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Submitted by Just Observing

26 years ago there was a hue and cry when a then young Minister of Education who managed a group of artists brought school aged students to the Wildey Gymnasium to be “feted” by none other than Mr. Edwin Yearwood, Pic of De Crop winner.

At the time this mass “party” was unheard of but clearly went on to become a staple of B/DLP politics, campaigning and our cultural and sub cultural landscape.

Fast forward 27 years to the present and we have a young Minister of Education who manages a group of artists and uses them for promotional and motivational student videos (covid, back to school, stop the bullying etc.) including the popular Mole, Peter Ram and others.

BUT, here is the rub. The attached video shows the duality of entertainment and the flip side of performance roles.

TROJAN RIDDIM MIX VIDEO



So, one day it’s go to school, learn well, sanitise and don’t trouble nobody. The next day it’s gunshots showering like storm, high grade, kush, 357’s, AR’s and coffins for informers who get shot.

All coming from the same mouths, with the same faces, in the same spaces.

All managed and seemingly endorsed by a young Minister of Education whose business interests apparently diverge from the broader national, social and values based interests when convenient.

Imagine this at a time when violence, guns, shooting and fear of serious crime continue to climb. This is what far too many of our young people glorify, rejoice in and give praise to.

As one of the same said artists said over 30 years ago…..

“Well boh, I find out doh, uh NOW realise how de yutes get so”


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506 responses to “How De Yutes Get So?”


  1. Wanna Be A Baller

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7_rU2p5zPA

  2. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar

    Does the Anglican hierarchy know anything about the death of my kinswoman Esther Skeete?

    If they do would they please share that information with the police. We her family have never forgotten her.

    There is no statute of limitations on murder. The church cannot forgive murder.

  3. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    Lawson..just recently the same PM was CRAPPING on the police and openly LYING on them claiming they were discriminating….all the poison and cancer starts at the top.

    i was waiting for someone to state the obvious, but since everyone seems reluctant i will….

    since the government has KNOWINGLY allowed minority criminals on the island with the means, and connections, to import traffic and distribute both GUNS and DRUGS into the most vulnerable and deliberately depressed areas for decades, the government IS SUPPORTING and PROMOTING gun violence…don’t know why they will tell themselves and fool others otherwise……get rid of the trash, imprison who import by the container and boat loads…that should be the first order of business…shut down the second economy.

    ..NO SUPPLY no DEMAND…simple economics.


  4. The hypocrisy on this issue stinks the whole blog up

    Here is a list that contributes to death although not in the same manner
    The force is still the same and astronomically costly to govt

    Fast food restaurants
    Liquor stores
    Tobacco products

    Govt gives licenses for these business to open placed on a foundation of helping the economy and jobs
    So what is the difference in creative language that speaks to underground world of death and violence
    And businesses that place people lives in danger daily
    Don’t we all have choices to pick and choose


  5. YouTube

    TROJAN RIDDIM MIX VIDEO (Bajan Dancehall)

    1500 likes and 254 dislikes


  6. @Hants

    There is an underground market that feeds off this type of music. It is a music played on the PSVs, dub/dancehall fetes and on the block. There is so much work to be done to win impressionable minds from this filth promoted on the back of artistic expression.


  7. “There is an underground market that feeds off this type of music.”

    Maybe maths is complicated subject for many, but music is a product that sells many digits and builds bigger bank and buys fancy cars and mansions and is legal.

    Hip Hop took over the music industry and killed Rock Music.

    Underground music has no bar code and pays no tax.


  8. Artistes body knocks society bigwigs, radio for ‘Trojan Riddim’ video outrage
    https://barbadostoday.bb/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sean-Apache-Carter-730×456.png
    Article by
    Kareem Smith
    Published on
    June 2, 2021

    The leading group of entertainers Tuesday night has strongly criticised authorities, radio stations and influential figures of society, accusing them of “hypocrisy” amid outrage at the lyrics of a local copycat gangster dancehall song featuring several prominent and minor artistes.

    But while chiding those who seek to blame artistes solely for the proliferation of negative, lude or violent music, Sean Apache Carter, the head of the Barbados Association of Creatives and Artistes distanced the association from lyrics like the ones portrayed in the Trojan Riddim dancehall video.

    Carter described the freestyle medley as merely another episode in a fast-growing movement within underground Barbadian dancehall music that glorifies derogatory, unwholesome and violent music.

    He noted that while the music is now gaining the attention of authorities and talk show programmes like VOB’s Brass Tacks, it has been getting significant airplay on some of the country’s most popular FM music stations.

