Bunji Changes Tune

[Chicokid]

The murder of 13-year-old Kaleem "Billy" Danglade of Morvant has moved soca artiste Bunji Garlin to change his music to avoid language with violence.

"We, as artistes, sometimes in our music have a tendency to use rude boy, bad man and gangster songs as an artistic expression but from today I am going to stop.

"This is just a clear picture that killing makes no sense. I am against children being killed and not tolerating it. This youth had a bright future and it was all taken away from him. It is sad," Garlin said in an interview at the funeral service for Kaleem yesterday.

Bunji together with other soca artistes came out to show their sympathy during Kaleem's funeral service at Chinapoo, Morvant.

Road March winner Shurwayne Winchester was also there.

"What can I say in words-this can happen to any one of us or our families. This is a great shock, something that would have an impact on everybody life, it is not a problem that is isolated but needs the support of everyone."

Ataklan, neighbour and friend of Kaleem's family, said: "He was the most positive young guy I knew. Always had a willingness to help anyone.

"Today is all about Billy. He was a bright young man, if you spend five minutes with him you would have seen how industrious and ambitious he was.

"I am broken hearted over the situation, to lose such a good person at an early age, his whole life taken away to soon," he said.

Commenting on the escalating crime situation, Ataklan said: "Like everything else, it needs to be fixed."

Maximus Dan added: "Sad time, a youth life was taken, it could have been anyone of my own family. Kaleem was well known by everybody. He was loved by all and had a bright future in front of him.

"I came here as a person and not as an artiste because I am a human being and I am feeling the pain for these people because I have nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and this could be one of them."

He added when negative things happened artistes were asked questions and they had to defend the country.

"We need to take back our country from negative influences in the country," Maximus Dan stressed.

"I cannot go to every funeral but I will lend support to the families when I can," he added.

Another popular artiste in the music industry, Kees Dieffenthaller, said Trinidad needed to wake up from this situation where an innocent child could be gunned down.

"I am here to give my support to the family and friends of Kaleem," he said.

"People need to open their eyes. We as artistes are going to do what we could and don't let violence and crime destroy our country. We as a people need to realise what is important in our lives-are material things or money so important that we kill innocent people? Dieffenthaller said.

Taken from Trinidad Express (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=114257293)

[nester-san]

If this happened in Jamaica, with a major artiste,I would keel over from shock!!

[bernie]

If this happened in Jamaica, with a major artiste,I would keel over from shock!!
i second that thought yow!:eusa_pray

[Manu]

If this happened in Jamaica, with a major artiste,I would keel over from shock!!


You seet.....it woulda do more harm than good. Some of them do sing about peace though....but them realize that the songs fall on deaf years...so they record a "Badman tune" on the same riddim. Which do you think will get more airplay??? In event....entertainers are just like politicians only more arrogant.... "especially that lang mawga black one" :dwl:

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Some artistes say that you cannot blame the music for the crime situation, and that the music only reflects what is going on in society. In reality, it's a bit of both. Art imitates life and life imitates art. Today we are bombarded by negative images and words. People are influenced. Even if the extent of that influence is that we become desensitized to the atrocities which abound, the impact is still significant. Negative messages contribute to an environment where negativity is cultivated and can manifest itself as crime and violence. We need to clean up our media.

[tiffany]

fi reall choo choo.. a choo still

[Chicokid]

Some artistes say that you cannot blame the music for the crime situation, and that the music only reflects what is going on in society. In reality, it's a bit of both. Art imitates life and life imitates art. Today we are bombarded by negative images and words. People are influenced. Even if the extent of that influence is that we become desensitized to the atrocities which abound, the impact is still significant. Negative messages contribute to an environment where negativity is cultivated and can manifest itself as crime and violence. We need to clean up our media.

I agree :eusa_clap

Have you noticed the level of content being displayed in our media these days especially with acts of violence. The ironic thing is that those making such say they have no control over what people do...which is correct but their makings can have strong influence on people's actions.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I agree :eusa_clap

Have you noticed the level of content being displayed in our media these days especially with acts of violence. The ironic thing is that those making such say they have no control over what people do...which is correct but their makings can have strong influence on people's actions.

Yup. Artistes know the kind of influence they have over people. They boast about it. They "set trends" and rally the people to their various causes. They encourage people to follow them and do whatever. They know they have power. Many aren't responsible with it.

In Jamaica some months ago, Tony Rebel, a dancehall veteran from the 90s was trying to organize local entertainers to do more to fight the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by using their creative influence to encourage responsible behaviour. He was advocating that the artistes be cognescant of their influence and cease perpetutating negative messages and instead promote positive ones extolling better values and attitudes regarding sexual behaviour. Some artistes got on board. Some, like a local DeeJay named ZumJay, were opposed to it. ZumJay made some silly argument about King Solomon being the wisest man and having many women, so he, wanting to follow in Solomon's wise footsteps, couldn't advocate any behaviour contrary to that paradigm.:eusa_wall He knows the influence he has, and he's not interested in using it in the right way. There are many like that who place image and popularity and money, over good values and setting a good example.

[Juliet]

Many of these soca artistes come from a humble upbringing, so I am not surprised by their actions. I am however very proud of this move that Bunji has made. Maximus Dan has always been someone to promote positive thoughts and behaviour, and he seems even more determined to do so now. Its time for people to stop talking , and start doing something about crime in this country. Our soca artistes are doing just that. Even Machel has said that he is exploring singing a different kind of soca to show people that he is capable of things besides jump, wine, and get on bad. Songs of violence do bring violent reactions especially around Carnival time. A change in tune will do good for the whole Carnival atmosphere.