Musicologist Dennis Howard Says Dancehall Has Gotten ‘Selfish And Ego-Driven’
Esteemed ethnomusicologist Dr. Dennis Howard, a renowned media manager and music producer, has seemingly weighed in on recent comments made by Mr Lexx, that Dancehall music is being inundated by people who are pretending to be artists and producers.
On Wednesday morning, Mr. Lexx had taken to Twitter where he lamented the quality of the output of music which was being recorded in Jamaica at present, and criticized the competence and musical acumen of some producers and artists.
“This industry is too easy to enter. It’s flooded by people pretending to be artists and producers. And with money and contacts they often times go around the real producers and artists. That leads to u the fans getting quantity instead of quality without knowing. Dis affi stop,” the Full Hundred artiste had tweeted.
However, that same afternoon, just over four hours later, Dr. Howard, who is also managing director of the Institute of Cultural Policy and Innovation, made three tweets hours pointing out that the previous generation should hold their own selves culpable and not castigate on their younger counterparts for their perception of good music.
“The state of our music is the fault of the same people who are doing the complaining about watered down genres and fake artists and producers. It was the same artists/producers who stifled and killed many young artists career and never opened the door for young artist,” Dr. Howard posted.
The state of our music is the falult of the same people who are doing the complaining about watered down genres and fake artists and producers. It was the same artists/producers who stifiled and killed many young artists career and never opened the door for young artist.
— Dennis Howard Ph.D. (@jahmento1) December 30, 2021
“It’s the same industry who helped some but destroyed more than they helped. The industry got selfish and ego driven which is not the tradition of our music. The young youths found a way in without the help and guidance that is essential to good music,” he continued in the second tweet.
Its the same industry who helped some but destroyed more than they helped. The industry got selfish and ego driven which is not the tradition of our muisc . The young youths found a way in without the help and guidance that is essential to good music.
— Dennis Howard Ph.D. (@jahmento1) December 30, 2021
Dr. Howard, who has written academic papers exploring the recorded music industry of Jamaica such as Politics and Violence in Popular Jamaican Music and the books Ranting from inside the Dancehall and The Creative Echo Chamber: Contemporary Music Production in Jamaica, then added:
“Our music is built in a tradition of community each one teaching one but that was disrupted a long time ago by selfishness, disunity and hubris. We need to humble ourselves and start reaching to guide the youth who are not waiting at a studio gate to be let in anymore.”
Our music is built in a tradition of community each one teaching one but that was disrupted a long time ago by selfishness, disunity and hubris. We need to humble ourselves and start reaching to guide the youth who are not waiting at a studio gate to be let in anymore.
— Dennis Howard Ph.D. (@jahmento1) December 30, 2021
Mr Lexx’s comment alluding to fans being unable to decipher quality music from the subpar, appeared to mystify Boom Wuk artiste, Tanya Stephens, who commented over on ZJ Sparks Instagram page where the tweet was re-shared.
“Without knowing? Come ya Lenny come explain it! How does one not know what they are listening to??? We must not fall into the trap of confusing our preferences with people’s rights. Make what you make,” she asked.
However, producer Skatta Burrell and his compatriot Tesselated were in support of Mr Lexx’s comments.
“No lies told,” Skatta said in response.
Tesselated noted: “facts, nuff producers who don’t actually produce anything 🤐before telling another follower that “… I promise at least a couple of your favourite producers & artists are pretenders”.
Canada-based Dancehall artist Razor B also agreed with Mr Lexx.
“Sounds very true to me ✅,” he noted in response.
Other fans contended that the music people gravitated to, was based on their personal preferences and not necessarily because of what was deemed current or hip.
“Me no know bout all a dat. People will like what they like. If you don’t you don’t you don’t….I don’t the point\message,” garthgg said, while getherealdsb added: “Might be true but the industry is big enough for everyone. If ppl Nuh like a thing they won’t listen to it and if they like it they’ll listen to it.”
“To each his own. The good ones will always have a long sustainable careers and they don’t come along very often!! The industry will always have a lot of noise. Make music and promote it if people dig it you will get your chance!!” dwaynecahban noted while too_tall noted: “LISTEN !! u ever hear seh beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.. pree dat in auditory terms … ppl will listen to what dem waah … we a have choices … either listen buggu yagga or listen great hits from your era
Others took the opportunity to castigate Mr. Lexx, ordering him to go and record a hit song.
“Easy fi enter eeeh?cyaa tel wen last mi hear a hit song from u😂😂,” shavdon_ jeered.
“You sound badmind Mr Lexx 😂😂 guh tun YouTube gatekeeper. You think the industry open yet wait till the youth find out seh dem need radio and start pree block chain technology,” earth_star_child rebuked.
“You need fi start guh make a hit song n stop focus pon other ppl biz …. When last uh release a hit ?! Years,” rayna-rayna_a mocked.