Abstract

Reggae says no to `Politricks.'

This article focuses on the use of reggae music in campaigning by political parties in Jamaica. The voter appeal of Jamaican music has become increasingly evident to politicians, and they are eagerly wooing the music sector, which, until recently, was linked in the politicians' minds to a relatively powerless underclass. And even when their overtures fail, some politicians try to create the illusion of a musical alliance. The attempt by the opposition Jamaica Labor Party to associate itself with Rebel's song lyrics seems to be part of a larger effort to rehabilitate its image with ghetto voters. Last year, Jamaica's prime ministerial campaign received its unofficial launch only after reggae deejay and rapper Buju Banton released "It's Politics Time Again" and the hit tune spread the news like a modem-day town crier.