Tyrifik Refuses To Do ‘Gun Songs’ As Murders Spiral In Jamaica

Despite the potential damage to his career, Dancehall artist Tyrifik has flat out refused to take the easy way out and do gun songs that would perhaps resonate much easier with dancehall lovers.

“I know I am one of Clarendon’s baddest artistes right now, some fans have been asking me ‘where are the gun tunes?’, but this is a route I choose not to take cause mi nah fi sing no gun song to stay relevant. I hate to incite violence because that does no good for our nation,” the talented singjay whose real name is Terrio Archer, said.

“My parish has a rising crime rate, and I know that music should be for upliftment of your mind body and soul..I don’t have an issue with a lyrical feud or even a clash encounter cause that is a part of our culture but everything is connected, I am not trying to inspire youths in the wrong direction,” he said.

According to statistics released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, there have been 935 murders between January 1 to August 28th, a 9.7 per cent increase when compared to the corresponding period last year. There have also been 815 cases of shooting, a 2.4 per cent when compared to the corresponding period in 2020. There have been 63 murders in the Clarendon police division where Tyrifik currently resides.

“People are really scared and hurting and I cannot contribute to something that is destroying our nation, hence no gun songs for me,” he said.

There was recently a lively debate centred on the issue of whether or not dancehall is a corollary for the gang violence that plagues the island. Jamaica’s PM Andrew Holness lashed out at entertainers who glorify violent lifestyles in popular music citing a negative impact on the minds of society’s children.

Holness made the statements while speaking during a parliament session on March 30. “In our music and our culture, in as much as you are free to reflect what is happening in the society, you also have a duty to place it in context,” he said.

“Dat yuh tek up the AK-47 and tun it inna a man head … That is not right. And though you have the protection of the constitution to sing about it, you also have a duty to the children who are listening to you,” Holness said.

Tyrifik first came to public attention with his 2019 Reason Fi Live EP, which features songs such as Look at Us Now, featuring Loyal Flames; and the gospel-flavoured Ultimate Friend. All the songs are released on the May Pen City Records imprint. The eight-track project is a collection of anecdotes and thoughts on what it was like for him growing up.

Hailing from humble beginnings in Porus, Manchester, Tyrifik attended Vere Technical High School in Clarendon, but his focus was always music. He has earned a reputation in dancehall circles for tracks, including Word Sound A Power and Dancehall Spenders.

He plans to release a new album Trust the Process later this year. He recently released a collaboration with Munga Honorebel called ‘Mula’.