Vybz Kartel Business Partner Pens Open Letter To Minister Of National Security

For transparency and in fairness, I will state that I am a business partner and the co-author of Vybz Kartel’s book – Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto so my bias is unquestionable and duly stated.

However, I write this open letter not in that capacity but in the capacity as a Jamaican born of humble beginnings, exposed to the dangers of inequality and injustice handed out to the children of poor people of Jamaica and as one who still has a profound belief that our island will attain its true glory once it gets rid of the type of politics that your party and the JLP have perpetuated on the suffering people of Jamaica.

Though there are many issues that I would like to address, I write to ask you to give Theresa Wilson Palmer's son, Adidja Palmer, the right to a fair trial. I have read reports and watched clips on social media where you have repeatedly used Vybz Kartel's name and music as part of your explanation of your failure to curb crime on the island.

Specifically, I have seen where you have used the lyrics of Vybz Kartel's song "Reparation" in your explanation to foreign government representatives, local stakeholders and members of the Jamaican Diaspora as a key element of your challenge in stopping what is popularly known as "scamming."

  I find that statement a bit perplexing since "scamming" has been reported as a problem in Jamaica since 2006, whilst the little known song "Reparation," only started being played in the public domain in the summer of 2012. I rather to not insult the alma mater that we share by reminding you that art is a reflection of life as I know art is mandatory in the first few years at Campion but I will point out that it is not because Vybz Kartel sang about scamming that started the practice; indeed, it is because scamming is being practiced that the artiste had used his art to reflect an aspect of Jamaican life.  

However, I will use this opportunity to address where it is reported that you were overheard passionately telling a journalist that "Vybz Kartel a murdera!" last month at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida - this you did in the capacity of Minister of National Security in front of a largely Jamaican audience less than a week before Adidja Palmer was scheduled to defend himself in two trials; one where the prosecution states they have no witness to come forward and another where there is an alleged murder without a body. 

It is my belief, as well as the belief of those who overheard your statement that you as Peter Bunting have a right to your own opinion as an individual but we think it is not fair that you in the capacity of Minister of National Security utter such words in the public domain about a man who remains 100% innocent until found guilty, not by you but in a Court of Law. I believe that your frequent video clips and disparaging remarks, if continued, are sure to deny Mr. Palmer a fair trial. 

The police force and other members of law enforcement are accountable to you and I humbly ask that you refrain from such utterings until the trials are over so as to not give the impression to the public at large and your subordinates that the Minister of National Security, has no regard for due process and has convicted the man before the trial gets under way – I hastened to think that is not your intent. However, if you continue, I think it will be very prejudicial to the jury, the case and the public at large and a potential juror may be influenced to convict Adidja Palmer for a song Vybz Kartel did about an aspect of Jamaican life. 

Perhaps you may want to comment in your next speech that this man that you are sure is guilty has been incarcerated since September 2011 but cannot get his trial started to either serve his sentence (based on your foregone conclusion) or go home to his family based on his lawyer's instructions. May I also suggest that you used the words of another song from Vybz Kartel which I think will be more helpful in letting the Diaspora and the world understand the main source of crime and gang violence in Jamaica: “Anuh my music mash up society, I wasn’t around in 1980… 

A Election cause it, anuh Dancehall music, and that’s how the public views it…My music is a reflection of the broader society, without a violent society, we would not have violent music…art is an expression of life,,,low the youths…don’t kill them.” Honourable, Mr. Bunting, please let the Courts decide if "Vybz Kartel a Murdera"

DASECA Signs New Acts

It’s been over a decade since the Harisingh brothers Craig and David teamed up with Craig Marsh to launch DASECA Productions.

Having produced hit songs for a plethora of dancehall stars including Bounty Killer, Buju Banton, Mavado, Sizzla, Vybz Kartel, Bugle, Beenie Man, Busy Signal and Alaine, they have build a solid reputation as one of the leading music production companies in Jamaica.

