Artist disgusted with Local Entertainment Personals, Labels them Hypocrites

Dear Mr. /Mrs. Editor.

I have been advised not to write or even say anything about this topic as it might come back to bite me in the ass later. However, I am not able to keep my mouth shut any longer, because of what I call high level HIPOCRISY in the Surinamese Entertainment Industry, and I got my reasons.

I find it disgusting how several if not almost all the Surinamese radio dj's are so two faced with their choice and caliber of music which they select to play. Giving locally produced music such a hard time. While on the other hand allowing so much through the loop where international music is concerned.

Every day I hear so much explicit words in the songs been played via the radio. The universal "Fuck" word is already been accepted along with the big "Pussy" as normal on the airwaves.

I wasn't born nor did I grew up in SU. But I know that the Jamaican "Bomboclaut" is commonly used in Suriname and most of not everyone knows that it's a curse word.

If you have any doubt how the word is used just listen to radio and you will have enough chance to fully comprehend the usage of the word.

Some of these songs commonly played are made in Jamaica and are banned from the radio waves in its raw version in the native country. While in SU, it’s blasted day after day on prime time radio without any or very little sort of censoring.

On the other hand Surinamese songs are rigidly filtered and quarantined before coming anywhere close to be played on air.

It stays fresh in my memory, as I remember in 2012, another music personnel was visiting from Jamaica and after listening to the radio for a few hours he asked. “Do they understand the words been used in these songs? Or is it that because it’s not a English speaking country curse words of English origin are not censored?" Honestly I couldn't or better yet didn't want to answer the question but I did say this is how it’s done in SU. Because that's a fact.

The hypocrisy is huge, even if Surinamese songs contain no curse words but uses expressions that might be ambiguous and leaves some work to the imagination which in some cases is considered "art” they are immediately slashed and deemed vulgar for airplay. That’s uttermost hypocrisy.

Been introduced to the Surinamese genre of music "Kabula" I soon learn to understand that the way the songs are danced and the groups of patrons associated with this music is one of the main reason why it's been boycotted from the airwaves. It is seen as degrading and nasty. That left me in shock not only because each person is responsible for his or her own action but also the fact that the alternative music been played from my native country Jamaica and the USA have far more degrading and explicit lyrics than Kabula but then again it's fit for airplay .

"Then again the grass is always greener on the other side". Until now I can’t understand the reasons why it's so.

Another point that disgusts me is how far they are willing to go to get their hands on the international songs. Radio disc jocks are even willing to illegally download tracks from YouTube and play in their sessions without even checking the added jingles from other djs and sound systems advertised on the track. Quite often you hear the names of other radio djs in the tracks been played on the radio over here then you ask "when did these Disc jocks start working on surnames radio? That's how desperate they are to play these tracks.

However if a SU artist wants his song to be played on the radio you are almost compelled to bring it to the radio stations for it to be screened because the dj's here won't put in the effort to check and listen what's new on the local market.

I ask myself how often the radio station pays for music from the local artist. Or even internationally? Do they consider the cost that attached making and marketing a song?

Show Promoters.

The Surinamese show promoters are also very guilty of treating the local artist with very little value.

Under normal circumstances they aren't prepared to adequately compensate local artist for their performance as they would do with an international artist.

When a Jamaican artist is invited to Suriname to perform a promoter is willing to pay anywhere between 5-25 thousands American dollars for a show plus additional air fares, hotel accommodations, daily pocket and consumption funds etc. but finds it very difficult to pay a local artist 1000 srd on the same night. Saying "Joe diri toemsy"

They frequently complain that a SU artist does not provide a show but fail to remember that in order to build a show you will need to invest in all the different stage assets necessary for a show, such as a band, dancers, and whatever is needed for that moment. But the money they are willing to pay an artist is just enough to cover transportation and clothing leaving them at stage one again.

Newspaper Columnist and Radio presentators.

Another group of media personnel’s are the Entertainment columnist in the popular newspapers who claims that Suriname has no show biz. Now I ask myself is that correct? But I already know the answer. That is not correct, there is so much happening in SU but the focus is on the pop stars from other countries who if you ask them if they like SU they are gonna answer what is that...." suop"

I am not pointing fingers but I am tired of reading about Justin Beiber's dog or Kim Kardashians finger nails etc. etc... While there is so much going on right here in Suriname.

Advise

However there is so much to be done to ensure the further development of the entertainment industry in Suriname. Let's check ourselves as entertainment personals. Pay attention to what we have here in Suriname and help to bring the entire industry to another level.

I'm making a special appeal to the radio personals, show promoters newspaper columnist check yourselves and also check what's happening around you. You all have a social responsibility and an instrumental role to play in the development and survival of entertainment industry so make the best use of that.

I'm also appealing to all entertainers to continue working on your craft to become the best you can. Start by respecting yourselves and give yourself a value. Stop accepting been belittled and under paid for your profession. Stop accepting the notion that music and entertainment in Suriname is only a hobby. Make it your profession and stick to it.

I could continue to write for another 5 hours and I still wouldn't finished addressing all the points. I'm sure that I'm not the one who share these points.

I have written from my experiences and have voiced my opinion. On my musical journey I have learned do much In SU. And I am very grateful for that. I am already apart of the entertainment family here and doesn't matter where my next stop is on my journey I will always be a part of this Family. I have one simple rule work hard and work smart.

If they want me bad enough they will pay to have me. And I don’t expect everyone to like me nor my music.

Salute Spanglish.