Media personality Fae Ellington has voiced strong disapproval of the sexualized lyrical content featured on the newly released 'Hill & Gully' dancehall riddim, arguing it devalues Jamaican cultural heritage.
Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements Latest News International News North & East Environment Business Bites Social Love Horse Racing World Champs Commonwealth Games FIFA
World Cup 2022 Entertainment Art & Culture Tuesday Style Food Awards JOL Takes Style Out Design Week JA Black Friday Relationships Classifieds Motor Vehicles Place an Ad Jobs & Careers Study Centre Jnr Study Centre Advertorial Supplements International News Business Bites Food Awards Entertainment World Champs Career & Education Environment Advertorial Supplements Classifieds Design Week Fae Ellington (Photo: Peter Ferguson) Entertainment, Latest News Vanassa McKenzie | Observer Online Reporter May 11, 2026 Fae Ellington criticises
‘vulgar’ songs on Hill & Gully riddim …praises Di Genius for revitalising folk culture but says ‘slack’ songs devalue heritage KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaican media personality and cultural expert Fae Ellington is condemning several dancehall artistes for what she described as the defacing of Jamaican culture through “slack” and “vulgar” lyrics featured on the revived Hill & Gully riddim produced by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor.. “When I hear persons changing the lyrics of Hill an’
Gully Rider to vulgarity, it pains me, it hits me in a place I cannot explain, I get numb,” the specialist broadcaster for national events shared in a video uploaded to her YouTube channel on Sunday.. Hill an’ Gully Rider is a traditional 19th-century Jamaican folk and mento song.. It was revived as a dancehall riddim in late April 2026 by McGregor.. The project, fronted by Masicka’s trending track Slip & Slide, has since attracted
features from major names in dancehall, including Elephant Man, Valiant, Govana, Ganggoolie, and Skippa.. Ellington, who is known for her decades of work in theatre, radio and television, said she has been struggling for days with how to address the issue.. “Mi angry, mi angry.. Unuh supposed to know better.. It cannot be because you want to get some likes and you want to make some money and you want it go wide, yes it
going to go wide and far and I wonder how you will be viewed.. All of you who have decided to get down into the gutter, all of you who have decided to get slack and nasty.. Hill an’ Gully Rider, Emmanuel Road?. Unuh understand unuh heritage?” she questioned.. Drawing comparisons to the national anthem, Ellington argued that Jamaica’s cultural heritage should be treated with greater respect.. “It is like treating your anthem, hearing the
instrumental version of your anthem and start sing all kind of nastiness on top of it.. We have gone totally over the cliff, we not on the brink anymore,” she said.. Despite her criticism of some of the songs, Ellington praised McGregor for reviving the folk classic and introducing it to a new generation.. However, she maintained that the country’s folk traditions and cultural identity should not be compromised for popularity or profit.. “Congrats Stephen
but a number of people have decided to put certain kinds of lyrics to this thing, not understanding that they are defacing our culture, that they are putting us in a place that we will have to explain to our children,” she said, adding that Jamaican artistes should know better.. She further called on Culture Minister Olivia Grange to issue a public statement in relation to the matter.. Expressing disappointment with one unnamed female artiste
featured on the riddim, Ellington warned, “Our heritage is not to be trifled with, and if you think it’s ok to go to that level, you know something is wrong.” Tags: Dancehall Fae Ellington Hill & Gully riddim {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”, “breaking-news”:”Push Notifications”} 0 Comments · Make a comment ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER Latest News, News ‘I am not a drunkard,’ witness tells lawyer in Klans trial BY ALICIA DUNKLEY-WILLIS Senior staff reporter dunkleywillisa@jamaicaobserver.com May 11,
2026 A police sergeant who was the first responder at the scene where the body of Thompson Pen resident Zamari McKay was found with his feet bound on Augus…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, News St Ann healthcare trailblazer Dorrett Wood Brown celebrates 100th birthday Vanassa McKenzie, Observer Online reporter, mckenziev@jamaicaobserver.com May 11, 2026 A trailblazer in maternal and prenatal healthcare in St Ann, Dorrett Wood Brown recently celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and
friend…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, News Seiveright highlights Jamaica’s growing investment momentum at Ireland business reception May 11, 2026 DUBLIN, Ireland — State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, on Monday evening highlighted Jamaica’s grow…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} International News, Latest News Last evacuation flights from hantavirus ship land in Netherlands May 11, 2026 EINDHOVEN, Netherlands (AFP)—The last two evacuation planes carrying passengers and crew from the hantavirus-hit ship MV Hondius
landed in the Netherl…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, Regional ‘No need for panic’ in recent hantavirus outbreak, says CARPHA May 11, 2026 PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)—The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Monday sought to reassure people in the Caribbean region t…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} International News, Latest News Texas lawsuit accuses Netflix of illegal data collection May 11, 2026 NEW YORK, United States (AFP)—The top prosecutor in Texas filed a lawsuit against Netflix
on Monday, accusing the streaming giant of improperly collec…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} Latest News, News Police identify men fatally shot in Manchester May 11, 2026 MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Police have identified the two men fatally shot in an alleged confrontation last Friday in Mandeville, Manchester.. They are Dant…. {“jamaica-observer”:”Jamaica Observer”} HOUSE RULES We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day.. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email
addresses will not be published.. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted.. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material.. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.. Please don’t
use the comments to advertise.. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email:community@jamaicaobserver.com.. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Recent Posts Archives Please enable JavaScript to view the poll powered by Disqus.. Recent Posts Archives Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer.. Follow Jamaican news online for free
and stay informed on what’s happening in the Caribbean Featured Tags Entertainment Entertainment Jamaica Observer,© All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy Editorial Code of Conduct Privacy Manager
Fae Ellington, Hill & Gully riddim, Jamaican dancehall, cultural preservation, Di Genius, Jamaican music, folk music