Dancehall needs a revival
Published:Monday | February 16, 2026 | 12:05 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
Dancehall, once a staple of Jamaican culture and entertainment, appears to have lost its way. Once a platform for witty lyrics, social commentary, and infectious beats has devolved into a celebration of nastiness in some cases.
The genre now seems to be defined by its darker aspects. The recent proliferation of lyrics and performances that glorify violence, promiscuity, and explicit content has sparked widespread concern even fear. The trend has led many to question the direction of dancehall and the values it promotes. The ideology of ‘nasty mouthism’, which appears to priorities shock value and profanity over artistic merit and social responsibility, has become a dominant force in the genre.
It is time for conscious dancehall participants to take a step back and reassess the direction of the genre.
Where did it all go wrong? Was it the influence of external factors, or a natural progression of the genre? More importantly, where will it end? The answer lies with the artistes, producers, and fans who care about the genre. It’s time for a cleansing process. There is a need to return to the roots of dancehall that emphasised creativity, social commentary, and community.
Dancehall needs a revival that will reclaim the genre’s former glory restoring its reputation as a vibrant and dynamic force in Jamaican music. The question is, will artistes, producers, and fans answer the call?
MICHAEL SPENCE