Group Theme: The Impact of Music on Society

Sub Theme: The effect of Dancehall Music on crime rate

Candidate Name: Kishana Thompson

Candidate School: Happy Grove High
Centre#:
Candidate#:
Territory: Jamaica
Teacher: Miss
Year submitted:
 Table of Contents

Acknowledgement 1

Introduction 2

Plan of Investigation 3

Artifacts 4-14

Reflection 1 15-16

Reflection 2 17

Reflection 3 18-19

Plan for Oral Presentation 20

Oral Presentation 21-23

Written Report 24

References 25
Acknowledgement
This school based assessment (S.B.A) would not have been completed without the help and

support of a few persons who the researcher wishes to acknowledge. I would like to express my

sincere gratitude to my teacher Miss for her necessary support and guidance which helped me

in this successful completion of this School Based Assessment (S.B.A).

I would also like to express my gratitude to God for providing me with the knowledge, strength,

and the apprehension which guided me in the successful completion of my (S.B.A).

The researcher must thank his group members who also provided assistance to her during the

process of completing this School Based Assessment.

Lastly, I would like to thank my friend for also helping me and express my gratitude to my

mother for providing me with necessary finances which assisted me in the successful completion

of my (S.B.A).
Introduction

I have selected the topic Impact of Music on Society, However I am focusing specifically on the
narrow topic what is the influence of dancehall music on crime and violence in Jamaica. One of
the main issues in our everyday life over the past two decades is the escalating crime rate and
this is the reason this topic has been chosen. During my research I have noticed that crime has
been on the increase since some lyrics have entered the dancehall. Looking at the statistic of
crime and violence I have seen were a lot of these deadly crimes occur within garrisons which
are heavily celebrative of dancehall music.

This research will highlight whether dancehall music is considered to be a contributing factors to
crime and violence in Jamaica and how the society the whole is impacted.
Plan of Investigation

This Plan of investigation focuses primarily on influence of dancehall music on crime in

Jamaica. The researcher plans to use various methods in selecting the appropriate resource

materials that benefits this research on the increase of crime in Jamaica and its effects.

In order to effectively carry out this research I will select three pieces of material that deals with

the topic. A careful analysis will be done in ensuring that the materials speak to the research

topic. My group member and I will pool our findings and collectively discuss each other’s

resource by exploring the impact of music on crime and the effects that it create then find

creative ways to present this during our oral presentation

The visual materials I intended to use are a cartoon image and a newspaper article. These will be

sourced online, I also intend to use a song as the audio material.

Artifact 1 – Newspaper article

George Davis | Dancehall and crime: is there really a link?

Published:Tuesday | July 12, 2016 | 12:00 AM

Since the start of the 1990s when Jamaica's murder rate began to spiral, through to the 2000s

when we achieved the dubious honour of being the most murderous nation on the planet per

capita, dancehall music has always walked in lockstep with the violence and carnage wreaked on

society by gunmen.

That is until now.

For the first time post-1980, a year in which a record number of homicides was motivated by the

politics of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and People's National Party (PNP), dancehall music

seems to have lost its influence as a medium that glorifies the deeds of the gunman or tells an

aspiring 'shotta' how to conduct himself as he leads a life of crime.

The deejays who have made their names singing about the constituent parts of various makes and

models of guns and how they should be used to slaughter men, women, and babies always say

they are mirroring reality when confronted about the violent nature of their lyrics. Deejays

always say they are just reflecting the narrative of the streets when they sing about using a "gun

in a (wheel) barrow, blow di pus*** marrow", rather than advocating that kind of approach in

dispute resolution or in furtherance of a robbery.

When Vybz Kartel sang in 2006 about "bad man like me mek blood run like taxi, call me

Genghis, Hitler the Nazi", he argued that he was speaking vicariously through the eyes of

criminals hardened by some oppressive experience from the ghetto.

The same argument was fronted by Mad Cobra when in 1994, he sang "have me gun inna me

hand me no joke me naa play, a will shot yuh, then come yuh nine-night come deejay".

