I just got off the website to vote for some of our local artists that will receive awards for their contributions to the music industry throughout 2008. I must pause to say while I was there voting for some of these artists a bit of saddnes and disapointment engufed me. These artists are international celebrities, and local icons, yet throoughout the year some of the most dominant ones have made the headlines in some very negative ways. These should be role models. Once you allow yourslef to be a superstar, there is a responsiblity that comes with that and that is to set positive examples. The indecent usage of words and the violence that some of these artists incited are very bad, and as result they should not be given any awards until they clean up their acts. I understand the struggle, I understand the fights, and the demands, but these artists should be agents of change for hope and betterment, not instilling voilence and being charged in serious crimes and then expected to be awarded at the end of the day. The says ” do not let you good be evil spoken of” I known that some of them are good people and feel that they have to resort to certain behaviour to make it in the industry. However, if the powers that be decided that enough is enough, any artist who get arrested for guns, or using expletives cannot be nonimated for an award, i believe that things would change a bit. It,s time for Jamaica to clean up house and lets start with those who carries our name aboard and on the streets…standard must be set and it is high time. God bless.