Law and Order - file

By Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town

Igol Coke otherwise called 'Law and Order' is a serving member of the police force. But, that has not stopped him from shedding his uniform and maintaining 'order' on the microphone.

Coke, was born in Newroads, Westmoreland in 1966. But, his musical talents started showing when he moved to Kingston and started attending Hailie Selassie Secondary, now High School where he found himself regularly chanting rhymes.

"During my school time I was along with people like Little John, Tappa Lee and Singing Melody. Conrad Crystal and other entertainers were in my class and from there on I knew that music was an integral part of my life, and whatever I did music would be used as a vehicle to take me through."

Law and Order says he did not take his talents seriously until 1994 when he became a policeman and found more creative ways to write songs because of his experiences. He said he later wrote Captivity which was his first known and biggest song to date based on these happenings. He later penned No Bad Mind, Sweet Jamaica, They Did It, Peace and love, Progressive People, Shotta and most recently Dreamer, which was co-written with colleague Constable Kevin Smith.

No nonsense crime fighter

The full-time cop said that while he is a no nonsense crime fighter, his music helps him to deal with all on a better level and it has benefitted him tremendously in his day to day policing.

"Although I work in the rough area of Spanish Town, I still realise that everybody loves music, as it is a spiritual awakening and as such will continue," he said.

Coke said he is inspired by the works of Dennis Brown, Bob Marley, Gregory Issacs, Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales and other cultural artistes. He added that more emphasis should be placed on cultural deejaying which he believes is a dying art.

Law and Order said his greatest problem with Jamaica's music industry is payola.

"There are people who are paid to play songs, while others get paid not to play songs and it is killing out the music. The music should be played on merit, but this is not so. And moreover, I do not believe any disc jockey should be a producer as it sends the wrong message," he said.

Despite this setback, Law and Order intends to continue making music while serving his country.