Dudus didn’t force us to perform
At least three artistes who performed at Champions in Action, organised by former Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, are claiming to have never been coerced to perform at the show. Lav Lawrence, brother and manager of dancehall artiste Aidonia, says the artiste has never been coerced to do the show during the two times he had performed.
“That was never the case. All bookings for Aidonia were either through Solid Agency or Headline Entertainment. The artiste had never dealt with anyone directly. That’s how he was booked,” said Lawrence.
Professor Nuts, whose real name is Carl Wellington, said he too was never coerced to perform on the show, which ran for a number of years.
“No, no, never. I have never been coerced to perform there. One time I ever performed on Champions in Action, long time ago, but I was never coerced to perform,” he said.
Beenie Man’s manager and brother Rohan ‘Blue’ Smith also said he was not aware of the artiste being coerced to perform at the show.
“Not that I am aware of,” he said.
On Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Glenmore Hinds, in testifying at the West Kingston Commission of Enquiry, made the disclosure that some of the country’s top entertainers were coerced to perform at the free reggae show.
“Major artistes would have to give their performance free of cost. Our intelligence is that these persons had to give their services pro bono,” the high-ranking policeman testified.
He also indicated that large corporate entities were coerced to provide sponsorship for the show. The proceeds of the show were then allegedly handed over to West Kingston residents.
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