The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) continues to address “religiously insensitive content” in separate songs by the artistes Vybz Kartel and “Baby Skello”, which have been deemed offensive to the Christian and Hindu communities, respectively.
Ahead of the scheduled performance of Jamaican artiste Vybz Kartel in Guyana on May 24, 2025, the Commission said that it formally wrote to the event organizers, Hits and Jams Entertainment, requesting to meet on the matter.
However, it noted that it has received no response from Hits and Jams regarding this request.
In addition, the ERC said that it has written to the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) referencing provisions under the Broadcasting Act. The Commission urged the GNBA to prohibit the broadcast of the song ‘Good Like Jesus’ by Vybz Kartel across radio and television platforms due to its offensive and divisive nature.
Furthermore, the ERC is calling on Vybz Kartel to issue a public apology to the people of Guyana, particularly the Christian community, for the offensive and insensitive content contained in the referenced song.
The Commission also clarified that it was not the agency responsible for the arrest of Daniel Wharton, also known by his stage name “Baby Skello”.
“The ERC wishes to inform the public that a letter was dispatched to Mr. Wharton, requesting his presence at the Commission in relation to a song released by him that has raised public concern over its derogatory content. To date, Mr. Wharton has not made contact with the Commission.”
The ERC has reiterated its calls for Wharton to come forward and make contact with the Commission urgently to address this important matter.
The Commission also lamented the increase in religiously and ethnically insensitive content being produced and disseminated, calls on all stakeholders to think and act more responsibly in the generation of content being circulated.
