The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Music Views.
As the world struggle with a new world order, Reggae, Dancehall, Soca… are all spinning top of mud, unable to wipe the hedonistic gunk from our sleepy eyes. While the world is beginning to burn with a new imperial power rising, and exploiters channeling their ancestral thirst for wars. In the Caribbean we are just liming… we are still whining, drinking, flossing and having sex like it’s Mardi Gras. I mean, respectfully… what the fuck!?
What does it say about us if the world is combatting economic, political and genocidal wars and the region is still twerking to the riddims of indifference? Perhaps we believe we have the luxury of a year round bashment in a carefully crafted bubble that renders us immune to injustices and what could be a new scramble for our sovereignty?
Perhaps, you deem me an alarmist, but even sharp minds like PM Mia Mottley of Barbados aren’t shy about calling out the dark possibilities. If the so-called superpowers can turn on their own—just look at Ukraine—and plot to ethnically cleanse places like Gaza, who do you think is next on the chopping block?
The Hon. Mia Mottley, issued a powerful call for Caribbean artistes to follow in the footsteps of reggae icon Bob Marley by using their influence to drive societal change.
Speaking during a pre-recorded video presentation for the Jamaica Music Museum’s Grounation Heritage Series, Mottley praised Marley’s enduring global impact, stating that he is revered not just for the quality of his music, but for the message behind it.
“So, I ask what you want your legacy to be. Will you be an artiste for today or a voice for eternity?” she challenged.
As part of the Reggae Month last February celebrations under the theme ‘Bob Marley at Eighty: His Music, Legend and Legacy’, Mottley emphasized that Marley’s music didn’t simply highlight problems—it pointed toward solutions.
“He did not wait for Governments to change the world. He used his art, he used his influence, he used his voice,” she said.
“He knew that justice is not given, justice is demanded.”
The Prime Minister encouraged citizens and creatives alike to honor Marley’s ideals, reminding them that art holds the power to transform society—if wielded with purpose.
Meanwhile, beyond the Caribbean, this truth is not lost on other folks. Students, educators, everyday citizens and yes, ARTISTS are fighting back. Millions marching in the street to protest US’ foreign policies and Israel’s wicked campaign to obliterate the Palestinians. The question is what are we doing? Where are our freedom fighters who wield truth through their music and art?
Our music was born of revolution, children of the Caribbean helped fuel the civil rights movement in America (Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, Shirley Chisholm, Walter Rodney, Stokley Carmichael, Robert Nesta Marley…) and it’s appears the new generation chooses escapism and the latest update on Diddy’s baby oil drenched freak-offs. There is no shortage of social media beefs, debates about who is richer than who and which “bad-bitch” is badder than the last bad bitch… we are mindless zombies stuck in a scroll of death on our devices, only taking a breath long enough to imitate the bacchanal we witness on the gram!
Respectfully, it appears our musicians and artists suck dem teeth on freedom. Not only are we not involved in the global discourse we are dangerously indifferent. Take for example, artists such as kahlani, Vic Mensa, Dua Lipa, Killer Mike, Macklemore, Coldplay and so much more are all vocal defenders of human rights. These artists have used their platform to burn the fire of resistances.
Meanwhile, and correct me if I’m wrong, I haven’t seen or heard of any Caribbean centric artists utter one “rass” word about freedom. Actually the opposite is true, Reggae superstar Ziggy Marley came out very publicly and supported Israel, I wonder if Bob Marley would have approved. No judgement on Ziggy, as I don’t know the man personally, just genuine curiosity. It’s weird that a Rastafarian would support an apartheid state instead of standing up for the oppressed.
It’s all puzzling to me … furthermore, genres like Calypso was invented as a platform that championed social commentary, and of course Reggae is Rasta music, built on the backs of Bob, Tosh, and Spear… but we are so late to this party fam, that we simply decided to just chill out side and catch a vibe.
Buju, one of my favorite artists across all genres, famously stated that the new cohorts of Afro-Beats have not supported African liberation.
