International stars turn to gay bashing ......

This is not the first time although the article in the Star gave that impression, a simple Google check and voila! Missy Elliot for example in 2005 from the cookbook album where the record company was forced to pull the album from the shelves and re-release the set with other songs that were in the inventory, she then went on a media blitz to try to rectify the situation.

Dancehall music was once painted as hate music by the homosexual community due to the fact that artistes were known to release music denouncing the homosexual lifestyle. Following several appearance cancellations overseas, players in the local music industry began to feel the pressure in their pockets as a result of a strong gay lobby.

Tyga 

Ironically, the trend to lash out against the homosexual lifestyle is now the practice of some foreign artistes says the Star News but they are so off the mark on this one.

American rapper Tyga last year released a dancehall-influenced song titled 1 of 1 in which he denounced homosexuality in one specific line, stating that he was not into gay antics.

"Mi nuh love for dem b*&*y boy antics, gonna let me pull choppers (guns) out the attic," he said.

ENFORCE HIS MASCULINITY

Chris Brown 

Tyga's frequent collaborator, Chris Brown, also pulled a similar stunt in his verse on Konshens' Bruck Off Yu Back remix, where, he too, felt the need to enforce his masculinity. But Chris Brown seems to forget that he has done housemusic/EDM/Disco songs which is mostly targeting LGBTQ audiences and who follow him despite his antics and troubles; if he was so intent on 'burning out' gays he and or his team should not do other materials that are gay friendly, or maybe what the record company sometimes give artists from songwriters shopping materials he may be obligated to record them as contracts are in place.

"Mi nuh deal wid nuh ch*ch*man thing, gyal bruck off yu back mi wanna feel the ocean," he sang.

Outspoken member of the dancehall community Foota Hype says that foreign artistes pay attention to Jamaican music and know what it takes to gain respect from Jamaicans.

"They know wrong from right, and the labels will give them the green light because they know it's a song for the dancehall fanbase. Konshens song don't have nothing to do with that topic, but Chris Brown knows that it's a major topic in Jamaica, so that is why he did it. I am sure there won't be no backlash because it's Chris Brown. If it was a likkle Jamaican artiste who do that, it would have been a problem," he said.

RAW AND UNFILTERED STATE

The selector-producer said that Tyga and Chris Brown's actions is proof that dancehall in its most raw and unfiltered state can still break overseas.

Cobra the 'Flex Time To Have Sex' DJ

"Just mek music and release it. Look pon Press Trigger by Cobra and Gimmie Di Light by Sean Paul. They never made those songs to crossover, but they still did because foreign always a pay attention," he said.

For Hitmaker, "it's a way to fit in since dancehall is known as a genre that was homophobic."

The producer said that the likes of Chris Brown and Tyga "are smart enough not to put violence towards gays, and they used words that are less harmful".

Hitmaker further said that Tyga and Chris Brown should try and help elevate dancehall instead of trying to be part of what is seen as negative in the international community.

A flashback from the aforementioned Missy 'battyman' issue, WHY MISSY CHANGED HER TUNE FOR US was sent to me some years ago by Angus Batey

the Cookbook CD cover

If Missy Elliott hadn’t met Angus Batey, the first lady of hip-hop’s latest album might have been her last.

At the age of 34, Missy Elliott has become the biggest female star in the macho world of rap. She has sold 12 million albums, written and .produced for Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child and  has shared equal billing with Madonna on an advertising campaign for Gap. She's not the sort to change her tune for anyone. Except, it seems for The Knowledge.

“I'm glad you're telling me that”, says Elliott. I have just informed her that the phrase "batty boy", which appears on two tracks on her sixth album, The Cookbook, might not do her any favours with some of her fans.  “It's a good thing that I'm going to get a chance to go in there and correct this”, she says, eyes widening as the full implications of the homophobic expression sink in. 

She claims to be unaware of the phrase's meaning: “It's just something my Jamaican friends say to each other, and I was saying it imitate them”; nor does she know that several dancehall artists have been banned from performing for inciting violence against gays. “I would never want to offend anybody”, Elliott insists, vowing to remove the lyrics. “If that's the case, than I have to switch that up”.

We're talking in an upmarket hotel in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where Elliott has been playing a work-in-progress version of the record to invited journalists. Several guest stars have yet to record their parts and, as our little chat has demonstrated, she may need to change some lyrics. The promotional cart seems to be running in front of the musical horse.

It is strange to hear someone at the sharp end of such a costly enterprise admitting that she doesn't know what some of her own lyrics mean. And if anyone should be sensitive to charges of homophobia it is Missy Elliott, whose sexuality has long been the subject of rumours - springing from the fact that she is single. She believes she has shied away from relationships because she saw her mother beaten by her father when she was a child.

“She was so dependent on my father and felt she could do nothing without him,” she recalls.  “But when she got up and left, she was stronger than ever before.  I leant from that.  I think I’m happiest by myself.  I know that’s crazy - people don’t wanna die alone!  But most of my friends are in relationships and they’re miserable!  They call me on the phone, like: ‘He did this!’ ‘She did that!’ I’m like ‘Wow!’ is anybody happy?’”

