– concert moved to stadium
The DJ promos for an Easter Monday concert, featuring Jamaican artistes Cham, Popcaan, and Javinchi, have raised concerns over the promised distribution of ‘cake soap,’ which has been touted as a skin bleacher.
The Slingerz Family 10th anniversary concert, which features the artistes, was scheduled for Joe Vieira Park, but will now be held at the National Stadium, Provi-dence.
In a letter in Thursday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, writer Jason Abdulla said that the Ministry of Health should be concerned that several local DJ’s associated with the promoters had been announcing via radio and television programmes that “50,000 ‘cake soaps’” would be distributed freely come Easter Monday.
Stabroek News spoke with one of the promoters, who stated that one of the Slingerz’ DJs has been in Jamaica interacting with several of the artistes who are scheduled to perform. The DJ indicated that they will be bringing some soaps to be used as props for those performing on stage, he said. The official continued that it was a misunderstanding and he doubted that the soaps will be distributed, as they are “just part of the lingo.” He believed that the promotion was taken way out of context.
“Cake soap” or “Blue Bomber,” Abdulla noted, is a Jamaican laundry soap that rose to prominence when DJ Vybz Kartel attributed it to the sudden lightening of his complexion—a claim which was denied by the manufacturers of the product. “Kartel, through his lyrics have been promoting the use of this soap and has received much condemnation with the bulk of those being that he is encouraging impressionable youngsters to imitate him,” Abdulla wrote.
He added that Kartel said the cake soap he references in his music, and which is responsible for his changing appearance, is his personal soap which he is planning to release on the Jamaican market soon. “I suspect that it is Kartel’s brand that will be distributed at Joe Vieira Park on Easter Monday, since two of the Jamaican artistes booked to perform that night are out of his ‘Portmore Empire’ camp,” Abdulla said, while adding that the local health system is currently grappling with challenges of its own and the importation of the “skin bleaching” culture, the effects of which have been well documented worldwide, would only add to its woes. “I have also noted the negative impact of the ‘skin bleaching’ culture on the Jamaican Health system which by the actions of the promoters of this event here could be replicated in Guyana,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Slingerz announced that the concert segment of its10th anniversary celebration has now been moved to the National Stadium.
“In a last minute move, brought on by popular demand of the public, we have decided to move the concert segment of our anniversary to the National Stadium and keep the family fun day at Joe Vieira Park,” the popular entertainers said in a press release yesterday.
The release said that the daytime activities such as the kite flying and the family fun day, will still be at West Demerara location while Konshens, Baby Cham, Jah Vinchi, Popcaan and the surprise artiste will be ready for an electrifying performance at the National Stadium in the evening.
The artistes will be arriving in Guyana on Sunday night.
“Tickets are at the inexpensive price of $1,500 and will be $2,000 at the gate, tickets are available at Medicare, Giftland Officemax, White Castle Fish shop, Beepats, and 2 Brothers Gas stations” the release said adding that there will be lots of giveaways during the concert including a brand new car to one lucky fan; Slingerz DJ of the year; and promoter of the year.
Ansa Mc Al, Digicel, Giftland Officemax, Pepsi, USA Style and Fashion, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports and the Government of Guyana, played a part in marking the anniversary celebrations a reality.
