Dear Editor – Music is an important aspect of people’s life. In the Solomon Islands music is the life-partner of the local populace.
From church goers to home keepers, from market stall vendors to office desk masters, music clings to people like a remora clings to the shark.
Most Solomon Islanders prefer island music over other music types. One reason why people prefer island music is that it has the sounds of nature mixed with modern instrumental sounds of island music. For example, some island songs begin with waves rolling gently onto the sandy beach.
This pictures a peaceful and shiny morning on an island. When such song is played on an island with white sandy beach, it harmonizes perfectly with the morning sunrise.
This is same for other island beats that mention something about the setting of the sun which alludes to being ‘heart-sore’.
However, some young but well-informed Solomon Islanders, especially the ones in urban centers prefer rap, pop and reggaeton music over island music.
Some of them can produce hip-hop and R&B beats with their latest technological devices while others write and rap those creative rhyming rap lyrics.
Such lyrics are usually about sex, violence or even about corrupt politics and the government. These are profound lyrics that can either indoctrinate or otherwise transform the minds and souls of young people.
Fortunately, some talented music artists like Jah Roll Local and Seanri have blended the features of rap music with island music to create a sort of sentimental island reggae that captures the heart of all pacific islanders, of all age groups, regardless of their different music tastes.
This undeniably announces the success of this idea and the promotion of those big names who employed it.
Therefore, I would love to see young talented gospel artists adapt this idea of blending music types.
Yet their lyrics ought to be more Christ-centered than being too self-centered. They can start by doing a Christmas sample in which the true meaning of Christmas is voiced.
God loves you.
Richard Wane
Nine Ridge
