EDITORIAL: Hear the music
A final opinion on the recent 'Trojan Riddim' incident might be unwelcomed. However, the incident was the catalyst for discussion in this island like few other things have been in recent years and is therefore worth another look.
The 'Riddim' which was apparently produced a year and a half ago suddenly became popular when discussed on a local call-in programme.
The artistes who performed songs on the riddim admitted that they thought that the songs would receive little airplay as they had been public for some time and had not caught much attention. The songs on the riddim were notably about a lifestyle of gun violence which is seemingly common among young people on the island. If they do not participate in it, they are familiar with someone who does or they believe in the principles promoted in the music that if there is a disagreement settling it with violence is a viable option. It is hoped that this is untrue and that there are still young people on the island who support conflict resolution and are capable of solving disputes with words instead of violence. Still, the music appears to be relatable to young people but due to the recent uptick in violent crime, the message was seen as insensitive and in poor taste. The artistes were then publicly scolded from all corners, including the honourable Prime Minister and they even experienced financial penalties from the loss of sponsorship deals.
The situation filled the media for days afterwards. The music itself was well produced,with catchy lyrics and an international sound some would say rivals the original jamaican dancehall. Comments on the video posted online expressed respect from neighbouring islands on the music. The songs became hugely popular with over 120 thousand views a few days after the uproar started.
The issues that arose for Barbadians were numerous. Barbadians began asking, why has this lifestyle taken over our culture? This led to a discussion on the correlation between poverty and violent crime with some persons saying that they were directly related and others saying that a relationship was unlikely. But if it is unlikely, is the current rise in crime just a coincidence? The increase is significant enough that coincidence seems doubtful.
The issue of brand ambassadors was raised, and whether organisations had a responsibility to ensure that their ambassadors’ lifestyles aligned with their brand. This seems to be a very sensible thing to do so that there is not a personality clash later in the relationship leading to a scandal for the talent as well as the organisation.Other people noted that there was a clear double standard when other regional music is played on the airwaves here with the same strong themes that were found in the songson the trojan riddim but there is no similar public uproar.
The outrage to this music is understandable and warranted. Music can have a strong influence on society while being a reflection of that same society. It has the power to perpetuate certain ideas and indoctrinate vulnerable individuals causing them to act in a certain way. However, although the level of outrage seemed exaggerated and in some ways artificial, it was a necessary icebreaker to get Barbadian people talking about the issues again. There are still many more topics for Barbadians to discuss and it seems as if this is a pivotal moment for Barbadian society. Let us whisper about the gas prices.