Another thing that makes Elliott an unlikely purveyor of hate rhymes is her status as a role model to another minority in her genre.  Women are still massively under-represented in all areas of hip-hop.  Until Elliott’s emergence in the late 1990s, women in rap videos were either groupies or pole-dancers.  Over night, Elliott made it hip to be a woman in control.

One of the few rappers to captivate an audience among the chattering classes, Elliott intrigued as much for how she looked as how she sounded.  Her 5ft 2in (1.52m) frame is now 5st (30kg) lighter than when she donned an inflatable black plastic suit and stuck herself in front of a fish-eye lens for the video to The Rain in 1997, but she’s still larger than life.  She’s an artist who has built a career on turning her idiosyncrasies into gold-dust.  “That gained me fans.  Especially women of that size.  They loved my confidence. It was like: ‘She’s big and she’s proud about it,’” says Elliott of the response to her early look.

She has played the men at their game, some of her lyrics rivalling her more ribald contemporaries for libidinous  content.  “People say: ‘You talk about sex a lot’,” she giggles.” and I reply: ‘Wow, I do, don’t I.’  You would think I’d been locked up in a cell!”

Elliott’s strongest suit has always been her creativity.  With her production partner, Tim “Timbaland Mosley, she is widely credited with re-invigorating hip-hop in the late 1990s.  The pair’s signature sound, memorably crystallised on the 2001 single Get Your Freak On, added samples from Asian music to wall-shaking beats, bring a space-age sheen to a genre that had lapsed into formula.

She won’t speculate on whether her slimmed-down image has had any effect on her music, yet on Under Construction (2003), her first album after shedding the pounds, she also trimmed her sound, reining in some of her excesses.  It’s her best work.  The Cookbook seems its closes relative, Elliott feeling the record returns her forcefully to her hip-hop roots. 

“We went so far left that I didn’t want to lose people,” she says.  “I look at Prince - a genius so far ahead that he started to make music that was too far left for us to understand”.

The Cookbook is designed to enrapture the hip-hop fan with paeans to old-school legends, while continuing to  challenge preconceptions.  She  has even fulfilled an ambition by working with the Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams, whose production on On & On works on both levels: a devastating hip-hop track which, unusually, was constructed without drum sounds.

But is this changeable artist consistent when it comes to her promises?  A month later a copy of the finished album arrives at The Knowledge: the offending lyrics have been removed.  “You bring it to my attention?  You’ll never hear it,” she had vowed, breaking into a cackle.  “Never.”  Missy Elliott’s word is clearly her bond.  The Cookbook is out now on Elektra.

ENDS

Peace & tolerance

H

Vybz Kartel's "No Man (Mi Swear Pon Mi Life)" getting renewed attention

A song by Vybz Kartel recorded prior to his life imprisonment sentence in the now infamous murder case has been getting a lot of attention in recent times. The trial diverted the public's attention and perception as to the song's message but harcore followers knew it word for word. I happened to be at a dance last night and the DJ played it, he had to 'pull it up' as we say in Jamaica a full seven times. The reaction was telling.

In recent times the analytics is reflecting a lot of renewed interest as well; taxis are playing it and social media, Soundcloud, Mixcloud and other platforms are playing it. Given the racy lyrics radio will not take the chance to play it in full but those DJs will use the one-liner trick as in the old days when they play a neutral sounding line or hook that does directly state violence to homosexuals; but is enough to give an indication of the song, hence a forward.

I suspect that given the major backlash to the parliamentary opposition spokesperson on youth Lisa Hanna's suggestion to ban his ability to record news songs while incarcerated and by extension from the airwaves with some support from others the push back includes antigay songs. We must not forget this is the same man who blurred the lines of male aesthetic and was himself at one point had his sexuality questioned after he bleached his skin and introduced the tight pants phenomenon.

The song was also a push back by Kartel to defray the rumours about his sexual orientation linked to his metrosexual image and exaggerated skin lightening. 

Also see: "Gay Look" for Kartel? 2011

Here are the lyrics and look what it commences with, the Levitical imperative: (the harsh lines translated in colour)

Leviticus 20 Verse 13

Say any man weh lydung wid a next man

Hold on now

Dem a get too bright

(they are getting too presumptuous)

Suh mi bun battyman and sodomite

(So I burn gay men & lesbians)

A coulda Selassie-I

A coulda Christ

Me haffi swear pan mi bloodclaat life

Jamaica

Jamaica mi nah go fuck no man (Jah know)

Dem thing deh wrong

Cause if a man go lay dung wid anotha man

How di fuck di baby born

Send me every kind a gyyaaaal

Mi love dem all

Cause if a gyal go lay dung wid anotha gyal

('cause if a girl go lay with another)

How di fuck di baby born

(How is baby to born?) [suggesting the procreation imperative]

Hold on now

Dem a get too bright

How two man fi a play sword fight

None a dem cya walk inna Portmore

(None of them can walk in Portmore) [Kartel is from Portmore hence declaing a kind of turf control or donmanship role of the area known as Gaza]

And dem run like dog if dem go a Standpipe

(They run like dogs when they go to Standpipe) [Standpipe is a popular ghetto where numerous gunmen frequent or live]

Sodomite gyal mi nuh like unu style

Do you ever think bout stiff cocky more while

Spaldin people bun out pedophile

How big rass man fi a fuck a likkle child

(Lesbians I don't like your style, do you ever think about an erect penis at times, how is man to fuck a little child) [the conflation of male consensual homosexuality with paedophilia often used to justify violence and opposition to rights and so on]

Jamaica mi nah go fuck no man (Jah know)

Dem thing deh wrong

Cah when a man go lay dung wid anotha man

How di fuck di baby born?

