Bounty Killer. - PHOTO BY NATHANIEL STEWART
This is the conclusion of a two-part article on the lifting of the ban imposed on some dancehall artistes by the Coalition of Corporate Sponsors. Here, the reaction of some of the artistes and sponsors to the move.
FANTAN MOJAH, while giving thanks for the reprieve, said he was never worried about the ban in the first place. "Mi neva do nutten fi dem ban mi enuh, but anyway give thanks. In Jamaica, things happen at times. When things happen, you haffi think. Mi nuh too worry bout certain things. The almighty bless me, so as long as me can help a youth, everything bless," he said.
Beenie Man, on the other hand, believed the ban was more a political ploy than a serious undertaking. "They had to lift the ban because is entertainer mek dem product sell. A we mek Guinness, Red Stripe and all a dem ting deh sell. Mi nah tailor my performance fi suit dem. Dem did come wid sumting for me to sign, mi neva sign it, mi dash it weh," said Beenie Man, referring to the original code of conduct that existed prior to the meeting.
He continued by making a case for rating the shows. "Sponsors know what they want so they should rate the shows. For me, it's all about the audience so if I'm at Sting, they cannot tell me to censor my performance. When the Coalition ban me, it was all about politics at the time," Beenie said.
BIG SPONSORS
Red Stripe, under the Guinness brand, was the title sponsor for Sting, which also featured Fantan Mojah. Guinness also sponsored Original Dancehall Jam Jam, which featured Beenie Man and Sizzla.
Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited, under the bmobile brand, has advertising campaigns, which feature Beenie Man and Bounty Killer.
J. Wray and Nephew sponsored East Fest, where Bounty Killer was billed to perform.
Paul Pennicook, director of Tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board, informed The Gleaner that his organisation is still on board with the Coalition.
He believes that the arrangement made between the artistes and the Coalition has been working. Pennicook cited that although there was an uproar at East Fest, it was not as a result of Bounty Killer's performance, as he did not perform.
Andrew Price, communications and promotions manager at J. Wray and Nephew, explained that "The ban on the artistes was lifted prior to the Christmas Season. As a result, they were free to perform at any event sponsored by J. Wray and Nephew. We sponsor any artiste that is deemed eligible by the Coalition to perform. The contracts state that artistes should perform in a certain manner," he said.
A representative from Courts Jamaica Limited informed that they are still a part of the Coalition and continue to be loyal to its code. The furniture giant reports that they have not sponsored anything that the previously banned artistes have appeared on since the Jamaica Carnival's Last Hurrah at the National Stadium.
