The Dominica Festivals Committee has terminated an agreement with eight-time calypso monarch, Dice, saying that he is no longer required to perform at the Carnival Street Festival on Friday afternoon.
Dice received a letter hours before the event was expected to begin informing him of the decision.
“Further to our conversation, I have been instructed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Discover Dominica Authority to inform you that your services are no longer required to perform at the Carnival 2018 Street Festival to be held at the Bayfront on January 26, 2018 from 5:00 pm,” the letter written by Festival and Events Manager Val Cuffy, said.
The letter said the DFC is committed to fulfilling all obligations under the agreement.
Earlier this week Dice, whose real name is Dennison Joseph, said on Q95 that he was being blocked by “the authorities” from performing his new song “Looters” at the Carnival Street Festival, which replaced the annual Carnival Opening Parade.
He stated that he was called by someone at the DFC, telling him that he cannot perform at the event.
“The individual told that me the authorities had called to make sure or to ask that I don’t perform,” Dice remarked.
He stated he was in limbo as to whether he should go to perform or not.
However, on Friday afternoon he told state-owned DBS Radio that he was going to perform the song.
Later in the afternoon, he received the letter from the DFC.
See letter below.
Oh boy, Skerrit and friends are laughing at all you. Over 100 comments and the vast majority against the current regime and it’s puppets. You want to chance things then stop the talking and do something about this corrupt dictatorship. Talking about and arguing about it for years does not help, does not change anything. In my opinion Dominicans have only 2 viable options, either if you want to live in a democracy, move away or if you really love your home country, get together, go on the streets and force the dictator out. There was a third option but that is not an option anymore, since the dictator is already controlling the elections. Some might argue why don’t you help us. I moved away years ago because I was disgusted to see what was going on during elections. Many, many Dominicans sold their vote for a few dollars or sewo and so paved the way for situation you find yourselves in now. I love my freedom and by God I’m going to keep it even if it means I had to leave my…
You are of course right but unfortunately our fellow citizens at home have no backbone and no civil courage. They always settle for second best and mediocrity. No pride just living from one day to the next, day in day out. They like it that way… NO STRESS. What they would love is for us to get our hands dirty and sort things out for them. But I bet you in a years time after D-day, some would say but Skerrit at least gave us some sewo, galvanise and blocks and we didn’t even have to work. I’m about to give up.
A DUMB-NI-CAN! that’s who Roy Williams is!!! May God safe us all!!!
Again, As a tool used to talk about our former master and to plot against him, calypso is used against ourselves in these times. causing confusion and division.
Isn’t it ironical that Dice promotes Trois Pitons water for one of the manufacturers that suffered heavy losses as a result of looting in the wake of Maria, and in his calypso he seems to find excuses for those who have been responsible for the looting!
Hey Colin man. Never mind that little jump up the bay front. Where are the cruise ships partner? Is not only our farmers that go hungry you know. What about the vendors and taxi drivers? When you go to these trade shows overseas, what have you got to sell to tourists to come here?
DIRTY Skerit and his Gestapo s have turned Dominica into a …. hole.
So much for freedom of speech, guess that doesn’t exist in Dominica. Very Disappointed
Is there any untruth in what Dice sang ? Well ,, DFC should tell him why the agreement made with him was broken. People we need to stand for justice in everything no matter who.
Here is the confession a young foreign national made to me in NY last month. “I was asked by… to shoot him so I pulled the trigger not knowing it I was used to cover those criminals.”
We can neither confirm the veracity or falsity of your claim. Come again
“Dey say” is not good enough. Period.
Sorry that’s “We cannot confirm” the veracity or falsity of your statement..”
Sorry that’s “We cannot confirm the veracity or falsity of your claim…”
Val val val, surprise at you bro, bro you disappoint me,nothing wrong with the brother song, you are a chicken bro, gone are the days doing business with you and the former police boss Desmond, val bro you are no Angel, Dominican settling for too much victimization from you guys, when I heard Desmond was attracting President of Dominica I told a few guys only if Dominicans knew, you no what I am talking about Val, bro you are a barn hypocrite, only in Dominica, Alex J from St Vincent and the Grenadines now residing in Canada
In dice own words” After a disaster I’m a like a hyena” He should talk about all de flower and rice that fall down in laboo because man didn’t had space to pack their flatscreen TV and set, Dice should be arrested for this song
According to a former Dcan police commissioner, there is only one word I would use to define your comment, RUBBISH!
Assertive like Ma Maria!
Mr doh make enough money singing calypso? Give somebody else a chance and go and find hard work to do… You make like a million dollars already
Oh, for a moment I thought you were addressing our Prime Minister!
I figure you listen to artist from other countries singing different genre of music…pretty much throughout their entire lives because they have the talent and the gift…musicians don’t stop making music…
Again ok jackass
he should make a million more just to spite you. Your comment is the epitome of hate. To you dice TOO successful. He shouldnt be allowed to sing more calypso! because he make too much money on it already. sad.
Nah, I just saying give somebody else a chance, I want you to make a million next.
Hello and good afternoon my people. Well King Dice I spoke to you last year when you came to New York for the pre labor day festivities. I told you there isn’t money in social commentary songs and I urge you to sing soca which people love and I also told you what the great Cro Cro from Trinidad said. Which is that he sang social commentary in Trinidad all his entertainment life but he still don’t have money. Machal Mantano, Bunji and Kirwin sang strictly soca dance music and they reap all the fame and fortune. One can always take the moral high ground but that won’t put any money in your pocket so please remember what I told you and sign to make money because ultimately that’s what people judge you by.
I respectfully disagree.
