DEFENCE Minister Wayne Sturge is considering imposing restrictions on the upcoming One Unity Music Festival which Jamaican dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel is set to headline, including limiting entry to patrons 18 years and older and barring specific songs from being performed.
This follows mounting public complaints about the explicit content of the artiste’s lyrics, which some groups have condemned as vulgar and offensive to religious sensibilities—particularly a song that compares the quality of a woman’s genitalia and Jesus.
In a statement on Friday, Sturge said the decision-making process involved balancing the artiste’s right to freedom of expression with national security concerns, the public interest, and the protection of children.
“In so doing, the Honourable Minister has given consideration to restricting attendance to the concert to be held on May 31 to persons of the age of 18 and over. Upon receipt of a legal opinion, a decision would be made on this issue,” a statement from the defence ministry’s office said.
Sturge said that having received numerous complaints and objections from the public and religious organisations concerning the explicit and vulgar lyrics in the song, ‘Good like Jesus’, and having taken into account the potential impact such lyrics could have on those who revere Jesus, he would exercise his discretion to prohibit Kartel from performing that song within the jurisdiction.
That restriction would also apply to “any song containing similar content”, with due regard for the artiste’s right to freedom of expression, while recognising that this right is not absolute.
Hinds is also weighing the possibility of amending the performance permit granted to Kartel, to prevent radio or television appearances while in the twin-island republic.
Minister Sturge noted that similar restrictions have been placed on the Jamaican artiste in the past, and have been placed on local artistes by some CARICOM neighbours.
The authorities have already prohibited Kartel from several other events—a morning radio interview, a midday television appearance, a visit to a school or youth centre, and a cultural lunch with unspecified community leaders.
In a video on social media, Kartel said those events were included by the show’s promoter.
“There is no problem with Vybz Kartel performing in Trinidad. The necessary permits were granted. The problem lies with the promoter who took it upon themselves to try to fill Vybz Kartel’s itinerary with things that have nothing to do with Vybz Kartel’s performance,” he said.
“Rightfully so, the Defence Minister pulled the plug on part of the itinerary and there’s no problem there because Vybz Kartel represents Trinidad, Jamaica, and the entire Caribbean. My job is to come and perform for the people of Trinidad and Tobago,” he added. (CMC)
