never give up regardless of the situation. Some lyrics stress the importance of education and encourage children to stay in school. Kartel has a song titled "school girl," where he encourages school girls not to have sex in buses and to put their education first.
Our dancehall artists are extremely talented. They have the power to
encourage, uplift and influence the actions of those who come in contact with their music. They need to unite and take a stand against
counter-productive vibes!
Posted by yardFlex at April 2, 2008 12:36 PM
Comments
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Posted by: wade cameron
on April 2, 2008 03:24 PM
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Posted by: DD
on April 2, 2008 06:51 PM
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i agree with all a that you saying. but i want you and all readers to know that elephant man lyrics are good and full of energy, if you are feeling sad then it will definately up lift you.
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Posted by: Sheldon
on April 2, 2008 08:27 PM
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I never expected such unbiased truth from yardflex since they rely so much on this same industry for their work. Good work.
I have one comment to make:
If negative music is not demanded, it will not be supplied. It is up to us as as consumers.
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Posted by: jermz
on April 2, 2008 10:47 PM
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this is a good article it seems as if the author put some real thought into it however i disagree with its premise. I think the real problem is that music has such a profound influence. that shows that the children of jamaica are not being properly supervised or educated by their parents or teachers. the fact that music alone can sway the people so greatly is a testament to a failing education system. dont get mi wrong i really love my music both conscious and dancehall but i do understand that the music is simply artistic expression and so should only be taken as that.
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Posted by: Mark B
on April 3, 2008 11:21 AM
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I Love Dance hall, but I don't like the negative messages. "Tek B gyal, Mi murda people inna broad daylight, The first thing be do when me wake up=smoke weed"
Media is a tool that Satan uses. Ephesians 2:2 calls him the prince of the power of the air which is talking about air waves. He uses T.V. and radio to influence people to do wrong.
You all are gonna start seeing more Israelites doing dance hall to send the proper message out there. One is already doing his thing, check him out at www.myspace.com/shawabiz
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Posted by: Sexxxy S
on April 3, 2008 12:48 PM
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A very well written comentary. I'm torn because I love dancehall music, the lyrics are violent and degrading and I think that artist's should also look to positivity. But on the other hand realistically, we see violence on TV, and movies everyday and no one has a problem with that. It's because dancehall is poor people's music is why it get's more heat than say a white actor from hollywood. I also want to comment on the part of this article talking about sex and transmitted disease. The writer says that "men are involved but we really can't blame them" WHY NOT!!!! Why should we always look to women to establish the moral fabric of society and let men off the hook? Consenting adults MEN AND WOMEN are responsible for practicing safe sex.
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Posted by: TiTI
on April 3, 2008 06:02 PM
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what are you people talking about, gun, and murder lyrics are not played over the airwaves in Jamaica, they are banned. Dem likle hurry up nowadays dancehall people are not real artist. Most of dem too dame dounce to write a tune with substance. Most of the violent portrals of Jamaica are written by non- Jamaican film writers. But we support it because IT'S JAMAICAN, when it's not authentic. Yes dancehall need some cleaning up. But seem like dancehall dwellers don't want authentic dancehall music, they love the non- sense. One good thing I have to say about dancehall, is that I love how some dancehall artists support the development of the Island, by supporting schools with supplies, cumputer, building roads, and more.
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Posted by: Summer
on April 4, 2008 12:41 PM
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I totally agree with you. Many of the youths are influenced by these negative lyrics and sometimes take what they say literally. I must say, dancehall music is great and it helps people to recognize us but we have a concern with violence and I believe that dancehall music contributes to it. These constant gun talks should stop and let’s have our SWEET SWEET Jamaica.
most of the artistes are only chatting about what the people want them to chat bout. Cos dem know seh, if dem dont flow with public demand, their stuff might not sell
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Posted by: Nelia
on April 8, 2008 09:58 AM
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This is a true!!!Dancehall has a mass influence on our teens and as such there should be atleast more moderate songs that people of all ages can listen.But there will always be that set that will always like "slack" songs.
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Posted by: Mac10
on April 10, 2008 03:53 AM
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Music in general,has over the years taken diverse ways,but there's one thing we forget n that's what the honourable one Bob Marley always said;'u can change the style,melody n rhythm but never change the message".RasTafari
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Posted by: Alicia Mckenzie
on April 13, 2008 08:42 PM
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I truly agree you indeed. I think we need to come together and try to bring back sweet, sweet jamaica....
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Posted by: SHAYENIQUE
on April 14, 2008 02:04 PM
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this is a good story and i hope it gets out for more people to hear because the music of a society has so much to do with the change in attitudes and the behavior of the people and im glad your story wasnt biased and in praise as the artistes need to recognised that the lyrics are very important and what they say in songs affect peoples lifes negatively and positively!!! work commended
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Posted by: deeka
on April 14, 2008 02:06 PM
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the role of dancehall music really plays an important part in society and iim glad you highlighted it
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Posted by: SHANNIEL JONES
on May 7, 2008 11:26 AM
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I think this writing is well put together. As a young teenager it affects me alot.Children can no longer control their emotions; wether emotionally or physically.Especially those at high school level.
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