Of late the dancehall fraternity has been marred with repeat offences by their own who seem to be more preoccupied with their performance in court than on the stage. They seem to be plagued by more legal trouble than wah John read bout pon di isle a Patmos and as such have been in the spotlight not for their talent but rather for their alleged indiscretions.

Instead of being called on stage by an MC they are being called up by police to answer to charges. How did they manage to get to the place that so many would be indicted in a court of law? Who is responsible for their legal woes and are they giving dancehall a negative image it doesn't need right now?

stalwarts

Many who are stalwarts in the business have found themselves between a judge and their freedom and instead of writing new lyrics and expand their reach in a shrinking market dem haffi a present a case fi defend themselves. Likkle mix-up and run-ins with the law is by no means unique to dancehall artistes but the frequency weh di artist dem name a call up as well as the damaging charges being levied against them is all very damning.

irresponsible attitudes

It is very important that artistes realise that their names are a brand not to be taken lightly as their irresponsible attitudes can erase all their hard work. Di badman attitude does not work or go down well with civilised people who want to disassociate with anyone perpetrating that kind of barbaric demeanour. Yeah it might look hype pon di road to the average man who no know better, but dem stinking attitude deh most times cost dem dem career and money. Artistes should have a certain swagger and ego about themselves, but when it becomes detrimental to their career it needs to be put in check. Some a dem really need fi go easy because the same poverty wah dem a run from, dem dutty attitude will send them straight back to it. Nuff time artiste name call inna certain tings is because they are popular and dem name easy fi call, but in the same token it is imperative that they stay away from negative situations and people who are potentially lethal to their livelihood.

The minions who mask as the entourage are the problem in most instances. Tru dem worship the artistes dem and a fight fi impress dem, they will do anything to protect their meal ticket even when it is uncalled for, which begs the question, why do artistes need an entourage of 30 or 40 men? I am well aware of their security concerns, but why not hire a professional body guard instead of walking around with potential liabilities? Even if an artiste ago walk wid an entourage dem haffi know how to keep them in check and set the tone for them to follow. Some artiste just gwaan too much an nuff a dem hyper than dem career wah nuh pass airport! Dem just think seh they can operate on their own terms and that is a big misconception as the frequency of them being charged shows that no one is above the law.

The fans are sometimes hypocritical with how they want the artiste to behave. Oftentimes the fans dem want the artiste to behave 'decent' yet when they do act accordingly they get labelled as soft or punk, yet those who behave like undesirables get the forward and the praises. When an artiste a try live up the fans should appreciate that and show more love because if dem go pon the unlawful side then they will only be making songs from behind prison bars.

given a privilege

Dancehall artistes need to understand the business side of their career which may be adversely affected by how they conduct themselves off stage. They have to acknowledge that they have been given a privilege to make money from their talent and with that comes a lot of responsibility so they cannot allow fans or entourage fi boost dem an draw dem out because when a crunch time a only dem a feel it.

It is also important to understand that though the verdict may come back not guilty the damage can affect their career for the worst an if Micheal Jackson was alive him coulda testify to dat. Artistes literally cannot afford being entangled inna certain tings cause the corporate world and the embassy naah reward nobody fi behave like a hooligan and everybody know seh from yuh career nuh deh tru di airport tings sticky. I am imploring all artistes to do some self searching and think about the bigger picture and longevity. Get back to making good music and low out di eediat ting because it will come back to haunt you sooner than later.

Please email your Talk Di Tings Dem issues and topics to misskitty@gleanerjm.com