    Carter told Barbados TODAY: “There is a subculture that is emerging and it is not only unique to Barbados, but it is something that we are seeing even more prevalent in Trinidad. So there is this cross-cultural pollination between Barbados and Trinidad and our Bajan artistes are now popular in the underground movement in Trinidad as well.

    “It is a deep systemic problem that will need the powers that be, the entertainers, people like Minister [of Home Affairs, Wilfred] Abrahams, [Culture] Minister [John] King and all of the parties. We need to come together and realise that this is not a surface thing. This thing is deep and we need to put our heads together and come up with a solution as to how we will counteract this, or else we will not recognise Barbados in five years.”

    The BACA president argued that the problem of the emerging music, which happens to be concurrent with a three-year spike in violent crime and gun murders is much deeper than the artistes themselves.

    “I think it is hypocritical to point a finger at local artistes alone. You need to have the powers that be, stakeholders and influential people in society coming together,” Carter declared.

    “We hear edited versions of not only the local songs, but many of the Jamaican songs and international songs, whether it is hip hop or dancehall that actually promotes violence and degrades women and downgrades women. We are hearing that on the most popular FM radios.

    “So if you are going to point fingers at the artistes on the Trojan Riddim, you have to point a finger at the programme managers as well, you have to point your fingers at the broadcast authorities and at the deejays that are playing the music on the airwaves as well.

    “There is a subculture, but the subculture is infiltrating mainstream and you at least have to address it at the mainstream level and stamp it out and this is beyond the artistes now. Persons that know better should do better. There is a high level of hypocrisy as it relates to it.”

    Carter said the unfolding saga that prompted statements from Prime Minister Mia Mottley, government ministers and some of the artists involved, triggered a huge conversation within BACA.

    He noted that well before the issue came into the public domain, the organisation had been working on initiatives to counteract negative lyrics.

    One such programme, the Strategy Riddim, will feature positive messages from over a dozen Barbadian Reggae artistes along with an upcoming ‘Bajan concert series’, said the BACA leader.

    Carter added that while BACA fully supports artistic expression, a line needs to be drawn when such expression could insight violence.

    He noted that while a few artistes may be expressing their everyday realities in the music, others are merely doing it for “likes” and “popularity”, much to the detriment of young minds.

    “That is something that is real and practical. It is not a myth. Music can unite and music can divide people. Music can influence you to do things. At the end of the day you make your own choices, but music can influence the choices that people make,” Carter concluded.

    (kareemsmih@barbadsotoday.bb)


  9. Oh dear!

    What is “lude”?

    Last week we were casting “aspirations” and now we are “lude”.

    These days I have my senior moments, especially when I am sleep deprived but I do not think these people are old enough to be having them.

    Makes me wonder how many books they read before they decided to write.

    And where is the proof reader?


  10. Not all dancehall music has to be negative. This old tune offers sound advice to the listener and is a word of caution to those who build their foundation on unsuitable ground. You cannot build an economy on tourism and fraud without it impacting negatively on the majority population.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=suvUqrqnnNk


  11. The artists cater to what people want to listen.


  12. DIGICEL just dropped Lead Pipe as a brand ambassador.


  13. The good.

  14. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar

    @Donna June 2, 2021 10:43 AM “Last week we were casting “aspirations” and now we are “lude”.

    When you pay peanuts…

  15. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar

    @David June 2, 2021 11:11 AM “DIGICEL just dropped Lead Pipe as a brand ambassador.”

    Ouch!!! That must hurt.


  16. @ David,

    You Tube

    “Leadpipe – Psycho ( Official Music Video ) “


  17. LEADPIPE – THUGZ OUT (Visualizer)


  18. Lead pipe is talented and can create clean music.


  19. Written By: Leadpipe


  20. in 2009 jamaica banned sexually explicit music and videos, decent people dont have to put up with shit just because someone says its art . If the bulk of people boycott the radio station they wont be playing it. This guy I was talking to this morning likes going to jamaica and when his wife goes home he and his buddy get right into the bad stuff the island has to offer and loves it. Maybe thats the kind of guy that barbados wants but I dont think so. They is a big difference between titillation flirting and porn .

  21. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    Someone on another platform opined that was this around election time with picnics, parties and wukkup sessions funded to pimp for votes, not one politicians/minister would open their mouths about the sickening video…..too busy trying to slither back into the parliament.

    Little Island, Big Hypocrites..


  22. DavidJune 2, 2021 11:03 AM The artists cater to what people want to listen.

    Taking that as read, the Buhbim got more problems than we even thought. If that is where the majority have their heads, it is officially over.