I agreed with him… and honestly I had never thought about the absences of a Fela like messengers in the pop-Afrobeat space. Then I decided to look inward at my beloved Caribbean genres, and quickly realized there seems to be an absence of revolutionaries among us.
My playlist is short on new “bun-Babylon” songs, fine art that spells out human evil or Caribbean film makers using their lenses to show the truth.
Why is that?
How can Rasta man music not be LOUD at this time? After all, We were LITERALLY created to voice dissent against colonial powers. Perhaps, I was missing something or simply forgotten the complexities of the people in our region. It could be that I’m a self righteous fool that is out of touch having drank the kool aid of American politics and sensibilities.
After a slew of calls and debates, I came away with more question and not a lot of answers…
here are three potential questions/answers I want good Jah fearing Caribbean children to discuss…
1.Is it Generational? Could this generation, overly saturated with technology, sudo-freedoms and consistent societal upheaval (pandemic, MAGA-mania, wars and more wars, etc.) to last multiple generations is simply fatigued. Or is the misinformation and institutional warfare on our young people finally crescendoing? Maybe we have not prepared our young LIONS AND LIONESS with the philology of rebellion, so all they can do is assimilate into a society that seems to value capitalism and supremacy over humanity.
2.Is it Strategic? Perhaps we are simply moving in stealth and not loud like the revolutionaries of yester-years. Maybe a generation of our artists have dealt with severe back burning lashes when they are outspoken and defensive of their ideologies. You know WAH GWAN, freedom of speech is only free if you’re agreeing with the power base. Maybe, just maybe our artists are gearing up, building out economic foundations before we bun the fire, maybe in the cloak of darkness we are stacking resources and preparing for the revolution! Perhaps Bounti, Buju, Kartel, KES, Marshal, Bunji, Chronixx, Shaggy, Sean, etc… is cognizant of the legacy of our music. It’s VERY possible I’m ignorant and simply don’t know about the protest records and benefit concerns that are in the works. Or the social media debates being planned about the dangers of Gaza, Trump’s Amerikkka, and Economic warfare in Africa. Maybe this generation of artists are smarter than most and THEIR intensions is not to be ostentatious but deceptively silent for greater impact.
3.Or maybe it’s Self Preservation: this point was communicated to me by someone I trust and admire. My brother essentially said we have to consider that the consequence of our words and what we publicly stand for has a price tag. There is a cost to pay for freedom fighters and most of our artists are vulnerable. Visas get forfeited and livelihoods are severely damaged. So we are simply minding our damn business. I get it… Jah know I do, but I can’t help but to feel that the rich legacy of resistance embedded in our art is no longer an honor. We simply decided that our ability to fill venues and speak to millions on streaming services was not suited for protest messages to provoke and wake up the masses. Why do you think they cut funding to and try to censor art, it’s because it is the most powerful tools to question authority. So while we contemplate whether artists like DJ Khalid is right for being silent as his people are slaughtered, Hip Hop artists like duo Bob Vylan, Skepta and numerous European bands scream “Free Palestine” on one of the biggest stages in music a lil while back.
I know that each man and woman must defend their family and their ability to earn a living but I challenge you to consider, beyond survival, don’t we stand for more?
Don’t we understand that art and the souls lucky enough to be blessed with artistic power to create and move masses are suppose to do just that… MOVE MASSES! Don’t we aspire to be like Tosh, Bob and Lucky Dube anymore? Are we saying that carnival rum and costumes, laced with sexual energy and escapism is more vital to our souls than simply calling out injustice?
I’m simply asking-honestly, I’m attempting to do a pulse check on the music that shaped my entire view of the world. The music that was rebellious and dared to call out Babylon oppression. And perhaps I’m simply outdated. Maybe Rasta policy don’t apply to a modern AI world, but for the life of me, I simply can’t be indifferent about loving people and fighting against evil… its just not in me… Marley’s music and Walter Rodney’s resistance made sure of that … so what say you King? Queen?
What do we still stand for?
