‘Wrong song’

A trending and controversial music video, featuring a schoolboy and disturbing imagery and lyrics, has drawn backlash from a local children’s advocacy group, which has described the video and lyrics as “appalling and startling” and is calling for the authorities to carry out an immediate investigation.

The organisation is also calling for steps to be taken to have the video removed from various social media platforms.

The video, which has drawn criticism for its depiction of explicit content, including sexual behaviour, scamming, and inappropriate interactions between minors, as well as with an adult, is currently number one on YouTube Trending music, and has racked up close to 900,000 views in nine days and more than a million views on TikTok.

The song, titled Respect, was written and performed by a 15-year-old boy, who goes by the name ‘Lyriii’ and attends a St Ann high school, where a portion of the video was shot.

Lyriii was seen dressed in his uniform performing parts of the songs while surrounded by other students, similarly dressed.

Since the airing of the video, many have hailed the young performer as being very talented with high prospects for the future, while others have expressed dissatisfaction and alarm at the content of the song and the video.

“Good artiste, wrong song,” one commenter said.

Another posted, “I don’t know if I should be impressed or horrified.”.

In her reaction to the video, spokesperson for Hear the Children’s Cry, Priscilla Duhaney, said, “It was quite appalling, startling, and definitely disappointing to see this kind of imagery that is being promoted, the song, the lyrics itself, and just the participants within the video, both adults and children, being well engaged.

“Here at Hear the Children’s Cry, we are literally crying out for our youth and it seems very dim for our future and our young people,” she added.

Duhaney also raised concerns about the possible violation of several child protection laws, including the Child Care and Protection Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Child Pornography Prevention Act, based on the video’s sexual content and suggestive behaviour displayed.

SOCIETAL ILLS

“When we listen to the lyrics and see what is being promoted in the video, you are seeing several issues and social ills of the society, which is sexual content among youth.

“So we are looking at several issues that could very much be a problem, whether now or in the future, but that same young man, those other children that are participating, that are actively engaged in the video, you are just seeing a promotion of immorality and indecency, and, of course, criminality, along with adults being present,” she said.

Based on what is happening in general with the children in society and the breakdown in morals and values, Duhaney said it was important to act now to curb this kind of mentality, to better manage and protect the children as “the psychology of our children is at stake”.

When contacted by The Gleaner for comment on the concerns over the music video, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency indicated that it was in communication with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information on the matter.

In the meantime, Duhaney also emphasised the importance of fostering positive, uplifting content for young people, stating, “We are not trying to diminish people’s talent or youth talent or the gifts that they have. But why not sing a song that is elevated, that is beneficial, that is relatable to him as a young man, as a minor, as someone who is in school based on also the video?”

She also raised concerns about the role of the parents of the minors who are involved in the video, the role of the institution that they attend, as well as the adults who were present in the video.

Consequently, she is not only hoping that the video will be removed or restricted but that a thorough investigation will be done looking at the role of the parents, the institution that he attends, and the overall production.

DECAY OF MORAL COMPASS

Arguing that the video is a symptom of a much larger problem, the depletion and decay of the nation’s moral compass, Duhaney appealed for a concerted effort from the government, parents, teachers, advocates and others to ensure children are protected in every way – mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

“We want our people at large, our adults, children, to be more cognisant of not only the laws of the country but also what is morally correct. We want to sustain and preserve the innocence of our children, and so we are not promoting immorality. We are not about promoting criminality, we want to ensure that our people and our children are kept safe. But we cannot do it alone,” she added.

Meanwhile, the producer of the video, Chuck Starr, in defending Lyriii and his production, described what was shown as an “art form” and a depiction of what is happening in today’s society.

“I know he is singing based on what he is seeing taking place around him. Him no indulge or is involved in anything negative. [Lyriii] is a good behaving student. Him tek him school work serious, him always on time, him never get a detention,” he said.

The producer said he did not expect the negative reaction toward the video and that what was shown was merely acting. Also, the young man’s father was present and had given his approval.

“Me nuh think nothing is wrong with telling a story. You have lot of movies out there with child and adult. They are not doing anything wrong, it’s just entertainment,” Starr said.

In the meantime, he said he wants persons to understand that, despite the negativity, something positive has emerged.

“It is [his] third song and it is trending. He is getting bookings and can put food on his family table as a likkle youth.”

tanesha.mundle@gleanerjm.com