Skeng’s Management Team Responds To Guyana Ban

Dancehall artist Skeng‘s management team has responded to the Protocol singer’s purported ban from public performances in Guyana by the nation’s government, alleging that there is an attempt to unduly assign blame to the artist for a chaotic series of gun-blazing events that transpired at a stage show last month.

“Mr. Douglas’ (Skeng) artistic expression is merely an artistic expression and nothing more. He has performed in several cities prior to and subsequent to the incident in Guyana and we have not received the kind of response that was received in Guyana,” the release said.

The management team criticized the slack security arrangements that failed to prevent gunplay at the event, suggesting that the artist himself was in grave danger and this was merely an attempt to railroad the Gvnman Shift singer for events beyond his control.

“Our Team was also placed in danger and had to take precautions to ensure that we were not injured. We are of the view that the security measures that were put in place could have been more stringent in order to prevent the gunplay and other acts of violence,” the release said.

On May 27, 2022, Skeng’s ‘Baderation’ Dancehall concert at the National Park came to an abrupt end after several patrons began recklessly firing gunshots in the air and throwing bottles.

The artist’s management team’s response came in the wake of comments made by Mr. Robeson Benn, the Minister of Home Affairs for Guyana, during an opening of the Community Relations Department of the Guyana Police Force on Friday morning.

Benn effectively banned the Protocol deejay and many other Dancehall artists from performing publicly in the country. The Minister announced that his Ministry and the Guyana Police Force had been directed to withhold their consent and approval for any future public performances featuring Skeng or any artist, whose lyrical content promotes the type of behavior seen at the ‘Baderation’ show held in May.

“If they want, they can go into a private club and behave as badly as they want. But we will not sign off on any such artist or any artist who has a record of promoting vulgar and lawless behaviour including the firing of gunshots in public places. We reject it completely,” Benn said.

However, the artist whose real name is Kevon Douglas, and his team felt that the move was an attempt to deflect blame and unduly punish the artist for events that transpired at the Baderation show where gunshots were fired and anarchy reigned – events which the management said were beyond his control.

“If the averments made in the post are authentic, we are of the view that blame is being placed at Mr. Douglas’ feet wrongfully. We remain committed to our fans in Guyana, throughout the Caribbean and worldwide,” the release said .

“Management and Mr. Douglas are aware of the negative effect of gun violence and do not and will never condone same anywhere. Mr. Douglas provides high energy performances; however, we ask that there not be a repeat of the incident that occurred in Guyana,” the release added.

The management team expressed optimism that the ban would be rolled back.

“We would appreciate the opportunity to perform in Guyana again, to remove any bad taste that has been left in the mouths of the Authorities. We remain resolute and supportive of our Caricom partners and the exchange of our unique Caribbean culture,” the release concluded.

However, it may appear that Benn is sticking to his guns as his statement suggested that other dancehall artists like Skeng could soon be sidelined.  “I have to say here and now, that no artist like Skeng will ever come again into this country,” Benn said.

Benn appeared to be peeved that the artist supposedly called the country’s capital “Gun Town”, and vowed to ban Skeng’s music from the airwaves in Guyana.

“I was sent this morning a video of the fellow putting out a new line about Georgetown as the “Gun Town”,” Benn said. “I’m going to move to have it taken off the airwaves and removed from social media. We want to hand over to our children a better country and better life than we have had. That is what we want.”

Skeng’s latest song is Gang Bang, the video for which was shot in Trinidad.