“It was a kinda anti-climax to a great activity.” “It was distasteful.” “Not the kind of lyrics for this setting.” These were some of the comments from MEN in the audience and even formed the discussion the following day for visitors who were invited to attend Cannabliss 2025. These remarks were in reaction to the negative “pussy” lyrics sung by Spragga Benz.
Cannabliss, now into its second year, in the words of the head of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority, is “an ambitious, multi-faceted process including conferences, lectures, cannabis education and cultural events”, which has been achieved, in the main, but which has to be tweaked to achieve maximum benefits. However, the headline of this article was the major weakness of Cannabliss 2025, apart from the late start of ALL carded events.
The official opening ceremony, the tour to the cannabis farms, the entertainment show, the cruise to Bequia all began more than 30 minutes late, some as long as an hour and a half later. One of the Kittitian delegates waiting for the departure of the cruise said that Vincentians were “on an entirely different level” when it comes to punctuality. The visitor further said that Vincies “are too laidback” — an honest reflection, based on the late start to several events attended.
The comments made in the first paragraph of this article reflect the publicly-expressed opinion of foreigners and locals, and it is hoped that all cannabis festivals will not be marred by lewd lyrics demeaning our Caribbean women, to whom we owe our existence as men.
Spragga should have known the composition of the patrons attending Cannabliss 2025, as he was part of the audience during the opening ceremony.
Therefore, he would have been aware of the numerous regional government ministers and CEOs of several reputable companies who, no doubt, would have wished to be “infused” with and inspired by positive music and uplifting lyrics associated with reggae music during the musical entertainment component. Instead, the offending “pussy” song muted what could have been considered a “pinnacle” event, ensuring that all future events would be well supported.
I was present at the entertainment show, and walking through the crowd the average age of patrons was around 35 and the dominant sex was women, who slightly outnumbered the men. It was therefore a mature audience comprising mainly of regional and local yuppies (a British term for a “young upwardly mobile person”) who are primarily college and university graduates in the formative stages of their careers. Therefore, in a setting with that calibre of young professionals, worthless type lyrics could NEVER uplift any young woman, whether or not under the influence of the herb.
The Rastafarian community, who was also invited and some of whom attended the show, was also visibly displeased with that particular song, which would have “tief anybody’s head wid dem chupid lyrics”.
If Benz was singing that song from his personal experiences, that was not the appropriate audience, many of whom still have moral values. That song in particular was disrespectful to all our Caribbean women and should never again be sung in public!
Reggae music, from day one, has always been associated with the herb. The Rasta drumbeat has always been the rhythm that drives reggae music, the electric bass guitar and conscious lyrics putting the icing on the reggae cake, a recipe and combination that uplifts both mind and body.
However, despite Spragga’s faux pas, we must remember that we are all humans, and prone to err at times — even the best among us err at times and I’m not immune either. However, we must strive for perfection and excellence and never repeat the negatives. All of the visitors I interacted with enjoyed the total package for the four days and are returning to their respective countries pregnant with ideas and possibilities learned from the Vincy experience.
In closing, we welcome ALL for Cannabliss 2026, this time for a true “pinnacle” experience having ironed out our wrinkles.
Donald De Riggs
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Years later, I just want to know if the scope and purpose of the Authority and the legislation are being achieved? Are our traditional farmers better off? Would they have preferred monies to help them with their farming than a “concert that only God knows the real cost”? I can go on and on but you should get the point by now!
In that case a more event appropriate artist should have been booked….. know your event , know tge atmodphere you want to create and book enertainers in line with that vibe.
Is this your way of saying “sorry” for the entertainer’s performance? If so, you did a poor job!
When it comes to conscious reggae music that promotes Caribbean culture, Spragga Benz’s name does not come to mind.
Spragga is not to blame here. All and sundry know where all the blame lies.
They need to stop blaming the artist 🤬
What exactly was the expectation here, this is the kind of music children listen to in their minibus going to school. Of course this Benz guy should have shown some respect to the audience and to himself. I think popular Jamaican dance hall music is part of the problem here in the way it dumb down young Vincentians. They gravitate to this nonsense, highly sexualized and vulgar music. I have only been here a year and I can plainly see the quality of life here really needs some upgrade. People here are just not ready for the 21st century. Folks are just careless, downright lazy and dumb as a door knob. The system is screwed, people don’t have a sense of proper timing, not accountable, not responsible and everyone just seem to be drinking the same cool aid. You can almost expect people to behave a certain way here. A promise is not a promise, I’d call you really mean you should call them. They set schedules they can’t keep, and even when they change the schedule to a day they prefer, they expect you to reach out to them.
I am a (conscious lyrics) multiPlatinum and multi award winning ARTISTE (Zimbabwe born South African)
Although disappointing I also believe that the organizers (music) should have curated the artists according to the narrative that supported the event
Jamaica in particular have Strong representation of muso’s that would have carried our the message that aligned to the event
Elder Spragga, love you still. Lessons are endless
Bless
Poor reporting. What was the lyric? All I read is that the event was poorly organized, and that doesn’t at all relate to Spragga’s song choice.