Dear Editor,

I wish to express some of my concerns about the current state of reggae music as we enter 2018.

Firstly, reggae music has gone global. There are exponents in many countries in the world; however, there are too few opportunities to hear a diverse group of artistes on the same bill.

Indeed, there are many countries that have created new genres by mixing reggae with their local music. Brazil, Gambia, and Zimbabwe are just a few examples. The world has embraced reggae, yet much of the Jamaican reggae community have not embraced world reggae.

Secondly, I would like to hear more uplifting tunes; conscious, life-affirming lyrics that express the whole gamut of human experiences. I tire of dancehall with its negative, derogatory, inane utterings. Some have expressed the view that much of the current dancehall is based on strategies to bring down Jamaican music and society. And it is sad that many Jamaican artistes seem barely literate and know more how to use expletives than write poetry or lyrics. They are now influencing the youth and determining the image of Jamaica worldwide. This is a sad reflection on the leadership of the Jamaican elite, middle classes and academia.

Down the years reggae has gone through some metamorphosis, let’s hope it can reclaim pride of place..

Karl Miller

Savanna-la-Mar PO, Westmoreland

kmja@btinternet.com