Tego Calderon really blew it this time - Page 2

Golo100 · #11 03-22-2004, 12:56 PM

Many Dominicans, including myself have objected to Tego Calderon's recent concert in DR not because he uses drugs, but because he openly carried out a promotional act of using marijuana in front of a very youthful audience. Those who do not know how Dominicans think are the same people who still do not understand Islamic people and their way of life. Openly promoting drugs is not only an illegal act punishable by jail terms, but it is a taboo in DR.While drugs are easily obtainable and consumed by some youth in DR, it is a highly objectionable practice in our society. Most Dominicans, including youth do not consume drugs.
I repeat(and I saw the whole episode in video form)Tego was singing a new song which openly promoted the use of marijuana, unlike any of his past songs, which I enjoyed very much. He had huge screens with pictures of marijuana plants, mixed in with drug culture figures and laser projections of marijuana plants all over the stage.
The Dominican authorities upon seeing the video agree with me and those who did not like this performance and it is now 90% likely he will be declared persona-non-grata for this concert and will not perform again. That is unless he apologizes or does something that will change people's minds. I doubt he will. But he has everything to lose. Although he can sell records, regetton is trying to clean up its image in the mainstream. This is not going to improve the genre at all.
Promotion of drugs is a no-no in DR. Fernando Villalona was in the **** hole until he cleaned up his act. Many people including myself believe he is an asshole anyway, and will not forgive him. Just like I do not contribute to drug safe house addicts like Hogares Crea. Nobody ever had to tell me not to use drugs. Drugs are a piece of ****. Do sex-no drugs.
TW

Talldrink · #12 03-22-2004, 01:45 PM

I have mixed emotions about this thead. I do agree with Golo that if the message was a clear declaration to do weed, it shouldnt go on. Smoking anything is not seen as a 'cool' thing in DR, you cant even smoke in most clubs over there - that is not a bad thing. They are slowy banning smoking in the US altogether, NOW, these laws have been in place in DR for a long long time.

As far as the artists mentioned before, all good performers, but just because they are good they should have the freedom to preach their habits to the public? I love Tego, however, I dont like that he is inticing the public to weed it up. Fernandito was not allowed to leave the country until he got his stuff together. And all the others (i.e. Raulin Rosendo, Alex Bueno, and Toño) were looked down upon by the high end concert promoters b/c of their dealings with drugs.

Are you guys saying that drugs are OK to be sung about and promoted in concerts? there are a lot of mis-guided kids out there that dont understand that 'cool' doesnt equal to doing drugs and looking like a thug. A lot of these kids are very impresionable and these artists are doing a diservice to the public.

When Dr. Dre came out with the Cronic album, all my friends in school thought it was the coolest thing to smoke weed! Talk about influence!!

JDub · #13 03-22-2004, 04:02 PM

Music does have a very strong influence on young folks, which is why parents should take some responsiblity in screening what their kids listen to. However, there's only so much a parent can do so if Tego did openly say "smoke weed" or "smoking a fat one is cool," then he was wrong for that since it was at a concert open to the general public. I don't see anything wrong if he says it on his albums, but not in public. Does anybody know what song he sang that was so controversial? A video link would be cool too if it is available online.

Musicqueen · #14 03-22-2004, 04:41 PM

on the subject...it turns out that HE was not promoting the use of marijuana...while he was singing, the screens were projecting a video from a Bob Marley concert...of course HE (Marley) had the images of the marijuana in the video.

I think the people that are critizicing Tego are just a bunch of hypocrites...or better yet...someone is trying to can the concert altogether...maybe too much competition for another promoter? Maybe Beras-Goyco and the others are not getting any money from it?

Tons of questions to be answered kids...unfortunately, Tego will end up paying the consequences... But you know what? That will only make the kids want to see him and sing his songs even more!

Forbidden fruits...

ERICKXSON · #15 03-22-2004, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicqueen

on the subject...it turns out that HE was not promoting the use of marijuana...while he was singing, the screens were projecting a video from a Bob Marley concert...of course HE (Marley) had the images of the marijuana in the video.

I think the people that are critizicing Tego are just a bunch of hypocrites...or better yet...someone is trying to can the concert altogether...maybe too much competition for another promoter? Maybe Beras-Goyco and the others are not getting any money from it?

Tons of questions to be answered kids...unfortunately, Tego will end up paying the consequences... But you know what? That will only make the kids want to see him and sing his songs even more!

Forbidden fruits...

