A lot of hysterical hype has been written about Vybz Kartel and his latest sensation Rampin' Shop, mainly from the religious right whose Bibles absorb any amount of punishment on a daily basis as they thump out morals and values for others.

Individual expression

I am at a loss to understand why Kartel is being crucified in this way. It has always been the case that every artiste's work - whether he/she be sculptor, writer, painter, songwriter or whatever - tells a story based on that artiste's experience or reflects and/or comments on the society in which the artiste lives.

And, surely the holier-than-thou set must appreciate that sex, kinky sex and vulgarity in artistic endeavour has been with us eternally and was not invented by the erroneously labelled 'dancehall music' or even by Vybz Kartel himself.

Unless one takes a close look or listen to the lyrics, one would not know what Rampin' Shop means.

On the other hand, a classic of over 40 years ago, written, produced and performed by the now legendary Prince Buster, left nothing to the imagination even before one put the record on the turntable.

The name of that popular piece from the early 1960s was Wreck A P—-P—'. The lyrics, when examined, were as explicit as Rampin' Shop and on the identical subject.

The difference was that the society of that time was not so depraved and radio deejays so firmly in the grip of payola, that it was not immediately clear to all and sundry that this song ought not to be played on free-to-air radio in any form whatsoever. Adults, however, continued to enjoy it in the dance halls of the island.

Radio villains

So, Kartel is just doing his job of reflecting today's society. The Broadcasting Commission is doing its job of keeping free-to-air broadcasts free of vulgarity.

The only villains here are the radio deejays who seem to see nothing wrong with the regular broadcast of these lyrics to immature and impressionable children.

I am, etc.,

GORDON ROBINSON

gordon_robinson@flowja.com

Kingston 10