ART FORMS THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD ; SOLVING THE EQUATION
“ How to Avoid the Lethal Embrace of Crime and Violence.”
Orlene A. Reid
“Where words fail, music speaks.� -Hans Christian Andersen
Acknowledgements
T
he completion of this project required a lot of guidance and assistance from many persons and I am extremely privileged to have gotten these at each crucial step in the process. I wish to express sincere thanks to all who contributed significantly to the completion of my project. First, I want to say thanks to Almighty God who gave me the vision, wisdom and perseverance to work through to the completion of the project. Next , I want to express a deep gratitude to my media project tutor , Ms Marilyn Facey , who took a keen interest in my project work and guided me throughout, by providing all the necessary information and guidelines. Thirdly, I heartily thank my project supervisor, Ms Annissa Whyte , for her guidance and suggestions during this project that pointed me towards developing a great story outline. Fourthly, I am highly indebted to Mathew Dewar for his patience and dedication as my key interviewee and subject for the past months, as well as for providing the necessary materials required to make the book a success . Lastly, my heartfelt gratitude also go to my mother and sister for their co-operation , encouragement, patience and financial support, as well as to my classmates and others who have willingly helped me according to their abilities. Again, I thank you all.
Orlene A.Reid.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTs
EATON EVANS
23
sWEET JAMAICA
1
DANCE JA. ACADEMY
24
OUR FUTURE
4
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
27
CRIME & VIOLENCE
6
MESSAGE
28
MATHEW DEWAR
9
MUSIC PROFILE
14
MATHEW'S MUSIC
15
CHALLENGES
18
MUSIC : AN OUTLET
20
TAGETES (MARIGOLD)
SWEET JAMAICA...
orem Ipsum is simply dummy HELIANTHUS ANNUUS text of the printing and typesetting in(COMMON SUNFLOWER)
1
(TROCHILUS POLYTMUS) HUMMING BIRD, NATIONAL BIRD OF JAMAICA
SWEET JAMAICA
“DOWN BY THE RIVER” - KAY SULLIVAN
KOI FISH
KEVIN DOWNSWELL
JAMAICAN GOSPEL ARTISTE
THE TURTLE RIVER FALLS & GARDENS
ESCOVITCHED FISH
2
YELLOW-BILLED AMAZON
GREAT WHITE HERON
J
amaica, our majestic island home, the land of wood and water, has brought much joy to us here and to the rest of the world.
HOLYWELL RECREATIONAL PARK accomplishments have made Jamaica’s culture known and loved all over the world. Awesome physical attractions like the famed Dunn’s River Falls and pristine white sand beaches, as well as the indigenous flora and fauna have made us the number one tourist destination in the world.
Many well loved songs have been made over the years ‘bigging’ up Jamaica for example, “ This is the Land of my Birth” by Eric Donaldson and “Sweet Jamaica” by Mr. Vegas featuring Shaggy and Josey Just like any other country though, we Wales. have our weaknesses. One of our major Jamaica, small though it is, has impactweaknesses is crime and violence. It affects ed the world through its people, culture, the country’s productivity, but most imsporting prowess and physical attractions. portantly, it affects our young citizens -the youths, our children, the future.Many have Jamaica gave Rt Excellent Marcus become either victims or perpetrators of Garvey, Bob Marley and Usain Bolt crime and violence. to the world. Our food, music and other
3
OUR FUTURE...
4
OUR FUTURE “Ben di tree while it young, cause when it old it a go bruk.” -Jamaican Proverb
[English Translation : Bend the tree while it is young because when it is old it will break.]
T
he Jamaican proverb is a direct command to parents and caregivers to deliberately instill in their children the appropriate attitudes, habits and so on that will help them to be the best they can be, in the future. When you look at your child, what do you see? Do you see the future? What will you, as a parent or caregiver have to do to ensure they reach their fullest potential? What kind of home environment will you create for your child to flourish in? Since children are encouraged to express themselves “ speak up, speak out” about issues affecting them, it is important, as parents or caregivers, to introduce them to outlets that will let them express their ideas and emotions from a young age. Many researchers have concluded that the artistic process can provide a safe way of helping people to develop social and emotional stability.
amaica.
