8.27.04.e-mail

WHAT'S HAPPENING by Todd Mangatal

Greetings To all, my on-line family:

A few weeks ago you should recall I had spent some time discussing the fact of the "slackness" lyrics from our reggae artists. Well, this week I heard Beenie Man was taken off a concert in Miami leading up to the MTV Video Awards, because of his hateful and most importantly violent lyrics against homosexuals, and I can't blame MTV for their decision, actually I applaud them. This is what needs to happen to out of control artists. Now, granted MTV have had their problems, because back in the early stages of MTV they refused to play videos by Black Artists. I remember Rick James making a big sting over that. I think the first video to be played by a black artist on MTV was Billy Jean by Michael Jackson, but now times have really changed, and MTV also owns BET and VH1. (Read the Beenie Man article Below.) What saddens me the most about the comments made by Bennie Man was the statement he made - "I just want to teach people, my sons and my daughters the right way of life." I don't think the right way is to kill and judge others, especially since we as black people were judged, killed, and oppressed a very short time ago. If he wants to teach he should teach about positive things that we can control. I don't understand why this new breed of dancehall artists put so much emphasis on hating a certain group of people. This is really dumb! Don't they realize they are in the entertainment business and they don't have any control of anything, not even there own future. Most importantly don't they realize that their futures are controlled by many of the same people that they preach this hatred against! Dancehall artists, please open your eyes and smarten up, and remember the words of Bob Marley "One Love"! Also, remember that you are the pathway for the future of reggae music, since you have crossed over to the mainstream market and won a Grammy, and have received major media coverage, but as quick as you got there, they will pull you down. They "run things"! When we "run things" maybe we can say what we want to say, but unfortunately that day is a long way away. Additionally, as I continue thinking about this further, I feel that this "Dancehall" music (that it's called nowadays) has to be disassociated from actual Reggae music. Maybe it should be called "Slackness Dancehall" or "Hip Hop Dancehall", because much of the world associates Jamaica with Reggae, and I really don't think the majority of Jamaicans wouldn't like to be remembered or known for the "slackness" that's being released nowadays. Imagine the commercial "Come to Jamaica and Kill some Chi Chi Men", does this make any sense? Is this going to uplift the music, the people or the country? I know somebody is going to holla "freedom of speech", but with freedom and fame there is responsibility! Beenie Man should be responsible for his actions and lyrics, he must remember he is one of the main pathways for this music, and he must be a proper example. Lastly, one of the main reasons why I'm saddened and disappointed about this situation is that my goal has been to help bring Reggae Music to the mainstream, and most importantly a few years ago I went through hell here in Washington DC to get the mainstream radio stations (WPGC and WKYS) to play Beenie Man's music, but upon my insistence and persistence it was done ("Who Am I" song became a big hit). I am truly passionate about this music and the future of it!!! Again, dancehall artists wise up, and I really hope the great artists like Sanchez and my other favorite artists Tanya Stevens, along with many others, don't get too caught up in all of this "slackness" lyrics, because these two artists along with many others have a whole lot of potential and a chance for longevity in this business (just a few words of wisdom to the artists). Whether you disagree with me or not, I would appreciate your feedback. For those who disagree tell me why you would like to be associated with "Slackness" and Hateful talk" todd@ariousentertainment.net.

MIAMI -- Grammy-winning dancehall reggae star Beenie Man won't perform at a concert associated with the MTV Video Music Awards this weekend after gay groups planned a protest over his lyrics, the network said Wednesday.

MTV pulled the Jamaican from the roster Tuesday after South Florida gay activists announced plans to protest Saturday's concert in Miami over some of his lyrics, including ``I'm dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays'' and ``Queers must be killed.''

``We don't want anything to overshadow what will be a great weekend of music events for South Floridians,'' MTV spokeswoman Marnie Black said Wednesday. She declined further comment.

The awards show is Sunday at the bayfront AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, the first time in the glam-filled event's 21-year history that it will take place outside New York and Los Angeles.

Beenie Man's manager, Clyde McKenzie, said ``in many instances the lyrics of dancehall artists are metaphorical.''

``He has made it clear that he doesn't want to incite violence,'' he said.

He said he understood MTV's actions.

