Entertainment fraternity concerned

— rumours of Oneil's death, insensitivity reportedly adding to their pain

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Entertainers and others close to Voicemail singer, Oneil Edwards, say that while the show of solidarity from the music fraternity -- especially from some artistes --has been comforting, rumours of his demise and an "insensitive cartoon" have been adding to their pain.

"One website reported that he was dead and then there was the cartoon this morning -- when I saw them I couldn't do anything but cry," a popular artiste manager told the Observer.

Her cry was echoed by singjay Mr Vegas, who has been spearheading the vigils that have united artistes.

"The timing of the cartoon was bad. It leaves a bitter taste in our mouths," he said. "We are trying to cope. We have come together to condemn violence and to pray for Oneil. Persons have been criticising us and saying that we are not real, but nobody can know another person's heart," Mr Vegas declared.

He added, "This is not the first time I have tried to bring the artistes together for a cause, but thisis the first time the response has been so overwhelming. And it is because Oneil is an artiste who did not deserve this. He isn't one of those who sing gun lyrics and associate himself with violence."

Mr Vegas also condemned the shooting of deejay Ewart 'Cobra' Brown on Tuesday evening in Portmore. Up to last night, Cobra, who was shot in the upper body was resting at the Spanish Town Hospital.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, to whose booking and management agency, Specs/Shang, Cobra was signed during the 90's, has urged the society to unite and take a stance against crime. She also asked entertainers to review their lyrical content.

"Entertainers need to look at the messages they are sending. They must remember that criminals are also their fans, and when they sing about guns, informers and violence they are encouraging them," the minister said.

A press release from Headline Entertainment yesterday afternoon stated that Oneil remains in a critical but stable condition in intensive care at the Kingston Public Hospital. It quoted Voicemail member, Jerome 'Craig' Jackson as saying that "several persons have been communicating wrong information regarding our brother and we just want them to stop and be responsible in their actions and stop encouraging and participating in rumours".

Oneil was attacked and shot as he was about to enter his house in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, Monday morning. Reports are that the main suspect was found dead in Chancery Hall yesterday afternoon. He had been shot several times; Oneil's cellular phone was found in his possession.

Voicemail is popular for hits such as Nuh Behaviour, Weddy Weddy, Just Dance and Dance the Night Away.

— Yasmine Peru

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COMMENTS (12)

2/15/2012

Ho ho, who wuolda thunk it, right?

Elli Deedo
5/14/2010

Babsy Grange should have being speaking of ways to combat this wave of illegal guns in the Country. Speak out against criminal activities, make suggestions to parliament in regards to ways in which criminals can be braught to justice. Stop arguing about lyrics motivating the sick minds of those Drug heads into doing Crime.Her views on this issue is very Poor. She is trying to make wrong doing less serious, by using music as a excuse. There are thousands of positive Music being played, why are they not being inspired by those Good Music?. She represent's a Garrison Constituency, and this prevent's her from uplifting her very poor standing on the subject of criminality. She would be doing a favour to Society,if she tries to lay a track of Morality. Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour GRANGE:)

Nicola Smith
5/14/2010

After all is said and done all we need to do is stop saying who should have done this at that time or this time as at least it is starting from somewhere,Oneil my prayers goes to you,the persons who are saying the entertainers are hypocrites please review your points as none of you knew how these people felt when they heared or read the news.Mr Badman,Gunman if you are reading the paper take up Jesus in your lives and put done the guns.

Yvonne Goldson
5/13/2010

Wouldn't it be more productive to applaud the entertainers for standing up this one time and ENCOURAGE them to continue to stand up and fight against their negative colleagues who are influencing criminal minds. This could be the beginning of a movement of conscious artistes taking a public stance against irresponsible empty-brained artistes who promote violence. It's a small start... These artistes have a voice that we don't have; the youths listen to them so we should try to get them in the role of activists for peace law and order so that, for instance, that silly guy Beenie Man would say "no one" deserves to be shot rather than 'the artiste" doesn't deserve to be shot......