Send me every kind a gyyaaaal

Fi love dem all

(Send me every kind of girl to love them all) [the bravado element, power in the penis, bragadocious verility linked to hypermasculinty, women are seen as mere sex objects]

Cause if a gyal go lay dung wid anotha gyal

How di fuck di baby born

Vannesa Bling seh

Batty business fi cease

Said it inna di west and it red inna di east

If a nuh gyal lay dung inna yuh bed

When time unu dead yuh cya rest in peace

And a buy dildo a buy batty grease

My son cya tun inna nuh catholic priest

(They buy dildos and lubricants, my son cannot be a Catholic priest) [Suggesting safer sex implements and anal hygiene products should not be sold and again the consenting homosexual man conflated as a paedohpile, question how is Kartel to know about such details?]

Badmind a di wickedest sickness

But batty business a diwusses disease

Jamaica

Jamaica mi nah go fuck no man (Jah know)

Dem thing deh wrong

Cause if a man go lay dung wid anotha man

How di fuck di baby born

Send me every kind a gyyaaaal

Mi love dem all

Cause if a gyal go lay dung wid anotha gyal

How di fuck di baby born

Leviticus 20 verse 13

Say any man weh lydung wid a next man

Hold on now

Dem a get too bright

Suh mi bun battyman and sodomite

A coulda Selassie-I

A coulda Christ

Me haffi swear pan bloodclaat life

Seh Jamaica mi nah go fuck no man

Neva will

Mi nah gih weh pussy fi no batty

(I'm not giving up my like for pussy for no anus) [That is for a public presentation but the downlow phenomenon is another matter]

Di words from Addi

Di Emprie seh

Black Street

Numba one song

Big up Don

Di ladies man

And Addi Di Teacha

Di Last Man Standing

Out...

ENDS

In as far as the ban is concerned the previously released materials are out there already, the unreleased recordings pending release there could be some considerations taken as to the lyrical content but that may have implications for the 'freedom of speech' 

The part that gets me is the ability to record while in prison bearing in mind he is serving a life sentence yet he is more popular that freed artistes. Lisa Hanna missed that part it seems and never broke it down as I did. Precedent has been set however when it comes to incarcerated DJs releasing and recording music such as Jah Cure in recent memory and older artists, so how can the practice be stopped?

More anon

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Dancehall meets house music: Is Tolerance already there in the fusion but unrecognised? and a follow up entry that same year Jah Cure goes techno with Never Say Never ..... remember the dancehall meets house post? 

Kartel on lockdown and that suggestive cartoon ... [the toon suggest prison sex with him being the passive partner in any sexual arrangement]

Vybz Kartel ...... King of the rub 

Who is a real man? ...."Males who do not fit this "new" hegemonic view of masculinity 

Reggae Compassionate Act signed by Vybz Kartel ....... courageous move by the DJ 2010 but one year later the captioned song was released

Dancehall music backlash in UK outside of the traditional antigay aka 'murder music' campaigns

So dancehall music has come up for scrutiny once again in regards to the violent lyrical content and subsequent episodes of outbursts. This time in merry old London but this is not the first time we have seen this kind of call for a ban of sorts in terms of stopping shows but usually it is about antigay or murder music songs from acts such as Bounty Killer, Sizzla and so on; the songs literally call for the execution of gays and lesbians.

from Lasmay's Gleaner cartoonist and appears on this 2009 post: "Murder music" further examined

I guess in this instance persons are now being forced to come to the realization that one cannot smply behave out of turn or release questionable content in other jurisdictions and expect a smooth ride.

Kevin Jackson of the Observer wrote:

Dancehall music is facing heat in the United Kingdom. Authorities there associate the genre with violence, which has caused several nightclub owners to ban it from their venues.

Rhoan ‘DJ Face’ Woolery, originally from Montego Bay, is a popular disc jockey from Stafford in East London. He confirmed the ban in an interview with Splash.

“Now promoters can’t even get a club. Once you say the word ‘bashment’ you won’t get the club. Promoters of most bashment raves are now underground and the events are being held at secret locations,” he said.

In early January, the tabloid Daily Star reported an incident which took place in Westminster, West London. The article stated that a Jamaican dancehall boat party on the River Thames descended into chaos when a reveller was stabbed.

The incident was also carried in the rival Daily Mail.

In a story aired by the BBC one year ago, the owner of a London nightclub said he was ordered to stop playing dancehall music.

