Deejay's lyrics said to be too violent

Popular deejay AdiDja Palmer, more popularly known as Vybz Kartel or Addi di Teacha, has been barred from performing at a show in Grenville, St Andrews, in Grenada scheduled for May 2.

The Star has learnt that the artiste was banned from the event, Rap-it-up, which was to mark the official launching of his Daggerin condoms in that island, after government officials turned down his work permit, stating that his songs were too lewd and violent.

facing losses

Dexter Tillock, promoter for the event, said he got the news last Friday and is now facing losses amounting to more than US$5,000 (J$445,000). "The ministry told me that they listened to his (Vybz Kartel) lyrics and they don't want him performing in Grenada," Tillock said. "Everybody was looking forward to it because he has a good following here. The people are really not happy because they were looking forward to it, everything else was in place for the show. "

The promoter said he would be seeking an audience with Grenada's Ministry of Labour on Tuesday to see if they could exercise some leniency. He said should this fall through, he will be seeking legal advice as it relates to claiming for losses as neither himself nor the artiste were aware of the government's blacklisting.

recent ban

Attempts to get in contact with Palmer were unsuccessful as calls to his cellphone went unanswered. Messages were left on his voicemail, however, the calls were not returned. His publicist also could not be reached.

The recent ban brings to three the number of local deejays who have been banned from performing in neighbouring islands.

Last April, veteran deejay Bounty Killer, real name Rodney Price, and singjay Mavado, real name David Brooks, were banned from entering Guyana. The country's home affairs ministry said they were blacklisted because of their lyrics, which posed a security risk.