Mr. Vegas Calls Dubplate Critics ‘Badminded Hypocrites’, Vybz Kartel Claps Back
In what appears to be an indirect jab at his compatriot Tanya Stephens, Mr. Vegas has come out in strong support of artistes who have been voicing dubplates for Jamaican politicians ahead of General Election Day which is set for September 3.
Among the artistes who have produced dubplates for the current election cycle are Shenseea, Beenie Man, Spice, Stylo G, Christopher Martin, Jahvillani, and TeeJay.
However, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel, and Tanya Stephens have openly condemned what they describe as the exploitation of the music and the artistes by politicians who have done little or nothing to advance the dancehall genre.
In a video, which he posted on Instagram on Saturday evening, Vegas said some of the artistes who have openly objected to the moves made by their compatriots, are simply ‘badmind’.
Clad in a green undershirt and an orange Puma jacket, an apparent representation of the colours of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) respectively, Vegas spent several minutes doling out his advice.
“I want to talk to the artistes that are doing dubplates for politicians. Artiste, eat oonu food. If politicians want a hundred dubplates, sing until yuh hoarse. Eat your food; take care of your responsibilities,” Vegas urged.
“Nuff a who a talk a becaw dem nuh have nuh hot songs weh di politician dem want and dubplates. Das di reason why dem talkin out. Yuh know why I said dat? Is becaw they are hypocrites. Check dem file. How many a dem weh a talk out, guh perform at political events in Antigua, Guyana, Trinidad, St. Kitts, all ova di place; all ova di Caribbean an get dem 20 and 30 thousand dollars?” the I am Blessed artiste said.
Vegas’ reference to artistes performing overseas appears to be in reference to Tanya Stephens’ April 2016 performance at a Bernie Sanders rally in Brooklyn, and the use of her Instagram page to support the former presidential aspirant and woo voters for him.
According to Vegas, the music industry is struggling at present, and the future, as it relates to overseas tours and bookings remains uncertain. He says artistes should accept any request, which affords them the opportunity to rake in some cash and ignore the naysayers.
“Suh dem have a problem wid you doing a likkle dub plate fi collect a likkle 30, 40, likkle 50 thousand dollars. If di politician want to give you a 50 thousand dollars to do a dubplate to sing your hit song for him, an put him name inna it, go ahead and eat yuh food. Wi in a pandemic. Yuh don’t know when yuh gwine si a stage show again… suh eat yuh food an stay outta di politics,” Vegas reiterated.
“Suh sing fi Lisa Hanna; sing fi who yuh waa sing fa. Sing fi di prime minister; sing fi Nesta dem. Sing fi anybaddy yuh waa sing fah. Becaw some people only have a problem, becaw dem nuh have nuh hot song. Don’t falla dem; dem a hypocrite. Check dem file. Dem fly out guh perform fi political parties overseas. Suh politics overseas, dem nuh deal wid corruption tuh? Nuh black people dem a rule ova tuh?” he continued.
Vegas added that if any politician were to request a paid dubplate from him, he would gladly oblige.
“I no deal wid hypocrites people. Eat oonu food artiste. TeeJay, Shenseea, all a oonu whatever oonu want to name, eat oonu food…Prime Minista link mi. Bad mind a kill dem,” he added.
Twenty hours later, Vybz Kartel responded with a harsh clap-back on his IG stories, aimed at the Heads High artiste.
“You hear dem a talk bout artiste fi take money and do dub.. dats why dem name did call inna fish business, choo likes. Real bow lion dem,” Kartel jeered.
Over on Tanya Stephens’ Instagram page, the artiste used her posts as a launching pad to strike out at dancehall fans who had made disparaging comments about her following her criticisms of politicians’ misuse of dancehall.
“I posted on MY wall and the Jamaica Gleaner saw fit to copy/paste. The attached are some of the comments under the ‘article’. This is why consecutive governments make no real effort where the education sector is concerned,” Tanya said.
“Keep the people dunce and you can do ANYTHING to them. They will celebrate your complete lack of regard. At this point I’m not even sure the politicians know any better, for aren’t they products of the same machinery which produces these dimwits?” she wrote.
The St. Mary native used her platform to point out fallacies and weak arguments in her detractors’ statements.
“I am a citizen of Jamaica. I don’t need a current song to have an opinion on our politicians’ performance; Citizens with poor tastes in wigs are still ENTITLED to opinions on politicians’ performance. Quality of citizenship is not predicated on fashion sense,” she noted.
She then added: “I do not have a problem with EVERYTHING, just the collective lack of critical thinking skills generally speaking. It all comes back to that, doesn’t it? I will maintain my ‘no conversation’ stance. Too many of you think spitting attempted insults is productive engagement.”