Cancelled US visas for Sizzla, Beenie, Bounty, Mavado, Aidonia — Who next?

Monday Musings

with Yasmin

Monday, April 05, 2010

The recent cancellation of US visas of the abovementioned artistes (except for Sizzla, in whose case the cancellation was not recent, as the visa was revoked in 1998) sent shock waves throughout and outside of the music fraternity, as many wonder who will be the next victim.

At first glance it seems to have been done in an almost callous way and this is surely cause for concern. An email advisory was sent to all the airlines who carry passengers to the US with the instructions not to board the artistes as their visas were in the process of being revoked. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that that such a move was afoot and the US embassy, as expected, has no comment, as this is a matter between them and the individual artiste.

However, is this to be seen as an advisory, pending some investigation on the embassy's part and at the end of the day a second advisory will be issued to countermand the first?

"The fact is that the artistes, as far as I know still have visas in their passports. The visas have not yet been stamped "cancelled without prejudice" or "cancelled with prejudice", so perhaps the US was just being generous by advising the artistes not to travel at this time. We have to examine the wording carefully," was artiste manager Patrick Robert's' take on the situation.

He, however, admitted that he was shocked by last week Wednesday's announcement that the visas of four of the top dancehall acts were "in the process of being revoked".

"But any way you look at it, this is bad," Roberts said. "What is a reggae festival anywhere in the States without Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Aidonia and Sizzla? And then there is Buju who is behind bars in the US."

The artistes had both their work permits and the visitor's visa revoked and the fact is that most artistes use the US as a hub. Without a visitor's visa they are now unable to use Miami as a connection port into other parts of the world. Artistes, like it or not, also have entourages and numerous persons to take care of. These artistes are among the top earners and shutting them down will certainly affect more than just them and their immediate families.

As the summer approaches, the next couple of month is usually their busiest periods as they travel to festival all across the US to earn their living. Many are asking why and why now? It is felt that the stand-off between Washington and Kingston is playing a role in this unfolding saga. Interestingly, both Beenie Man and Bounty Killer had a show in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday and their absence, according to informed sources, was a big blow to the promoter. It was to be the first time that the two would have performed on the same stage in Orlando.

According to Roberts, in all his 17 years of managing Beenie Man, he has never had a visa issue with the US government. "We have always had our work permits renewed without any problems," he emphasised.

And, as the artistes grapple with the way forward, Beenie Man has already released a visa song which will no doubt strike a responsive chord with all and sundry.

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COMMENTS (20)

D Lady
4/7/2010

You Jamaicans are so funny a few weeks ago when your Haitian brothers and sisters landed on the beautiful Island of Jamaica everyone was saying "Send them Back; we don't want them". It’s funny how the tables have turned. Now that the US has sent some of the Jamaicans back, you guys are crying it’s not fair. The US does not owe Jamaica a damn thing. Jamaica needs to get it together, the US has done a lot to help the beautiful island of Jamaica; and because they clamp down on all the foolishness that is going on you ungrateful “Yardies” want to talk back. Be careful not to bite the hand that feeds you. Every Jamaican on the Island has been blessed by someone from foreign. So stop acting like it was done all on your own. I don't want people to think I feel like Jamaica must praise the US but please don't forget the good they have done.

Blade Brown
4/7/2010

Prime Minister Bruce Golding did the right thing by standing up for the Constitutional Rights of "ALL" Jamaicans, not just Dudus, but "ALL" Jamaicans. Mexico which export tonnes of Drugs into the US each year I don't see their Government being pressured into extraditing any of their citizens. I don't see any Mexicans officials or entertainers Visas been canceled for not extraditing any of their citizens. pure Double Standard US Policy towards Black countries.
The works of the Obama Administration. don't try to strong arm Jamaica into extraditing our citizens on illegally obtained evidence by your State & Justice Departments. Black people should & "MUST" realize this that the Democrats has done more arm than good to Black people than all the Republican Presidents put together.
President Bill Clinton who Black people is crazy about signed into law the Immigration Bill in 1996 that affects Black people from Black Nations, people was getting deported for speeding tickets and minor offenses. tell me if that was fair? but yet still Hispanics, Asians & Europeans was treated differently for the same offenses.
Wise up!

JAN WATTS
4/7/2010

The US has the right to allow who they want in their country and who they don't want. just like a few years ago when you ask nuff people, are you going to put in to become naturalization, their answer was NO, now everyone is run to get it because now a green card only gives you the right to work thats all.

tickyticky fish
4/7/2010

Bwoy the US a tun up di rachet next it will be a travel advisory then Invasion Panama style.

Dana Gale
4/7/2010

I am not sad that these people have lost their visas. There are so many Jamaicans who would love to get the opportunity to visit the US, but because of our bad behaviours they don't have a chance. Why is it that we cannot act like civilized people? We always have to let the world know that we are Jamaicans...yes, that is good but only if it is in a good light. I was in Jamaica recently and frankly I was ready to come back to the US because Jamaica and its people have lost its character. This was the first time I have been home and did not feel sad leaving Jamaica. The culture has gone, the government is corrupted, Air Jamaica is gone, drugs and sex in clubs and middle of street dances makes me sick. At this moment if I was living in Jamaica, I would rather live with 1 million old people than one young person. The only thing that is currently holding Jamaica is the beaches and reggae, because there is no more substance left in Jamaica.

