INTRODUCTION

The researcher is focusing on ‘Dancehall music has a negative impact on the

students of Black River High School’ and to objectively analyse this problem

statement. The statement was of interest because it is observed that now, more than

ever, dancehall music is becoming the most preferred genre of music amongst youths.

Consequently, various issues of students have been found abundantly evident of

misconduct within the school.

As the impact of dancehall music on students is an evident issue in the

Caribbean this research is of great importance, as it aims to provide ways to help

students understand what these impacts have on their lives. In addition, this would

raise the awareness about the issue and recommendations for possible solutions.

This independent study is for partial fulfilment of the Caribbean Advanced

Proficiency Examination (C.A.P.E), Caribbean Studies examination requirements

which allows the researcher to contribute to her final grades.

Whilst doing this research, the researcher also aimed at improving her critical

writing skills and to become proficient in data collection.

Definition of key terms

1. Dancehall music – A style of Jamaican popular music that had its genesis in the

political turbulence and became Jamaica's dominant music. (Cooper. C. 2013)

2. Impact – A significant influence caused by something.

3. Student – A person enrolled in a school engage in learning.

4. School – An institution for educating people.

1

LITERATURE REVIEW

Dancehall music, a genre of music prevalent in Jamaica, has captured the

attention of many as it has really had a great impact on youths. According to Cooper.

C (2013), dancehall music is a style of Jamaican popular music that had its genesis in

the political turbulence of the late 1970s and became Jamaica's dominant music in the

1980s and '90s.

The lyrics of dancehall music promote current social, economic and political

climate presented within communities, the country and by extension, the world. Some

lyrics stress the importance of education and encourage children to stay in school.

Refer to songs such as ‘We Shall Overcome’ by Mavado and I-Octane’s ‘My Life’.

Dancehall music has also been an effective advocate against political oppression.

Amidst the restrain and submission inflicted on citizens by actions of government for

example tax increases and the dancehall music acts as a voice for the people. Reflect

on Kartel’s song ‘Emergency’ which touched on the government inactions. Through

such an avenue the music highlights struggles faced by the poor, note the song

‘Poverty’ by I-Octane.

A pure heart is a sermon preached by dancehall entertainers. In it, speaks of

grudge and jealousy and hatred against each other, look at I-Octane’s hit ‘Nuh Love

Inna Dem’ which shows the extent to which people will conspire. Dancehall’s

doctrine teaches us to be satisfied and be happy and work towards what we desire.

However dancehall music has proven to have a negative impact on youths.

According to an article published in The Daily Gleaner (2008, March 2nd) by Gareth

Manning “Music triggers early sexual activity – study”. Behavioural scientist and

music educator, Dr. Marilyn Anderson said, “some rhythms, timbres and amplitudes

of the music can affect emotional behaviour in humans, particularly the young”. The

2

most obvious evidence demonstrating the influence of dancehall music on youths is

veneration of feuds in dancehall among artistes. The recent emergence of such

factitious behaviour is the much publicized clannish divide between dancehall artistes

Mavado (of the Gully Side) and Vybz Kartel (of the Gaza). It is seen customary for

young people to affirm an informal allegiance and ensue, in which they did.

In the article “Decadent dancehall” published in The Jamaica Observer (2011,

May 15th), Deserene Davis argued that “parents can’t talk to their children anymore.

The songs that their children have been exposed to – these so-called dancehall songs –

have been behavioural changes in children being insolent and showing no respect to

their teachers”. She challenged dancehall artists to realise that they are role models –

whether they want to or not – to the youths and insisted that their recordings have a

degrading impact on society.

Dr. Gillian Lowe, child psychologist attached to the University of the West

Indies and the Ministry of Health stated in her article “Parents urged to monitor kids”

published in The Daily Gleaner (2008, June 2nd) that parents should monitor

children’s activities to limit the likelihood of the transfer of negative values. She also

stated that parents should explain to their children why they prefer certain music

genres and lyrics to others. “You want to get them to understand. Sit and explain why

the song is not appropriate and some of the ill-effects of being exposed,” she said. The

psychologist advises that parents should also establish a system of consequences if

children indulge. “We need to educate the children by introducing music appreciation

that includes knowledge of the power of music and the effects it has on the body and

mind”, stated Lowe.

