Tanya Stephens, Queen Ifrica Not Impressed By Dancehall Dubplates On Election Campaign Trail
The decision by some top Dancehall artistes to voice dubplates for politicians from the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) is not going down well with some members of the music fraternity. With COVID-related restrictions on mass gatherings, several JLP and PNP candidates have turned to dubplates in a bid to attract and reach supporters. Among the Dancehall artistes who have answered their calls are Shenseea, Spice, Stylo G, Christopher Martin, Jahvillani, and TeeJay.
However, some artistes have expressed dismay that their Dancehall counterparts have decided to do dubplates for politicians, some even going as far as to endorse the two political parties, as Jamaica’s General Elections loom on September 3.
Tanya Stephens who has, over the years been critical of both parties, did not mince words as she ripped into the candidates, arguing that they have reduced the political process to gimmickry and failed to, so far, present matters of substance to the electorate, choosing to engage in a childish soundclash.
“Sound Clash 2020 underway…Loud,” she posted, then added: “If this was a sound clash for real I’d want my money back. So far everybody seems to be under the impression that the electorate is comprised mostly of young dancehall fans with no real responsibility so the issues have been completely abandoned in favor of frolicking.”
“I know that in times of great stress comic relief becomes an essential service, but it is best administered by COMEDIANS. The last person I want doing a comedy routine while the town is on fire is a fireman. The last people I want giving rib ticklers after the town has been reduced to ash is the lone team of builders entrusted with the task of rebuilding everybody’s life and livelihood. Especially when they are partying at the expense of the newly homeless,” the Boom Wuk artiste said.
Tanya also took umbrage with the politicians, whom she said have failed to used their power to elevate dancehall, knew nothing about clash culture, but were exploiting the music and musicians for political props to impress voters. Her sentiments are the same as Vybz Kartel, who has already voiced his discontent.
“This is not a sound clash. If it was I’d leave early because both sound systems are severely out of touch with clash culture and not even worth a free entry. On my way out I’d call the clash early for the children in green (JLP). They haven’t rolled out any killing dubs yet but they have a better juggling line up,” she said sarcastically.
Tanya also highlighted the fact that the recent decisions made by the very same Parliamentarians had crippled the entertainment industry, yet politicians were now using entertainment to further their agendas.
“Of special note is the fact that the entertainment industry has been rendered defunct but can be temporarily reactivated to benefit politicians. Never mind me though… hand luggage!” she lamented.
Perhaps sensing that there would be a backlash similar to, or worse than the one she endured months ago from followers, at the onset of the COVID-19 for comments she made regarding Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ management of the pandemic, Stephens disabled the comments on the post.
She also disabled comments on another post in which she noted sarcastically: “Tan a yuh yard when yuh hungry, and wah go look food but come out f listen o politician scam u fi vote”.
The second post was an apparent reference to the standoff between herself and the JLP supporters who lashed her on social media a few months ago, after she said Holness was, among other things wrong for forcing people to stay home during the pandemic. Stephens believes he denied people the opportunity to earn or go about their daily business.
Queen Ifrica’s comments on the matter showed that she was far from impressed with the incorporation of Dancehall music in the political ‘silly season’.
“It is a dubplate fi dubplate election,” she declared quizzically. May the best dubplate win. A paying close attention to the songs being used; that says a whole lot. Jamaican people vote for a seat at the table. That’s the only way to stop being meat at the table,” Ifrica said.
A displeased music producer TWhizz, voiced his discontent with a sarcastic post, which he uploaded to his Twitter, Facebook ad Instagram pages.
“Dear politician,” he noted. “Support dancehall music year round with the same amount of enthusiasm as you’re now doing for your political campaign. Respectfully, a fed up producer.” Before adding: “Me seh Weh mi seh bredda!!”
https://twitter.com/twhizz_1/status/1294074803159289856
Devin di Dakta, who has been working on a project with T-Whizz, in response to the producer’s post on Instagram, predicted that the support being demanded from politicians will not be forthcoming.
“Dat will neva happen. 2024 Yuh hear more dubs,” the St. Mary native predicted, while producer Dale Virgo commented on the lack of government support to the entertainmet industry noting: “True…All mow we nuh get no COVID relief.”