Eek A Mouse removed from Carifest C.A.R.E.S. Lineup Due to Racist Remarks
NEW YORK, NY June 17, 2008 – As a result of some disparaging remarks made by Jamaican artist, Eek A Mouse at the Carifest C.A.R.E.S. press conference on June 4th, organizers have pulled him from the event lineup. The organizers for Carifest C.A.R.E.S. made this decision based on Eek A Mouse’s inability to realize the seriousness of the issue the festival is trying to raise awareness for as well as his refusal to apologize. Carifest C.A.R.E.S. has teamed up this year with Keep A Child Alive, an organization dedicated to help fight the AIDS epidemic in Africa which crosses all racial barriers. The organizers feel that Eek A Mouse’s racial outburst towards the other artists on the panel who have all come together from a wide array of racial and cultural backgrounds to help the cause was unacceptable. In a rebuttal to Eek A Mouse’s comments, Matisyahu and Midnite simply came together in an impromptu duet that illustrated the point the best way possible: music can make a difference no matter where you come from. As the late brother Bob Marley would say:" one good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain".
Carifest C.A.R.E.S. will take place Sunday, July 6th at the USTA National Tennis Center: Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, NY. This year’s festival, as in the past, promises a momentous event, which as always, includes a stellar line-up of performances. Sets by legendary Grammy award winner Lee “Scratch” Perry, who has been an innovator and at the forefront of the reggae music scene for 50 years; Matisyahu, who brings his uncanny, electrifying fusion of orthodox Judaism and classic reggae, and the most recent addition to the line-up: Slightly Stoopid who describe their music as “ A fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip hop, and punk.” In addition is: cutting edge St. Croix roots reggae band, Midnite; Brooklyn bred and Jamaican raised Kayla Bliss; the up and coming conscious reggae crooner Uriel Hamilton; Afro-fusion reggae fronted by a soaring, soulful voice in Meta and the Cornerstones; Antigua & Barbuda’s Causion who has been dubbed a ‘musical archer’ due to his straightforward and provocative lyrics; a young American hailing from Arkansas with his voice rooted deep in Jamaica, Joseph Israel; and Groundation who bring to the table, a unique infusion of reggae, jazz and dub.
Launched in 1998 Reggae Carifest was initiated principally for uniting the West Indian/Caribbean Culture for one full day of cultural awareness, consciousness and celebration of the culture here in the United States. This festival caters to all genuine cultural expressions and aesthetics and is received by an eclectic group of people hailing from all walks of life. Reggae Carifest is also an exhibition of vision for the arts and the community in the presence of its festival. It is more than an event, it is a cultural celebration and explosion, steadfastly keeping the West Indian/Caribbean Culture and its foundation ever present in today’s rapid changing market. Reggae Carifest is a true festive occasion for all to enjoy.
Here is a video of his comments:
Some people may have trouble understanding his patois - if that's the correct word. Basically why do people have to make a positive event into something about them? It's fine to feel that white people and jews like Matisyahu shouldn't be in reggae ( everyone has a right to an opinion I think is wrong) but why take a charitable event and use it for your platform? Was he just passionate? Or is he just trying to create more of a name for himself?
AIDS, okay. But if Carifest was started as a way to celebrate caribben culture here in the US, then i do agree with Eek a Mouse. Matisyahu is a goofy, failed rabbi who puts on a fake reggae accent and preaches judaism and oneness, while accepting massive checks from SONY music(a company that ALSO coincidentally designs and produces advanced combat simulators for the u.s. military). Truly, he shouldnt be on the bill. that is, if they are in fact, trying to spread caribbean culture or like.... that "save the people of the earth" sentiment.
What's actually gonna happen is that the festival will be overrun by oblivious White rich kids with bleached-blond dreadlocks from all the SUNY schools upstate new york. They're gonna whine about "the environment and AIDS and stuff, maaaaan" and smoke a lot of weed, and discuss plans for this year's Burning Man. While all this transpires, some businessmen will get hella paid, and give 25% of it to AIDS research. and they'll claim it as a tax write-off, of course.
All they're missing is a an acoustic set by Dave Matthews and friends.
I would like to offer ways to make the clip more enjoyable:
a.) If you don't understand any of it then just pretend it isn't Eek A Mouse, but some random guy who wandered in.
b.) Sit back and fully appreciate "I'm Chris from Chris Music Concepts"
25% is given. Maybe. We can't be sure it's even that much, but it's better than nothing.
Essentially we agree, but you left out hackysack, patchouli, and the fact that upon college enrollment white kids in the U.S. are automatically issued a copy of Legend. If Legend is out of stock they temporarily provide you Cat Stevens Greatest Hits.
My problem isn't so much his comments as much as his chosen platform to express them. I think it makes him look like an asshole. I wouldn't necessarily drop someone from my event for expressing something racist, but if he said my event didn't mean shit - well then there's the door.
Color is still irrelevant to me when it comes to music. Sure it's usually funny or tragic (or both) when people who are not black make traditionally "black music" but there are always exceptions. I think a lot of poor attempts have to be made before someone who is the genuine article comes along. I mean, not every person who lives in Jamaica and is raised with Reggae or is Rastafari is black... right?
If a white person publicly implied that black people don't belong in (we'll say) country music - I would probably laugh, but I bet a lot more people would be up in arms.
If Legend is out of stock they temporarily provide you Cat Stevens Greatest Hits.
An international tragedy.
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