Jamaica 50th song controversy rages on

by Sharon Gordon

Like so many others I too was startled when I first heard the driving technobeat of the Shaggy produced "On a Mission" deemed the "Official Song" for Jamaica 50 at an official launch held in Jamaica on June 15th. The event was sponsored by KFC where the marketing material stated, "Welcome to the nationwide launch of the official Jamaica 50 song presented by KFC. This is a collaboration like never before featuring some of Jamaica's best artists, Shaggy, Beres Hammond, Romain Virgo, Tifa, Tessane, Assassin, Damian Marley, Chevelle Franklyn, Tarrus Riley and Wayne Marshall."

Apparently copies of the single are to be given away free at KFC locations with the purchase of a special “Jamaica 50 meal” island wide, starting July 10. Are we missing something? Didn’t we already have a Jamaica 50th song that was released last October? According to Mickey Bennett, who wrote and produced the song, “Find a Flag In Your Heart,” he was approached by the then government to write a song. The veteran producer says that at first there was some disagreement over the costs until he and the artists decided that they do the song for free. That song features twenty artists, including Bunny Rugs, Ken Boothe, Beres Hammond, Chevelle Franklyn, Coco T, Freddy McGregor, Marcia Griffiths and others. However, after the elections in December, the song was shelved. Of course many of the artistes who had spent hours working with him on the song are now calling asking what was happening. As a result of the intense backlash,
the Secretariat released a statement saying, “it is aware that the “synchronised national airplay” could have created some misunderstanding in the minds of members of the public.” In addition, Minister of Culture, Lisa Hanna went on air to assure the masses her ministry “does not intend to, or designate an official or national Jamaica 50th song.” There seems to be a serious disconnect
as members of the public are rightly asking about the “official launch, the synchronised launch of the song on radio and the KFC campaign”.

But the Secretariat continues to say, “It does not intend to, ordesignate an official or national Jamaica 50 song, having received several excellent compilations from many of our talented artistes and musicians both locally and in the Diaspora, to support different messages.” “When were they going to tell the public of these plans?” asked a bewildered Janice Cooper, who has plans in place to be on the ground in Jamaica for the big celebration. “We are weeks away and we can’t agree on an official song?” Yes, with weeks to go before the grand celebration on August 6 and many Jamaicans continue to be up in arms about the Shaggy song. “It simply does not represent Jamaica,” said Michelle Anderson, a radio deejay in Mount Vernon, New York. “We are Jamaica, land of Reggae, Ska, Mento, Dub and Dancehall and have a computerised techno song as our official 50th song?” Record Producer, Chris Thomas, adds, “They should have used the Mickey Bennett song; it’s a much better song to represent Jamaica’s 50th. It captures the essence of our struggle and accomplishments.” This controversy continues as many have taken to fa c eb o ok
and Twitter to express their disappointment and outrage over the song. Andrea Seymour tweeted, “Theme song, original song its’ the same thing. Dem tek wi fi eediat!” “It’s time to stop all this talk and put pen to paper, hands and heart together and truly make our country proud. I am positive we can do this.” While Diane Campbell’s tweet said “My contention with the Shaggy song begins and ends with the quality very, very poor.” To make matters worse, Project Director of Jamaica 50 Secretariat, Robert Bryan revealed that they had paid J$1.7 million for the “On A Mission” song, which veteran musician Ashley “Grub” Cooper says is “excessive”. The founding member of the band, Fab 5 says that even if he inflates the prices attached to producing a single, the cost would
be much less than J$450,000. He says the government will have to account for the additional cost. What is most disappointing is that Hanna and Bryan had an opportunity at the outset to admit that they had handled the whole affair poorly. They should have apologised to the nation instead of pointing the finger and employing political machinery, which sent a message that people are
dumb and don’t know what’s good for them. Both of them are now left with egg on their faces. It’s obvious that people are not buying the “official line” and without a doubt, Hanna has suffered a damning blow to her credibility. Attorney Lloyd Stanbury sums it up well on his blog “The vast majority of comments and reactions to what is now being described as the “JA 50 Song Controversy” clearly show that Jamaicans are seriously divided along political party lines.” The industry insider pointed out that, “Instead of celebrating together as a nation that has accomplished a tremendous amount for which we should all be proud, we have been preoccupied with casting blame at each other based on our political party affiliations and preferences.”

What’s your view?