Roy Seda, owner of the Dice Bar in Croydon, claimed he had been told that Jamaican music is “unacceptable” by the Metropolitan Police. He said he came under so much pressure that he now requires disc jockeys to sign contracts not to play the genre.

The report also cited police reports that the club’s licence was under review, saying it is associated with crime and disorder.

“We had a flyer which said R&B, garage, house, bashment and hip-hop and I was advised to remove the word ‘bashment’ because chart and commercial music is considered safer,” Seda told the

BBC.

DJ Face believes the ban will be far-reaching.

“A ban on dancehall music in clubs will definitely affect the growth of the music on the UK scene. The artistes will get less concerts and reggae and dancehall disc jockeys will also get less work. The music will just become underground,” he said.

TJ “Stylah” Blackwood, another club DJ, has also experienced the police clampdown. Originally from Constant Spring, he now lives in London.

“I have played at clubs in Croydon and Central London and there have been signs on the wall saying “NO BASHMENT”. Immediately my heart sunk. Dancehall is my passion, I even named my sound (system) Dancehall Syndicate, in the hope of showing people a movement that can highlight dancehall in a positive and influential way,” he said. “A member of my sound has even decided to leave the dancehall scene as he hates the way it is heading; he now plays in the commercial, alternative pop scene. He no longer collects dancehall music and it’s a huge shame.”

Blackwood is not daunted, however.

“I will never give up on dancehall. When I enter these clubs, I will play alternative and the patrons (mainly white people) will beg me to play Sean Paul, Shaggy, Bob Marley, Beres Hammond and even Vybz Kartel and Popcaan.”

Since the dancehall ban, TJ has noticed a significant decline in patronage at some venues.

“Clubs are seeing a decrease in patrons where no dancehall is allowed. Club owners think dancehall is all killing and shooting, but I have played hours of dancehall and party and love songs and it’s absolutely fine,” he said.

ENDS

With the cementing of gangster culture on the national psyche bolstered with bravado, multi-partnering with women and out of wedlock sex justified as OK with teenage girls why are we surprised. It is one of the reasons why as a DJ I do not play dancehall so much in my sets and more housemusic which is effectively our music in a sense founded by gay/str8 allied DJs/producers back in the days.

Vybz Kartel during his 'lecture' at UWI

take note of the patois doctor Carolyn Cooper

We have gone so far as hosting questionable dancehall DJs allowed to give lectures at Universities yet some folks including lecturers who did not see anything wrong as popularity trumped thinking; no wonder why they call some institutions intellectual ghettos. 

Hope some folks now learn but reading some comments elsewhere the murder music campaign is being blamed when there was no such direct intervention by any of the SMM players.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Dancehall meets house music part 2: Artistes, Producers Willing To Try EDM 

Perception of Jamaican LGBTQ lobby bullying continues 

Discrimination Stance Creates Split, Dancehall Promoters' New Rules Not Welcomed

Research suggests Murder Music is a predictor of homophobia in Jamaica ..... 

Met Police hypocrisy on homophobia - SMM London 2010

Not Impressed!!!! Beenieman ................... artist supposedly backtracks on gay stance

20 years behind the ones & twos

I was reminded recently by an email from LinkedIn about my work anniversary for my DJ activities which I included as my work history and suddenly realised that some twenty years plus have passed since my sojourn and journey in party promotions and disc jockeying, in fact it’s twenty three years in total if I am to count my apprenticeship periods after I left high school and my short time at two radio stations as the technical operator and music librarian then who helped to pick the tunes for shows, playlists and royalty payment preparation sheets for artists behalf to collect for or from publishing companies such as BMI/ASCAP and PRS of London. It is however twenty years in as far as LGBT events since my days starting out at the main venue in Kingston, Club Entourage.

I also has a short stint at the then Trelawny Beach Hotel now known as Starfish Resorts and in that transitional period to a family type resort the offerings at the club with a more multi genre playlists feel and at Grande Puba skating rink and guest house now closed in Negril both in 2003; complete with other gigs some of which I cannot remember off hand but the old flyers tell a story. Time has indeed flown by and it never occurred to me if not for the email reminder. It has been and continued to be a pleasure to play the beats even though over time I have made some major decisions in what, where and how I play nowadays.

Certainly coming from the days of vinyl turntables through to the early days of software such as Automix now Virtual DJ through to Mac based mixers technology has certainly played a role in my growth, I was the first DJ on the LGBT circuit to move from vinyl/CDS to PC mixing then to laptops and now a Mac with Serato, I still do like Virtual DJ especially the DJ Console skin, everything is sitting right there before me and perfect for dance-music as well. Adaptation is key if one is to grow I guess.

The early years I played everything at LGBT mainly events from soca, pop, rap, dancehall, r&b, reggae and adult contemporary while privately or at special events such as commitment ceremonies or bridal showers which I still do to this date even as gay marriage is not yet legal I do light jazz, instrumentals and even as out there as the classical stuff and hosted karaoke. I did a short stint at two sound systems known as Soul Symphony Disco and Pepper seed Sound (named after a popular dancehall riddim then which was re-released some time after) prior to the larger sound that came later and used the name as the older was defunct.