Dancehall music is a staple of Jamaican life and is adored around the world.

There is no doubt that the influence of music on people is phenomenal. Therefore,

3

there is no reason to doubt the extensive effect of dancehall music on the young

impressionable minds of Jamaican youths. However in a society of Jamaica, we

should not dwell on the negative but embrace the positive.

Therefore, it may be summated that dancehall music has a positive and

negative impact on its young listeners. However the problem is soluble as it was

created by humans.

4

DATA COLLECTION SOURCES

In order to complete this research, the researcher used both primary and

secondary sources.

PRIMARY SOURCES

Participating Observation is a close up look at the reactions of students to

dancehall music whilst partaking. This observation was done at The Black River High

School Cadet Unit Pre-Valentine’s Day Concert (2013, February12th).

Questionnaire is a list of open and close ended questions given to the students

of Black River High, based on the negative impacts of dancehall music on them.

These students were chosen because they are found abundantly evident in breaching

of school code of conducts and gang fights within the school and the researcher

considers dancehall music to be the reason for this. Questionnaires were given to

students between the ages of 11 to 19.

SECONDARY SOURCES

Secondary sources give the researcher background information as regards to

dancehall music. The secondary sources that were used are newspaper articles and the

Encyclopedia Britannica (2013). Carolyn J. Cooper is contributed the definition of

dancehall music in the Encyclopedia. He is a Coordinator of The International Reggae

Studies Centre, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.

The article in The Daily Gleaner dated the 2008, March 2nd, written by Gareth

Manning focusing on his views of music triggering early sexual activity. Gareth

Manning was a reporter at the Gleaner Company but presently is a Cooperate

Communications Assistant at JN Group. Also in The Daily Gleaner dated 2008, June

2nd an article written by Avia Collinder, Gleaner writer, focused on Dr. Gillian Lowe’s

5

views on parenting. Dr. Gillian Lowe is a child psychologist attached to the

University Hospital of the West Indies and the Ministry of Health.

The article in The Jamaica Observer dated 2011, May 15th, written by Cecelia

Campbell-Livingston, Sunday Observer staff reporter, focused on a debate between

Christ the Redeemer Skills Centre against St. Margaret’s Skill Centre arguing the

moot: ‘Dancehall music is to be blamed for the decadence in our youth culture’.

All these sources helped the research to gather information for this internal

assessment and will help the reader to gain a fundamental understanding of the

hypothesis.

6

PRESENTATION OF DATA

This research seeks to prove dancehall music has a negative impact on the

students of Black River High School. The data collected is being represented in the

following presentation of findings.

Of the 20 questionnaires distributed, 40% were males while 60% were females.

The student population sampled were from different age groups. 28% were between

the ages of 11 – 12, 23% between 13 – 14, 12% between 15 – 16 while 37% between

17 – 19 years.

7

Of the students sampled 80% listen to dancehall music while 20% does not listen to

dancehall music.

60% of the students indicated that they listen to dancehall music because of

entertainment. 12% listen to it because it is a norm, 8% listen to it because it is trendy

while 20% does not listen to dancehall music.

8

44% of students were introduce to dancehall music by friends, 16% by family while

40% by social media.

The students indicated that 28% of them became high in spirits whilst listening to

dancehall music, 20% became aggressive/angry, 20% became relaxed, 12% became

positive/fulfilled while 20% does not listen to dancehall music.

A majority 60% of students stated that dancehall music does not have a negative

impact on them. 20% said the impact is weak, 12% said average while 8% said strong.

9

Response shows that 44% of students agree that dancehall music promote negative

messages, 12% strongly agree, 20% disagree, 12% strongly disagree while 12% said

undecided.

Response shows that 72% of the students agree that dancehall music promotes gang

violence within the school while 28% disagree.

10

Response shows that 40% of respondents think the reasons for dancehall music

promoting gang violence within the school is the negative messages the lyrics

promote. 32% indicated that it’s the negative actions the artistes do while 28% does

not think dancehall music promote gang violence within the school.

Response shows majority (80%) of students do not view dancehall artists as role

models while others (20%) do.

