‘Don’t Crucify Dem,’ Agent Sasco Pleads For Misguided Juveniles In New Child Month Track
In observation of Child’s Month and Jamaica’s appalling juvenile delinquency levels, Agent Sasco has taken to the studio to voice a song titled Don’t Crucify Dem, which, among other things, takes aim at irresponsible parents, and their role in the plight of their children.
On Tuesday, the Banks of the Hope artiste, teased a verse from the demo of the new song, apparently from the comforts of his home studio, and asked his fans their opinion on the track, which urges adults not to judge or condemn children who falter, but instead understand the root cause of their behaviour.
He also hailed the Hill Top, Rio Cobre and South Camp juvenile correctional facilities as well as the high-security Metcalfe Street Secure Remand Centre for children who demonstrate a need for maximum control and intensive residential care services, for which he has been serving as a dedicated mentor for more than 200 boys, since 2017.
“This is a Demo for @blingdawgofficial #Riddim wha unu say massive, voice it??? #ChildsMonth “Look out fi di juvenile dem!!” #DontCrucifyDem #GiveThanks Big up #Metcalfe pon da one ya! @wetransformja #HillTop #RioCobre #SouthCamp,” he wrote, an indication that the song which written for a beat made by his former Alliance stablemate Bling Dawg, was also taken from the perspective of the juveniles in State care.
“Dem a di future, meck wi look out fi di juvenile dem/Not to crucify them/ A we fi guide dem/Rememba dat wi short a father inna di home dem,” Sasco, a father of three, sang in the hook.
The songs also appears to point out the impact of absentee fathers as he also added: “Man a seh dem get yute, di yute nuh know dem/Nuff get yute and disown dem/But yute fi get love an nobaddy nuh show dem”.
Giving further counsel, the Stronger singer pointed out the lack of even minimal financial aid and even moral support of some parents, and a lack of interest in their children’s school life.
“But rememba When you fi buy di book, you see yuh can’t afford dem/Parent Teacha meetin, yuh neva guh roun dem/How yuh expect di yute fi grounded an yuh neva ground dem/And surprise when dem get charge by di pow dem,” he added.
According to the Jamaican Department of Correctional Services, most of the children in its four juvenile correctional facilities have been victims of varying forms of abuses, but are very talented and “generally display willingness to learn especially when they are engaged in activities that stimulate their interests”.
In December 2019, the Ministry of National Security recognised Sasco, whose given name is Jeffrey Campbell, for his work with juveniles in the care of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
Sasco was lauded for being relentless in his efforts to provide financial assistance, as well as his time, energy and skills, to the educational development of the boys at Metcalfe and for exceeding the Ministry’s expectations with his philanthropy, advocacy and determination to play his part in the empowerment and transformation of the youngsters.
The Camperdown High School old boy has been the standard-bearer for the Ministry’s flagship mentorship programme, ‘We Transform’, ever since it was established in 2017. He was engaged by the Ministry as a mentor and Ambassador for the programme after a thorough scouting for candidates as, according to the officials there, they were confident that the superstar would have made a great role model and advocate for at-risk youth.
Over the years, the Kintyre native has provided motivational sessions and financial assistance for the boys’ education, and presented them with electronic game gadgets. Also, in December last year, through his Banks of the Hope Foundation, Sasco partnered with the Digicel Foundation to supply musical equipment for the completion of a music studio, being built for the boys at Metcalfe Street.