Both Cobra and Kartel argued that they themselves were not gunmen and should not be criticised

for merely reflecting the reality of the streets and inner cities. And when they were accused of

using such lyrics to glorify and glamorise gunplay and murder, they shot back, suggesting that

the accusation was nonsensical, given that they were simple social commentators. But as they

and other deejays sang about murder, so the homicide rate galloped, giving anthropologists and

criminologists grist for their mill in producing studies showing a link between dancehall music

and violent criminality.

DANCEHALL AFTER DUDUS's CAPTURE

 
Those of us who follow dancehall music closely will note that a change swept through the

industry after the security forces led an operation to capture Dudus. Before the Dudus operation,

almost every major dancehall act had, if not a string, certainly enough songs about guns and

killing to underscore their own ruthlessness. Numerous careers were either established or

burnished on the back of songs about the most ghastly kind of murders, including of women,

children, government officials, soldiers, and the police.

But post-Dudus, when the capabilities of the security forces, especially the soldiers, were

displayed briefly, songs about 'boxing' police inside police stations and shooting soldiers on the

grounds of Up Park Camp have disappeared from the radar. Yes, there are a few 'gun tunes' here

and there, but not from too many of the popular artistes. Indeed, the six years since the Dudus

operation have been arguably the most fallow period for gun lyrics over the period 1992 to 2010.

So, for those who say there is a strong link - umbilical or otherwise - between dancehall lyrics

glorifying the gun and our atrocious murder rate, it may be necessary to take fresh stock of the

situation. The question must be asked, at a time when the overwhelming number of dancehall

songs are about sex, money, dancing and new dance moves, skin bleaching, and of course, the

old favourite, badmind, why are we still murdering so many of our people, and to parlay Vybz

Kartel, doing so in ways that would, "mek the devil disapprove"?

Is it that the same story is being told in the streets today as were being related in the glory days

of gun lyrics, but now for some reason, dancehall acts are afraid to put into song what's

happening in the streets? Does the current situation prove dancehall defenders who've always

said that with or without violent song lyrics, Jamaica would still be a murderous paradise, right?
Just who's right?

Selah.

- George Davis is a broadcast executive producer and talk-show host. Email feedback

to columns@gleanerjm.com and george.s.davis@hotmail.com.
Artifact 2- Cartoon Image
Artifact 3- Audio

Popcaan - Lef My Gun

Woii oii

G City, doh?

Aue

Battlefield man grow 'pon

Old iron nuffa than spray can

Me no 'bout celebration

People dead when you hear explosion

It's a messed up city 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here, oh

Only thing pretty a the Glocks and the MAC's dem

Oii

Only thing pretty a the 'K's and the shots dem

That's why me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

That a something me no play

Me love me life like music

My life too precious fi lose it

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Me nah mek dem kill me

A better you than me

Nowadays unno can't trust people

Dem move like a real zombie

The street dem cold like ice cube, like ice cube

Man all a shoot people inna high school

And a put it 'pon YouTube

It's a messed up city 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here, oh

Only thing pretty a the Glocks and the MAC's dem

Oii

Only thing pretty a the 'K's and the shots dem

That's why me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

That a something me no play

Me love me life like music

My life too precious fi lose it

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Hey

Dem youth ya no care 'bout Babylon

Fling gunshot inna Ratty van

Everyday a turf war collision

Bare old iron, illegal possession

Nobody no waan go to college and

Get a job and get a family, fi mek a plan

Dem rather buy gun and try get a bomb

Fi turn the world inna alligator pond

It's a messed up city 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here

Nothing no pretty 'round here, oh

Only thing pretty a the Glocks and the MAC's dem

Oii

Only thing pretty a the 'K's and the shots dem

That's why me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

That a something me no play

Me love me life like music

My life too precious fi lose it

Dawg, me no lef' my gun

Can't catch me astray

Reflection 1

My first reaction to the song by Popcorn was the question “Why?”. Popcorn is an artiste that I

have a lot of respect for and he ought to realize that he is a role model for thousands of youth. I

felt disappointed that he had to be doing songs promoting the fact that it is okay to carry a gun

around and glorifies it. Many other songs flashed through my mind as I listened, songs that for

the most part, used to glorify and promote sex, crime and violence. The message in the songs for

which the artistes get “a forward” are not positive and/or uplifting. Some of these sad lyrics are:

“Mi murder people inna broad daylight”, “Full clip gun nuh stick wen mi run out…”, “Big long

gun run out pan dem…”, “Mi laugh wen mi shoot people…”, “Bwoy body drop inna middle

day…”

The arsenal of violent lyrics is never-ending and the songs are mixed and skillfully produced to

give a violently graphic image. The artistes, in their defense, express that they are merely

offering words for the ears and not giving instructions.

