THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM a Nigerian but have been involved with Jamaica for over 25 years of my life. First as a child protégé miming to the tunes of men like Daddy U-Roy, U-Brown, Big Youth, and later as the first Nigerian to own and run a reggae sound system in Nigeria, alongside my elder brother.
The influence the DJs exert is enormous. In 2001 I did an article in The Gleaner asking the Jamaican Government to formally recognise the role of Jamaican musicians especially the DJs. When I talk about Jamaica, especially with Jamaicans here in London where I now reside, people wonder where I got my knowledge from.
DJ'S INFLUENCE
I am always quick to mention the DJ's influence and that is why I totally support your approach. The DJs are the eyes and the mouthpiece of the community. They speak about what is happening there.
How did I know of Waltham, of Skateland down a Half-Way Tree, of RJR and JBC, that the island has 14 parishes, of rivalry between man from Jungle and Tivoli Gardens, of ackee and saltfish, of chicken back and callaloo, the Guinness punch, Irish moss, the list is endless. I heard of all these from the DJs.
Today there is extreme violence on Nigerian university campuses. I am already working on a similar idea to take our local musicians to the heart of the matter and deal with it.
LIFELONG AMBITION
And let me add, I was actually on the verge of booking a ticket to Jamaica as it is my lifelong ambition to visit the island, but the shootings two weekends ago where 12 people, as reported by The Gleaner, were murdered made me think thrice. Jamaicans used to tell me that the violence was only restricted to a small part of the island (Kingston) but now I am really worried. Keep up the good works. LONG LIVE JAMAICA! Jah Bless.
I am, etc.,
SINA OLOWOAKE
deshinor@yahoo.com
