APPARENTLY disturbed by the disgraceful performances of some of the artistes on Sunday night's Independence Street Jam in New Kingston, the Ministry of Local Government has postponed the Montego Bay leg of the show, saying it needs more time to plan the event which was originally scheduled for this Saturday.

In a statement in which the ministry also apologised for the "crude outbursts" of the performers, it said the added time is needed to "maintain the same level of quality output" in its acts.

The ministry, however, did not give a date for the Montego Bay show, but indicated that it will be held later this year.

The New Kingston Street Jam, which should have been a family show, plunged into the gutter when dancehall deejay, Danny English, unleashed a string of violent, derogatory remarks targeting women and gay men.

Yesterday, there were reports that the ministry had withheld fees for his performance, as well as that of another deejay, Egg Nog, with whom English shared the stage.

Efforts to confirm this with the ministry were not successful, but the show's producer, Dennis Howard, said he would support such sanctions.

"What he did was a breach of the contract," Howard told the Observer. "I cannot speak for the ministry, but I will endorse any actions it takes to punish these artistes."

Howard, in an earlier radio interview in which he also apologised for the incident, said the Deejays' filth forced the postponement of MoBay street jam. A meeting would be held to discuss what other legal actions could be taken against the deejays.

"As producer of the show, I am very disappointed with their behaviour because they got clear instructions that the street jam was a Government sponsored family event," Howard told the Observer.

Meanwhile, the ministry apologised for what it described as a "deviation from the standard quality of our production and performances that is designed for the family".

"It is with regret that while we have maintained a quality show of the highest calibre, we were deeply saddened at the misplaced and crude outbursts of some of the performers on stage," the ministry said.

What do you think should happen to these artistes? What if they were performing in your community? What if a rapper/hip hop artiste was in your city park performing? Your comments are welcomed.

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Well the Gov't have taken the lead to discipline these artistes who continually deviate from wholesome entertainment. Kudos to the Gov't for condemning such and as a result taking action!

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