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So, is there a link between Jamaica's violent crimes and violent dancehall music?
Controversial deejay Ninjaman says no.
According to the 'Don Gorgon', the violence present in cartoons and movies far outweighs what is in the music.
"Cartoon nuh violent? Movie nuh violent?" the deejay questioned. "There is a greater level of violence in these. When a man see something, the effect is greater than when him hear it. Movie show you how fi pull down gun and set it up; how to plan, executive, and get away with a robbery. When nuff man a deejay 'bout violence, a what dem see inna movie," he told the Jamaica Observer.
"Music just can't influence a man fi go do badness. If him go do badness, it's based on what was already happening in some of these violent communities," said Ninjaman, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine.
Turning to his own music and the influence some of his lyrics may have on society, Ninjaman stated that it was all about fun.
"When we sing 'bout one house a gun, it was fun and drama. Dem yout' now a sing 'bout shot off yuh head and all the things what they see in the movies — the Matrix-type killing — or things already happening in their communities. Dem a build lyrics based on what dem see on TV."
Consulting psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj argues that anything consumed transforms the individual
Controversial deejay Ninjaman says no.
According to the 'Don Gorgon', the violence present in cartoons and movies far outweighs what is in the music.
"Cartoon nuh violent? Movie nuh violent?" the deejay questioned. "There is a greater level of violence in these. When a man see something, the effect is greater than when him hear it. Movie show you how fi pull down gun and set it up; how to plan, executive, and get away with a robbery. When nuff man a deejay 'bout violence, a what dem see inna movie," he told the Jamaica Observer.
"Music just can't influence a man fi go do badness. If him go do badness, it's based on what was already happening in some of these violent communities," said Ninjaman, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine.
Turning to his own music and the influence some of his lyrics may have on society, Ninjaman stated that it was all about fun.
"When we sing 'bout one house a gun, it was fun and drama. Dem yout' now a sing 'bout shot off yuh head and all the things what they see in the movies — the Matrix-type killing — or things already happening in their communities. Dem a build lyrics based on what dem see on TV."
Consulting psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj argues that anything consumed transforms the individual
