Following last year’s unfortunate incident at the “Baderation” concert in Guyana, which led to the banning of dancehall artist Skeng from public performances in that country, a new pair of dancehall acts are set to take the stage this year.
Headlining the event on May 27 will be Jamaican dancehall stars Alkaline and Jada Kingdom, alongside singer Byron Messia from St. Kitts and Nevis.
In light of last year’s events, sources close to the event have reported that extra precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of attendees. Prism Marketing Consultants has been advised that measures are being implemented to prevent a recurrence of any other rackets or gunshots that forced Skeng to cut his set short.
The incident led Guyana’s Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, to announce his intention to ban any dancehall artist whose lyrics promote violence from performing in the country.
Despite the previous setback, the “Baderation” concert remains a popular event that attracts large gatherings. With this year’s impressive lineup and increased safety measures, the organizers are optimistic that the event will be a success and a positive showcase of the vibrant dancehall culture.
The banning of artists by Guyana is nothing new. In 2011, Vybz Kartel’s music was banned from the local airwaves. In 2008, a temporary performance ban was placed on Bounty Killer and Mavado after gunshots pervaded a concert they performed at, forcing an immediate shutdown of the event.