Slackness Done
Since
the mid 1990’s, Jamaicans and reggae fans the world over have been jamming to
the dancehall beat which has become the predominate sound coming from the
metamorphic denizens of Kingston. And as the music became more synthesized and
lost the "live" drum and bass sound, a minimalist, stripped-down
version of reggae became the riddim over which most DJs and singers would add
their voice. Ushering in this new era were artists like Shabba Ranks, whose
sexual bravado and rude boy mannerisms became the standard that many other
artists emulated.
As dancehall grew in popularity, many more DJs were given the opportunity to
voice the most popular rhythms of the day. The "Punanny" rhythm—created
by Steelie and Cleevie—was used over 100 times as were "Pepperseed"
and other hot rhythms getting reaction in Jamaican dancehalls. Many DJs chose to
use lyrics which were disrespectful to women or advocated the "power of the
gun" and there were others whose homophobic lyrics created a national
controversy here in America. Like the rise of gansta rap here in America, it
seemed that dancehall music would captivate its widest audience by relating to
people’s more base emotions.
RAS Records has never embraced what we felt was music which did nothing to
uplift people or that failed to impart a positive message. It has always been
our goal to bring people music that portrays the positive spirit of reggae. We
did attempt to shyly (I will admit) find some dancehall which we thought would
fit into our overall concept of positive music and brought you releases by
Sizzla, Capelton, and Tony Rebel, among others. We sat on the sidelines and
watched as others put out music which was full of misogynist lyrics and which
did nothing to address the more spiritual side of life.
But
we are now tired of being passive observers. It is time to declare that
slackness is done! It is time to clean up the dancehall and bring forth a
positive message for the youth and grownups alike. We have recruited some
positive role models who are soldiers in a new army coming to fight off the lame
and crude music that has dominated reggae in the past. The Bobo Dread sect of
Jamaica has made these brooms with the power to clean up all negative vibes. The
riddims are hot, the lyrics are righteous. The message is clear: join us in this
crusade where good shall triumph over evil! It’s been far too long that we
have allowed ourselves to bathe in the wickedness of music that makes us
conspirators to prejudice and hatred. Rise up!!!!!
Raspect,
Doctor Dread
