Premier won’t ban artistes from Festival performance
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he will not take steps to censor or ban an artiste expected to perform at the territory’s upcoming August Festival celebrations next month.
Over the last few weeks, a row has been brewing over whether two controversial artistes – Byron Messia and Peanut Da Real Nut (PNDRN) – should be allowed to perform at the festival given their violent lyrics and, particularly, in the face of recent gun crime and escalating murders.
Dr Wheatley said the Festival Committee selects artists on the basis of who persons enjoy listening to and said there is already a buzz about the entertainment line-up for the event.
“I’m very careful about censorship,” Dr Wheatley said. I think just about every artist — a majority of the artists who come and perform for our Festival, both Festival now and Festival in the past, artistes from abroad and local artists — there’s going to be content within the lyrics that some persons wouldn’t agree with.”
The Premier called for a wider conversation within the community about the content that persons consume and what they actually want in terms of entertainment, since persons are actually coming to listen to the artistes perform.
He also pointed to TV shows such as Power, violent video games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto that persons engage in and consume within the society and said participating in these things are individual choices.
“I’m not here to censor anyone. I’m not here to render any moral judgement. There are many persons who have justifications for the type of reality which is described in some of the lyrics,” Premier Wheatley added.
Dr Wheatley said he will continue to promote the need to unite against crime and support the efforts of the police to deter persons from a life of crime.
He also urged that there needs to be work done within the schools, community groups and other spaces to promote a particular narrative.
“At the end of the day, persons have a choice as to what they choose to consume,” Dr Wheatley added. “And I would encourage persons to, as as I try to do, allow positive ideas and positive thoughts to permeate my mind.”
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It’s hard to understand the so-called justifications for the type of “reality” that espouses violence, crimiinality, gangsterism and mysoginism. The reality is we already have plenty of that here.
Is the Premier weak? If we taking a stance against crime and gun violence, let us. His district is the most prevalent with gun crime yet he rather fund the police but cannot simply outline rules against which artist should come and what they should sing, something that does not cost any money. Passing 101 legislation does not fix problems but simple things like changing the culture around gun violence and crime starting from defining the very artists we should allow on our shores, will. He is not someone who can take criticisms well or make adjustments immediately. He is the “in denial minister” and it is sickening! Keep the demonic spirits out the country. Whoever this man pastor is, I hope they got something to say if this isn’t about money!!! Spiritual wickedness.
BUT YET HE WANTS TO FIGHT CRIME AND VIOLENCE
We should not lie and steal. Yet Fraud Cline is allowed to speak on radio every week. Could someone put a stop to this please?
fighting crime and violence but bringing in people to perform who directly promotes violence.
years ago we prevented Tony Matterhorn from performing the DUTTY WINE
I am convinced we’ve got the wrong leader.
you guys are trying to control the man.
LMAO they’re gonna complain about every & anything…they refuse to say nothing when they don’t have a valid complaint
Should we boycott supermarkets that promote Rum/Drinking that can be attributed to violence and other issues? We are grown a** people, live and let live. An artist that lived a certain life and sings about it, what’s the big deal? If you do not like it then don’t attend, I don’t see what the issue is. We all grew up listening to hardcore rap and other things and that didn’t make us take up guns and start shooting people. The whole world has become soft as f**k!
He is not my favorite leader but I am agree with him. Stop censor people.
So, expats are not good enough to live here, but you will gladly pay them to perform for you??? L O L
The Christian dem need to go sit down… Always trying to dictate what should be allowed for other people. Same ones dem have no problem abusing our corrupt system with these grants and questionable contracts etc. Go protest that!
Good for him. He is an intellectual person and he understands censorship is even more dangerous than any lyrics for public relations and quality of life. Not everyone wants to live according to someone else idea of human. This aint the dark ages.
legalize it already!
Word has been going around that there will not be a calypso show. What is the reason. Is it to stifle some former politicians who would have the opportunity to spit fire and expose those in power. This is not a good look.
He is right… You people out here drooling over power and the madam etc and complaining about music?.. its the same!.. if I wanna hear the song I’m gonna hear it. For years you all been listening to things like that.. Peanut was here before and all…As long as they don’t bring no guns and shoot up the place whats the biggie?…
Look alot of y’all out here singing *oe lyrics lol sure some of you are.. but I’m sure some are respectable and just like the song. You same people will sit down and watch boxing and mma.. Violent beat downs that cause damage, but making noise over a song?…
lol
so damn true, a set of clown
That is a weak Premier! An artist who actively promotes killing and gun violence on your National cultural stage but you acting like this America talking about censorship??? That is weak! If a private promoter has a jam and bring these type of people for a private show then fine. But not on our national stage should this be promoted! I don’t care what artist came before. Fact of the matter is you are Premier now and have a responsibility to deal with what is in front of you. You don’t have the balls to stand up and protect the youth by taking a moral stance even though they don’t know they need protecting. You Mr Premier by staying silent and neutral, have sided with the Talibans and WSI and Free Killer of the community. When great men stay silent
This why they don’t want young people in leadership positions.
We will wait to hear you denounce gun violence when the next young person is killed this season.
lETS tALK ABOUT THE LITTLE CHILDREN THAT ARE OUR PAST MIDDIGHT WHEN THESE PPL ARE PERFORMING. IF YOU DONT HAVE A BABYSITTER THEN STAY HOME.
Freedom of Speech
Not on our national stage!
This is not USA
As the Premier, you have a responsibility to ensure that you do whatever is in your power to protect the people you serve and one way in doing that is to promote peace and unity.
what are we teaching in our village with these singers? drugs and gun violences – our festival village should not be teaching this is ok or making it popular it is not censorship it is what we want to make popular
If you won’t censor references to guns and violence, then you should let same-sex couples legally marry. Keep Government out of the bedroom.
Morals before Money. This is a freedom celebration.