11

Response shows that a significant 68% of students agree that dancehall music degrade

young women, 20% strongly agree while 12% strongly disagree.

Response shows that a majority of 68% of students choose banning, 12% choose

censorship while 20% choose fines as recommendations for reducing the negative

impact of dancehall music.

12

INTERPRETATION OF DATA

The data collected from questions 1 and 2 indicates that a majority (60%) of

females are from the population sampled while (40%) of males. A vast majority of

students (37%) were between the ages of 17 – 19 years while minority (12%) were

between the ages of 15-16 years.

44% of students in the data collected from question 12, agreed that Dancehall

music promotes negative messages. For the most part, data collected from question 15

shows that students (72%) believe that dancehall music aids with gang violence

within the school. In that, the students (40%) believe that the lyrics promote negative

messages while others (32%) believe it’s the negative actions the artistes do, as seen

in the data collected from question 16. Also, the students (68%) agree that this genre

of music degrade young women, as seen in the data collected from question 19.

However, students (80%) said they do not view dancehall artists as role models.

A question that was intended for students who say dancehall music has

impacted on them negatively to specify the strength of its impact. The data collected

from question 11 shows that students (20%) say the impact is weak, 12% said average

and 8% said it is strong.

Data collected from questions 4, 5 and 6 evidently indicates that majority

(80%) of the students sampled listen to dancehall music. 60% of these students listen

to dancehall music because of entertainment, 12% listen to it because it’s a norm,

while minority (8%) listen to it because it is trendy. Among other things, 44% were

introduced to this genre of music by friends, 16% by family and others (40%) by the

social media.

On the contrary, collection of data from question 9 illustrates student’s mood

whilst listening to dancehall music. A vast majority (28%) describe their mood as

13

high in spirits, 20% became aggressive/ angry, 20% became relaxed and 12% became

positive/ fulfilled. Along with the participating observation done in the school’s Cadet

Unit Pre-Valentine’s Day Concert, student’s mood listening to dancehall music

became mostly high in spirits based upon which artist was playing and what the lyrics

was saying. However students became calm and relaxed to other genre of music

which was playing for the event.

Few of the students from the sample exhibited awareness of the negative

impact dancehall music have on them and the strength of the impact. An immense

majority attributed that gang violence within the school is due to dancehall music.

However, 68% of the students suggest banning of dancehall music to reduce the

negative impact, 20% suggested fines while minority (12%) suggested censorship as

seen in the data collection of question 20.

14

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

According to Cooper (2013) dancehall music is a style of Jamaican popular

music that had its genesis in the political turbulence and became Jamaica's dominant

music. This genre of music produces both negative and positive messages. However,

the students (44%) agree and strongly agree (12%) that this genre produces negative

messages. The negative messages have impacted on the students of Black River High

School. Agreed by the students (72%), dancehall music promotes gang violence

within the school due to the negative actions the artists do and that the lyrics are also a

driving factor. This supports the recent dancehall feud that emerged between Movado

and Vybz Kartel from their factitious behaviour which was much publicized. It also

led to youths ensuing by affirming into informal allegiance amongst themselves.

Conferred by the students (80%), dancehall music influences their mood

whilst listening to it. This supported Dr. Anderson (2008) statement, where she stated

that rhythms, timbres and amplitudes of the music can affect emotional behaviour in

humans, particularly the young.

Moreover, the research showed that dancehall artistes are viewed as role

models by a vast minority (20%) of students from the sample. This goes to emphasize

Davis’ (2011) challenge to dancehall artistes to realise that they are role models –

whether they want to or not – to the youths and insisted that their recordings have a

degrading impact on society.

The research denoted that the vast majority of the students sample believe and

have knowledge that dancehall music has a negative impact on them.

15

CONCLUSION /LIMITATIONS /RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

In general, the students of Black River High School are negatively impacted

by dancehall music. It was establish that the lyrics play as a driving factor and so do

the artistes of these songs. The lyrics aid with gang violence within the school and

degrade young women. However, a significant majority of the sample does not

believe dancehall music has a negative impact on them.

