“In this Region, we owe it to the generation ahead of us to keep our culture alive and to invest in culture because culture is what distinguishes us from any other region …We do not need lyrics that promote violence in this Region. We have the ability to promote good lyrics and lyrics that move people in a positive direction”, so said CARICOM Chair, H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, as he delivered the feature address at the opening ceremony of the Forty-Sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Sunday 25 February 2024.
The ceremony featured renditions of Guyanese folk songs and uplifting performances of the CARICOM Song, “One Guyana”, and “Drumming Fusion”, an amalgamation of drummers from across the Region.
The CARICOM Chair seemed inspired by the spectacular displays of Caribbean culture but underscored the negative impact of the lyrics of some popular songs that promote violence. He affirmed that “we need lyrics that will move people to think, act and behave positively. As leaders of the Region, we have to take this situation very seriously and ensure the lyrics of the Region are the lyrics of Bob Marley, the lyrics of positivity and the lyrics of positive living and positive change. We must take this responsibility on today.”
He urged fellow CARICOM leaders to consider the consequences of music that propagates violence. “For some, this may seem a soft issue, but this is a fundamental issue”, he said.
In 2022, Jamaican artiste Skeng’s performance at a Dancehall concert in Guyana ended abruptly after gunshots erupted. Social media videos exposed over-zealous fans offloading their firearms into the air during the performance.
The Guyana President also revealed that a popular artiste was recently blocked from performing in Guyana due to his alleged involvement in illegal activities. He told the audience that “Prime Minister [Dr the Hon. Keith] Rowley [of Trinidad and Tobago] and I were having a conversation when many young people, brilliant young people, questioned the decision of not having a certain artiste perform in the country [Guyana] because that artiste is on an Interpol red list”, President Ali said, “We cannot allow our culture to be captured in this narrative. We have to lead a revolution against this narrative and reposition our culture in the way it was conceived – that is, for positive living and positive upliftment.”
The CARICOM Chair underscored that his impassioned plea was aimed only at preserving the Region’s culture, “This is not about anyone or against anyone; this is for our Region and the future of young people in this Region”.