My big break came soon after my release from prison in December 1996 where I was formerly introduced to the late great Brian Williamson, co founder of JFLAG, club owner of Club Entourage located in New Kingston just a couple hundred yards away from the Shoemaker Gully where the present crop of homeless MSM/transgender folks now reside. I auditioned for him alongside three other DJs and we were all selected, my first gig was on Christmas Eve, I eventually worked closely with one of the resident DJs the late Boswell as we had a similar style while DJ Ricky and DJs Whiteman (the latter who was forced to flee Jamaica after the party DVD leak to the public in 2007) and DJ Jermaine who now lives in Canada and whose sister was a rising star in dancehall but was killed by her boyfriend.

Direction/genre change

I made a crucial decision to stop playing dancehall after my work with JFLAG in its infancy years on the Stop Murder Music Campaign, it became rather conflicting to me to be spinning music from dancehall artists who on one hand have music in their repertoire calling for and legitimising the murder and violence to gays and yet on the other we are dancing to their other songs, so I placed a total block on that genre. I lost some fans but managed to recover as those days dancemusic was more acceptable then.

Here is a short trajectory from memory, apologies for little photos as in the early years there was a strict no photo policy for LGBT events, especially after an outing incident by one of the major tabloids who took photos of the Entourage inside and out and carried a headline suggesting young boys were being ‘recruited’ into homosexuality by richer gay men with no proof to boot and left the Club almost coming to a close as Mr Williamson took evasive action until things calmed, he eventually instituted an invitation only policy for starters but other heterosexual sharks tried to wade into the business offering open events to gays for a short time.

Club Entourage years

Owner Brian Williamson with Tessa in the good days

Played dance music predominantly then on Fridays mostly and then moved to the peak hour nights on Saturdays, aided in drag shows and live shows with special events for NGOs and so on. Worked with leading promoters and co manager Michael Melbourne and the staff which came to an end in 2005 after Mr Williamson was murdered in June 2004, an attempt was made to continue it even as the family gave some tacit support but the fire had died with Mr Williamson so all things had to come to an end. Other private individual promoters became more bullish and went ahead hosting events at various venues and houses; trouble was the rentals sometimes would be high given the type of party in the minds of the owners and managers of those properties.

Kling Kling Villas

A small guest house beach front outfit just on the highway leaving Runaway Bay and which was featured in the threats made by police to now Canadian living activist Gareth Henry who hosted several LGBT events including the most successful one that of Harmonica Sunbeam’s first appearance in Jamaica, memories of that one still linger, a 2006 pride event also comes to mind but the outing incident as well where a gay party held there and that was on DVD (mentioned above) was leaked to the public and exposed the DJ named and the property eventually. The property manager eventually discontinued rentals for LGBT events just for a peaceful life and by that time Club Heavens came in and filled the void.

Club Heavens

One of the longest serving clubs in Discovery Bay and which also made news in 2010 after a raid by cops looking for alleged lotto scammers, it served the community for some near ten years in total originally run by the late great Kirk Lester, the man whose funeral service was mobbed and which made international news, homophobes rained down on the service and effectively desecrated the church property. The venue saw management through many hands, from Kirk Lester to Gareth Henry, Macey Antibellum Grey, Yvonne & Narchi, Angel Talkbout, Pinky (the part owner) and myself for a short spell. After the aforementioned raid however things came to a close but not before one of the most successful event occurred which was dubbed “Club Heavens the Rebirth” as posted back then on the wordpress blog of GLBTQ Jamaica. Other traditional events were kept alive such as Grammy Awards, Dancehall Queen, Oscars LGBT Awards and the now defunct Glamour Girl competition. I remained one of the resident DJs alongside DJ Buck and other guest DJs during its long run. Only the Club Entourage has a longer time since recorded history where it lasted 12 years.

Retter Drive & Kirk

Located in Belverdere it operated as a stand in of sorts when Club Heavens was not having any major event or as an alternative for those who did not want to travel by a three hour drive to Discovery Bay, barring the completion of the highway which now shortens the journey by half. Worked with the resident DJs then as my true residency was at Club Heavens then but the fights by persons made things little problematic. The venue lasted some four years as well before the decision was made to close it by Kirk.

Club Escape (its two locations)

A club which was on the hills of upper St Andrew ran by two women with ‘Sophia’ being the more out front operative, I was not the resident DJ as DJ Ricky was still around alongside DJ Whiteman prior to his asylum to the UK. My guest appearances were great as my fans followed me there and the base was also growing given my decision to stop playing dancehall. The club then moved to another part of Stony Hill and continued for a year or so and closed effectively in 2007 after some four years.

Club Calabash

Located in Montego Bay was one of the few venues I had residency in western Jamaica, though short lived it catered to Montegonians and other rural folks who couldn’t or didn’t want to travel all the way to Kingston where most of the things were happening. It too was forced closed as ran by the late Kenrick ‘BeBe’ Stevenson as cops raided the venue, beat up a few of the homeless guys who BeBe was helping in search of alleged lotto scammers and they found none but not before thrashing the place, it closed after BeBe’s arrest and then his subsequent murder, a matter that is yet to be properly proven and presented.