Peter Lawrence
4/7/2010

We don't know what is happenning with the US foreign policy. The tradition is that lobbyists make a good living influencing US policy so that decisions can be reversed. So far so good, it seems Beenie man is thumbing his nose at the bunglers in the embassy. Isiah now seems to be playing the race card and is front and center seeking to give solace to those 'hurt' by recent happennings in a 'black' country. But that is the typical black American approach -seeking common cause with a 'fellow sufferer'. How much stock can we put in Isaiah's statements??? do they reflect those of his bosses ??? so far i see that Golding is on top of the US policy makers, not giving much at all . But the game is just developing. Lets see what develops

Marlon Davis
4/7/2010

I'm on the artistes side on this, because this isn't fair at all look at Rihanna for example if(or already is)she was doing the same things they were doing would she get deported? this is a vendetta for Jamaicans, they are just entertaining, if most people disagreed with them they would have quietly stay out of the light...Jamaicans fail to realise that America runs Jamaica but we arent welcomed there.

george watson
4/7/2010

Ricky Wayne you are a wicked man. You went straight into my mind and took out my exact thoughts. The only thing is you said it better than I would. It is not money which makes us third world, it is our behaviour.

david mcdonald
4/6/2010

You flipping people who live overseas need to wise up, and stop rationalizing for these gay people who are trying tor sabotage our country economically, because they don't love or care about JAMAICA.
WISE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

trevor harris
4/5/2010

Comfort yourself Jay Brown. The simple fact that Sizzla visa was cancelled long ago just shows that these visa were not cancelled vbecause of lyrics etc . It shows that these were cancelled for a completely different reason , nsmely, the DUDUS MATTEER. There is more anon . look out !!!!!!!

Neville Silvera
4/5/2010

Those of u simpletons who can't see that this is just the beginning of the long road of hardship with the US embassy brought on in great part by the arrogant effrontery of our garrison PM must need 3D glasses.
I wonder if the exact same circumstances held, but the perp was Tony Welch, if the PM would stand up for his "constutional rights"?

K G
4/5/2010

This should of happened a long time ago. As a Jamaican living in the US, I used to support these artist when they'd preform in the NY metro area. But as these acts became more vulgar, hateful, violent, homophobic, disrespectful and hateful of women, encouraging murder and more, I stopped supporting them. I only wish the US had done this years ago. Maybe then, the negative portrayal of Jamaica and the Jamaican people could have been prevented.

tina chambers
4/5/2010

WELL U REAP WHAT U SOW

Anthony II
4/5/2010

"Maybe its just one or two people who dislike jamaicans": Of course! Dare anyone suggest that, perhaps, just perhaps, some people are getting sick and tired of what passes for "entertainment" among Jamaicans. Gun lyrics, 'unda ooman' lyrics, and homophobia can probably take you just so far and no more. Perhaps! Far be it from me to suggest this, but scroll down and read the next story, "Shabba, Admiral, Ranking Joe 'nice up the dance' at Reeewind." Alas and alack! There are Jamaicans performing overseas. Somehow those conspiring against Jamaicans missed those!

Jay Brown
4/5/2010

These have nothing to do with the Dudus case.
As noted sizzla visa was canceled years ago.

Antonette W.
4/5/2010

The artistes need to check themselves. They are inciting problems with their nasty and incendiary lyrics and they should be held accountable. I believe much of it comes from sheer ignorance and the desperation to make a living in a place where opportunities are very limited. I don't believe they are all monsters and gangsters. Having said that, I still smell a rat underneath all of this sudden foreign examination of Jamaican artistes. Even if some people abroad object to the lyrics, it should be up to the specific country/individuals to choose whether they want to see the artiste perform or not. For the US to make a blanket decision to bar them, is questionable, for there are many American performers who are just as bad and there is no attempt in the US or UK to curtail them. There is something brewing from the US. It's so obvious, that even a blind man can see it. Jamaican elected officials are now being investigated by the US, businessmen are under close scrutiny. All this, while the US impatiently awaits the extradition of the BIG MAN. I don't know the inner workings of "Jamaican big shot man" dem business business, but I know when I see outside pressure. Remember, America is a whole lot more than President Obama. He does not necessarily have the last word on certain activities. This is no conspiracy theory. The US can break Jamaica if they want to. Doesn't anyone remember the 1970's and the covert things that were done to bring down JA? The next news we will hear is that the US has put out an advisory and "Americans are warned not to travel to Jamaica because of safety issues." Wait and see if the Jamaican "powers that be" suddenly start singing a new song once they see that the Jamaican government and economy could come toppling down due to outside intervention. America is a great country, a land of opportunities, but it is like the rich uncle who you can run to when you need help. You know that he will take care of you, but you also know that you can never disagree with him. If he tells you "jump" you don't argue with him and ask "why?" You ask him "how high?' Well, you know the rest.

John Smith
4/5/2010

The people just want to keep what they consider trash outside their borders. They do have that right. If you want to travel to the country, then play by their rules.

Ricky Wayne
4/5/2010

The moment this news broke, I knew the conspiracy theorists would come out of their nests. However, it is unlikely that anyone is conspiring against Jamaicans - we are victims of our own bad behavior and classlessness. We, as a people, accept lewd diatribe and violence as entertainment and want to force feed it upon other nations. They have every right to cancel the visas so we can learn to dance a yard before we go abroad !! If I owned Navy Island in Port Antonio, I would have visa restrictions on some of these hoodlums parading as entertainers!

Wicked Wisdom
4/5/2010

I make mention already of Eric Holder, the USA Attorney General, who is of 'Bajan' culture. Listen for more

4/5/2010

Maybe its just one or two people who dislike jamaicans are plotting and spearing this head on. Lets hope its not someone who is part of the gay community that got themself the head position in the visa office. This sudden visa problem seem very strange.

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Cancelled US visas for Sizzla, Beenie, Bounty, Mavado, Aidonia — Who next?