Dancehall artiste Kiprich has become the second entertainer in a matter of days to be named as a person of interest by the police, further fueling concerns about the intersection of music and crime in Jamaica. The St. Catherine North Police have imposed a curfew in Spanish Town’s Top Banks and March Pen communities following the fatal shooting of reputed Okra Lane gang leader Everton “Spikey” and his brother Jason. Authorities have urged Kiprich, whose real name is Marlon Plunkett, along with several others, to report to the police as part of their ongoing investigations.
This development comes just after emerging dancehall talent Skippa, born Tahjay Clarke, was also listed as a person of interest. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) made the announcement on February 6, urging the young deejay to contact the Spanish Town Police Station. Skippa has been making waves with his 2024 hit Young, which topped YouTube’s trending charts and reached number two on Kingston’s Apple Music Top 25. However, his latest track, 1DB4L, which pays tribute to slain Spanish Town figure Othneil “Thickman” Lobban, has sparked controversy. Lines like “mi stop cry a just the heat mi a carry, cudn’ wait fi guh tun it pan a jeep or larry” have raised concerns about potential ties to violence.
The ongoing scrutiny of dancehall’s influence on crime is nothing new, but the back-to-back naming of Kiprich and Skippa has intensified the conversation. While there is no official link between their music and the investigations, statistics from the JCF indicate that over 70% of gang-related homicides in Jamaica in 2024 stemmed from ongoing feuds in communities like Spanish Town. The entertainment industry remains divided on whether dancehall music is merely reflecting reality or actively influencing criminal activity.
As the situation unfolds, both Kiprich and Skippa face uncertain paths in their careers. Will these legal troubles derail their success, or will they, like other dancehall acts before them, use the controversy to fuel their notoriety?
