I-Octane heart broken about crime in Clarendon
Published:Friday | May 29, 2015 | 12:00 AM
SINGJAY I-OCTANE, who hails from Clarendon, has decried the upsurge in violent acts against the children in the parish.
"What is happening in Clarendon - the entire country for that matter - the attack on children, it's not a good look," I-Octane told The Gleaner.
He added: "I don't know the cause and purpose, but the innocent don't have anything to do with whatever that transpired between adults, and if it's coming from some pervert who want to send out a message to society, it's not acceptable," he said.
The singjay said artistes can speak out about social issues ailing the society, but at the end of the day, society still has to get involved.
According to I-Octane, artistes can't do it alone. "It's chain-link energy. Society must get involved and start a movement in finding solutions."
The artiste has already voiced songs against crime and violence, including his Spragga Benz collaboration titled Hurt Mi.
"It hurt mi, youth missing, one more youth can find, it hurt mi when mi hear mama bawl."
Released five years ago in October 2010, the song could easily be an anthem for what's happening now.
Among his other songs homing in on social issues is Crying To The Nation.
For the artiste, it's time that emphasis be placed on rehabilitation instead of punishment.
"There is no programme for rehabilitation; we need to put all that in place and then the artistes will be the voice. Words without works cannot be sustained," he said.
When quizzed about more artistes doing their part and tackling social issues in song, the singjay said there are a lot of good songs out there "but it's just that they are not getting the full airplay".
According to him, the commercial support system don't put things in place to highlight positivity.