Club Loft

A short lived venue smack in the middle of Half Way Tree atop a fire breathing church at that as operated then by the Sankofa team and which hosted it most memorable event the performance of Rupaul’s Drag race winner Nina Flowers for the first time in Jamaica. I was one of the resident DJs then alongside the other main spinners. It came under some pressure from police as word spread but it was eventually closed by the team as they did not see it as viable. Santa’s List became the team’s most successful franchise end of year ditty as it attracted local and overseas Jamaicans who would often fly in just for that.

Other memorable events

Hot Girls Roll Out (2010), Divas Live featuring diva Michelle Ross (2007), “Full White Affair –Gucci Birthday Bash”, September 10th, 2005, Romain's Birthday Bash 2012, Romain's Birthday Bash 2012, Sin City's Anniversary event, Cockiness Part I, II & III to name a few and there some other spots that were short lived such as ‘Cranborne’ ‘Top House’ and ‘The Hill’ which was another hillside venue on a rather steep slope hence the name. It feels good rehashing some of this

also see:

Club Heavens “The Rebirth”

Miss World (LGBT) 2010 a quick look

2010 The Year that was …. Entertainment Perspective part 2

Nauti Glam: High Seas Couture was Naughty & Nice!!!!

The Loft/Sankofa's Sea Queens: Di Fish(es) DID swim ....

Present residency Bubbles Bar

A membership only gay bar for older gay and bisexual men some loyal patrons formerly of the previous clubs notoriety and international guests via clever marketing and some AirBnB usage, music genres are mostly dancemusic if not EDM, classic house, tech-house, runway tribalism, electro-house, 2 step and related styles including vogue-femme. The atmosphere is a more relaxative one, a more listening party feel more so than all out dancing with theme nights and domino tournaments from Fridays to Sundays. I like this residency now as it affords me room to try new things, introduce songs easier as older audiences do more deeper listening, audiences are more patient and willing to go with you so long as the outcome is pleasing and brings me to a whole new market of visitors to Jamaica at the venue in the Discovery Bay area. It’s not about popularity anymore and that ever problematic hetero-normative atmosphere event framed as ‘LGBT’ by merely mimicking or importing a dancehall str8-actin’ mess to make events feel legitimate or getting a ‘forward’ frankly I have stopped doing those. After all house music and all its subsequent derivatives and sub-genres were developed by gay/bi producers/remixers, DJs, club owners and gay friendly record companies so its ours to appreciate, let there be house!

Time really flies indeed and as long as I can spin and have the impetus to do so I will continue to serve; I had thought of hanging up my stockings but the interest is still there.

Thanks for your support and on December 24, Christmas Eve I intend to mark the occasion.

Peace & tolerance

H

here are some sets:

Time really flies indeed and as long as I can spin and have the impetus to do so I will continue to serve.

Thanks for your support and on December 24, Christmas Eve I intend to mark the occasion.

Peace & tolerance

H

When power differentials (of a car) attracts homophobia

When power differentials (of a car) attracts homophobia

2016 model of the car in question 

We often hear of relationships gay or straight enter into challenges due to the improvement or importation of material wealth on one party’s part and how it can lead to breakups, fights and even worse. One side can get a promotion at work and it leads to jealousy, competition, territorialism in terms of the finances, role playing, dominance in the union and retention or refusal for sex as punishment. These power differentials are not divorced from same gender unions and can get even more egregious, the same gender nature of it suggest a lesser dependency on each other especially in a more middle class setting as one can easily relocate to another apartment and move on. Class differentials on the other hand can force the lesser empowered or social strata partnered individual is sometime forced to remain in the union as they have little option to shift to single life again. Similarly the financial powered beating stick can come into play and any upset or infractions can find someone with their back on the sidewalk seeking temporary stay with someone.

A St Catherine couple in Eltham Park who have been living there for just under 7 months found themselves in a challenge recently as the issue of material wealth differentials coming to play and spilling over into the immediate neighbour’s purview; unfortunately the neighbours showed up their homophobic feelings. The talk in parts of the community continues as word spread regarding the episode. One party recently acquired a new car after a dry spell of selling the old salad and taking the bus as his other partner has been doing. But it seems with the introduction of the car things started to change as one the car-less party suggested the car owner has changed, he is very touchy, when requested to go out on the road for errands he denies such and gets cocky, he is very touchy as to the cleanliness and presentation of his new prize. The car-less partner does have a driver’s license and drove the previously sold ‘salad’ alongside his partner; there were no issues in terms of clash of use, and over protectionism.

Arguments ensued over time often getting loud which also seem to suggest issues were festering otherwise and the imposition of the car had just opened the wounds of differences; thus the differentials become more pronounced and lead to fallout. Both men woke up last Saturday to another argument this time over who would go to the market for the traditional ground produce shopping. A comment reportedly made by the car-less party that of suggesting his partner is getting too touchy in typical Jamaican parlance was what set off the quarrelling match. Decibels raised as both men projected strength in the exchange attracted unsuspecting indeed inquisitive eyes and ears.

