In an interview with Kawastone on the Zaa Kootu program aired on Zaa TV, Dancehall artiste, Ruff Guy voiced his frustrations regarding the treatment of Dancehall musicians in the northern region.
According to him, presenters are not giving Dancehall artists in the North the same level of support and exposure that they extend to artists from other genres. “Presenters are not fair to we Dancehall artiste in the North,” he lamented, emphasizing a disparity in the promotion and airtime allocated to Dancehall music compared to other musical styles.
One of the core issues Ruff Guy highlighted is the reluctance of presenters to play Dancehall songs on air. He pointed out that while other genres receive ample airplay, Dancehall tracks are often sidelined. This lack of representation, he believes, stifles the growth of Dancehall music in the region and denies artists the opportunity to reach a broader audience.
Ruff Guy also touched on the cultural and linguistic misunderstandings that contribute to this bias. He explained that many presenters label the patois or Jamaican language used in Dancehall music as “bad” or inappropriate. This mislabeling, he argued, stems from a lack of understanding and appreciation for the linguistic and cultural nuances of Dancehall. “They don’t promote or play our songs as compared to others, and mostly, they label our language as ‘bad’ because they lack a better understanding of the patois/Jamaican language,” Ruff Guy explained.
Ruff Guy’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by Dancehall artists in the North and call for a more equitable approach to music promotion and representation. He hopes that his words will encourage presenters to broaden their horizons and give Dancehall music the recognition it deserves.
Meanwhile, the talented artiste has rubbished claims that Dancehall Music is dead and buried, especially in the Northern Region, rather, he calls for fairness that will see every genre has its unique value and should be given a platform to thrive. Watch the interview below,
