MONTARI says the Broadcasting Commission’s recent ban on songs promoting illicit drugs, illegal guns, and scamming will have no adverse effect on his brand of music.

“It [the ban] doesn’t affect me as an artiste as I don’t sing those types of songs… I never grew up hearing the artistes I idolise singing those songs,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The deejay believes the Broadcasting Commission’s move will yield positive results.

“It will push the dancehall artistes to get more creative… and allow others to rise to the top,” he said.

According to the commission, the ban covers the transmission of: “Any audio or video recording, live song, or speech which promotes and/or glorifies scamming, illegal use or abuse of drugs (for example, Molly), illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, jungle justice, or any other form of illegal or criminal activity; any edited song which directly or indirectly promotes scamming, illegal drugs, illegal or harmful use of guns or other offensive weapons, jungle justice, or any form of illegal or criminal activity. This includes live editing and original edits (for example, edits by producer/label) as well as the use of near-sounding words as substitutes for offensive lyrics, expletives, or profanities.”

Last year Prime Minister Andrew Holness put dancehall music on the radar. He said violent lyrics from artistes assisted in fuelling the island’s crime rate.

Established in 1986, the Broadcasting Commission is a statutory agency mandated to monitor and regulate free-to-air television, broadcast radio, and subscriber television (cable) services. The organisation, which is headed by attorney-at-law and former broadcaster Cordel Green, ensures the media houses operate at appropriate levels in relation to technical, programme, and service standards.

Montari is currently promoting his latest single Success, released a month ago on the Endeavor Music Group label.

He shared the inspiration for penning the single.

“It’s a motivational song. It came out of personal experience and what I was seeing happening to people, so mi try hard fi motivate people to achieve success,” he said.

“Success is a thing you have to work for… A man has to focus on getting his success than getting jealous about another man’s success…It’s really about ah man ah do him thing and nah envy nobody… You may be in a job and not making the money you want, but just push on,” he said.

Born in Clarendon, Montari (given name Yohance Smith) attended Glenmuir High in that parish.

After finishing high school, he relocated to the tough inner-city community of McIntyre Villa (aka Dunkirk). While living in Kingston he received certification in ornamental horticulture and landscaping from HEART/NSTA Trust.

Montari is currently the group landscaper in charge of AC Hotel in Kingston and the ATL Group.

He admits, however, that music is his first love.

“It’s in my DNA. My father was a bass guitarist in a Manchester band called Traffic Jam back in the day. He is supposed to call Garnet Silk’s father grand-uncle,” he said.

He said he got his break in 2008 and has not looked back since.

Montari’s other releases include Endeavor Forever, Hey Lady, Gal Dem Song, and Money Me a Pree.