Interestingly, the recent feuds between dancehall artists Mavado and Vybz

Kartel has led to affecting the emotional behaviour of youths. Causing them to affirm

themselves into informal allegiance and ensue. As such, this has led to gang fights

within school about whose clique is better than the other.

LIMITATIONS

The presented research was a small survey of one school in Jamaica. This school was

chosen because it was easily accessible by the researcher. As a result, this study is

limited by the precise sample size, making it difficult to make generalizations about

all the students in Jamaica based on the data collected. The instruments of data

collection which were utilised in the research were not time consuming.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Gang violence within the school and degrading of young women as a result of

negative messages the lyrics promote indicates that there is need for the censorship of

these lyrics or fines to be enforced. Necessary action should be taken by the relevant

authorities to prevent dancehall music from degrading society.

16

Additionally, the government could provide various resources that would

motivate artistes to promote positive lyrics which would impact on the youths. Also,

the wider society of Jamaica can contribute by putting a stoppage to the listening of

negative and degrading dancehall music. If it is not played, then the negative

messages will not be played.

17

BIBILOGRAPHY

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/150832/dancehall-music Encyclopedia Britannica (2013)

The Daily Gleaner (2008)

The Daily Observer (2011)

18

APPENDICES

Letter to respondents

Dear Respondents,

This questionnaire is designed to obtain data on your views of ‘Dancehall

music has a negative impact on the students of Black River High School’. The

research is being undertaken for partial fulfilment of the Caribbean Advanced

Proficiency Examinations (C.A.P.E), so I will be grateful for your time and patience

in answering these questions. There are no right or wrong answers, all information are

welcome. Your response will be treated in the strictest confidence and the

questionnaire is anonymous.

- Omelia Tennant

19

QUESTIONNAIRE SAMPLE

Topic: The Negative Impacts Dancehall Music has on the students of Black River

High.

Instructions: Please tick (✓) the answer of your choice and write answers where lines

are provided.

1. To which age group do you belong?

□ 11 – 12yrs □ 13 – 14yrs □ 15 – 16yrs □ 17 – 19yrs

2. To which gender do you belong?

□ Female □ Male

3. What grade are you in?

□ 7 – 8th □ 9 – 10th □ 11 – 13th

4. Do you listen to dancehall music?

□ Yes □ No

5. If yes, which of the following reasons explains why?

□ Entertainment □ Listening to it is trendy □ Listening to it is a norm

□ I do not listen to dancehall music

6. How were you introduced to dancehall music?

□ Friends □ Family □ Social networks □ Social media

□ Other .

7. How often do you listen to dancehall music?

□ 30minutes – 1hr □1hr – 2hrs □ 3 and more hrs.

8. Which gender of artist do you listen more?

□Male □Female □Both □ I do not listen to dancehall music

9. What mood are you in when you listen to dancehall music?

□ High in spirits □ Aggressive/Angry □ Relaxed □Positive/Fulfilled

20

□ I do not listen to dancehall music

10. Do you think dancehall music has a negative impact on you?

□ Yes □ No

11. If yes, how powerful is this impact?

□ Weak □ Average □ Strong □ Does not have a negative impact on me

12. Do you think dancehall music promote negative messages?

□ Strongly disagree □Disagree □Agree □Strongly agree □ Undecided

13. Has your personality changed since listening to dancehall music?

□ Yes □ No □ I do not listen to dancehall music

14. If yes, how has this change impacted on your personality?

□ Negatively □ Positively □ Does not impact on my personality

□I do not listen to dancehall music

15. Do you think dancehall music promotes gang violence within the school?

□ Yes □ No

16. If yes, why do you think dancehall music promotes gang violence within the

school?

□ The negative messages the lyrics promote □ The negative actions the artistes do

□Does not think dancehall music promotes gang violence

17. Do you view any dancehall artist as a role model?

□ Yes □ No

18. If yes, to which gender do you views as a role model?

□ Female □ Male □ Both □ I do not view any dancehall artist as a role model

19. Do you think dancehall music degrade young women?

□ Strongly disagree □ Disagree □Agree □ Strongly agree

21

20. Which of the following recommendations do you think can reduce the

negative impact of dancehall music?

□ Ban □ Censorship □ Fines □Other .

22