Protoje drops ‘Self Defence Anti-dub’

Reggae artiste Protoje has never been afraid to express his dissatisfaction with the Jamaican Government and its treatment of the music industry. In fact, the entertainer has been quoted in several interviews questioning the Government’s commitment to the entertainment sector as he highlighted the lack of facilities which could foster true growth and development. Therefore, as conversations continue surrounding artistes voicing dubs for politicians in support of their political campaigns, it came as no surprise that the In.Digg.Nation boss added his voice. Protoje released a short track, titled Self Defense Anti-dub, in which he firmly declares ‘no politician can’t beg no dubplate from me’.

He says that it seems unjust that the music is now being used to drive political campaigns, given the fight the music has endured at the hands of some politicians. “Yutes be wise cuz a dem blame the music say violence is rooted in dancehall or trap. Well if that’s the case den what’s the excuse you will use now a bare dubplates dem a drop,” he spits on the track. He explained that while he is not judging any artiste for choosing to voice dubs, he will not be participating.

Since the Blood Money singer dropped the track on Wednesday, it has been getting a lot of support from others in the music industry who share his position. Protoje is being praised for not ‘selling out’ the music.

PRESENT A PLAN

But in an interview with The Gleaner, veteran producer Gussie Clarke expressed that if entertainers are going to voice their disapproval of their peers voicing dubs for politicians under the guise of wanting more for the industry, they must also present a plan. “Some artistes are facilitatory, others are radical and revolutionary, and to each his own. But a part of the problem I am having with this entire conversation is the fact that those expressing disapproval are not doing so while presenting a plan to make things better,” he said. “When you express your opposition to anything, you must also have a plan to replace, restructure and grow. We can’t say this nuh good, or that is bad, unless we are presenting alternatives to deal with the situation. That to me is real progress. And yuh can’t just have the plan alone, yuh have to tell me how you’re going to execute the plan.”

Clarke says he sees nothing wrong with artistes voicing dubplates for politicians. In fact, he says he sees it as a win-win. “It has shown how much we have progressed as a people, both politically and ‘tribalistically’, because at one point in the past, when any artiste did a dub or special in support of a political party, people affi hide and were fearful of their lives. We have come a long way, and it’s a move that should be celebrated,” he said.

Clarke added, “Every artiste should now be thinking, ‘let me see what more we can get out of them for the industry’, rather than cuss ‘bout who a give dubs. There are gains that the industry can have from this. This association is potentially a great thing.”

shereita.grizzle@gleanerjm.com