Inspector Raymond Matthew, known in the calypso arena as ‘Beast’ has been summoned before the police high command as a result of the highly controversial lyrical content in one of his 2009 calypsoes.
In one of his renditions on Dimanche Gras night, Beast made mention of some persons and suggested that they, keep their a** quiet, something that went down well with some sections of the popluation who saw humor in it but stirred up resentment and strong distaste among others.
As an introduction to his rendition, Beast made reference to two instances in the Bible where the word ‘ass’ was used, something that many Christian followers found quite irksome and objectionable. They stated quite categorically that the reference in the Bible was quite literal and referred to the donkey, but the context in which Beast used it is totally different and, in the words of one person, “He ought not to distort the holy scriptures to get cheap laughter….nowhere in the Bible was anyone asked to keep their a** quiet and that should be the only justification for quoting these sources...this borders on blasphemy.”
Others made mention that Beast is an Inspector in the Royal Grenada Police Force and the phrases used in his calypso as a refrain should not be uttered by a police officer, someone who should show good moral discipline at all times. “This is an expression we all know has an obscene meaning and is frowned on by society,” said one woman. As some say, if someone tells a police officer the same thing while he was wearing his uniform, it would be seen as an obscene remark and the person could be arrested. Some went so far as to say that his song could bring the police force into disrepute and undermine their moral authority to enforce the laws of the country. It is believed that it was in this context that the calypsonian was summoned to meet with the police high command.
While many persons have been personally upset with his song, many others have called in on radio programs to voice their support for the artiste, saying that they say nothing wrong with the lyrical content and that worse songs are heard coming out of Trinidad.
I ordered the show on pay-per-view from the United States, and although as an officer he should have selected his words more appropriately, the stage was not where he was conducting offical business or was he in uniform. At the time he was a calypsonian singing calypso, there is a time an place I think for everything and that time was "kaiso" time. The truth hurts like hell.
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By: spiceisle 9/6/2009 3:20:51 PM
The NNP is cherry picking at nothing,beast is good for them.The Ex pM steal so dam much and he is not in jail and beast only sang a song with the truth in it and the NNP bastards are complaining,get a life and enjoy your retirement and pray that you ass is not in jail and keep you dam ass quiet.We are fedup with your bitching man you have no remorse,you are the 666.
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By: Outsider 8/30/2009 8:57:13 PM
Dear Mr.Clarkson, a little birdie told me that you and Beast were just having a good laugh when you both met. As a Senior person you suppose to do what you did,even if the conplainer is emotional. NNP are very bitter. For some foolish reason they thought the they will get back into power, and now they realise that it aint so, they are venting their anger. We did not complained about Keith before the election when he said "IT'S MEH DAMN MONEY" because we know he was loosing. But Mr. Clarkson, Put all joke aside, Is there anything wrong with the lyrics of Beast's song, as a Police Officer and a musician? Furthermore,this is the only language THOSE NNP could understand.
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By: sheila jones 8/30/2009 1:29:39 PM
Do you remember the calypso "Three Blind Mice" by Chalkdust? I believe the word jackass was used to describe three well known Political Leaders but no one was upset. I wonder if this fuss is just about POLITICS AND SOME SORE LOSERS pretending to be decent, pure and innocent? However, they are NOT. Give the beast a break.
PJ
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By: Peter Joseph 8/29/2009 10:50:43 PM
Again, the issue of concern I think to some Grenadians is not whether the beast had a right to sing what he sang or whether what he sang was the truth. The issue of concern surrounds his occupation-his job, that is a police officer. Hangman, sure carnival time is a time for expression. Claudia,It is a time for telling stories too. It is a time for social commentary. That is the spirit and vitality of carnival. However, the season does not give anybody wanton authority to do or say whatever he or she pleases. Does the carnival season means decorum and respect take a holiday too? No, it does not. I am all for the beast singing calypso. In fact I am not saying what he said was not true. It is his occupation as a police officer that deserves criticism. He has-in fact- he must be extra careful with his lyrical content. one can tell a story without using obscenities - without being vulgar-without being disrespectful. Just imagine, if you were walking by a rum shop one night and you saw PM Thomas drunk lying in a drain, what would you think of him? What would you think of the office he holds? Would you still see him as the same PM? or just a common drunkard? Undoubtedly, your opinion of him will change. You will have a total lack of respect for him, his authority and the office he holds. That analogy applies here too. Just like the PM cannot reduce himself to being a common drunkard. A police officer cannot-should not- reduce himself to a vulgar, disrespectful storyteller. Like I said in my previous post, you lead by example. You teach by example. That is I how learned respect. That is how I learned compassion and kindness. Example is the greatest teacher. Furthermore, the supposedly independent entity that is the RGPF should try its best to remain independent. That was the greatest flaw of the last administration. It seemed as if every officer was a paid government informant. The mistakes of the past cannot be repeated. The beast has too also understand, that he represents-a force- an organization- a collective group of individuals. What he does reflects on them too. The beast must understand that to whom much is given much is expected.
Pgs