It got to a stage where a neighbour two houses away turned on their stereo loudly, turned the speakers out to the direction of the house where the men are and deliberately playing anti gay songs such as Buju Banton’s ‘Boom Bye Bye’ and so on while singing loudly and laughing with snide remarks being made. The men ignored the nosy Parker folks at first but it was when the said nosiers came out of their houses and gathered by the back fence line as the house rears face each other and the intermittent laughter they came outside to see the audience transfixed on the matter, other comments flowed such as battyman a live like husband and wife, one get new car and gwaan pon di other one, a wat kinda mixup dis, others using the typical antigay language of the ‘burn out’ narrative, some persons suggested the men need to move out of the area as they are not prepared battyman who are too bright (too open and in your face). Given the occurrence happened in the morning hours on a weekend more than usual individuals would be at home hence larger unneeded heat and attraction.

The men occasionally reminded the nosy audience they were too fass (inquisitive) but I think the lesser terse response from said audience maybe due to the non-stereotypical look of the parties involved as they do not look or act effeminately on the fly. The conflation of effeminacy with male homosexuality on route to the wanting to be a woman imperative in the minds of homophobes is what tends to drive violent or verbal responses predicated on hate. Both men are handsome, well groomed and do not match the aesthetic look others have of us as gay men, I can speak to that with numerous examples; my own experience where after my buggery arrest and short imprisonment and my return to my address, over time I was told by others and immediate neighbours that I do not fit the bill as a gay man. So they feel I would not be attacked or face too much pressure than normal. That turned out to be not necessarily true; I did face some pressure but ignored some of it and lived it down letting time be the healer of all things.

The men have not expressed any interest in relocating right now but they have been encouraged to start looking a new place, if not a trial separation as clearly there are some other influences at work and not just the car(lessness). Sometimes we gotta be mindful of our surroundings too in how we live and operate, like everywhere else around the world not all spaces support expected enlightenment and difference.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:

Tops, bottoms, power differentials & restrictions in gay relations

Living & dating gay & bi Peter Pan types

The entitlement problem from hypermasculine MSM & negative outcomes

On white men as bottoms in interracial gay porn

US embassy promises to reveal information on artistes' visa denials ...

In a follow up to a previous entry the US embassy now says it promises to reveal information on artistes' visa denials ...Says entertainers must waive privacy rights ...... frankly I do not see why the US has to be explaining anything or entering into debates to justify their actions not granting visas. If one simply does not qualify then one just does not qualify.

The United States Embassy in Kingston has said that it will release information on specific visa denial cases involving several Jamaican artistes if the entertainers waive their privacy rights.

Waiving these rights would make the information regarding the denial of their visas available to the public.

However, attorney-at-law Delano Franklyn explained that although the US Embassy made that announcement, it is the US authorities that will ultimately decide whether the information will be released.

"Because the embassy has said it would make the information available, then one would have to take their word for it. But the United States Embassy, like any other embassy, owes no one an explanation as to why a visa has, in fact, been denied," Franklyn said.

"If the artiste says to the embassy, I waive my right, please explain to the public why I was denied my visa, the US does not have to comply," Franklyn said.

Joshua Polacheck, public affairs officer at the US Embassy, said at a Gleaner Editor's Forum earlier this week that Jamaican entertainers have "never" been denied visas, or had them taken away over matters such as as anti-gay lyrics.

"No artiste has ever been refused a visa for artistic reasons, and that includes promoting views that are either loving or repelling. The market may not choose to employ them," Polacheck said.

However, veteran producer Gussie Clarke, in a story carried in yesterday's STAR, said Polacheck was not being entirely truthful with statements made regarding anti-gay lyrics, and how they affect the visa adjudication process.

The US Embassy responded on Twitter saying it is prepared to reveal reasons behind artistes visa denials if entertainers would waive their privacy rights.

But Franklyn, who practises entertainment law, said it would be interesting to know if any artiste had been denied entry to the US based on their lyrics, but said the latter would be hard to prove.

"If there are artistes who can prove this, then it is important for that artiste to say whether or not they would wish for that (privacy) right to be waived," Franklyn reasoned.

"What I believe would bring a different light to the whole issue is if the United States were to say that they have not denied an artiste a visa because of their anti-gay lyrics, and an artiste can show definitively and prove that they were in fact denied because of their anti-gay lyrics, then it would show that one party initially was not telling the truth."

Meanwhile, Clarke, in response to the embassy's Tweet, said that making the information available to the public would be of little value because people have already formed their views on the matter.

"I cannot encourage any artiste to make that decision as that is their private information. But understanding our culture and how it operates, I don't think people care what anybody say," he said.

"I wouldn't' recommend anybody to or not waive their rights because even if some do, people are still going to have their views and opinions on this issue," Clarke said.

Let us see where this one goes but frankly as espoused previously on this blog artists who run amok and think that they cab spew anything that comes to their lips or pens must understand the responsibility that comes with free speech.

