‘Jamaican Culture’ in Europe: SummerJam 2010 (Part One)
Below is the first in a two part installment in what will hopefully become a space to critique and build on the strengths of Jamaican music. Your critical feedback is welcomed.

Jamaica could completely lose its grip on Reggae and Dancehall in another decade, if so long. And that is a conservative estimate. If nothing is done to stem the tide of the decline now Reggae and Dancehall music, two distinctly Jamaican made cultural products, could forever disappear into the generic space called ‘World Music’. Without due acknowledgement and sufficient context, Jamaica’s legacy as the musical capital of the world is clearly under threat.

Complex Factors/ Gay Lobby
The decline is the result of a complex set of factors. Chief among them the coordinated attacks by the international gay lobby coupled with the use of effective media campaigns and unofficial political and economic blockades. The Jamaican music industry is in deep trouble, as a result.
Foreign Reggae

Indeed, the development of other forms of Reggae music across the globe while obviously a testament to the reach and coverage of Jamaican music, should nonetheless be cause for concern for local artistes and producers. In fact, the SummerJam Reggae Festival held in Cologne, Germany is a telling example of some of these development. Among others, there was a noticeable absence of big named Jamaican acts at the July 2-4 show. Underlining in the process, the extent to which foreign produced Reggae/ Dancehall shows are able to successfully organise themselves without the heavy involvement of Jamaican artistes.

Article by Raw Politics Jamaica Style: Read More Click Here