MRS. MUSIC QUEEN i'm a Tego Calderon die hard with limitations, have you ever being to a Tego New York Concert or one of his concerts in Puerto Rico, i guess not since you find the newpaper info so odd............

anything that promotes drugs to the kids needs to be shutdown; even at your SALSA 98 stage this past (CALLE 8) I WAS THERE and saw afew 13 year old little girls (THEY COULDNT BE OLDER) PERRIANDO AND (((SMOKING WEED))) (((YERBA))) (((MARIHUANA))) do you think that is wright? just wanted to know....................

Golo100 · #16 03-23-2004, 11:48 AM

Well, the guy was cancelled. No more concerts in DR, at least he must check with the regulatory agency before he signs another concert contract or personal appearance. Tego should pay for this and this was the correct action. What he should do now is apologize instead of justifying his garbage concert. His music is really cool. But he stepped out of boundaries here. Of course, he will become the forbidden fruit, but not in public. At least until he straightens out his act. Bunbury had the same problem. He has never returned because he refuses to apologize. Well, ever since his music does not sell as well as before in DR and as long as he misses public appearances, his promotions suffer, here and abroad. Every country you lose is a big loss.
TW

Golo100 · #17 03-23-2004, 12:17 PM

was playing with marijuana images from Marley's concert and laser images projected by laser equipment hired for concert. My translation is next to the real lyrics in Spanish. Note that translation is based on current drug lingo. Bonsai is the code word for marijuana plant. "Dejala caer" and everything related to the verb "bajar" means smoking it.

"Mira, compay(listen compay)
Yo me fumaria un bonsai(I would smoke a bonsai)
Si tu sabes donde hay, me trae(if you know where to find, bring me some)
Mira, compay
Yo me fumaria un bonsai(I would smoke a bonsai)
Si tu sabes donde hay, me trae
Mira, compay
Yo me fumaria un bonsai
Si tu sabes donde hay, me trae
Mira, compay
Yo me fumaria un bonsai
Si tu sabes donde hay, me trae

Oye, dejala caer que yo me encargo (listen, let her fall, I will take care)
Si sobra algo yo guardo(if there's some left over, I will safeguard it)
Y 'tamos gozando(and we will be enjoying)
Sueno con pepa(I dream with weed)
Aunque yo le saco las semillas(even though I extract the seed)
La prefiero mexicana como Pancho Villa(I prefer the mexican type like Pancho Villa)
Por culpa de Osama la cosa se ha puesto mala(thanks to Osama things have turned real bad)
En estos dias el lujo es fumar marijuana(these days smoking marijuana is in)
To' el mundo en baja"(the whole world is taking it down)

courtesy of TW

samiam · #18 03-23-2004, 12:18 PM

Hmm, yes. It is still a case of hipocricy to me.
Fito can sing about doing coke and sipping whiskey on TV and poor Tego can't talk about smoking a J!
I cant help but be reminded of 1950's movies like Reefer Madness when I rerad some of the posts here. I wouldnt believe this little island was so high on morals and ethics.
sheesh, what next? women using a burka?

Narcosis · #19 03-23-2004, 12:24 PM

Golo

I do agree in principle that promotion of drug use to minors is 100% wrong.

I also note there is a law here that prohibits drug paraphernelia and any promotion of illegal drug use.

With the above said, it must also be mentioned that the enforcement of such a law can be brought to draconian levels if not managed carefully.

Double standards are commonplace in the DR, easily noticed when one sees the countless numbers of merengue and bachata groups lowering standards to silly levels using hidden messages (doble sentido) etc., all in the name of sales (BLas Duran among others), than we see espectaculos publicos ban a Venezuelan song that does the same ("Ponte en cuatro" I think was the name of the song).

When questionable moral measurements are used to ban a song or any form of art or expression, we start to navigate in dangerous waters where the fine line that separates freedom of speech and tyranny lies.

Golo100 · #20 03-23-2004, 12:40 PM

"Dear Tego: I have always enjoyed regetton and particularly your music. But your recent concert in Dominican Republic where you showed images of marijuana plants and evoked the use of marijuana thru your song "Bonsai" was out of step with Dominican customs, mores, family rules and laws. I suggest that rather than justify your use of these images and music portraying marijuana use and promotion, that you should apologize to the Dominican people and tell us that you will never again try something like this in our country. While you are free to promote your music and lyrics any way you want under the freedom of speech, you must understand that here in Santo Domingo this is illegal and you must respect our laws and desires. I hope you understand and swallow your performer's pride and due the right thing. Remember, you are not alone. Enrique Bunbury was banned for life here for the same reason and because he does not want to change, he has lost direct contact with Dominican people thru concerts. He ended up losing our market for concerts. Be smart and apologize. Remember, you did not write the song "Dominicana" for nothing. You need our market.

TW