( l - r ) Assassin, Busy Signal - file

A new crop of Christmas songs have been coming out of the dancehall community. However, instead of celebrating the season, the songs are calling for an end to violence.

Deejays Busy Signal and Assassin have both released 'conscious' tracks. Busy's song is entitled Dun Wid Di War and Assassin's Christmas Time Is Here Again, which is on Boardhouse's 'clean sweep rhythm. Tony Matterhorn is reportedly working on a Christmas song as well.

Violent crimes on the rise

Violent crimes have been on the rise in Jamaica and it seems the artistes are hoping the goodwill of the season will impact positively on the criminals. Approximately 1,400 murders have been reported since January.

Christmas Time Is Here Again, begins with an extract from the Christmas carol, OCome All Ye Faithful. Instead of celebrating the Lord, Assassin

deejays:

"Well Christmas time is here again,

Dat means seh another year a end,

So let wi put it behind wi

And let it remind wi next year is a new year.

This year mi may not have no

pepper light

But next year wi working fi a betta life,

One year done a next one come

Wi nah sit dung...

Fi di new year a betta we a seek...

Wha wi plan this year next year wi a reap."

He continues,

"Me no waa no gift, no, my wish fi di Christmas a seh nex year di shotta dem no so vicious, police killings goin stop be suspicious, we pray to the Almighty to stay with us."

Busy Signal's Dun Wid Di War follows in the same vein, with the deejay singing and deejaying over a Christmas/dancehall-like beat, pleading for people to put down the guns and end the violence.

Christmas dancehall songs are not unusual to Jamaica. Last year Da'Ville and Marcia Griffiths collaborated for Every Year, Every Christmas. T.O.K, Alozade, Monster Twinz and Ms Thing, collectively called D'Link, released a Christmas single called Christmas Time Again.

Carlene Davis once asked Santa Claus Do You Ever Come To The Ghetto, while Elephant Man had a Gangsta Christmas. The gospel group, Katalys Crew, released an album entitled, Christmas Inna Jamdown, and Kiprich did his Kipmus Carol. Who could forget a few years ago an off-key Elephant Man singing to the borrowed beats of Joy to the World for his track Tall Up Tall Up. More recently on the new 'Beast' rhythm, Elephant Man's Plan Fi March could also easily be mistaken to have a Christmas theme.

While Christmas-oriented dancehall songs seem to be common, they have a short shelf life. According to selector Marc Chin, of Coppershot Disco, disc jockeys are willing to play the Christmas songs as long as they are good. However, he told THE STAR, "Christmas songs normally last during that period; they don't get much airplay. Tall Up Tall Up is an exception."

Elephant Man - file

Jungle Fever: Pt 2

Lucea, it's almost here!

THE STAR, in association with Blueprint Promotions and Club 300, presents Jungle Fever: Pt 2 -a special autograph-signing party with Stars of the Month Chino, Freddie, Stephen and Shema McGregor!

When: Friday, November 28.

Where: Club 300, Lucea, Hanover.

Featuring: Special Zip 103 FM Jock, Magnum Girls, Anthony Cruz , To-Isis, Skeptic and more!

Entry: $200 with a copy of the Weekend STAR and$350 without!

Signing starts at 10 p.m. sharp. It's a fever you'll wanna catch!

This event is sponsored by THE STAR, Magnum Tonic Wine, Zip 103 FM, Blueprint Promotions, Pauline Miller Designs, Cherry Tree Promotions and McGowan's Security.