DESPITE the sudden spate of robberies and gun violence we are experiencing, the society has generally been trending away from a very dark period of our history, when many of our working- class communities were held hostage by politically connected narco-criminals.

As civil society, and even state agencies retreated from these areas, most social infrastructure and services disappeared. This led to urban blight and stigmatisation, as a consequence of which, life in the ghetto became even more insular, crude and brutal.

The void created was filled by enterprising, benevolent dons and merciless gangs who exploited the needs of residents, commanded their silence, services and loyalties, while their lawless, oftentimes misogynistic perversions ruled supreme. This was taken to the point of poisoning the minds and values of the young, growing up in this violent, inhumane environment. This was often reflected in our lyrics and musical tastes.

Three recent events are positive milestones in a gradual realignment of our music, songs, as well as life in our inner cities.

In mid-November, I assisted Junior Lincoln with staging the JaMIN Song Competition finals, which was combined with the reopening of the historic Ambassador Theatre in Trench Town, West Kingston, after nearly 40 years of closure. This was the venue where the careers of many of our early performers such as Bunny & Skully, Lascelles Perkins, Derrick Harriott, Ken Boothe and Errol Dunkley were launched by Vere Johns.

Over the three days of preparatory work, I was elated about the return of that famous characteristic of civility and charm, how orderly things proceeded, at the co-operation of the residents, and the courteous, disciplined behaviour of the youth.

Everyone expressed optimism and pledged that this would become the nucleus of the establishment of economic and cultural enterprises within the community. A realisation of this goal, in the cradle of our music, and hometown to a large portion of our pioneering vocalists, will help to pivot the thrust to develop Kingston’s cultural tourism product.

It was a most pleasant, déjà vu experience for me, because from 1969 to 1975, I had spent some wonderful, conscious-raising time in the area amongst some Rastafari ‘bredren’, as well as by doing constructive community organisational work.

The second positive symbolic event was the presentation of the University of Technology’s Chancellor’s Medal to the Jamaican music industry on Saturday, December 8, at the Courtleigh Auditorium.

This is the first such recognition of the music, by any major institution in this country.

It is noteworthy because the objective of the award is to salute the contribution of an individual or institution whose value is of distinctive and distinguished national/ international significance. Hearing and seeing our young musicians and vocalists imbibe, interpret and perform the songs of our pioneers, was like witnessing a figurative passing of the baton.

Finally, there was the excellent news that Di Blue Print Band, who are members of JaRIA, won the Global Battle of the Bands competition in London last Sunday night. I wish to heartily congratulate them. This is the second year in succession that a Jamaican band has taken this title. You may recall that Dubtonic Kru was also victorious, using the exposure to launch a successful series of concert tours across Europe and North America.

These developments, separately and together, bode well for the future of our music industry.

Email:che.campbell@gmail.com