5
CRIME & VIOLENCE
6
V
iolence is a regular occurrence in Jamaica perpetrated and embraced by young people. It is so prevalent that many have become insensitive to it, viewing it as natural - “a so de ting set�. Teen years to early adulthood can be challenging where numerous physical, emotional and mental changes occur that results in many youths exhibiting anti – social behaviours including extreme aggression that naturally leads to acts of violence. An equally opposing and powerful force is needed to counteract this mindset. Music involvement is one such opposing and powerful force. A powerful communication tool, music is a great substitution for getting involved in crime and violence. Involvement with other art forms are equally powerful as they all teach discipline and totally focus the mind on creating of positive things. Parents should ensure that their children, from a young age,be engaged with an available art form, in which they are interested. They will learn problem solving skills, learn to be socially and emotionally stable as they express themselves in positive ways.
CRIMe & VIOLENCE Substituting the positive gains from engaging in an art form for the cultural tendency to solve conflicts with violence and intimidation would keep young people on the right path, and the country violence free.
7
“Music can change the world because it can change people.�
-Bono
8
Meet
MATHEW DEWAR
9
Mathew’s Community Road
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, JAMAICA
10
F
ormerly of St Catherine Prep and Ardenne High, to currently studying for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts and Technology at the University of Technology, Mathew Aaron Dewar(stage name: MattDewar), is a young up and coming singer and songwriter. Born to parents Yvette Richards and Everald Dewar in the parish of St Andrew, Mathew has experienced a somewhat unusual family life. Based on circumstances, he and his family has resided in several places in and around Kingston. “It’s complicated.” he explained. “When I was younger, around five years old, I lived with my two older siblings, my mother and father. Then when I was like ten, I lived with my mother and my two younger siblings. And now I live with my mother, step father and two younger siblings.”
When a shy Dewar was about age ten, his mother, noticing his talent and interest in music, encouraged him to sing, and from then on, his life has never been the same. From singing for his mom to singing GREENHOUSE , UTECH before an audience, Mathew has attributed this growth to his own determination and desire to succeed . “I’m naturally shy. But I’d say I’ve overcome the fear of singing publicly.” He explained that he had to work through the shyness on his own while “putting himself out there”.
Years of being exposed to music has helped him to become better at making songs. YOUNG MATHEW
11
"I expect to gain a legacy through my music." “ When I hear the beat, basically I just do some melodies and the words just come like magic.� -Mathew Dewar, Upcoming Artiste
Credit: Courtney Garrick
12
M MATHEW‘S MICROPHONE
usic, an artform and a part of every culture, consists of vocal or instrumental sounds (separate or combined) that is used to expresses ideas and emotions .This is a powerful tool, that can provide us with an outlet to express ourselves. Every child should be exposed to any art form of interest, whether it be music, visual arts, drama and so on, in order to build their characters and to teach them lifelong skills. Youths engaged as such, will find no time to be involved in negative things.
MATHEW COMPOSING
HOME BASED RECORDING STUDIO
“ I started out recording in my room. Most of my songs were done in my room.”
13
Music Profile
1 MUSIC GENRES PERFORMED “Rap, Hip-Hop, R&B with a little dancehall.”
2 WHAT DO YOU SING ABOUT ? “My Life.” (love, hardships etc. )
3 INSPIRATION FOR SONGS
Credit: Courtney Garrick
“Emotions and Life Experiences.”
4 ARE YOUR LYRICS ORIGINAL? “I write my own songs.”
5 INSTRUMENTS PLAYED
“ I used to play the keyboard but learning to play the guitar is next .”
6 IS YOUR TALENT INHERITED? “I think so. My mom also sings.”
Credit: Courtney Garrick
' MATTDEWAR '
14
"I realized, I can' t give up."
“ Sometimes I feel like stopping but music is already a part of me.� -Mathew Dewar, Upcoming Artiste
15
M
atthew started studying at the University of Technology in 2016 but took a semester off to do SAT as he wanted to go to Georgia in the United States to study music production. His mother however, dissuaded him and advised him to stay in Jamaica and continue his studies at Utech. Why is Mathew so driven to produce music? This humble young artiste is intrinsically motivated to keep doing songs. In his own words, the need to produce his music is a powerful force within him that makes it difficult for him to stop.
“Because sometimes I feel like stopping but it’s already a part of me. If I go home and I stop, is like one hour later, I’m going to make a song. I realize I can’t give up.”
When asked if he still has these improvised equipment in his home ‘studio’, he replied that he still has the microphone even though it has stopped working. He has since then been to at least three different studios . How is your music career progressing? In the music world, though it is important to have a manager, Dewar currently has none as yet. However, he has mentors and friends who use their skills to promote him on various social media platforms such as Sound Cloud, Instagram and YouTube , as well as to assist him in other ways to enhance his musical career .He has performed alongside other upcoming artistes , in his bid to gain the public’s attention and establish his career, as a singer. He uses all the opportunity he can get as a stepping stone to his career.