    Like’um or lump’um.


  23. Summuch for STEM subjects. Sprawlin, crawlin, shoot straight is where the mindz are atz,

    The ancestors must be turning in their graves. Thiss’um where it reach. Mekking fools of weselves, instead of progressing.

    And some others must be laughing and celebrating.

    Sad it is.


  24. Bajans don’t want to hear no violent local music…

    Bajans want to hear violent Jamaican and American music.


  25. Cuhdear BajanJune 2, 2021 11:56 AM

    @David June 2, 2021 11:11 AM “DIGICEL just dropped Lead Pipe as a brand ambassador.”

    Ouch!!! That must hurt

    Xxxxxxcc

    The blow back to Digicel gonna be short and swift from the Caribbean to further North from musicians


  26. @ Crusoe June 2, 2021 4:35 PM
    “The ancestors must be turning in their graves. Thiss’um where it reach. Mekking fools of weselves, instead of progressing.
    And some others must be laughing and celebrating.
    Sad it is.”
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Couldn’t agree more with the above sentiments!

    A total disappointment to the ancestors who gave their blood sweat and tears (like those of Greenwood Tulsa aka Black Wall St) to make life easier for the modern thugs and bitches.

    The Bussa uprising and the 1937 riots mean diddly squat to the modern slaves.

    They are making it look like the black race has been cursed by the white god they still believe in.

    Young black Bajans cannot even manufacture a fork to dig potatoes or design a bicycle but have the dexterity to shoot off guns made overseas and illegally imported to be sold to them by non-black ethnic minorities who are laughing all the way to the bank to launder their ill-gotten gains through real property acquisitions while stupid blacks buy their imported second-hand cars.


  27. So sad to have to endure a debate that was had in Jamaica 10 years ago.


  28. Interesting seeing the name Smith & Wesson inserted in the video


  29. angela coxJune 2, 2021 7:59 PM

    Cuhdear BajanJune 2, 2021 11:56 AM

    @David June 2, 2021 11:11 AM “DIGICEL just dropped Lead Pipe as a brand ambassador.”

    Ouch!!! That must hurt

    Xxxxxxcc

    The blow back to Digicel gonna be short and swift from the Caribbean to further North from musicians
    Xxxxxxxxxx

    The blow back was so fast and swift which caused Digicel to change its mind
    Bizzy Williams said so
    Money talks bullshit walks


  30. Barbados today Editorial Zoom in on the hypocrisy that has taken focus and about the song and it’s lyrics
    What stuck out most is the article mention of Govt invite of known people who are said to be associated with illicit and illegal activity
    Govt not shying away from giving these people a comfortable seating in the house of Parliament during the swearing in of Ministers
    The article continues in harsh toned reminding all that those type of messages coming from our highest leaders should be condemned along with apologies
    There is more said in the article concerning the connection of govt with unsavoury people in our society which should be frowned upon by all and sundry to which I agree

  31. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    Isn’t it a disgrace that in this day and age a pack of THIEVES and RACISTS …who ROB the Black population on the regular…are all they can see as all powerful on the island..

    Little Island, Big Shame and Disgrace.

    Many of the criminal minorities are involved in illicit, illegal activities and that’s who BOTH DBLP frauds have been promoting, elevating and enriching with BLACK people’s money for DECADES……the newspapers should talk about that…that’s where the REAL HYPOCRISY is showing itself.

    still waiting for the apology from DBLP for extending the slave society into the 21st century to please, appease and enrich the few and themselves….criminal charges and human rights charges should be brought against all involved.


  32. Have you people listened to the smart young man?

    He got a microphone. I en got none.

    “What this music has given you is a glimpse into the minds of these young men.” (paraphrased)

    I TOLD YOU – what should be frightening is not the telling of the story but rather the fact that the story is TRUE!

    Life imitating art or art imitating life?

    I suggest art imitating life.

    Of course, the art may serve to reinforce the lifestyle and psych them up for the deed just like the blackie or the mollie but it is not the primary cause.

    The PM et al is going at this ass backwards!

    Not even the phone caller is the man in control of Deacons!

    Does she know the man behind the man?

    As my son said to me earlier this week, “Mum, you have to spend money to make money!”

    Who has the money to spend?????

    A shipment of drugs and guns is not cheap!

    Follow the money – or trace it backwards!

    Wuhnuh mekking bare mock sport but not at me!

  33. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    Wouldn’t want any of these criminals extending from the parliament to the minority community having any say in my people’s lives, look at all the DAMAGE and destruction they have done to Black lives for all these years, 2 generations, and it can only get that much worse..