The defenders of dancehall argue that the artistes are merely experts at their craft and are not

motivational speakers, hence they should not be held accountable for any effects on fans from

their music.

Now a question that follows such an argument is: Are the artistes influential? Any answer other

than 'yes' would be a denial of the truth. Vybz Kartel sang about Clarks and the price

skyrocketed. He sang about cake soap and bleaching and the sales boomed.

We need not fool ourselves; there is a correlation with the practical and the theory working

together.
The cartoon clip made me also realize that apart from the fear that Jamaican residence have

regarding the spike in crime, is providing information to the law- enforcers might make them be

marked for death.

The newspaper article had me realizing how daring are fearless of the law these artistes were in

delivery of their lyrics.

Overall I felt that crime has become embedded in our dancehall culture and will continue to

escalate for a long time to come.

Reflection 2

Even though the song “Lef My Gun” is done in Jamaican Creole, the artiste in most cases does

not give a complete sentence but the imagery portrayed in the lyrics gives the listener an

understanding. Most of the lines are done using rhyming words at the endi of each. He employs

the use of street slangs such as referring to his friend as “Dawg”. Personification is used when

he says things like “fling gunshot”. He also uses synecdoche when using “glocks and Macs” to

collectively refer to all guns. He also uses hyperbole when he mentions “turn do world in a

alligator pond”.

The newspaper article is mainly written in Standard English and the vocabulary used appeals to

intellectuals. The author however have quotes from songs in the Jamaica creole? Metaphors are

also used when the author likens persons not letting go of their views to been connected via

umbilical cord “there is a strong link - umbilical or otherwise - between dancehall lyrics

glorifying the gun”. The author uses sarcasm to emphasize the level we have reached in the

crime rate when he mentions “achieved the dubious honour of being the most murderous nation”.

It is also used when he mentions “, Jamaica would still be a murderous paradise”. Personification

is also employed and an example is “so the homicide rate galloped”. At times the author breaks

from standard English and in the process mentions street slangs such as “shatta” and “badmind”

The cartoon clip has few words but the author disguises the threat of using guns by using

euphuism as he only includes the sounds of gunshots “brap brap”.

Reflection 3

Before conducting this research, I was aware that some crime is a big challenge in Jamaica but

never seriously gave thought that the song lyrics may have been a contributing factor. While

completing this research, I stumbled upon several articles that opened my awareness. The fact

that Popcorn, Bounty Killer, Vybz Kartel and other artistes who influence the behavior of a wide

cross section of the population can openly endorse “badness” speaks volumes of the lack of

authorities to address this issue. This is also the case as highlighted in the newspaper article that

society in general glorify those who portray this behavior, maybe because of fear. This fear is

evident in the cartoon as there apparently fear to offer assistance when you are suspicious of

persons involved in these activities.

I have now become more passionate about the issue as I have come to realize that I need not

follow the masses and celebrate songs without paying attention to its contents.

The process has also helped me to organize and present my ideas to my peers. I am usually not

a person to do public speaking because of lack of confidence. However, I had to do this over and

over again and those who assisted helped me to benefit from constructive criticism and self-

assessment that has helped me to critically assess my own work. It has also helped me to more

readily accept that I am not perfect but I try my best in everything I do.
Finally, the process has helped me to work better with people working in groups is not always

easy solve, but having to do it helped me to accept and work with different personality. I am sure

this is something I will have to do in the world of work, so I am thankful for the practice.
Plan for oral presentation
Oral presentation

Madam Chairman, Mr. John Green, Principal, other distinguished guests. Good Afternoon. First

I must say how honoured I am to be invited to your PTA meeting as guest speaker to offer you

an insight on this terrible monster called crime and violence that has taken over our country. I am

sure that all of you sitting there is as concerned about crime and violence as much as any good

thinking citizen of our island.

