Video Source: Protoje’s YouTube Channel | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYZo7CbLJjjfEOqYwknzzow
If you are Jamaican or have any ties to the country, you’ll
know that it has been a harrowing time for the nation recently. Despite its
reputation, Jamaica has been anything but paradise in the past months as the
tropical isle is once again being choked by the vice-like grip of crime and violence. Now, high levels of crime and violence are hardly a new phenomenon for the country. According
to the United Nations, Jamaica had the highest murder rate globally in 2005 and
it remains one of the highest today[1].
Violent elements of the nation’s history are seen in “Blood Money” with references to the Tivoli Incursion of 2010[2] and the long-standing institutionalized nature of corruption through patronage politics[3]. Historically, such political corruption has cost Jamaica approximately US$18 billion[4]. However, although high levels crime and violence are not new, this does not make them acceptable. Furthermore, crime and violence should not be allowed to spiral out of control unchallenged. As Protoje states, “If you build it pon crime then crime will haffi find you, and that’s how it’s been always. That nuh frustrate you like it do to me?”
Violent elements of the nation’s history are seen in “Blood Money” with references to the Tivoli Incursion of 2010[2] and the long-standing institutionalized nature of corruption through patronage politics[3]. Historically, such political corruption has cost Jamaica approximately US$18 billion[4]. However, although high levels crime and violence are not new, this does not make them acceptable. Furthermore, crime and violence should not be allowed to spiral out of control unchallenged. As Protoje states, “If you build it pon crime then crime will haffi find you, and that’s how it’s been always. That nuh frustrate you like it do to me?”
It should be said that while violent crime levels in
Jamaica were higher than others with a similar per capita profile, they were on
the decline nationally until recently. Now, there is a different atmosphere in
the air. The general lawlessness, not to mention the elevated abduction and
murder of women and girls has struck a chord with the populace. The volatile
situation has inspired small scale protests and widespread fear throughout the
island. Moreover, while the situation in Jamaica is alarming; violence,
political corruption and socioeconomic stratification are not solely Jamaican issues.
As such, Protoje’s single “Blood Money” could not have come at a more
appropriate time. Its articulate depiction of the current state of affairs in
the country and call for change resonate with concerned Jamaicans, reggae
aficionados and contemporary viewers of global politics alike.
“Mi nah watch no face, beg no more pardon. A nuff
drugs money deh ah Cherry Gardens”. From the song’s inception
Protoje forces the listener to sit up and pay attention with this reference to
the affluent St. Andrew suburb just outside the capital. The lyric demonstrates
that appearances are not always as they seem and that people from privileged
areas of Jamaican society are rarely held accountable for their crimes; while
those from lower socioeconomic classes are often made the scapegoats. After
all, “no real bad man a go [police] station.” It is one of the uncomfortable
truths that we must challenge and change if we are to move forward and progress
as a nation.
While lyrically,"Blood Money" explores complex themes of corruption, social stratification and violence; the composition and artistry displayed in the song's production must also be recognised. Taj Francis provides exquisite imagery in the Official
Audio Video for the single, seen below. As beautiful as they are haunting; the
detailed illustrations of gun-wielding children, melting monuments and
landmarks ablaze, set against a stark red background will stay with you long
after the final refrain. Furthermore, the chilling staccato nature of the piano
notes during the chorus was an inspired musical choice. “A blood money run
the nation” rings out against this musical backdrop, subtly differentiating
chorus from verse while subconsciously capturing the fear and frustration presently
felt in Jamaican society.
An honest and powerful social commentary, Protoje’s “Blood
Money” is a searing indictment of the hypocrisy and corruption that plagues Jamaican politics and the deeply classist society at large. A pivotal song for
our time.
[1] "Crime, violence and development:
trends, costs, and policy options in the Caribbean". United Nations Office
on Drugs and Crime. p. 37 << http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/Caribbean-study-en.pdf >>
[2] Since Jamaica’s independence in 1962,
governance has been dominated by two political parties: the People’s National
Party (PNP) and the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP). In the late 1960s both parties
began to create “garrison communities” to secure political votes and seats in
parliament. Garrison communities were towns and neighborhoods controlled by
gang leaders or “dons” who ensured the community’s loyalty to a specific
political party through extortion and violence towards its residents. In
return, these “dons” received financial rewards from the political party with
which they were affiliated, and thus maintained a profound level of power
within the community. Tivoli Gardens is one such garrison community. According
to Rupert Lewis in “Party Politics in Jamaica and the Extradition of
Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke”, “Some 20 per cent of all constituencies and
approximately 60 per cent of all urban constituencies have already been fully
or partially garrisoned. Within a political constituency, a garrison is an area
controlled by a leader or don who dispenses scarce benefits and violence in
order to keep the constituents aligned to a particular party. This control
enables an electoral candidate to win the seat by a large majority and become
the Member of Parliament. Garrisons are therefore a central part of the
political system because they provide “safe” political seats. Moreover,
garrison constituents may assist in the task of political mobilization in other
constituencies. Tivoli Gardens has been the main symbol of a garrison, but it
is one of several and was deemed special, largely because it was well-armed and
organized, had its own mechanisms for dispensing justice, and was informally
outside the purview of the state until May 2010. The extradition of Coke and
the subordination of Tivoli Gardens to the rule of law are the first major
assaults on garrison politics and the power of dons whose financial and gun
power give them influence, putting them in a position to significantly
determine the outcomes of both local and national politics.” (p.41). However,
with over 70 civilians and 3 military personnel killed within a matter of days
during The Tivoli Incursion, the country remains divided. Some argue that it
was a regrettable but necessary cost to begin to promote rule of law in Jamaica
and relinquish ties with drug lords. Others argue that rule of law cannot come
at the expense of the civilian population, particularly a population that has
been historically alienated and excluded from the wider Jamaican society due to
classism and racial prejudice.
[3] “Another parallel development in this
process was the normalization of contracts to dons connected with both
political parties. Under this structuring of politics, the Jamaican people saw
their material, social, personal, and human life freedoms eroded as there was
anemic economic growth, the rise of inequality, the escalation of the debt to
GDP ratio of just under 140%, and the rise of the homicide rate to a high of
1,680 murders in 2009 (in a population of 2.7 million people.” Rupert Lewis. “Party Politics in Jamaica and the
Extradition of Christopher “Dudus” Coke”. The Global South p.43 << http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/globalsouth.6.1.38 >>
[4] National Integrity Action. The Cost of
Corruption: Jamaica’s Barrier to Prosperity << http://niajamaica.org/news-media/videos?jut1=2 >>
On point analysis and breakdown of all the visual and lyrical elements -- big up for dissecting and bringing the context to this loaded track.
ReplyDeleteThanks Gennui, I really appreciate your words! It's a thematically powerful song, with excellent graphics and musical precision, and I just wanted to bring attention to that :)
Delete- Mwahaki
Mwahaki King || It's a King Thing
www.itisakingthing.com
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