Because of speculations linked to the controversial extradition of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke in Jamaica, it has been assumed in some quarters that the recent revocation of the visas of some prominent Jamaican dancehall entertainers is retaliation by the US government against the Bruce Golding-led government for not cooperating.

However, close analysis shows that Jamaican dancehall entertainers, mostly male, have also been banned from performing in parts of Europe and in several Caribbean nations, including Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana.

With the widening ban on some dancehall artistes questions must be asked as to the reason for this increasing trend? Is something wrong with dancehall music? Is the success of Jamaican dancehall music a competitive threat to other music genres in other countries?

For some time there have been complaints inside and outside of Jamaica regarding the quality of dancehall music and the behavior of the artistes. There have been consistent criticisms that the lyrics of some dancehall music are overtly vulgar, sexually explicit, demeaning to women, and promote violence, particularly gun violence. The Barbados government banned dancehall artistes Mavado and Vybz Kartel on the basis that their songs have a negative effect on that country’s youth. Additionally, some dancehall artistes are linked to drug use and wanton indiscipline.

One cannot argue with the decisions of a sovereign government to protect the morals of the society it governs. However, if Jamaican artistes perceive that their work is not being tolerated outside of Jamaica, where they make large percentages of their lucrative incomes, they should be sensible and responsible enough to change the quality of their music to suit the overseas market. But, some entertainers are reluctant to listen to reason and make the required adjustments, so they must pay the price for their stubbornness and irresponsibility.

There is also the argument, especially relating to performance in the US, and to a lesser extent in Europe, that the backlash against some Jamaican dancehall artistes is related to the homophobic nature of their lyrics. There is general belief that the incarceration of reggae/dancehall star Buju Banton, who made one famous anti-homosexual recording, is directly linked to his opposition to homosexuality. This argument is used to point out that Jamaican female dancehall artistes, who sometimes sing vulgar but not homophobic lyrics, are hardly ever banned outside of Jamaica.

In response to the question of the competition from popular Jamaican music, some maintain that Jamaican artistes are making it difficult for artistes of other genres to make headway in some Caribbean nations and in Europe where there are indigenous reggae artistes. Today, in the Eastern Caribbean, unlike several years ago, Jamaican reggae and dancehall music dominate the airwaves rather than their indigenous soca or calypso.

The popularity of Jamaican artistes and music in these countries militates against the acceptance of local artistes, so, it is argued, they are being protected, similar to the trade protection for some domestic products from foreign imports.

But, perhaps the pervasive vulgarity of dancehall music and the questionable behavior by some artistes provide the opportunity for those concerned with competition, to ban them from performing in their countries. If this is so, then it will not be long before their music is totally banned from airplay.

Jamaican Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Anthony Hylton has expressed concern that the ban on dancehall stars, Mavado and Vybz Kartel in some CARICOM nations could be a breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that seeks to transform CARICOM from a free trade regime to a single market and economy, as well as an infringement on the rights of the affected artistes.

In Jamaica’s participation in CARICOM there are significant gains to be derived not only from the interchange of traditional goods and services, but through entertainment. Under the proposed single market there are plans to protect the free movement of labor, which should apply to entertainers. However, possible justifiable claims of discrimination against Jamaican dancehall artistes are fruitless if the nature of their work is vulgar, threatening the morals of other residents of CARICOM.

It seems whatever argument is made concerning the increasing international ban on Jamaican dancehall artistes, the focus always returns to the quality of the music. As visas are revoked and artistes banned, one must ask why so many reggae artistes were never banned from performing in any country. Could it be that their music was clean, inspirational and suitable to be listened by the entire family in whatever country?