Peace & tolerance

H

Murder music lyrics don't affect visas ...US Embassy official claims entertainers lying ............

Public affairs officer at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, is suggesting that some Jamaican entertainers who say they are being kept out of the United States because of homophobic lyrics are not telling the truth.

Polacheck said yesterday that Jamaican entertainers have "never" been denied visas or had them taken away over matters such as as anti-gay lyrics.

"No artiste has ever been refused a visa for artistic reasons, and that includes promoting views that are either loving or repelling. The market may not choose to employ them," Polacheck said.

"Sometimes no one wants to hire them and they are using that as an excuse," he added.

Several Jamaican entertainers have claimed that their visas were revoked by the United States in recent years but Polacheck said if that were so, it had nothing to do with their music.

He said that for a person to get a performer's visa, a US promoter must petition for the artiste to enter that country for a show or to do a tour. He surmised that Jamaican artistes may be peddling lies about being denied US visas because of homophobic lyrics when in reality it does not make economic sense for promoters to seek to bring them to the US to perform.

"If they believe, for their own market reasons, or their own reputation as a promoter, that the lyrics or your ideology would be damaging in the market place, they are not going to invite you," Polacheck said.

been disqualified

The US spokesman said that it is important to determine whether artistes who do not have performer visa have visitors visa. According to Polacheck, the entertainers may well have been disqualified from getting US visas because of their involvement or association with criminality.

"We do not look at the content of an artiste's work unless they are a member of the Nazi Party ... . Whatever ideology, whether hateful of loving, that they chose to promote doesn't matter in the visa adjudication process," Polacheck said.

In a bid to support his argument that the US has not been hostile to entertainers who say unfavourable things about public officials or espouse a particular ideology, Polacheck pointed to reggae artiste Chronixx who continues to enjoy a US visa despite insulting US President Barack Obama.

At the time of Obama's historic visit to Jamaica, Chronixx referred to him as a "waste man" but recanted after public backlash.

committed crimes

"He has said things that are a direct insult to the President of the United States. ... If Chronixx had insulted the president of the PRC (People's Republic of China) he would never be allowed in China again," Polacheck said.

He said that persons like artiste Jah Cure, who served time in prison on a rape conviction, will never be granted a US visa.

"There are persons like Jah Cure, who committed crimes of moral turpitude who will never get visas because they have committed crimes of moral turpitude or connections to narcotics trafficking. Many artistes, I am sorry to say, who are connected to Vybz Kartel ... . Many of the people that he worked with were not only musicians but were involved in the narcotics business," Polacheck said.

The US embassy official suggested that many entertainers may have an elevated sense of importance by believing that counsel officers have time to be combing through the lyrics of their songs to determine whether they are offensive.

"There are counsel officers who don't even know who these people are who are coming in front of the window and having a O1 petition (performer visa application) much less saying, 'Oh my gosh, I better Google to see if they have pro or anti-gay lyrics," Polacheck said.

Sizzla's Publicist says no show was cancelled in the US

So Sizzla recently got his US visa back after years of bashing folks who ae gay like me and while having a month long so called and advertised Sizzla month activities in his August Town community to include a human rights day and an environment day.

... Publicist says no show was cancelled in the US

Reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji has denied allegations that his current US tour has been severely damaged by protests from the homosexual community.

According his publicist, Olimatta Taal, who spoke on his behalf, the media has been trying to exaggerate the situation for a headline.

She explained that there was one gay protest, which only resulted in a change of venue, but she insisted that no show was cancelled.

"The venue was changed for our September 23 show, but, other than that, every other show has been filled to capacity. We changed one venue to Oakland and the fans will be there because Sizzla has been doing over two-hour sets, and delivering over 50 songs at each show. We have had patrons from all races and they have been reciting the music," she told THE STAR.

BAFFLED

The publicist said she is baffled that some media outlets would seek to hurt Sizzla's reputation given his value to reggae music.

"The vibration has been so phenomenal when you see the love that the people have for Sizzla. It's so hard to understand why he gets such a fight when all he has been doing is promoting love, happiness, and joy through his music. Don't get me wrong, his beliefs are his beliefs, but his fans love him for who he is, and they support him 100 per cent," she said.

Taal also rubbished claims that Sizzla Kalonji's US visa was revoked in 2008.

"His visa was never revoked, his visa expired and was not renewed when he applied. The misinformation that the media put out about Sizzla and other artistes are the things that hurt their careers," Taal told THE STAR.

Sizzla was recently reissued a work permit and is understandably one of the most sought after reggae acts in the United States according to those who support him. On the other hand those who are against his anitgay vitriol laden lyrics see things rather differently.

also see:

Sizzla Rejects J-FLAG Olive Branch .......... oh really? 2012

Sizzla show stopped in Canada 2009

Deejays seek Obama's help for visa ..... there are consequences for actions & words 2015

Sizzla Locked Up After 'Cussing' Cops In Station (yet again) 2015

Let us see where this goes now he has a visa.

Peace & tolerance

H