Reggae and dancehall fans are voicing their discontent across social media after the St James Police Division—led by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Eron Samuels—issued a stern warning that profanity will not be tolerated during performances at this year’s Reggae Sumfest. As the iconic festival prepares to unfold this weekend in Montego Bay, law enforcement has threatened to enforce Section 9C of the Towns and Communities Act, which allows for fines or imprisonment for the use of expletives in public spaces. “We have warned the promoters to warn the persons performing to desist from doing that,” said SSP Samuels, noting that the police will take a zero-tolerance approach.
The announcement has ignited a cultural firestorm online, with fans accusing authorities of hypocrisy and cultural suppression. Hundreds took to Instagram and other platforms to question why reggae and dancehall artists are being targeted for language that’s intrinsic to the genre—and widely embraced abroad. “In Belgium there is a festival named Bomb*cl**t, but in JA they can’t even cuss. Make it make sense,” one user commented. Others criticised the double standard in enforcement, pointing out that politicians have used similar language with no legal consequences. “So how when dem a cuss bad word in Parliament nobody say anything smfh,” another chimed in.
That irony is particularly sharp, given that members of the political directorate—namely St Catherine South Western Member of Parliament Everard Warrington, elected on a Jamaica Labour Party ticket, and People’s National Party President Mark Golding—both recently offered public apologies after using profanity during campaign events. The inconsistency has fueled accusations of selective morality and a larger cultural crackdown on dancehall, which has long served as a raw and unfiltered expression of the Jamaican experience.
Despite the backlash, Sumfest organisers and artist management teams have reportedly agreed to comply with the directive, likely in an effort to avoid disruption. Headliners this year include Vybz Kartel and Masicka, among others —artists known for their powerful and at times provocative lyrics. “Their management teams are in support of it. So we are hoping that we won’t have any issues regarding that this year,” SSP Samuels added. But many fans remain sceptical, arguing that sanitising the stage strips the festival of its authenticity.
As Reggae Sumfest gears up for what’s billed as “The Greatest Reggae Show on Earth,” the tension between cultural expression and public policy has taken center stage. For many, the issue isn’t just about bad words—it’s about the continued policing of Jamaican art and identity. With social media flooded with defiant messages like “Bumb*cl**t a part of we culture!” and “Go and fight crime, not dancehall,” it’s clear the battle lines have been drawn. This weekend, it’s not just the music that will make headlines—it’s the fight over who gets to define the voice of the people.
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