Rivalries in music, copyright, the Broadcasting Commission and their experiences in the Digicel Rising Stars competition are just some of the issues that the top 10 contestants spoke about at the Gleaner Editor's forum yesterday.

Currently, Mavado and Vybz Kartel are at odds. Beenie Man and Bounty Killer have always been at each other's throats. Every now and then, other musical rivalries develop among other artistes.

Sandy Smith said there were too many rivalries in the business.

"Music should heal and uplift," she said. "But it is not doing that. Jamaica can do much better. There are so many good things to celebrate."

Stachel Smith was on the same page as she said, "Music brings us together and we shouldn't be using it to tear us apart."

Brown Sugar, however, believed that artistes use music to express what they experience. Therefore, "Whether or not the stories are told, crime and violence will continue", she said.

Sandy Smith went further to say that crime and violence in society was likely to increase if violent and clash lyrics were the only things people heard every day.

In the same breath, Brown Sugar said the Broadcasting Commission had been helping to curtail the lewd lyrics that used to be played on the radio.

"Since the bans have been implemented, artistes have been doing more songs that can be aired on the radio," she said.

Stachel Smith said it would force artistes to be more creative; however, it was not only the duty of the Broadcasting Commission to fix society, as parents also had to play their role.

copyright infringement

A very outspoken Fabian Allen, from the duo Moments, was very passionate about another issue, that of copyright infringements and illegal downloading. He said harsher penalties were needed for persons who sold these illegal items.

In addition to issues within the music industry, the contestants spoke about the Digicel Rising Stars competition. The general consensus was that the competition was an avenue to gaining recognition in the music industry.

"Some of the exposure we get, it would take some of us years to get what we get out of Rising Stars," Princes Tia said.

Brown Sugar noted: "Me come a town all de while and nobody neva know me, but now everybody a seh 'Brown Sugar! Brown Sugar! Brown Sugar!'"

However, the sister of popular deejay Buju Banton, Adena Myrie, said she wanted to go the competition route instead of using her brother to get ahead in the industry.

"When the time is right, it will happen. I want Jamaica to see me for me and not as Buju's sister. When you work hard and do it on your own, the result is much sweeter," said Myrie.

And, Myrie, like all the other contestants, has been making sacrifices to be in the competition. "I have a job and I have a child. It's kind of hectic," she said.

"Me deh pon one-week suspension," Brown Sugar laughed.

The contestants said they were usually in Kingston from Thursday until Sunday, or from Friday to Monday, making preparations for the Sunday evening show and other engagements they have in the competition.

Judge Anthony Miller, to outsiders, would seem very harsh. However, the contestants say they appreciate his comments.

"Anthony is preparing us in a serious way for the outside world," Angele Smith said.

Stratdon added: "He speaks his mind and that is what he is there to do. You caan tek it to heart. Even if him put you down, it can only make you stronger."