DJ Punz says some Trinibad artistes are discussing a shift towards more conscious music and songs aimed at women as the genre enters a new period following recent peace efforts.
Punz said the aggressive themes commonly associated with Trinibad had proven successful, but argued that focusing exclusively on that style also brought problems.
He maintained that there is nothing inherently wrong with artistes expressing harder themes through music, noting the genre’s connection to dancehall, where similar content has long existed.
However, he said the emphasis should increasingly be placed on artistic expression rather than presenting criminality as a lifestyle.
Punz pointed to successful songs from Trinibad artistes that were not centred on violence, citing Plumpy Boss’s “My Journey” as an example of a conscious song that became a major record.
He also referenced Swanny’s “Brother Brother” while arguing that audiences have demonstrated an appetite for material beyond confrontational music.
The DJ said the aim should not be to remove any one type of song entirely, but to ensure controversy and real-world conflict do not overshadow the artistic side of the genre.