BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON

Observer staff reporter

livingstonc@jamaicaobserver.com

THE rape of five females in Irwin Point, St James, last week has not only shocked Jamaicans. A group of Germans in the island to film a reggae documentary and music video were so horrified by the incident they have committed their resources to a music project condemining the crime.

Silly Walks Discotheque out of Hamburg, Germany, will also film the visual for the Penthouse Records-produced Stand Against Rape song free of cost. The crew of Joscha Hoffmann, Oliver Schrader and videoman Til Maier arrived in Kingston last Tuesday, one day before the song was recorded.

The song features Marcia Griffiths, D-Major, Exco Levi, Ikaya, Shuga, Tessanne Chin, Queen Ifrica, Torch, Sherita Lewis and an insert from Buju Banton coming out against sexual assault.

According to Hoffmann, "the talk was all over the place" so he knew about the incident before the recording session for Stand Against Rape took place.

Sitting in on the recording session, Hoffmann said he liked the vibe and and felt compelled to do the video.

This is not Silly Walks' first visit to Jamaica. Since their first trip 10 years ago, Hoffman says they try and make every trek count.

In addition to the Stand Against Rape music video, they will shoot a video with Torch who is featured on the song. His video is for Reggae Music, done on the Storms of Life rhythm produced by Silly Walks.

Other featured artistes on the beat are DaVille, Jah Vinci, Exco Levi, RC, Konshens, Bugle, Gentleman, Jah 9, J Boog and Terry Linen. The Silly Walks team's main project in Jamaica is a documentary on the history of reggae.

"We are collecting statements and impressions all over the town. We will be looking at the current state of reggae and how the genre drifted apart and how they are now trying to redevelop the authentic vibe," Hoffmann told the Jamaica Observer.

On Thursday, the police took into custody one man suspected of being involved in the robbery and rape of the five people at Irwin Point in St James. The day after, thousands of persons responded to the call by Woman Inc to wear black in protest.