Daggering postponed - selectors, producers adopt the slang 'Grab'

Ten years ago the 'daggering' phenomenon was the highlight of local street dances, until it became a concern with medical practitioners having to treat dancers, partygoers and persons who tried to replicate the aggressive moves in the bedroom.

Music released by dancehall artistes like Vybz Kartel, Mr Vegas and RDX were popular for the rhythmic beats and used for the street dance theatrics.

However, the Broadcasting Commission later banned the songs of that period which were considered violent and sexually explicit.

The new word that is being adopted by dancehall artistes and selectors is 'grab' or 'grabbings', says local dancehall producer Germaine 'Blaqk Sheep' Clarke.

"We can't use back the term 'daggering' in dancehall," Clarke told The STAR. "The genre has evolved and with the need to reinvent itself, the artistes are using a new sound which also means new words."

The producer said that the latest single by RDX, Grab, will not get any negative feedback that

daggering did in 2009, neither will any other music released for the 'grab season'.

"Grab sounds milder. It is all about the theatrics that the professionals can make new dance choreographies that even the women can get pleasure from," he said.

For over one month, selectors like Boom Boom have been promoting the slang in the streets.

"The grab is different from daggering, showing a more unique style of dance that allows both man and woman to enjoy it. Daggering used to make the man dem deal wid di woman dem wicked," said Boom Boom.

At present, the Broadcasting Commission is not concerned about the new slang. Executive Director Cordel Green said unless it is that an individual was able to establish 'grab' as a substitute for a word that is profane or obscene, then the commission would be overreaching.

"It is contextual; we will have to wait and see in what context the word 'grab' would be used," said Green.

Noting that it was not the word daggering that was the problem, Green said, "We [Broadcasting Commission] tend to examine these things carefully. Rather than ruling on a number of songs, it was about those classified as crude in terms of content that required excessive bleeping on the airwaves."

Producers and artistes are still advised to pay keen attention to the messages in the lyrics of their music, particularly with the slang that is becoming widely used.