CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

With the new school term quickly approaching, dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel has released 'School', which has been getting favourable airplay. In the song Kartel, who once lauded the 'cake soap' for lightening his skin, ironically urges youngsters not to follow the same path.

"Pull up yu pants and put it pon yu waist, and tuck in yu shirt and don't bleach yu face, inna my days that mi a meditate, suh mi study fi di tests mi nuh procrastinate, school youth unno pants too tight, this a nuh Dancin Dynamite. Mek yu mother proud, yu nuh see how she fight. Don't be a dunce head, be a top flight," Vybz Kartel chants over an old-school dancehall beat.

Aside from speaking out against bleaching in schools and advocating academic excellence, the song also cautions teenagers against drug use, violence, short uniforms and teenage pregnancy.

Positive message

Gaza Slim, who signed to the Kartel-led Portmore Empire, told THE STAR that the detractors of the deejays should put the same energy into promoting the song for its positive message, in the same way they created an uproar when he was accused of bleaching his skin.

"Now is the time all the people dem wey bash him should come out and speak up. When he does certain songs that they believe are negative, they talk about it. So when he does positive songs, like this, they should talk about it too," Gaza Slim said.

"The song shot and it's based on a positive message. Stay in school, pull up your pants at your waist, stop wear tight pants and don't bleach your face," she said.

According to Slim, School has been getting favourable attention in dancehall circles and once again proves Kartel's relevance.

The artiste said she is still praying for the deejay and, hopes God will be on his side during his battle with the law.

"I have a new song coming out with him soon. So all fans can look out for that. My boss is the greatest and nobody can replace him," Gaza Slim said.

The artiste also encouraged children who listen to Kartel's music to follow the instructions in School and put their education first.

"So, kids who look up to Vybz Kartel, you should follow his footsteps because you hear him sey him never get less than 98 per cent in school. So you must try to get 100 per cent, and if you can't get that, don't go below the 98, because Vybz Kartel is a bright man," she said.

Gaza Slim and Kartel last collaborated on Children Are Our Future. She recently completed her first album and is expected to release that project in coming weeks.

School was released by Kartel's common-law wife Shorty on her newly formed label, Short Boss, Muzik.

Kartel was arrested and detained on two murder charges but was recently found not guilty on one.

He remains incarcerated on the other with his trial set for November 18.