Jack Scorpio calls for more females in the sound system industry
Published:Saturday | April 2, 2022 | 12:07 AMStephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer
In the past year, discussions regarding female representation in dancehall and their overall contributions to the entertainment industry have transformed into passionate conversations. Veteran sound system owner and producer Jack Scorpio has added his two cents to the topic.
“We need to see more women in this business and I am calling them to not be afraid to show what they are capable of,” Jack Scorpio said.
As one of the judges for the SunCity 104.9 FM High School Disc Jock Competition, he noted that, for the second time around, one female student had the courage to compete against 17 males for the title, and that he hoped her actions would serve as motivation for others. The owner of the renowned Black Scorpio Sound stressed that there are not enough females within the sound system industry, although the talent exists.
“I applaud the young women who are part of this journey and can’t say it enough, that we need to see more represented in the sound system industry,” he said.
This, he said, will go a long way to helping young girls explore their talents, while pushing the young men to work even harder.
Jack Scorpio said that, when the men in the society show support and respect for the women, and it is visible in their actions “down to the music that they create”, good will flourish.
“This is a serious thing. Me is a man with five girl child and three boy pickney, but me nah lie, is like di mother dem love the boy dem more and I feel like the power dem have to control the boys dem, if the mother dem serious, we will have a better Jamaica,” he said. “As fathers, the girls stick to we and love we with a passion, and is a different feeling, after showing our daughters that support and love, seeing them do great things.”
Jack Scorpio, whose given name is Maurice Johnson, celebrated a milestone in 2018, reaching his 50th anniversary in the industry, and has prided himself on the production of – and delivery of – clean music.
“One thing I stand for is the positiveness inna the music. I don’t support wrongs. I mek some songs inna ‘80s and, when dem play inna dance now, the dance nice! I am a producer but I don’t produce nuh song that can’t play on radio, that is a stance I took from then and still stand for it. If you do the right thing, you will be great, [so] I am begging the youths to keep the music clean, and positive,” he said.
“The same goes for when you are selecting, remember your audience. Me nuh play beep out song, and nuh song weh not going teach the nation, me stand fi that. I feel to be able to share this with all the youths in my presence,” Jack Scorpio added.