MANDEVILLE, Manchester – Minister with responsibility for information Robert Morgan has expressed concern over the lyrics of some dancehall songs which he says continue to make wrongdoing and illiteracy fashionable.

Speaking at the National Youth Month Church Service at the Generations Church in Mandeville on Sunday, Morgan questioned the lyrics of trending songs.

“…I heard my son playing a YouTube video, and he wasn’t playing it because he looked for it, he was just on his tablet, and I heard, ‘Bounce cheque inna account and mek mi skull upset. [None a unuh] nuh know dunce yet, back a di class mi nah nuh subject,’ and I wonder when did dunce become fashionable?” Morgan asked in reference to dancehall artiste Valiant’s trending song Subject.

“And then you have a next one mi hear a couple weeks ago. ‘Miss Jen ask if mi a still thief. Yes, Miss Jen, I’m still a thief. Still engage in criminal activities.’ When did becoming a thief become fashionable?” Morgan asked in reference to dancehall artiste Malie Donn’s trending song Bank.

He argued that it is important for young people to be strong to protect themselves from being affected by negative lyrics.

“We always used to listen to the songs dem that wi parents nuh want wi listen to enuh, but when mi a youth and [dancehall stars] Shabba, Beenie, and Bounty, mi never hear dem a endorse thieving, and what it says to me is that there is an importance…for us to be strong as young people to maintain our mental faculties and protect ourselves from some very fashionable negative things that are out there that are going to drive us to do wrong things,” said Morgan.

Last month the Broadcasting Commission issued a directive requiring broadcasters to stop airing any audio or video which promotes scamming, abuse of drugs, illegal or harmful use of guns, or any form of criminal activity.

Morgan has already endorsed the stance of the commission and on Sunday he emphasised the need for young people to be engaged in nation-building.

“There has been no revolution in the world that has not been led by young people. Young people are the engine that drives economies and builds societies and countries, and if we lose our young people we are going to lose Jamaica,” said Morgan, who is also the Member of Parliament for Clarendon North Central.