JO - CANCELLED US VISAS FOR SIZZLA, BEENIE, BOUNTY, MAVADO, AIDONIA - WHO NEXT?

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Cancelled US visas for Sizzla, Beenie, Bounty, Mavado, Aidonia — Who next?

Monday Musings
with Yasmin

Monday, April 05, 2010

The recent cancellation of US visas of the abovementioned artistes (except for Sizzla, in whose case the cancellation was not recent, as the visa was revoked in 1998) sent shock waves throughout and outside of the music fraternity, as many wonder who will be the next victim.

Read the whole article here.

Snippet(s):

"At first glance it seems to have been done in an almost callous way and this is surely cause for concern. An email advisory was sent to all the airlines who carry passengers to the US with the instructions not to board the artistes as their visas were in the process of being revoked. The artistes themselves claim they had no knowledge that that such a move was afoot and the US embassy, as expected, has no comment, as this is a matter between them and the individual artiste."

"However, is this to be seen as an advisory, pending some investigation on the embassy's part and at the end of the day a second advisory will be issued to countermand the first?"

"(T)he visas of four of the top dancehall acts were "in the process of being revoked"."

"The artistes had both their work permits and the visitor's visa revoked and the fact is that most artistes use the US as a hub. Without a visitor's visa they are now unable to use Miami as a connection port into other parts of the world. Artistes, like it or not, also have entourages and numerous persons to take care of. These artistes are among the top earners and shutting them down will certainly affect more than just them and their immediate families."

"Many are asking why and why now? It is felt that the stand-off between Washington and Kingston is playing a role in this unfolding saga."

&

"According to Roberts, in all his 17 years of managing Beenie Man, he has never had a visa issue with the US government. "We have always had our work permits renewed without any problems," he emphasised.

And, as the artistes grapple with the way forward, Beenie Man has already released a visa song which will no doubt strike a responsive chord with all and sundry."