``If their organization is being pressured they may not want anything to be distracting from their event,'' he said.

Heddy Pena, executive director of the Miami-based gay-rights group SAVE Dade, said ``We respectfully suggest that he use other metaphors.'' Her group had been organizing the protest.

``It's disappointing to see artists use their talents as a tool for hatred and bigotry,'' she said.

Beenie Man told The Herald on Sunday that ``I just smile, because I don't know what they're fussing about.''

``I'm not here to cuss people. I make music. But at the same time I just want to teach people _ my sons and my daughters _ the right way of life,'' he said. Beenie Man was not available for comment Wednesday, his publicist said.

Beenie Man, born Anthony Moses Davis, is on a world tour promoting his new album, ``Back to Basics.'' His songs include ``Dude,'' ``Girls Dem Sugar'' and ``Who Am I?'' His album ``Art and Life'' won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2001.

Several concerts on his tour this year were canceled following uproar from gay groups about his lyrics. He ends the tour in Miami on Nov. 8.

This weekend there is a lot of events happening here locally, and I must comment about all the folks who are fight against each other by having so many events on the same day. A reader e-mailed me a few weeks ago asking me to address the problem with all the events being held on the same weekend. This reader is completely frustrated about having to choose which event to go to. It seems that everyone plans their events on the same weekend, and for the next three weekends in the month there is nothing to do. Since, this community is so small we should try and spread our events out, and basically stop fighting against each other. Learn to live by the words of Rodney King "Why can't we all get along". Anyway, I received some more e-mail from my on-line family about this situation and they all are very frustrated about the many events being held on the same weekend as well! I know this is something we cannot control, and competition is good, but in this case, we have so few quality events, why put them all on the same day? Scroll below to see all this weekends events, and upcoming events.

Don't forget to check out Caribbean Connection's "Night of Fashions" Show (Washington Rampage 2nd Place winner of the Small Band Category in DC Carnival) at Izora Restaurant and Nightclub from 7 to 10 pm on Saturday, August 28th. Scroll down to view ad for details.

You must also check out Dr. Hyde (direct from Trinidad) one of my favorite DJ from back in the day. He will be at the T&T Club House on Saturday Night, August 28th. Scroll down to view ad for details!

Last night we checked out Jeunes Agape, which is a youth choir from Trinidad. They are here in DC on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Embassy, and this youth choir put on a great performance at Zanzibar. The event was well attended, but considering that this event featured the culture of Trinidad, I was surprised there won't more of the "whose who" in the community. I didn't see any of the promoters, non of the radio personalities, non of the musicians, non of the DJ's except for Bobby's Music Machine who was the DJ for the event and DJ King Tut with his family. Crown Bakery the Co-Sponsor of this event featured many great dishes from Trinidad, and everything was laid out very elegantly. Crown Bakery have been doing great things since they opened a few years ago. If you are ever on Georgia Avenue, be sure to stop in and tell Trevor and Jennifer that Arious sent you by to try their great "Saltfish Patty" I guarantee you will be hooked. I have added some photos, but because of the lighting they didn't come out very well, and I'm still learning how to work these new technological gadgets (digital camera). (You know I'm from the "old school", so I really like the disposable cameras, I think they take the best pictures), but I'm always trying to change with the times. Click Here for the Pictures! Don't forget to check out Jeunes Agape at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage on Tuesday, August 31st. There is no excuse not to have a sell out crowd, because this event is free, and how often do we have events at the Kennedy Center. If we come out and support, maybe we will have many more at the Kennedy Center. In closing this youth choir is really great and you can't miss their great performance! As usual Zanzibar put on a "class act" with this event!

Just came across this nice site, that's filled with all kinds of great information about Trinidad and Tobago. So if you are planning to go to Trinidad, or if you are in Trinidad, there is a whole lot of information on this site that might be helpful, educational and informative. www.tntisland.com. Big Up Roger, we love the site!!!!!!

Until Next Week!

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Have a wonderful weekend!

For anyone in our community or those who are out of town, who wishes to submit a commentary about an event you attended, or just want to tell us about an interesting experience, please feel free to submit it to us at ariousentertainment@earthlink.net, we would be glad to include it in our weekly commentary.

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