Don’t bash them - Jermaine Edwards suggests Marion Hall use a different approach

Gospel singer Jermaine Edwards is among those speaking up against violent and sexual lyrical and visual messages in music today, a conversation that was reignited by the release of Shenseea's cunnilingus anthem, Lick.

His contemporary and friend Minister Marion Hall recently came under fire for her denouncement of such music, but Edwards believes the backlash is rooted in the mixed messages of her approach.

Hall, who used the moniker Lady Saw as a dancehall artiste, criticised the lyrical content and image of artistes like Spice and Shenseea, even saying they were heading for hell. But she later said that she wanted to do a song with Shenseea.

"I don't see anything wrong with that (collaboration), but then, where are your lines? What is the song going to say? It's not like you're going to change anybody by singing a song with them. I believe, if you want to pray for somebody, pray for them. I don't think you need to be bashing them," Edwards told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The Beautiful Day singer said Hall should exercise love to all parties, without bias.

"If yaa talk 'bout two persons, talk 'bout two persons and keep it straight. But then you talk about two persons and pick sides with one against another. That is where it kinda looks mucky. If a love, a love, and yuh love yuh two sisters and pray fi yuh two sisters. You were there before and you were blinded by the 'god of this world' and now you're seeing the light. So why not talk about restoring them and praying for them?"

Edwards supports the Christian community speaking out against immorality in music, but said comments should be contextualised and holistic, extending the conversation to the music's impact on youth.

"Do you listen to the songs that these guys listen to every single day? Nobody is talking about that. Nobody is censoring those things, but yet we want to talk about the gruesome acts. But the gruesome acts were in the song, that's what these guys were promoting. So I think that's where our issue is ... . If this is what they listen to on a day-to-day basis, don't you believe seeds can be planted in their minds?" he asked.

While he can appreciate some new rhythms, Edwards said there's an attitude of 'outdoing the other' where explicit lyrics are concerned.

"It's not that sex sells, it's not even that gun songs sell. It's just that who has the money to push the agenda is what is selling it. Good or conscious music may not make it on the mainstream, because the money is not behind it," he said.