Radio pulls monarch’s
Lyrics apparently not vetted
Stabroek News
January 23, 2004
The Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) pulled reigning Calypso Monarch, Vivian Jordan’s 2004 entry from the airwaves yesterday triggering a boycott threat by Mashramani enthusiast Don Gomes.p The piece titled, `I will resign’ takes a dig at President Bharrat Jagdeo and Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj without naming them.
It was pulled from the airwaves yesterday morning after enjoying two days of airtime. Jordan who is popularly known as `VJ’ won the calypso monarchy for the last two years and is defending his title next month. Speaking to Stabroek News last evening Jordan said that his lyrics are in no way scandalous or libellous. He said that the song is a social commentary and merely looks at the crime situation which has gripped the nation over the past year.
Jordan said that late yesterday after being pushed around he was told that the decision to pull the song came from high authorities adding that he now awaits word as to whether his song will be aired again.p In his successful first bid for the title of Calypso Monarch Jordan had called upon the people to elect him President, then last year he called for power sharing.p
In ‘I will resign’ VJ sings: I owe this nation an apology, my people I am so sorry I ask you to vote for me, and give me a chance to run this country But after two terms in office I am ashamed to tell you this I have not kept my promise, now the country is at risk On de 23rd of February 2002, mashramani day, five prisoners got away Then came a reign of terror never before seen in Guyana And for this I must take de blame.p The chorus then goes: Never before in our history, so many policeman died on duty yes I will resign, I will resign Imagine policemen on de beat, wearing bulletproof vest in de street yes I will resign, I will resign Deh couldn’t count all dem resignation, when deh shoot up Alberttown station yes I will resign, I will resign Police wildly reporting sick, a say:`VJ get out quick!’ I will resign, I will resign You know de escapees were living just four doors from my garage That is why I must escape.
He also went on to sing about phantom killings, the Mark Benschop treason case, the judiciary and other areas. When contacted by Stabroek News yesterday, General Manager, GBC, Mazrul Bacchus confirmed that the song was pulled. He said the song was aired but GBC subsequently learnt that the lyrics were not reviewed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. According to Bacchus the songs must be approved by the Ministry before they are aired. He pointed out that this was not the case with the reigning monarch, resulting in the radio station pulling the piece from the airwaves.
Gomes told Stabroek News yesterday that he views the move by GBC as interference that should not have occurred. He said that meddling only injures the calypso art form. He pointed out that the issue is a sensitive one and should have been approached differently. Gomes explained that during the many years he was involved with the Mash celebrations similar problems arose but none like the present one. He declared that if GBC fails to air the song and deny VJ the right to a public audience he would participate in activities this year but not in support of Mashramani. He pointed out that other calypsonians are enjoying airtime as the competition nears.
Gomes who has been a big part of Mash activities over the years is set to launch his Mash camp this weekend at the Seawall Bandstand. Under the theme “Ants”, revellers will dance along the streets of Georgetown and back to his Brickdam location. Winston Benn of the Mash Secretariat told Stabroek News yesterday that it is routine for the calypsonians, with the exception of the defending monarch, to audition before a panel of judges before selections are made. At the time of auditioning all lyrics and musical scores are submitted. He noted that VJ had to meet a deadline and submit his lyrics at that time, adding that upon submission concerns were not raised as to the lyrics.