AUDIO: Why Must ‘Rastas’ Boycott Alkaline? It’s Hypocritical – Artiste Mokin Charges

By Kwaku Mensah (Mokin da Grand Dada of da dance)

Mokin Photo Courtesy: Kwaku Mensah
Mokin
Photo Courtesy: Kwaku Mensah

Reading an article that sought to create the impression that RASTAS in Ghana are against the coming to town of renowned JAMAICAN dancehall artist Alkaline, I think things ought to be put in the right perspective.
The headline is misleading and their point of call lacks substance. 2 people’s views and opinions can’t represent the entire RASTA fraternity in even Accra, let alone the whole GH.
The said Rastas in the article,raised three points of concern which to me is valid because all of us have the right to air our concerns but let’s put their concerns to critical scrutiny and see whether it will stand the test of time.

Blow 1
The said RASTA mentioned Alkaline’s skin bleaching as one factor of their boycott:

Accepted,as a conscious African youth I am opposed to any skin bleaching in any form or shape but let’s put it under scrutiny and see the effect Alkaline’s bleaching will have on the youth. Already the youth have seen pictures and videos of alkaline on various platforms,so it is not his coming down personally to Ghana that will make the youths bleach or do otherwise. Don’t forget we are living in a country where bleaching creams and soaps sell more than tomatoes which can’t be blamed on Alkaline’s coming to Ghana.

When it comes to skin bleaching,alkaline won’t be the first artist who has bleached and come to Ghana for a show. Over here in Ghana, we have a lot of personalities who have bleached and are seen in the media from day to day either advising or doing something productive for the youth, and yet no one has seemed to complain or oppose to the various roles they hold or play in society. So if skin bleaching is part of their concern, then I think it can’t stand.

Alkaline Photo Courtesy: Hulkshare
Alkaline
Photo Courtesy: Hulkshare

Blow2
About Akailine being misguided and not projecting Pan-African values:

When it comes to Pan-Africanism it must be discussed in a context.
As an artist,everyone has his or her message that he or she seeks to project and if one’s message does not seem to be in conformity with another’s feeling and thinking that doesn’t mean the said artist must be banished or painted negatively. Also Alkaline is not the only artist who has been to GH without a Pan-Africanist insight.

Leave the small boy alone because when it comes to Pan-Africanism, I don’t think he has done that badly to oppose his coming to GH. What about the big and elder artists who have been parading under the shadows of Pan-Africanism all these years but yet have not contributed in any form to help with the ‘upliftment’ of the youth? The talk shop is too much. It’s time to walk the talk.

As to his ‘misguided’ vibes, it is personal and I don’t have anything to say about it because I don’t know him personally and can’t take vibes in his music as same life that he lives. As an artist myself there is no way my vibes can entirely be based on my personal way of living. Don’t forget Bob Marley sang ‘I shoot the Sheriff’.  Does that mean Bob Marley killed a policeman????

So putting all this together what ever the supposed Rastas said in their article lacks substance.

By the way, why must the supposed RASTAs boycott the coming of Alkaline?? Or is it because he is Jamaican?? Or all Jamaicans are Rastas???

Or you must conform to the rules of Pan-Africanism before you can come to Ghana to performed?

Is this all that the supposed Rastas can do for the RASTA fraternity in GH??? I think they must focus on how to revive our dying reggae and dancehall industry.
None of our own grown reggae and dancehall artists are on this show and their bother is about someone who has elevated himself and is coming all the way to GH to perform and take big cash.

It’s time we must burn stereotype and mediocrity from the RASTA fraternity.

Author: mokin da grand Dada of da dance

[Mokin is a reggae artist and social commentator.]

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of ghnewsnow.com

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