Vybrant under fire for raunchy video

Rastafarian recording artiste Vybrant has come under fire for releasing what is being described as a sexually explicit music video for his single, 'Smile'.

Bobo Shabba, a member of the Rastafarian Bobo Shanti Church, told THE STAR that he is 'burning fire' on the music video. Bobo Shabba, who is also an upcoming recording artiste, said the video will not sit well with the Rastafarian community as it is laced with sexually explicit content.

"Fire bun dah video deh! As a Rastafari, Vybrant a me bredda, and him know we no keep up dem kind a current deh, so a fire haffi dash," Bobo Shabba said.

The music video at the centre of the controversy features various intimate scenes between Vybrant and a woman. In one such scene, Vybrant is seen lying in bed with a female straddling him as he slides off her bra. Vybrant is then seen kissing on her breasts.

seen topless

The three-and-a-half-minute video also shows a steamy shower scene in which both Vybrant and the woman are seen topless, while kissing and caressing each other.

According to Bobo Shanti, who has been a member of the Bobo Shanti Church for some 20 years, the video is inappropriate and contradicts Rastafarian teachings." A behind closed doors situation that," he told THE STAR, "Straight up. You dun know Rastafari are leaders, and no matter what's happening around us, we have to keep it on a level. So to show the kissing up and so on, and the kids dem a watch TV and see dem things deh, we no agree with that."

Instead of the creative decision taken by the video director, Jerome, from Unplugged Multimedia,to show the intimate scenes on screen, Bobo Shabba said there was a better approach. "As a Rastafari, what him shoulda do since him a sing about the girl is to [have the video show] him walk in a room, and she walk in behind him, then the door lock, and that's it, nothing more," Bobo Shabba said.

He noted that he is not against sexual relations, but said there is a time and place for everything. "Sex is good because Jah made it, but that's for behind closed doors, not outdoor. If we want to make love, we go inside the bedroom and make love," he said.

He added that he respects Vybrant as an artiste and said Smile is a good song, but he wants his fellow Rastafarian brother to "clean up his act" as it relates to the raunchy music video.

In defence of his music video, Vybrant has responded to critics of the intimate scenes, saying that love making is a beautiful thing between a man and a woman and should be seen as natural. "I don't know what the fuss is about; man and woman were created to explore the intricacies and intimacies of the body. It is a natural thing, it is a beautiful thing." Vybrant said.