Producer Jah Snowcone Says Dancehall Doesn’t Cause Crime

Dancehall producer Rohan ‘Jah Snowcone’ Fuller, who scored a number one Billboard Top 100 hit with Sean Paul’s Temperature, believes that censorship is not the answer. Fuller produced the Bounty Killer-Christopher Martin combination song, No Gun A Rise, which was released earlier this year.

Killer recently shared a clip from the song’s music video in a call to Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s attention.  “NUH GUN A RISE. Mr. Prime Minister @andrewholness did you heard this one?” Bounty questioned. Holness ignited a firestorm of criticism within the Dancehall community for his position on dancehall music being a major factor in the country’s surging crime rate.

Snowcone told DancehallMag that “the number one killer of  Jamaican males ages 10–35 is homicide, we have a murder epidemic in this country. The things that they kill for come from an obsession over material things. We need to advocate for comprehensive policy reforms that can lead to the eradication of this epidemic. Just look at social media, that plays a bigger role than even dancehall.”

“Just glance at social media any day and you see the effects of this violence on family members and neighbours. If a man crash, people ah video dem, you see politicians ah beat dem woman publicly, man ah kill people and ah video it. Ah dancehall cause that? Man kill him woman cause she left. Dancehall cause that?  The youths dem just need a better way,” he said.

“Crime cause from poverty, fatherless kids, no jobs, no employment, so you are wrong to blame dancehall. The politicians use badman songs to do dubplate so that is hypocritical to now come criticize dancehall once you have used that same music for your benefit. Dancehall creates jobs, allows people to escape poverty, generate opportunities for families, talk about that.”

There have been 441 murders this year up to April 24, according to statistics provided by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, a rise of 3 percent when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Fuller hopes that the Bounty Killer-Christopher Martin song can spark a discussion that will lead to serious policy change in Jamaica.

“Dancehall don’t cause crime. If it plays a part, in terms of visuals, it is small. It’s like watching Rambo or playing Grand Theft Auto, so blame Hollywood, blame the video game industry then. Back in the days, gunman songs had more melody and had chorus, now it’s more graphic. Badman songs different from killing songs, Cobra never had a badman video for Yush, Killer never had a video for Kill or Be Killed, Spragga Benz do Peace, then do War, people listen and they do follow, and the new generation are hotheads. Look how dancehall shut down right now, and people still a dead,” Fuller said.

No Gun a Rise, a powerful anti-gun song, is the standout song on Fuller’s new Standing Fan riddim.

Christopher Martin delivers a catchy hook where he gives thanks for another day on the Rock. He croons in his signature apple-sweet vocals : Thank God mi see the sun a rise/and the youths dem fun a rise/the youths dem life dem no fi jeopardise/we no want see no gun a rise/gal dem hot inna the summertime/ tourist out inna the sun a vibes/no join no politics, no pick no side/no waan see no gun a rise.

The ‘Warlord’ and one-time ‘Poor People’s Defender’ Bounty Killer then shows up and  deejays with venom and conviction: Dem bwoy ya nah no respect or no standard/dem wi kill all dem friend for a grand bag/gal ah stab up gal over handbag/stop kill the returning residents, the granny and the grand-dad.

The visuals , provided by Yakub & Amlak, features scenes of Bounty Killer and Christopher Martin on the Kingston waterfront, a female violinist playing on the grey pebble stones on a beach, dancing girls and dramatic scenes depicting the macho street theatre and rampant gun violence that plagues the island.

The video manages to showcase the beauty of the island paradise with pristine beaches, gliding seagulls, and loving islanders. However, the message is unmistakable:  no more violence. There is even a scene where a gravestone with the words Rest in Peace Uzi submachine, Walther PPK, AK47, Glock, 45 is etched into its face.

Other artists on the riddim, which was released on the Jah Snowcone Ent. label,  include:

• Agent Sasco – Fellowship
• D Major – Cream Of The Crop
• Charly Blacks – Neva Si Come Si
• Ajji – Breaking Breaking
• Louie Culture – Anointed
• Snazilancha – Heart Clean
• 2 Scars – Mamma Don’t Cry
• Davianah – So Me Stay
• Jah Izrel – I Won’t
• Jay A – Money Caah Too Much
• Kadijah – Wack
• Jaixerro – Party Vibe
• Nigma – Excitement
• Onsound Mind – Trouble Ave
• Rally Banks – Decent Timing
• Shaka Pow – Govern
• Terropy – Nuh Weak Heart