DESPITE relocating to Canada, emerging deejay Purecentage always kept abreast of what is happening in his homeland.

He is appalled at the level of crime and violence, and is moved to pen his latest single Frustrating.

“The song was written based on the crime rate in Jamaica at the moment. More women and children are being killed and, as an artiste, I felt compelled to tackle the issue,” Purcentage told Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“The single is very straightforward… I left no stones unturned with this one. At no point will we completely eliminate crime, but our country has reached a point where even our children are a target and that is unacceptable. As a musician, it is a part of my duty to educate my listeners and hope that they apply what is being taught through positive entertainment. I want to show society that we are capable of living a better life without fuelling negative energy,” Purecentage continued.

Frustrating was released in May on the deejay’s Purcentage Music imprint. An accompanying video is in the works.

According to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 585 people were were murdered in the island during the first six months of this year. This represented a 16 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.

Purecentage, whose real name is Peter Maxwell, hails from St James. He migrated to Canada in 1990.

He is currently working on an EP which he hopes to release before year end.

Among his other releases are Slap, Grandma, and Pain and Pleasure.

— BB