    ..criminal minorities + sellout parliament negro’s legacies = poverty, thefts of everything, criminalization, prison and death fro the Black population..the newspapers should talk about that..

    and still idiots will not learn..

    one of the most despicable things i have ever heard is a black person gush is about cow and how rich he got FROM ROBBING THEM, the racist thief giving them a half ass job, no benefits, helping them buy a little house, OWNING THEM AND THE HOUSE and when they drop down dead on the job or wherever, there is no money to bury them,

    not only did the dried up beast ROB THEM of benefits, BUT ALSO ROBBED THE national insurance pension fund of millions of dollars and the money to which they are entitled….and still the idiots will not learn..

    that’s what happens when your fake leaders are evil to their core, place no value on Black lives and the hypocrites who allow this to happen to their families every generation have NO SELF WORTH..


  34. Lil Rick and Peter Ram rose up from the bottom. Covid shut them down.

    What I see in that video (admittedly while watching with a skin-up face) is impressive Bajan talent.

    I suggest to Ms. Mottley is that she, John King, Santia Bradshaw get serious about the creative industry and help this talent to thrive and be prosperous.

    P.S. I watched the Rihanna video as posted here – is she still our Ambassador Pleniwhatever?

    Peter Ram real soft or he would have asked Mia that!

    Millions are talking? As usual?


  35. Musicians must ‘realise influence
    TWO FORMER calypso monarchs have weighed in on the issue surrounding some entertainers who were blasted for making a 16-minute video many say is promoting gun violence.
    While some have defended the music video and called the bashing hyprocrisy, Adrian AC Clarke and Edwin Yearwood stated yesterday that entertainers must take stock of what they put out as music.
    Yesterday, on his Facebook page, Edwin posted that his song Voice In My Head helped two women who were in dire situations.
    “One woman was slitting her wrists and the other was being abused. Both said the song helped them out of those two situations,” he wrote.
    He said while he stood by his fellow entertainers in expressing themselves, he said they had to take emotion out of the equation and realise the influence they have in society. He noted he received a major sponsorship deal years ago “because he did decent work”.
    Edwin, who has crowns in Pic O De Crop, Road March, Party Monarch
    and Sweet Soca competitions said in his post, “Sometimes we have to stop being so emotional and be real! Years ago I was so poor and skinny bad . . . . Years went by and a soft drink company called me after the same skinny kid gained a level of popularity . . . and after some decent hard work they signed me to a deal to push their main product! Why? Maybe you should ask yourself seriously about why a musician was signed to push a soft drink to the masses. Then ask yourself if we indeed aren’t influential.
    “Did Michael Jordan go to any store and not had long lines for his brand? Just asking. I will stand by my brothers and sisters always that expressing yourself your way is important, but never deny that we all have some level of influence, period!”
    AC, who has two Pic O De Crop
    crowns, told the DAILY NATION yesterday that entertainers must guide instead of misguiding.
    “All I would say is look before you leap. Remember who support you doing certain things don’t ever be there to support you when you’re in dire need. In other words, who cheering now ain’t gonna help put a meal on your table or pay your bills.
    “Be humble and aim to be straight. Prefer to have financial stability than popularity among the minority. Also remember everyone doesn’t have the capacity to think and act as we would expect. Some must be guided, so let’s hope not to misguide. You never know who is looking up to you,” he said.
    Yesterday Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley condemned the music video, asking the artistes involved to apologise and take down the video from social media. There was also swift and strong condemnation from Opposition leader Reverend Joseph Atherley and church leaders.
    So far two of the ten featured in the video have apologised – Peter Ram and Mole. (NS)