simone douglas
5/13/2010

our prayers are with u all'it dosent matter wat kind of song u sing jamaicans are too badmind dont get me wrong our country is beautyful its most people are the problem and then we blame entertainers they sing for money and all thoes guys do is kill for fame thats not the music its the mind

Fedup System
5/13/2010

Let us be frank, losing a life lost in any form of violence is difficult to accept. However, in response to Daveian Morrison post. Whilst I agree with you that the entertainers’ efforts are laudable. I have to interject. As a fraternity they are standing p for their fallen brother. You alluded to the fact they did not come out against the killing of the 2 five year olds the previous week. Whilst I agree with that referral I maintain their response is from a fraternity's perspective.
Where is "Hear the Children Cry" or the Child Advocate’s voice? The entertainers as a fraternity have spoken out against their own, what about the organization and entities for children?
Anyways what we needs as Jamaicans is the courage to stand up even if it cost us our lives. Let’s face it the JLP and PNP governments are not in it for Jamaica. Look at how the PNP is dragging out the amendments to the Bail Act. All Opposition parties do is Oppose!! No interest of the JA people but their self inertest.

tony peart
5/13/2010

I say this before,,gunman have ,sister,mother ,brother,friend,girlfriend,wife,cousin,nephew,so start flush them out,time to start give them up,,somebody some where some how,know when a person get shot who do it,,flush them out now,,god works must be done,,

Kadia Francis
5/13/2010

I find it very curious how quickly the investigation into this persons shooting is coming to a head, have we found out who killed the accountant who helped to unravel the PCJ scandal? or better yet who shot and killed a five year old and severely injured her sister and father in Mobay? I guess they were not important enough? Mr. Vegas said that he didn't appreciate the medias spin on the issue, but what he needs to understand is that this reflects the sentiments of the wider public. he claims that he didnt deserve it, is he then saying that every other victim of crime was deserving of being shot and their heads cut off (which seems to be the cool thing to do these days)? He also said that he has tried before to rally the artiste but with lackluster responses, so why then should i believe that they aren't doing this because, now that cock mouth a kill cock, literally they are rattled and even scared for their own safety? and in that case isn't that hypocrisy?

Daveian Morrison
5/13/2010

Is it that the life of an entertainer is more important than that of the many other Jamaicans who have fallen to violence??? This move by entertainers is good yes, but its for their own 'profit' , It would have been far better if, it had come about not by one of their own becoming a victim, but as Jamaicans with a gift to influence the minds and attitudes of others, seek to bring about positive changes in this country,I acknowledge that from the songs I hear them with Voicemail not a preacher of violence but I wonder what would happen if that happened to a Kartel or Mavado....Jesus mi sey!

Sherica Ventoz
5/13/2010

Hypocrites! All these artistes are a bunch of hypocrites. Just a week before one of their own was shot, two five year old babies were brutally murdered. One by the gun and the other's throat was slashed, and nothing was said about it. No stance was being taken against violence by these artistes, the same who promote it. None were saying its high time we stop promoting crime and violence, none were calling for a prayer vigil, none were calling on all Jamaicans to take stand against violence. I do feel sorry for O'neil, but heart is just about 5% there with him, because I just feel that if it wasn't for what happened to him, these artistes wouldn't be making such an appeal for us to get serious about crime and violence. And I do believe that in time, especially when O'neil is ok, this stance against violence and violent lyrics will be a thing of the past and that they'll all go back to singing about/ promoting it.

bless williams
5/13/2010

this must stop we dont want any don or criminal elements give us any justice.i dont support this killing and i hope this hoodlum justice stop.why is it that these entertainers dont stand up against these criminal justice?now they are going to keep bigging up these dons.sad eeh....................

joe wilson
5/13/2010

good news so for ,one of the supect who they say are involve in the shooting of oneil(voicemail)were found dead,with the mans cell phone in is position,he was clad in white tee shirt green short pant and blue slippers,the other one were held in manchester and has been handed over to the kingston hommicide for questioning,good woek so for,oneil mi brother get well soon do it for us may god bless an keep you.

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Female child found wandering Downtown

Entertainment fraternity concerned