StyleX looks at ‘epidemic’
AFTER taking a three-year, self-imposed sabbatical from dancehall, StyleX is making a return to the spotlight with a social commentary dubbed Gal Clowna Virus .
“I recorded the song about a month ago and it was based on the violent acts being committed against women. The thing is escalating and getting out of hand so I had to talk about it and put my thoughts in words. The song is in a jovial context but there is a message which I hope will reach a wider audience, and humour is a useful device to use even though it is a serious topic. It has an educational aspect about domestic violence,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Released five days ago, Gal Clowna Virus is on the Building Block Production/Bangology Records imprint.
In recent weeks there have been several highly publicised incidents of domestic killings. There was even an incident where a man set his female lover on fire after he suspected infidelity. Khanice Jackson, 20, was allegedly killed by a 50-year-old mechanic who offered her a lift in Portmore, St Catherine. Clarendon teacher Natalie Dawkins’ body was found dumped in a shallow grave in Clarendon. The educator’s motor vehicle was found in Bellas Gate, St Catherine, on Saturday, April 3, after two men attempted to sell it. The men engaged police in a shoot-out and one was subsequently killed while the other escaped.
“I hope that my song can connect with the men. I want it to reach a point where a man will say ‘Mi have vaccine so mi nah bother beat up Christine.’ I want men to understand that even though dem might feel say dem no have the gal clowna virus, dem can look into themselves and whatever evil them plotting; dem can change dem mind ,” StyleX said.
A 2018 United Nations survey revealed that one in four women in Jamaica experience intimate partner violence.
StyleX (given name Kerry Walker) first came to prominence with Mi Love My Fatty, which declared his affection for plus-sized women, in 2017. The single, recorded by Claims Records, became a fixture on street mixtapes.
His other songs are See Weh Dem Live, Fareign Fatty, and Bad Man Walk.