    Source: Nation


  36. Digicel drops Lead Pipe
    ONE DOOR CLOSED for entertainer Lead Pipe who is featured on the controversial Trojan Riddim Mix which has caused a national stir.
    Hours after Digicel announced they were parting with the soca and dancehall artiste for releasing Thugs Out, one of the songs featured in the music video project, Sole Addiction announced they were welcoming Lead Pipe to their team.
    Mole, who was also on the Bajan Dancehall project with the song Coffin, was also selected as one of the footwear store’s latest brand ambassadors.
    During an interview with Sole Addiction’s owner Nancy Noumeh, she told the DAILY NATION although she did not support gun violence, it was important to remember the good the artistes contributed to society.
    “We have to remember that these artistes for many years have brought joy, entertainment and laughter to us at parties, on the radio and all the events we go to. So I wanted to bring them on because they do have a lot of positivity about them and they influence in good ways.”
    She said that before Government officials such as Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Anglican Bishop Michael Maxwell criticised Lil Rick, Peter Ram, Mole, Lead Pipe and others for glorifying gun violence on their songs on the riddim, the store had supplied Lead Pipe with a gift and had been in talks with Mole for about a month.
    “I supported Lead Pipe for many years. Many years ago when he and Saddis won a competition, I gifted them with backpacks from my store. And I was in talks with Mole about bringing him on as a brand ambassador from about a month ago.
    “And this may have been a mistake on their part and I’m sure they are apologetic. Some people released their apologies about being a part of it and we are all allowed to make mistakes. And since there was a lot of negativity going on around the songs, I wanted to bring some positivity into it. This was my way of thanking them for the good that they do,” she said.
    The Prime Minister issued a strong statement on Tuesday stating her disappointment in the artistes involved. She stressed there would be a zero-tolerance approach to gun violence in Barbados.
    Since Tuesday, Barbadians have been divided on this backlash to the project. During each of the songs, the artistes chanted lyrics which spoke about revenge killings, hustling and guns. Images of several high-powered guns were highlighted throughout the video.
    Mole and Peter Ram have both issued apologies. Some Barbadians have argued that the local musicians were being used as scapegoats and urged public officials to be more vocal about the country’s financial woes, corruption and health care.
    Others said artistes who work on jingles for Government such as the Ministry of Education’s We’re Stronger Together as well as anti-bullying campaigns, should be disciplined.
    In a statement, Digicel said the company was distancing itself from the project.
    “Digicel takes its responsibility as a family brand and a good corporate citizen very seriously. We do not tolerate any negative sentiment towards any member of our community and indeed do not associate ourselves with negativity in any way.
    “As such Digicel Barbados is discontinuing its influencer relationship with artiste Lead Pipe with immediate effect as his recent musical project does not align with our values,” the statement said.
    (TG)

    Source: Nation


  37. And yes, these guys still do this stuff underground. Cropover lasts for a few weeks only.

    Wuhnuh playin’ wuhnuh doan know!

  38. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    @ et al
    This band and asking for an apology is pure nonsense! The question is whether the artiste misrepresented the current state of the society in which they live and work.
    We talk about gun violence . I ask a simple question: What charges were brought against the MP who “pulled” a gun on the precincts of Parliament.
    Was there any apology when the PM intervened in the work of the police by accepting a call from a citizen?
    I have listened and watched that video three times and not once did it support gun violence; it merely expressed how the criminal element could or would react to any conflict with law enforcement. The video is mirroring crime not encouraging .it.
    As for Digecel. Who are the local interest in Digicel ? As “ good corporate citizens” with “ family values” ,why did they not speak out when the yacht of GoddardEnterprises was seized with an illegal drug ?
    This public relations attempt to shift blame to the artiste is hypocrisy. Ninety five murders in two years. An increase of 55.1 percent over the previous two years and a rambling AG. All kinds of badly written laws and inferior legislation and these overlords ignoring all the Auditor General reports for forty years . Now they get up on some high horse insisting that artistes apologise for simply exposing the crime in the country. The same artiste they use to capture young people votes during elections. Hypocrites. Pure nonsense.
    The administration looking for scapegoats.


  39. Sunday School with lil Ric will be interesting
    Will take up my usual front row seat on Sunday


  40. Sole Addiction’s Nancy Noumeh?

    Maybe the shoe is a better fit!

    One man’s meat is another man’s poison?

    Is this meaty or fishy, I wonder.


  41. When is the last time Lil Ric had Sunday School?

  42. William Skinner Avatar
    William Skinner

    Should read 85 murders in two years….


  43. DavidJune 3, 2021 6:20 AM

    When is the last time Lil Ric had Sunday School

    Last Sunday and all other Sundays before

  44. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    BTW….it is being reiterated that the video has been around for A LONG TIME and the government with their fake indignation KNEW ABOUT IT, all that time….filth and all

    …..and the fraud show is to distract from the AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT of corruption, fraud, thefts etc…….but it did not work….ha!!

  45. WURA-War-on-U Avatar

    people are also being WARNED not to be sidetracked in the bid to “shift focus away from a corrupt government” and if “BLP gives ya a handshake, make sure your five fingers are still on” afterward…..lawd…


  46. DonnaJune 3, 2021 6:20 AMOne man’s meat is another man’s poison?Is this meaty or fishy, I wonder.

    Hoi hoi. Looka whuh you now gone and ask. But you are right to ask. Some peoples go either way or both ways. And I ent vouching fuh nobody.

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