Booster Shot: upset Jamaicans call for a ban on soca!!!

[warning: the content of this post may not be suitable for all readers]

Earlier this week, Jamaica's broadcasting commission implemented a radio ban on reggae dancehall music containing lewd lyrics. I dunno about you, but lewd isn't a word I use every day. What were are talking about is unmasked sexual content, like all this daggerin' business....and 80% of the other songs out there.

So hear what, radio listeners who were upset to learn about the explicit dancehall ban, called in to several radio stations to suggest that soca music ought to be banned as well.

The argument is that the music heard during Jamaica Carnival is more scandalous than anything sung by dancehall artists. Well, let me be the first to say, that is  RIDICULOUS. I agree that modern soca doesn't pay much care and attention to perfecting the art of double entendre, but I have yet to hear F-words in a soca tune. Beyond the use of cuss words, I wanna provide you with some examples from dancehall that no soca artist has ever had the gumption book studio time to record:

• "Squeeze her breast dem like di trigger of my gun, turn her back way and f*ck her harder make she cum" - Mavado (Squeeze Her Breasts)

• "Gal you somin tight yes mi love how you hook it baby
  You grip mi right, use di muscle hold it baby" - Busy Signal (Wine Pon Di Edge)

• "Wine wid it, wine wid it, hot f*ck wid it" - Mr. Vegas (Hot Wuk)

• "Sorry neva mean fi wake you up
  But now me couldn't hide it
  Cause you sidong pon di buddy, balance and ride it
  And mi slip in side it and then when fi slide it
  When she say "F*ck it Out Tony! " - Tony Matterhorn (Sidong Pon It)
  

...to name a few.  To all who want to come bring bacchanal, listen.  I'm not condemning dancehall outright.  What I am saying is that those who are comparing ALL soca to the type of dancehall that is being restricted from airplay are ignorant and ill informed.  In the cases where soca is slack, irreverent and vulgar the same rules ought to apply.  I don't have problems with a society making efforts to restore the rule of decency.  But, let's be real.  The rudebwoy culture of dancehall has been allowed to run amuck in the music of its newest heroes. Soca, even on its worst day has not sunk to the same depths of vulgarity. 

As Caribbean people, we have to be careful about the messages we give to our children, and those we spread about our beloved homeland in the sun.  This isn't just about sexual content, but also violence.  Both music styles have been allowed to vere away from their more edifying roots.  Perhaps it really is time to put a foot down.  Let's just try not to step on each other in the process.

For more info (and other perspectives) on the call to ban soca visit the links below:

Trinidad Express

Jamaica Observer

Inter Press Service

Jamaica Gleaner

Jamaica Gleaner 2