ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Festival Song Competition winners, Roy Rayon and Nazzleman, said artistes should curtail the use of lewd and negative lyrics to convey their messages due to the influence on youth.

"The message nowadays is kinda too raw. A fi dem [modern-day artistes] time now, but if [they] can just tone it down a little bit, that would be good. Not everyone is with those type of songs, suh if we can curb the youth dem and if producers can influence these artistes and let them listen to some long-time music, to help them refocus, maybe it'd be better. Music plays a big part on these youths' minds, suh wi affi curb the music in order fi curb dem youth yah," two-time winner Nazzleman told THE STAR.

Rayon highlighted that these modern-day artistes have a powerful hold over today's youth through their music, and should put the same energy into more songs portraying peace.

"I don't have a problem with certain music playing in a particular place, but not amongst our children because they do have a powerful impact. We've always been singing songs with suggestive lyrics but we just have to be very careful, because one of the biggest challenges is the line of demarcation. You're always gonna have these type of offensive music, it's just where it's being played," said the four-time winner.

But Rayon also expressed concern that some children might never get to experience the authentic reggae sound.

"Some of these songs dem a dance and sing to now, which needs cleansing, were all derived from it. Suh wi need to keep reggae music alive," said Rayon.

Both men performed at the Peace Day concert held yesterday at The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew. As reggae entertainer Queen Ifrica called on Jamaicans to practise what they preach on Peace Day, Rayon said "symbolism" would play a huge role in the extent to which this can be achieved long-term.

"Symbolism is important because even Bob Marley, as much as he was hardcore, him still did a teach peace. So we have all the ingredients to make positive music, but if wi a struggle to even allow children to speak the Jamaican dialect, teach Garveyism inna school, so we can have a strong representation of our culture embedded in our kids, how are we gonna have this if we don't at least start here? The symbolism at this concert used to express peace, is a good thing, but we can't just drop it here," said the Love Fever singer.

The event's organiser and PALS general manager, Janilee Abrikian, said she is 'satisfied' as she reflected on the turnout, coupled with what she described as a stressful nights of tears, about the show's possible cancellation.

"I spoke to a couple people, especially the young people and they enjoyed it. It was great, very satisfying for me to see them enjoy this kind of culture because it's very uplifting. I think they absorb the message of 'Let Peace Run Tings'. So every time I feel like this is such hard work to find the money, resources and the performers to ask them to perform for little or nothing, that is very stressful. But, when it comes off well, it feels like it's worth it and it gives me hope to do it again," Abrikian said.