For now, Mathew is just using his voice as his instrument but he used to learn to play the keyboard and would love to learn to play the guitar in the future.
“I don’t try to do what other artistes do,” he said when asked what will make him different from other up and coming artistes. “ I am very passionate about music. I put my actual life Has Mathew done any recording in a and my genuine energy into it . That will make me stand out.” studio?
Before actually going to a recording studio, Mathew started out recording in his room. He had only a basic computer, a microphone, headphones and speakers. “I started out recording in my room. Most of my songs were done in my room. I use a mic, a computer and speakers. I usually put some cushion thing around the mic also.”
What next? Aside from the financial aspect, Dewar expects to gain a legacy through his music. “It tells a story and it’s ba-
sically who I am. I want to get popular off it, and people to remember that. In five years, he hopes to be well known and popular both locally and internationally in the music world. He aims to also to take care of his family from the resources acquired from his musical career.”
16
“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.�
-Victor Hugo
17
" I always had a problem fitting in with other persons."
“ I use to stick to myself .� -Mathew Dewar, Upcoming Artiste
18
C
hallenges are common occurrences in everyone’s life. Mathew’s challenge, from as far back as he could remember, is being shy and reserved. He found it difficult to fit in with his peers, as stated in his own words, “I use to stick to myself.” He recalls that while at his prep school, he was quite athletic, but was too shy to join the track and field team. In addition, with his family frequently changing residences and his having to adapt to new communities, schools and classmates, his main childhood challenge was further compounded.
Getting involved with music though, has not taken away his natural shyness, but he knows that to be successful in that business, he has to interact with the public, so he has to work through the reserve and promote himself as a serious entertainer. He has overcome, so far, through sheer determination and discipline, the fear of singing publicly.
He recalled that in prep school he used to achieve high marks in his classes. His academic success continued, until about the 9th grade, when as a typical teenager, he started focusing more on girls, pop For the young people listening to culture and music. When asked his music, he wants them to believe what was it that re-focused him in themselves. on his schoolwork, Dewar recalled, “If you believe in something and “The fact that I almost got pro- you believe in yourself just keep bation. Never see myself being going. Push until you achieve it.” on that. It’s kinda degrading.” Mathew knows that challenges will He was able to bring his grades up always be there, but it is how you quickly but that episode in his life respond to them that will determine served as an important lesson for him. whether you succeed or fail in life.
19
"Music is an outlet."
O
ne of the greatest problem in Jamaica is the widespread crime and violence, with murders increasing to frightening proportions. One of the factors identified as fuelling this problem is the lyrical content of mainly dancehall music. When Mathew was asked if he thinks dancehall music is influencing crime and violence, in Jamaica, he had this to say, “Yes definitely. It influences the youth’s behaviour and how they think.”
Many established and up and coming dancehall artistes perform many songs glorifying guns and killing, about solving conflicts with violence and endorsing or suggesting many other anti-social behaviours. With music being a powerful motivator for behaviour, especially for young people, who are the greatest fans of these anti-social lyrics, it is no wonder they are heavily featured in crime statistics as both perpetrators and victims.
Dewar was also asked why artistes with established careers, would become involved in crime and violence. He thinks that many of these artistes themselves are products of violent communities with many friends or family members being perpetrators, so their experiences come out in the lyrics. To be considered popular and get ratings also, many artistes sing what they think people want to hear. Asked how he intends to keep away from endorsing the crime and violence in society through his songs, Mathew had this to say, “By staying true to myself and do my own thing. He went on to declare that , “The fact that you can make money off music can help to take you away from the situations which could lead you to getting involved in crime and violence.”
20
Dewar though, considers himself lucky as not having grown up in an environment with violence, or have friends or relatives involved but acknowledges that,“ but not saying you can’t get into it same way.” He seems however, to have found a formula that works for him that serves as a strong deterrent to negative actions. He stated strongly, “Music is an outlet. It can help you focus your energy, especially when you’re going through something, like negative things around you.” Being strong minded like Mathew, and totally engaged with an art form like he is, will really leave you with little or no time to get into trouble. Being engaged in an art form requires sacrifice, perseverance, discipline to become the best that you can be.
