Staff writer - Kerran Monroe
What is really going on in the Portmore Empire? Is it a group of musicians working to pursue a career in music or is it a crime ring? Recent activities have left a number of persons thinking the latter.
The head of the Portmore Empire, Vybz Kartel was arrested and charged for murder and as if that was not enough drama for the Empire, another member of the group Shawn Storm has also been arrested and jointly charged with his leader, Kartel for the murder of Clive Williams also known as Lizard.
The body of Lizard has not yet been found. According to the prosecution they have video and telephone evidence linking the men to the crime. It is also alleged that, Shawn Storm played the role of the messenger in this conspiracy. It is alleged that Shawn Storm was the one who called Lizard to his death.
My concern as usual is how this affects the music. The music industry is constantly being plagued by a series of arrests of members of the music industry. This really leaves us to wonder, what really is the connection between the music industry and the underworld? Is it that it is impossible for these artists to let loose certain links from where they are from?
Murder suspect Shawn Storm
It is public knowledge that the majority of the Dancehall artists hail from some of the rougher communities in Jamaica. Is it that these artists are no different from the politicians whom they constantly criticize in their songs and often times accuse them of ‘killing ghetto youth’ and ‘giving the youth dem guns’? Is it that they are mere hypocrites or is it that they are being set up or just victims of circumstances?
We saw earlier where Reggae icon Buju Banton was charged and convicted for conspiracy to sell cocaine, Mavado, also had some run-in with the law recently as well where it was alleged that he apparently abused a motorist and bribed him to keep quiet. Then we saw where Gyptian was also being sought by the police in connection with a murder which took place at a studio. Now we are seeing where two more members of the music fraternity are being charged with murder.
This leaves us to ask questions such as, who is next? Which other artist is taking part in activities other than that of music? If things continue like this then the entire Jamaican popular music industry will soon become obsolete. Ok maybe I am just being over the top now but what I am saying is that we need to be able to see a clear distinction between music and criminality in Jamaica, as well as between politics and criminality. Utopic as it may sound.
Hmmm interesting stuff, so while you’re here check out and LIKE our Jamaica Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Love-Jamaica-Because/130670056982223
