James Hackett

Apparantly the police is all over a youtube video, now down, that was published in our local newspapers today. Seems like some local version of a ganster video has made quite a stir, with the rappers from Laventille in Trinidad (usually synonymous with gang related culture).

Obviously a violent gritty production it shows artist Shines (his peforming name) spewing out lyrics about killing “babylon” and all the other things that people that kill babylon do. No doubt inspired by popular American gangster rap all the way back to Niggas With an Attitude (NWA) these guys have managed to achieve popularity like no other street performer of this time.

These guys are probably in hiding from the police detectives currently looking for them, I just think the entire situation is hilarious since the local newspapers (Trinidad Express) transcribed the song in the papers. What kind of stupidness is that?

So yet again the is so much coverage on the “negative” and not enough reports on postive performers. A few years ago I was host for an open mic show called Zigwa. There were so many talented people I would discover but I would never see the media cover as much as half of those guys that graced our little street stage every other Saturday night.

Shines’ video is one among so many others out there and whether you like it or not we can control who get seen now. Make it happen.

EDIT: Local news channel Gayelle caught up with the rapper. He explains himself in the video.

Shines defends himself.