Although the altercation between Jah Cure and Sizzla at the New Year's Eve concert 'Original Dancehall Jam Jam' did not happen on stage, it was significant enough to warrant a statement from one of the parties involved, as reported in THE STAR yesterday.

It has not been a good run for entertainment, which has got a double black eye after the brawl between Deva Bratt and Munga Honourable at the mid-December Stone Love anniversary, held at Mas Camp in Kingston.

Of course, two incidents among the slew of shows which are held in the Christmas season, is virtually nothing. However, there are also the police raids on concerts such as 'Riding West' and 'Island Explosion' to add to the mix. The raids, which seem to have eased somewhat, imply that the police believe there is a link between the people at large reggae/dancehall concerts and the people carrying out the terrible violence in Jamaica, and, while the raids have not turned up much, the couple fights will not help the case.

After all, it is the major incidents which set the tone for the perception of the concerts as a whole and the general public, outside of those who actually attend the shows, forms its opinion from what makes the press. Therefore, the public would be excused in believing that the police are justified in their raids, based on the confrontations between entertainers.

It is something that the singers and deejays should keep in mind when their squabbles arise.