Kevin Gaughan
English Composition
Professor Kate Brady
February 10, 2009
Welcome to Jamrock
Opening with a radio broadcast of a woman’s voice speaking of violence and shootings, Damian Marley’s song “Welcome to Jamrock” sets the mood of as a relaxing, easy listening reggae song that when you listen closer brings a harsh perception of reality in present day Jamaica. Tourism is the leading industry in the country of Jamaica, but the local people there see little of the pleasures and wealth generated. Corruption is rampant in the country and the voices of the lower class, which have been shouting for help for several decades, have not been heard, and the cycle of poverty and homelessness continues. Drugs and crime are also highlights of the culture for the suppressed people of Jamaica. Damian Marley makes a valid argument within his song through the use of several rhetorical and literary techniques, which in combination with the imagery present in the video, create a powerful message that calls the attention of listeners from all over the world.
Bob Marley, a famous influential musician from Jamaica, is the father of Damian Marley. Bob used to sing of the same ideals that his son still speaks of today. Being the son of a famous musician automatically gives Damian some ethos in his argument for liberation. He continues to carry on the message that his father spoke of several years ago. This creates inspiration for the listeners. After hearing the song, you get the same feel that his father conveyed, which effectively creates a legitimate point. Starting the song off with by mentioning that he has illegal drugs (marijuana), which are so potent that someone could get high from the smell sets a comical mood. Obviously this is an exaggeration of the truth, which makes this a hyperbole. Alliteration is another effective technique for persuasion, as seen in the next few lines were he repeats the “o” sound, creating a mellow flow of words. Irony is seen throughout the entire song, and goes along with the broader message, which is that the people in charge aren’t doing anything about the conditions the people are suffering in daily. Sitting on the beautiful beach with a club soda sounds like a great relaxing activity, but it is something not enjoyed by everyday people. It creates a powerful image in my mind of tourists relaxing, while everyone else is suffering. Chuck Norris is referred to as a not so tough person compared to the everyday people of Jamaica through the use of caricature. He then goes on to continue the portrayal of Jamaica’s crime scene and its tough people through logos, explaining how it isn’t logical that children can get weapons easier than an education. This exposes how the cycle continues, and that the politicians are not doing much about the problem. In the next verse he continues to use alliteration of the “e” sound, while pointing out the troubles of the children and education system in the country. Alliteration is the strongest form of rhetoric in this song, which goes along with the style of reggae and the relaxing mood set by the songs melody, but not by the actual content of words.
Opening with a scene in the back streets of Jamrock, Jamaica, we see the turmoil and obstacles that these people have to deal with every day. The style that Damian uses for the video is simple but profoundly effective. Red, green, and yellow are colors of the Rastafarian and African people, which are seen all throughout the video as a form of symbolism. We see the traditional dreadlocks, intoxicated appearing, and jamming, Rastafarian people jumping all over in the video. Old, run-down buildings are the setting for the video, along with the streets of poverty and despair. Showing the conditions that these people lives, creates a strong sense of imagery and emotion (pathos) that really opens the viewer’s eyes. The conditions are ironic because the other places of Jamaica portrayed on TV and on ads don’t look like this at all. Dancing and playing cards are among some of the activities that we see the people in the video participating in. These are activities that don’t cost any money, and we don’t see them doing anything that would be much of any cost. Old housing and outdated street systems don’t allow for the people to aspire for a new life. They seem to just be oppressed by the government. Although the whole video mainly gives you a negative image, the ending of the video shows the beautiful countryside of Jamaica, symbolizing a glimmer of hope that still is imbedded within all of the Jamaican people.
Damian Marley effectively portrays the message of the need for help using his unique background as the son of a famous musician, and his musical talent. Imagery and alliteration were the key factors for the success of his argument. Listeners and watchers pick up on these elements the most. Reggae is one of my favorite styles of music, and the combination of that along with the quality of the artist makes this song one of the greatest of its genre. People in Jamaica are not in the best conditions outside the tourism industry, and I believe that we should do something about this problem. This song really gets you thinking in the direction of revolution and change. Someday I hope that Jamaica’s political spectrum becomes stable and prosperous. Damian is an inspiration to me, and should be an inspiration to others around the world looking for something else out there other than oppression, and corruption.



Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr2BVDqmKXk



Lyrics:

"Welcome To Jamrock"
Welcome to Jamrock, camp whe' da' thugs them camp atTwo pounds a weed inna van backIt inna your hand bag, your knapsack, it inna your back packThe smell a give yah girlfriend contactSome boy noy notice, them only come around like touristOn the beach with a few club sodasBedtime stories, and pose like them name Chuck NorrisAnd don't know the real hardcoreCause Sandals a no 'back-to', da thugs Dem wi do whe' them got toAnd won't think twice to shot youDon't make them spot you, unless you carry guns a lot tooA bare tough thing come at you
When Trenchtown man stop laugh and block-off trafficThen them wheel and pop off and them start clap itWith the pin file dung and it a beat rapidPolice come inna jeep and them cant stop itSome say them a playboy, a playboy rabbitFunnyman a get dropped like a bad habitSo nobody pose tough if you don't have itRastafari stands alone!
[Chorus]Welcome to Jamrock, Welcome to JamrockOut in the streets, they call it murder!
[Verse 2]Welcome to Jamdown, poor people a dead at randomPolitical violence, can't done! Pure ghost and phantom, the youthDem get blind by stardomNow the Kings Of Kings a callOld man to Pickney, so wave unno hand if you with meTo see the sufferation sicken meThem suit no fit me, to win election them trick weDen them don't do nuttin at all
Come on let's face it, a ghetto education's basicA most a the youths them waste itAnd when them waste it, that's when them take da guns and replace itThen them don't stand a chance at allAnd that's why a nuff little youth have up some fat maticWith the extra magazine inna them back pocketAnd a bleach a night time inna some black jacketAll who not lock glocks, them a lock rocketThen will full you up a current like a short circuitDem a run a roadblock which part the cops block itAnd from now till a morning not stop clock itIf them run outta rounds a bruck back ratchet
[Chorus]Welcome to Jamrock (Southside, Northside)Welcome to Jamrock (East Coast, West Coast, huh, yo)Welcome to Jamrock (Cornwall, Middlesex and Surrey) Hey!Welcome to JamrockOut in the streets, they call it murder!!!
[Outro]Jamaica Jamaica! Jamaica Jamaica! Now!Jamaica Jamaica! Yo! Jamaica Jamaica!Welcome to Jamrock, Welcome to Jamrock