21
“ If you pour some music on whatever’s wrong , it’ll sure help out. ”
-Levon Helm
22
EATON ‘RAS BIAH’ EVANS MUSIC PRODUCER
M
athew Dewar , an upcoming artiste, would benefit from insights shared by Eaton Evans, the Chief Executive Officer and producer at the Fifth Element Records (now under the moniker The Element). This record label was instrumental in launching the international careers of Etana, Chuck Fenda and others. The Element has, from its inception, focuses on culturally charged music, with the core message being positiveness, righteousness, “upfullness” and music of the highest standard.
Evans was asked about the relationship between music and crime. He said that the beneficiaries, perpetrators, motives and objectives behind the crime situation might not be known, but some genres of music seem to play a major part in contributing to the situation. themselves involved in major “These artiste maybe glorifying these youths that are getting themselves involved in major crimes like homicide , robbery and so on.”
He thinks though that music can have a more positive effect on the crime situation as musicians, singers and players of instruments are very influential. The artistes can create these lyrics to help the youths to see a different life. “These youths look up to them on a whole different level.”
“Now if music can contribute to the crime, I think it can contribute to solving the crime.While you promote a foolishness people ago listen foolishness but while you promote something that is beneficial to society people will listen to it because that’s what being promoted.” Evans thinks that it is just the lack of opportunity that makes the youths lead themselves to crime but that they can benefit from music in so many different ways. “Music can be placed inside schools, and be a more fitting path of the educational system by starting to introduce it to them from an early stage.”
23
Dance Jamaica Academy
T
o gain public recognition as a serious entertainer in the music industry, up and coming artistes have to go all out to gain experience and ‘ put themselves out there’ to enhance their career. Dewar is no different. “I do like a few open mics,” he explained when asked about the experiences he has gained so far in the music industry. For starters, he got the opportunity to perform at ‘home’ at a singing and DJ session held at the ‘Green House’ building located on the University of Technology campus. Currently, he performs mostly at Dance Jamaica Academy, located in Barbican, St Andrew, an avenue dedicated to showcasing the talent of upcoming artistes on Wednesday nights from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. He was introduced to this place by his friend, ‘Marco Bakes’, with whom he also performs on his track - “ Regardless”.
He does not perform every Wednesday but he has done so thrice already. Dewar was pleased with the response to his performances. He offered this comment.“It’s great. They are really nice. I really like it. The audience sings the lyrics to my songs at the end of my performances.” Dewar likes that the place has a very professional look, great microphones and a great sound system. Not only does Dance Academy provide a place for performing, but knowing the power of social media , does a live feed of his performances on Instagram and recaps of performances, so more people locally and internationally will become familiar with his music.
24
25
26
ROLE MODELS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Alkaline and Popcaan, Jamaican dancehall artistes FEMALE ENTERTAINER HE WOULD COLLABORATE WITH
SZA , American R&B singer and songwriter MALE ARTISTE HE WOULD COLLABORATE WITH
Kendrick Lamar, American Rapper and songwriter DID MUSIC INFLUENCE YOUR LOCKS? HOW ABOUT SPORTS?
“Ha. Persons always see me and say I look like an artiste. But no, I grew my hair because in high school they use to At about age 9 or 10 years, Asafa make us guys cut our hair if it grew too Powell was hero and he tried to emtall and I didn’t like that so I decided to ulate him by racing around his yard. grow it after I left.” 27
MESSAGE TO THE YOUTHS
- M.DEWAR
28 ORLE NE A. REID
A Photo Essay Book by Orlene Reid
ART FORMS THE SUBSTITUTION METHOD ; SOLVING THE EQUATION
I expect to gain a legacy through my music - Mathew Aaron Dewar
A
rt Forms: The Substitution Method; Solving the Equation focuses on how the involvement of young people with an art form from an early age helps to build discipline and the maintaining of positive behaviour. The book catalogues the story of Mathew Aaron Dewar, a young up and coming artiste whose music and family background has helped him to embrace a positive lifestyle, which comes out in his lyrics.
The book shows how exposure to music has promoted and maintained positive behavior so he is able to positively influence others who listen to his music. It reinforces the theory that music as well as any other art form can be used to provide hope and endless opportunities for young people in jamaica to become productive citizens.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Orlene Reid, a fourth year media student who is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication Arts and Technology , is the author of Art Forms: The Substitution Method;Solving the Equation.
- Mathew Aaron Dewar
Reid, who is from the parish of Westmoreland, has a twin brother who is also a final year student at another university. One of her well known hobbies is snapping perfect shots of interesting subjects in the environment.