Trinidad considers age limits and song ban for Vybz Kartel concert

Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Minister, Wayne Sturge, is considering imposing restrictions on the upcoming One Unity Music Festival, which is set to be headlined by Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel.

The proposed measures include limiting the concert to patrons aged 18 and over and barring certain songs from being performed.

The move follows growing public backlash over the explicit content of some of Kartel’s lyrics, which critics, including religious groups, have condemned as vulgar and offensive—particularly a song that controversially compares the quality of a woman’s genitalia to Jesus.

In a statement released on Friday, Minister Sturge acknowledged the need to balance the artiste’s right to freedom of expression with concerns about national security, the public interest, and the protection of minors.

“In so doing, the Honourable Minister has given consideration to restricting attendance to the concert to be held on May 31 to persons of the age of 18 and over. Upon receipt of a legal opinion, a decision would be made on this issue,” a statement from the Ministry of National Security read.