For months now, myself and a number of radio personalities, night club operators and even selectors have been warning of the possibility of the Bronx becoming a desert when it comes to dancehall venues. Well it has now become a reality. Can anyone tell me the names of the venues that are now available for rental to host dances in the Bronx? Don't even try because the answer is well known already. There are only two real spots left, Mingles and El Rancho that is left, and mek mi tell unuh someting, Errol nah go mek them mashup Mingles and El Rancho is too expensive fi some "buttu" promoters weh a contribute to the demise of dancehall in the Bronx demselves.
Speaking to Dj Elli from Red Hot radio in Brooklyn, I asked him what is reason for Brooklyn’s secret to success in keeping its venues constantly open? "Well it's just respect for the law and following the rules set out by the police force. Less fighting is one of the key thing you have to take into consideration, the more fights, the more police, the less fights, the less police, the less police the more party you have, the more party you have the more people enjoy themselves and the more people enjoy themselves the happier people going to be, it is that simple." He told Dancehall 360 Degrees Magazine. Don't for one minute think that I’ am saying that they are not nightclubs that are been closed by the authority in other boroughs, but not at the alarming rate as in the Bronx. Many might not realize that dancehall is actually a business. Check Stonelove Movement in Jamaica, it is a registered business which to my knowledge, employed over 40 people on staff unto 2004. There are also people in the Bronx who depend on dancehall for their livelihood. Rocatone restaurant, Good Dine restaurant, Golden Krust restaurants, Goldstar Restaurant are food merchants who are visited early in the mornings for breakfast by patrons who leaves dances in the wee hours of the morning and are too tired to go home and make it for themselves.
Night Rider videos, Moodie's Records, Ganja Kid video recording, Lightning video are businesses that are directly affected by the closing of these night clubs. Jamaican has had many of opportunities to host parties at some beautiful locations, one of them was The National Black Theater in Harlem, but we have lost that one. Tracy Champion was given the privilege of hosting her birthright party at the elegant and spacious Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem and again, due to patrons' inability to conduct themselves in a respectful and decent manner cost the fraternity a venue worthy of hosting the poshest of parties. There are efforts underway to save the Bronx from total annihilation, but it needs the co-operation of the major players in the borough. When asked by Dancehall 360 Degrees, one prominent member of the music industry suggested that security guards should search each and every one coming in the clubs including the equipments. The suggestion seems extreme, but extreme situations call for extreme measures, and this is extreme.
It bleeds my heart to visit Brooklyn or Queens and there is a dancehall celebrity popping up at random in front of you, just like back home in Jamaica but in the Bronx it is like spotting a white elephant. Now the choice is clear, we can leave the situation be and hope that it gets better over time or we can put our collective thoughts together and help solve the problem. Now if you think it is not your problem, let me paint a picture of how grim the situation can become. Music soothes the mind, the soul and the body, this is a known fact and if there are no venues left just imagine how many restless souls (youths), will be on the streets and you know the old saying "The devil will find work for idle hands". Richie Poo, famed selector and CEO OF Tantrum Productions, Double O Seven (007) from Royal Radio and myself are embarking on a "Save the Bronx" venture.We know it won’t be easy but someone has to do it, and we need the public's help. Wish us luck
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