In a recent interview Craig Harisingh said that while the company
has achieved a lot over the last ten years having produced a number of hits songs for various artistes DASECA has a lot more to contribute to the local music industry.

“We have achieved a lot of success as a company in a very short time and we are proud of this but we are quite aware that there is a lot more to be done.

Right now we are about to start the next chapter for Daseca, which means that the fans can expect a lot of new projects from us and we will also be working with some new acts.”

The Harisingh brothers are getting ready to write the next chapter in the DASECA story. They recently signed two talented new acts Sagitarr and Dexta Daps. “Since 2007 we got into artiste management side of the business when we started to work with Bugle, now we have decided to add two new acts to our roster. 

These two new artistes are Sagitarr and Dexta Daps”, said Craig Harisingh. Mr. Harisingh had high praises for his new charges who he described as talented and dedicated. Sagitarr and Dexta Daps are very talented and dedicated; we are doing a lot of work with them in the studios. We have also released a couple tracks from them, Sagitarr has I’ll Follow You and One Draw, Dexta Daps has Mi Like A Gyal and Get High, these songs already generating some buzz on the airwaves both locally and abroad, they’re also doing shows and the response has been very good. I’m confident that it won’t be long before both of them become household names in Jamaica.”

Konshens Video: 'Couple Up' Hits MTV Iggy....

Released last year,  Konshens 'Couple Up', on the Calabash Riddim, currently has over 600,000 YouTube hits to date and is now on MTVIggy. 

It just shows the effort of a great production and belief in a song. The video definitely exemplify the vibe for this summer as the temperature begins to rise.


Konshens — “Couple Up” | MTV IGGY

America Braces Themselves for the Next Caribbean Pop Star - Jamal Gordon

As America braces themselves, for the next Caribbean pop star, Jamal Gordon, he provides us with a soulful Bruno Mars rendition of "When I was Your Man" and new video. Hailing from the lush island of Antigua, twelve (12) year old musical sensation, Jamal Gordon, born to Guyanese parents, has recently released his new video and is receiving rave reviews and support.

Originally sung by Bruno Mars, Jamal's version of, "When I Was Your Man", takes on a musical journey, travelling on an oasis of time, with his vocal ability and singing style. With transitions so blended and smooth, he moves from one vocal register to the next effortlessly, always pitch perfect.

Coined as "Boy Wonder", Jamal has been compared to two major musical geniuses before him, when they were his age; Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. Hence why it comes as no big surprise that he received full clearance to record a song by both legends and has already recorded them in Hollywood. It is quite evident that young Jamal Gordon will bridge the gap between his island success and international notoriety.

Chizem Generates Attention with 'Have It Lock'

Mandeville based recording artiste Chizem is bubbling with confidence and enthusiasm about her career. The sassy singjay is currently enjoying much attention with a single titled Have It Locked that was released off her debut EP of the same name.

The song which was produced by veteran music producer Syl Gordon for his Cell Block imprint is currently sitting in the number 1 spot on the Roots FM Conscious Chart for the third straight week; Have It Locked has been on the charts for a total of 19 weeks. In a recent interview Chizem said she is very happy about the success of the single and the direction of her career.

“I must say that I am extremely grateful for all the support I have been getting from DJs all over the world, friends, family and just about everyone who is on my team. Have It Locked is doing good and I am very happy about this, it’s getting airplay locally and overseas in countries like the US, Gambia and Trinidad and it’s also on a number of mix tapes,” said the artiste.

Chizem is also looking forward to the shooting of a video for her a new single titled Come Over on the Iron Sky rhythm which was recently released by Music Slave Production. “I have a brand new single called Come Over that’s also getting some good feedback; we’re going to do a video for it, we want to shoot the video and release it before the end of July.” Chizem is booked to appear on this year’s staging of General Degree’s annual Manchester Fiesta event which is scheduled to take place on the 1st of August.