Do we need explicit languages in local music? |11 February 2012

A very big percentage of local songs contain explicit lyrics that describe shameless thoughts and behaviour. Some singers encourage young people to do drugs, not to respect their elders, to forget about moral standards, explore sex, try alcohol… The list is too long.

The question that comes to mind is “is it right for young people to listen to the profane languages?”

Most of the time, children listen to these songs on ipods, MP3 and MP4 players, and iphones behind their parents’ back and the language in some of these songs is not appropriate for everyday use.

For ages, local singers have been producing songs with explicit lyrics but they have done it using metaphors, although this is also not right. But nowadays, the younger singers, whose music kids, teenagers and even adults adore, go straight to the point by explaining how to do drugs, what to do with a woman in bed, etc…

When mostly kids and teenagers hear this kind of music and listen to the lyrics, they want to portray everything the singers say and some of the lyrics can be quite provocative and insensitive.

We have to admit that a lot of very young children and teenagers sing songs with explicit lyrics without even knowing that what they are repeating is not fit to be coming out of their mouth. To some extent we can forgive them for they are innocent and don’t know what they are saying, but the same cannot be said of the singers who know that they are sending out the wrong message and still take pride in producing these kinds of music which unfortunately sells like hot cakes.

Although not every person who listens to music with explicit language is influenced by its content, for some, it does have an impact on their lives and they become rebellious against their parents, peers and other people in society.

Some critics might argue that music which portrays sex and violence is just words and that it’s up to the listener to decide whether to act on them or not. Others might also say that the singers cannot be blamed for the people’s action.

A lot of teenagers might also say that despite listening to songs with explicit lyrics they have never done drugs, smoked, drunk, had sex, got arrested, or killed anyone. But the danger with these kinds of music which portrays negative images is no one knows who will be influenced by it and to what extent.

Teenagers should take responsibility for their actions and don’t just do things because they have heard them in songs. They should choose to do things which are right and which send out the right message.

We have to accept the fact that many kids and teenagers are being influenced by lyrics as they don’t realise some music is inappropriate for them to listen to. Teenagers have enough peer pressure and their load of studies to deal with, therefore heeding the advice from songs with unpleasant lyrics will only enhance the pressure…

Being music-loving people, Seychellois like listening to beautiful Creole songs about love and other popular themes.
This is probably what local singers should continue singing about as they really do a good job when they take their time to produce songs. The list of good Creole songs is long and we all know them.

Singers who have made a reputation for themselves with nice songs should beware not to let themselves be dragged into producing unpleasant songs which will damage their reputation.

As local reggae artist Mersener sings Nou bezwen lanmour dan lanmizik, nou bezwen respe dan lanmizik (We need love and respect in the local music industry)…

G. G.