Skatta Burrell went on an angry tirade last night, where he blasted reggae and dancehall artistes, selectors and other members of the music industry.
The veteran producer labeled some members of the industry hypocrites and cowards, who were unworthy of his friendship due to their failure to speak out against the early shutdown of dancehall events in Kingston. That move seems to have given them a wake-up call. Now it seems stake holders have sprung into action, because on Thursday at 5 pm they met with members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Members of Parliament, at the Half-Way-Treee Police Station in St. Andrew to discuss the way forward.
Skatta’s broadside had come a day after he made his comments in an Instagram post, against the background of a story published by The Star newspaper, which stated that members of the police force were “pulling the plug on events”, with the latest to be cut off early being the Footloose event, held at Mas Camp in Kingston on the weekend.
Earlier today, Skatta shared a post announcing the meeting made by self-proclaimed ‘Billboard Selector’ Boom Boom, on his Instagram page this morning.
“Good Morning People… We Are Inviting All Members Of The Street To Come Out Later At 5 pm At HWT Police Station To Air Our Concerns About The Recent Shutdown Of Our Event… Its Time To Stop Using The Dancehall As A Scapegoat And Look At The Many Endless Positives Coming Out Of Our Activities At Night Time,” Boom Boom had posted.
The selector also added that such events are responsible for a large percentage of Corporate Jamaica’s sales including, but not limited to gas stations, taxi companies, vendors, and beer company Red Stripe. He cited as well, Wisynco, manufacturers of Boom Energy Drink which has become a staple drink in local Dancehall events, as Skatta had outlined in his near three-hour rant last night.
Boom Boom had also stated that Kingston, which was recently declared a Creative City of Music by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is a specialized arm of the United Nations, has been attracting many tourists to the eastern end of the island.
“We Are One Of The Biggest Pullers Of Kingston Tourism As Many Ppl From All Over The World Fly To Jamaica And Stay In Our Hotels Just To Attend Street Events And All These Things Goes Unrecognized By The Authorities. And Its Time We Pure A Stop To It!!! GIVE US OUR DUES!!! #DANCEHALL TO THE #WORLD,” Boom Boom posted, tagging a well a host of other artistes and media houses in the post.
In commenting on Boom Boom’s revelation, Skatta, who is a music executive at Downsound Entertainment, said he was happy for the Prime Minister’s response.
“This is a good look. I hope it can result in legislations drawn up to make changes to the Dancehall sector and the way it’s been oppressed by the authorities. Respect to Andrew Holness for this gesture,” he noted on Instagram.
Prior to that post, Boom Boom had uploaded a video of Prime Minister Andrew Holness walking through a thick crowd along with his Energy Minister Fayval Williams. The PM paused to speak with a Jamaica Labour Party supporter who had been imploring him on social media a day ago, to disallow the early termination of the parties.
“The Prime Minister has heard the cry of the people. RESULTS ARE ON THEIR WAY. TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORKS,” Boom Boom said.
