JAMAICA is synonymous with ‘message music’, most notably Bob Marley tracks which resonate with people of differing cultures, creeds, and class.
It is this allure that led Jason McKay, CEO of McKay Security, to use the island’s infectious message music in the international war against human trafficking — now the world’s biggest organized criminal activity, topped only by drug dealing.
McKay’s firm recently launched a Sizzla Kalonji-Yola Moi single and video, Hands of Danger, which features cameo appearances from world-renowned Jamaican artists such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tessanne Chin, Protoje, Jesse Royal, and Kevin from Voicemail, joined by Kelissa, Bella Blair, and Dre Island.
McKay pointed out that human trafficking was affecting the lives of many young women and minors, locally and internationally, adding that the world and other musicians will take notice when big Jamaican artistes such as Sizzla hit out against the heinous crime through music.
“Human trafficking is a crime synonymous with our generation. Let it not be said that we were the generation that brought back slavery,” he emphasized.
Marley classics such as Redemption Song, Zimbabwe, and War continue to have international impact, taking nations of people back to a time of struggle, elements of which persist today.
Apart from Marley, Jamaican dancehall deejays have also lent their voices and craft to issues which stretch far beyond the shores of the tiny Caribbean island.
McKay is confident that having Sizzla on Hands of Danger, a sample of Sam Smith’s I’m Not The Only One, will become an anthem in the struggle against human trafficking.
Driving home the message of the song, the video for Hands of Danger was shot along Portmore’s infamous red-light district, “Back Road”, where minors have been found among sex workers in raids conducted by the police.
“By involving artists such as Sizzla and up-and-coming Yola Moi, we are reaching a wide cross section and generations of artistes. We are letting it known that we’re not tolerating human trafficking any longer and we are determined to stop this crime in Jamaica,” said McKay.
You must log in to post a comment.