Jamaica has a rich culture that the world loves. We carry it like a badge of honor. Our people are proud, and we never miss a chance to brag about our delightful food, our sick dance moves, and our music. But things change. Afrobeat has surpassed reggae and dancehall on music charts around the world.
More disturbing is that some reggae and dancehall no longer sound authentic. The new trend is what is called trap dancehall. This music boasts about illegalities, glorifies a flashy lifestyle, and normalizes misogyny. With that comes a difference in how we vibe to the music. And not everyone can relate. Many people ask, “Weh di whining song dem gone?”
Some say trap dancehall is simply an evolution of the genre the way trap hip hop morphed from old traditional hip hop. Others say trap dancehall is its own genre and should not be used to misrepresent what we know as dancehall. Another curious aspect of trap dancehall is how the new voices of this music seem to cater only to the younger generation, unlike reggae and dancehall artists like Beres Hammond, Yellowman, and Beenie Man who made music everyone could enjoy.
While we welcome new talents, it would be nice to have young artists represent reggae and dancehall for what it truly is: the positive message that highlights our culture. Jamaica’s culture will always be rich; these new genres have found audiences. Entertainers must keep up with trends to give the people what they want. However, many of us prefer to have our souls filled by artists like Chronixx, Mortimer, and Tarrus Riley. They will remain greats in our culture.