Whether we believe it or not, we in our homes and daily habbits, have played a part in what is

happening today in our society. Our department recently did a study and the results have

indicated that one of the major contribution to the rise in crime and violence is the exposure To

violent lyrics in our dancehall music.

Promoting Crime and Violence in songs has been an issue since the beginning of dancehall era.

Many people think that a lot of Crime and Violence go hand in hand with popular songs fron

artistes that our children glorify            

With the advent of technology Our children watch and listen these artistes continuously throught

the day and night. Music can be a powerful influence in developing value systems and shaping

behavior. Unfortunately, much of today's dancehall music is violent. Studies of the effects of

violent songs on children and teenagers have found that children may:

             1.· Become "immune" to the horror of violence;

             ·2. Gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems;

             ·3. Imitate the violence they hear in songs

             4. · Identify with certain artistes who portray “badness”

             Children follow what they see done. If they see something done on These music videos

portrayed in a good light, or at least in a way that is not very detrimental, then they feel like it

may be a good thing. If they respect the artistes in what they see, then they would want to

emulate them. This can be good, if children are not barraged with violent act after violent act. By

a child leaves high school they would have been exposed to over 8,000 of these violent songs

             Studies have been done to show that children expose to violence are more likely to

behave violent in their adult life than without violent shows. Children that watch these videos or

listen to the songs are unable to distinguish right from wrong in real life when comparing it to a

world where the rules of real life do not fully apply. The differences between the real and the

fictional are hard for a young child to see.

Often, the songs offer violence acts and thse artistes are not punished for their actions..

Obviouslythese society glorifies these songs as they become best sellerst. Justifying violent

behaviour is a significant problem. It increases the chances that children imitating it and suggests

to children what society values are.

I hope you are getting the picture. It therefore means that as adults we need to be more

responsible and stop allowing our children to have free access to view these songs. If we are not

monitoring what they are doing then they are free to view just about anything. Most dancehall
productions are laced with sexual and violent scenes as this is what the market calls for. But as

stated earlier its effects are devastating as we are presently experiencing today the high level of

crime and violence.

If you’re like many parents at some point you and your child have watched television and seen

extreme violence occurring in the world or your community. These experiences, viewed

repeatedly, can create intense emotions and be traumatic. So I would like to give you some tips

that hopefully can reduce the risk of your children ending up displaying violent and criminal

behavior.

1. Take care of yourself. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your children. Be a model

for your children on how to manage traumatic events. Keep regular schedules for activities such

as family meals and exercise to help restore a sense of security and normalcy.

2. Talk with your child. Talking to your children about their worries and concerns is the first step

to help them feel safe and begin to cope with the events occurring around them. What you talk

about and how you say it does depend on their age, but all children need to be able to know you

are there listening to them.

 Start the conversation; let them know you are interested in them and how they are coping

with the information they are getting.

 Listen to their thoughts and point of view; don't interrupt--allow them to express their

ideas and understanding before you respond.

 Express your own opinions and ideas without putting down theirs; acknowledge that it is

okay to disagree.
  Remind them you are there for them to provide safety, comfort and support. Give them a

hug.

3. Take technology breaks. . It is important to limit the amount of time spent unmonitored on the

internet because constant exposure may actually heighten their anxiety and desires. Also,

scheduling some breaks for yourself is important; allow yourself time to engage in activities you

enjoy.

4. Keep home a safe place. Children, regardless of age, often find home to be a safe haven when

the world around them becomes overwhelming. During times of crisis, it is important to

remember that your children may come home seeking the safe feeling they have being there.

Help make it a place where your children find the solitude or comfort they need. Plan a night

where everyone participates in a favorite family activity.

5. Watch for signs behavioural changes, change of friends, wanting to go to parties and dress up

differently. They may even become secretive.

Thank you again for inviting me and let us hope and pray that this Crime & Violence monster

will go away.
Written Report
References

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/commentary/20160713/george-davis-dancehall

https://www.dancehallreggaeworld.com/is-dancehall

https://www.televisionjamaica.com/allanglesvideos

Popcaan - Lef My Gun Lyrics | AZLyrics.com