CDC says no ban on ‘Sing Leh We Hear’

Calypsonian Zion I, due to take the stage this evening in the Big Yard as part of Fantastic Friday’s calypso semi finals, believes that his chances of making it to the finals may be affected by the controversy that has surrounded one of his songs.{{more}}

Born Alvin Dennie, the Old Montrose resident, who sings out of the North South Leeward Calypso Tent explained that “Sing leh we hear” was never meant to create chaos.

Speaking to SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, Zion I said that for fear of law suits, he was asked to change some of the lyrics of the song which he will perform tonight at the Victoria Park.

“I felt I had a shot (at the finals) but because of the conflict I feel my chances (are) jeopardized, so now I don’t know,” Dennie said.

“I can’t see it (the old lyrics) affecting anybody, but they say the lyrics could cause me to be entangled with the law, so I will have to comply.”

The lyrics causing a stir have been deemed defamatory by the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) legal team, who as a matter of policy, ask calypsonians to present their lyrics for ‘vetting’.

In the song, references were made to one “Mr. Ballantyne”, a “Colin”, and one “Walters”.

CDC’s Chief Executive Officer Ashford Wood, speaking on the issue, said that in the contract with calypsonians, it is mandatory that lyrics be submitted to the CDC. Any lyrics considered obscene or defamatory will be deemed unacceptable and this will be communicated to the singer.

“So when they submitted their lyrics, we sent them to our lawyer Miss Rochelle Forde. She made some comments as it relates to Zion I’s song. She said some of the lyrics were bordering and some were open to legal action.”

“She explained to him in a conference call what she thought of the lyrics and she suggested that he made some adjustments… he listened and agreed with what she had to say,” Wood said.

Wood went on to say that Dennie was given the option of seeking a second legal opinion, but he decided that he would change the lyrics.

Wood indicated that the decision to have the songs scrutinized was for the protection of both the calysonians and Carnival’s governing body from potential lawsuits.

According to Wood, when calls were made by Dennie to a number of radio stations to take the song off rotation until he could make the changes, the allegations that the song had been banned surfaced.

Searchlight contacted a number of the more popular radio stations for their stance on the song.

While both the state owned NBC Radio and WE FM indicated that they have not placed a ban on the song, it has been put on hold pending advice from their legal counsel. The management of NICE Radio however indicated that the song will be played as is.

Meanwhile, Dennie is hoping that although the song may not be in circulation, patrons will come out tonight to hear what he and the other semifinalists have to offer.

Ten calypsonians will be chosen to contest the July 5th finals, when they will sing two songs.

The 21 other semifinalists performing tonight are Dennis Bowman, John Dougan, Rejector, De Man Age, Bosalt, Ipa, Abijah, Vibrating Scakes, Patches, Roots Gordon, Spechie, Joy C, Rastaman I, Reality, Sulle, Black Messenger, Tajoe, Defoe, Brother Ebony, Shaunelle Mackenzie and GC.