Controversy Swirls Ahead of Kartel’s Festival Show in Trinidad
All eyes are on Trinidad and Tobago as Defence Minister Wayne Sturge mulls over strict new measures for dancehall star Vybz Kartel’s pending performance at the One Unity Music Festival. Kartel, who was recently freed after years behind bars, is already catching heat — this time, not for his legal battles, but for the lyrics in his music. Religious groups across the islands have lodged complaints, zeroing in on Kartel’s track “Good like Jesus.” If you haven’t heard it, the song draws a bold comparison between female genitalia and Jesus Christ, and that’s riled up plenty of people.
The fuss has put Minister Sturge in the hot seat. He’s now talking about barring anyone under 18 from the event and telling Kartel to leave that song off the setlist. For the festival, scheduled to go down on May 31, these potential rules aren’t just about censoring an artist — they’re about balancing older concerns like child protection and public sentiment against the backdrop of artistic freedom. Local groups argue that Kartel’s lyrics send the wrong message to young people and disrespect deeply held community values.
Minister Seeks Legal Advice, Kartel Appears Unfazed
So where does this leave Kartel and the festival organizers? Right now, things are in limbo. The Defence Ministry says it’s waiting for a legal review before the suggested restrictions become official. Sturge has stressed that he’s not out to stifle creativity, but he also can’t ignore public outcry and what he calls “national security and child protection.” This debate is bigger than Kartel — it’s about how far authorities can (or should) go to police musical performances for ‘public interest.’
For his part, Kartel seems ready to play ball. Through his team, he’s said he’s fine with skipping “Good like Jesus” if asked, and he blames a festival promoter for booking extra appearances without his approval. Kartel’s message? He’s there to perform, not stir up more trouble. He wants to make clear that he wasn’t the one adding media engagements or offstage activities to his schedule — those came from event organizers who, he suggests, got a little overexcited.
Trinidad isn’t new to disputes about artists and censorship, but the Kartel show is different because of the extreme sensitivity around his song and his status as a controversial figure, fresh out from a big-name legal reversal. The outcome of the legal review and final call from the Defence Minister could set a precedent for future events and international artists visiting Trinidad and Tobago.
As fans and families wonder what the festival will look like, local authorities are left walking a tightrope — weighing freedom of speech against protecting kids and calming community nerves. The final lineup and whether Kartel gets to perform his full roster of tracks is still anybody’s guess.
