US-based dancehall acts urge persons to vote

Several US-based reggae and dancehall entertainers have been using their platforms to publicise the need for people to cast their vote in the 2020 US elections.

Among them is Florida-based 90s stalwart Red Rat, who said that the Caribbean diaspora and people on a whole are anxious as they await to hear the results following today's ballots.

"Everyone is on the edge of their seats," he told THE STAR. "This will be the most important election in history of the USA, because it will show to the world if America is in acceptance of racism and misogynistic behaviour." The Oh No deejay shared that although he has a green card, he is not yet eligible to vote.

However, he said, "I try to influence everyone in my family, as well as my friends, to exercise their right to vote. Either way, with what is being televised, there may be a lot of upset and riots." Conversely, veteran entertainers Zumjay and Delly Ranx, who both reside in Atlanta, Georgia, say the mood is not as tense.

"I wouldn't say it is tense like a lot of other places. Atlanta is easy-going with most persons focused solely on casting their votes," Zumjay told THE STAR.

Vote early

Earlier this week, the dancehall recording artiste posted an image of himself at a designated polling location in the state on social media with the caption, "Go Vote!!!"

He said, "I registered to vote early; it was important for me to vote, to play a part in exercising the right I have. A lot of persons have fought for us to have this right, and we do them a grave disservice when we don't exercise this right. Also, by my vote, it is an attempt to secure what is best for my family. If I did not vote and in the end it turns out the way I did not want it to, I would have no one to blame but myself."

Delly Ranx said he has been exercising his right to vote from previous elections.

"Living here in the America, as long as you're a citizen, you have a voice. It is similar to music, you can try to spread messages to influence positivity, but I can't force people to do the same. I have always been about making steps to a positive outcome. Right now, it feels like everybody is sitting back and patiently waiting to hear what the results are," he said.

Last week, Shaggy shared in an Instagram live discussion with attorney Marlon Hill that he registered to vote and submitted his overseas ballot in New York.