Skatta Burrell On Crime Situation: “Music Has Influence And It’s Hypocritical Of Us To Disregard This”
Music producer Skatta Burrell pulled no punches on Wednesday, sparing neither his own self, nor fellow beat-makers, Dancehall artistes, political leaders, sporting and other influencers and from rebuke, as the uproar continues about the impact of Dancehall music on crime and violence.
His comments came in response to an article published in The Star tabloid, in which Dr. Stanley Niaah, who is director of the Institute of Caribbean Studies at The University of the West Indies, posited that a study needs to be done to address whether or not there is a link between Dancehall music and violence in Jamaica.
Dr. Niaah had said, among other things, that “while there have been some investigations, no definitive study has yet been done to ascertain whether there is a correlation between crime in Jamaica and the popular music produced and consumed”.
In her apparent diplomatic stance, the Reggae Studies lecturer had agreed that “artistry in music is a reflection of the social world and can be an influencing factor, but it can also be a deterrent”, according to The Star.
However, Skatta, long-known to be a plain talker and a straight shooter, who has long admitted that music influences violent behavior, inferred that from his standpoint, academic study or not, the psychological impact of music, positive or negative on people, is quite evident.
“Music has influence and it’s hypocritical of us to disregard this,” Skatta declared, a sentiment that was also recently shared by Dancehall singjay Mr. Vegas.
“Bob Marley sang Three Little Bird to make a positive uplifting impact on the world and that song does exactly what it says. To think that hardcore Dancehall does not influence the mind is ridiculous,” the Calabar High School old boy charged.
Added Skatta, “We enjoy the music and we not stupid enough to go shoot someone because it’s written in a song but we also need to understand we as musicians live on an island where crime is taking over and affects us all.”
In ‘daring to be a Daniel’ once again, Skatta reiterated his stance that producers and artists, as citizens of the country, out of loyalty to their fans and in the interest of the rest of the general population, ought to muster the courage to help curtail violence through their lyrics.
He said that due to the fact that Jamaica’s political leaders have demonstrated that they are not only unreliable, but extremely lackadaisical, artistes “if you love your country and respect life you should not refrain from using your influence to impart positive mindset amongst the yute’s who look up to you”.
“The government will never do what they are hired by US to do and they need to step up and not try to shift the blame. But if we only sit by and wait for them to do for us instead of taking responsibility for our own hypocrisy we will never get anywhere. We are the ones killing each other not them,” the Coolie Dance producer argued.
“They have 24hr security and live comfortably off tax payers money so they will NEVER see the urgency in cleaning up this crime riddled society unless it comes knocking on their own doors,” he said.
Skatta said that until Jamaica’s politicians change from their self-serving ways, it is imperative that the rest of the nation rises to the occasion and help their fellow countrymen and women who have been left at the mercy of miscreants.
“Until then the onus is on us to do everything we must. This means ARTIST, PRODUCERS, CIVIL SERVANTS, SPORTS FIGURES, INFLUENCERS we all need to send a clear message that we do not side with those preying on the innocent. Part of defending Dancehall is acknowledging it has the ability to make positive change that affects the culture and the People not only make money for us,” he added.
Skatta’s comments were applauded by readers who said that they were happy that unlike some of his Dancehall counterparts, he was being straightforward and decisive.
Among them were plmsoap who said: “@skattaburrell That’s exactly what am saying clean music influences clean medz and bad music influences bad medz”, while radical_yute declared: “@skattaburrell Very well said, & the best take I’ve heard on this topic. You couldn’t have said it more profoundly.”
Skatta even got commendations from persons who said they could not stand him.
“@skattaburrell best comment u ever made… and I really don’t like u..but well said on this topic👏👏,” haviawilliams wrote.
“@skattaburrell once again I have to respect you! I’m certain many of the artists are going to call you a sell out but at least you have a mind that knows how to reason and don’t let emotion get the best of you,” prestondayes said.
There was one commenter, traprecordingstudiomiami though, who had another perspective on the matter.
“@skattaburrell Skatta I respect your opinion on this but Bob Marley’s music never stopped war or violent crimes in the world and he was way more influential than any Dancehall artist to date and on a global scale,” he said.
“Crime never stopped war continued to happen in fact it continued to rise since he was here with us so he may have influenced a generation and generations to come but it did not stop violent crimes at all. We need to take more responsibility for our own communities and hold killers accountable not musicians,” he added.