I really thought the BIG bull was a man. But then again he has been reduced to a small cat so whatever they did to him to get so skinny must have been paid for by the authorities so he can now take all their bull ….. Maybe they even took out his cocoa and we don’t know
VALENTINE CUFFY – For a festival manager you have no common sense. From reading above this performer has brought energy to Dominican’s all over the world, from reading above this man is Calypso music to Dominica like Machel Montano is and has brought music to Trinidad.
View the above comments and reconsider your decision and allow him to perform for the rest of the Carnival festivities..
**after Maria let Dominican’s come alive to CELEBRATE our culture***
VAL was instructed by his superiors. I do not think it was just his decision.
It reminds me of the Tommy Lee Sparta treatment that resulted in a $3million cash out. Dice needs to call TLS
The song need to be band on the radio also.
Man, you can’t even speak proper English, so how can you understand the Dice message.the word is banned , and not band.You have a band around your brain.
You understand what he saying doh
The word in Banned. Not Band. A Band is what you will be in on carnival Monday and Tuesday.
The people eyes are open and Peter is paying for Paul. They want to buy ban deodorant at me pharmacy.
Garçon, there is nothing at the Bulls Eye pharmacy that you can not get from Jolly.
but can you get it after 5pm?
My two pence commonsense says that the song is promoting public decay and supporting actions that are criminal in nature and has lyrics that defames Jamaican soldiers. This is not healthy for our art form and I dont care how much you love the artist. How would u feel if he would do a song promoting the use of drugs, rape and other devious behaviors to your children? would u send him to represent Dominica overseas? he is admitting to being a looter. He is saying to our kids what happen after Maria was ok. Instead of admonishing bad behavior in calypso he is praising it. DFC has a right to allow or not to allow any artist to perform or not to perform,respectively, on their event. How would that song promote our festivity? DFC can hire and DFC can fire.
No name, how could the song promote public decay? The song as I understand it is about events that took place post Maria. If anything is the alleged participants that caused public decay. Now if the participants were fired or disciplined then I could understand your argument. But they still walking the streets as kings and saints and you don’t want calypsonians to sing?
But de man talking about dominicans should burst in people business like rat when they hungry, come out dere with that trash
@noname, have you read the lyrics? I did and found nothing offensive in the song. Wasn’t a Dominican shot by a Jamaican soldier? The excuses made in the song in support of looting isn’t it the same excuses that were used by many both during and after the looting? What’s offensive about the Layou River scandal, we all know who is to blame. Ordinary lyrics but social commentary none the less.
Exactly. Thanks
The only sensible thing you said was DFC can hire and DFC can fire. When the song says a Jamaican police shot a young looter, is that not a fact? Is he promoting it? Did he say he was a looter? Then that might be the truth. What is your problem with the truth?? He would not go to represent our country because he will not be given the opportunity. That does not mean he could not do it. The minute you begin to accept the truth and not try to hide it under the guise of promoting country, you will have a much better calypso understanding. He is not praising bad behavior he is relating bad behavior. Did looting not happen? So shallow!!
Social commentary right? That’s what calypso is meant to be …these events took place…whether you like it or not..
Same could be said for costumes promoting rashaan, tarpaulin etc… it’s not banned but considered comical..
Val….it seems like you lost your BALLS together with the weight..!
Does anyone know the terms of the contract? Whether it could be terminated by either party without condition, is strictly a legal matter.
If Dice signed a contract with DFC to perform he should sue them for breach of contract, simple as that…
Hello and good morning my people. Well Dice now that Mr Cuffy has terminated your contract because of pressure from our Government they still have to pay you . Please don’t fight them by taking legal action because your suit will not be concluded before the end of carnival. What you should do is preform at the tent because that will be a private venue so the Police won’t be able to stop you from singing. Anyway I hope you all have a good and safe carnival because I am going to Trinidad for carnival.
lucky you.
when I stayed some months in Mahaut and Trafalgar in 1980, just about everyone liked to go to Trinidad for carnival. I also would like to. But I am living in Austria (Europe) with lots of snow. Too far away and not enough bread at the moment.
Well is calypso but not all what others write we should sing, the singer at least should say am not singing this or that. I listen to the song maybe there was a reason not letting him perform.
Shame shame shame on Val and more shame on Colin. Let’s boycott carneval all together. And from all the calypsonians I expect them to refuse to perform this year completely. Have an open mike tonight and let everybody speak their mind. It is time to ask for international help to remove the big mouth head clown. He’s become deadly.
We need more time on duty free materials. Mr prime minister 6 months is not enough.
Now is the time to rebuild Dominica give us diasporas more time.
Love Dominica
Actually, as a law and order person, I get it that ‘The Authorities’ do not want to appear condoning or promoting looting. On the other hand, given the bold history of this exceptional artist, is there any doubt that said authorities find other elements of this song incriminating and therefore offensive?
This dilemma could have been resolved in a mature manner. The authorities could have simply called up Dice and say, “Look, we take exception with a few lines of this narrative. Lets sit down and hammer out a sanitized version for the official opening. We don’t want to violate your artistic freedom or calypso’s centuries-old tradition of social commentary, but let’s be responsible too.”
Have we progressed enough to be so nuanced? The answer lies in the typical high-handed tactics of a cowardly last minute letter. So who comes out smelling like a rose? Is it the authorities? Piper? Cuffy?…or the people’s favourite, 9-time calypso king, the brave and even more energised…
Sir I respectfully disagree, he should sing the song as written
Dominicans if you guys don’t stand up to these fulishness it will get worst, soon they will want to tell you where and when you can take photos on your cell phone, you can’t text about the government and so on and so on.
That’s what calypso is all about in every country they bring out all what’s in the dark
And hidden behind close doors, in some countries that’s one of the most sell out shows
And when politicians looks at there self in the mirror, a calypso is not a calypso with out
Critics of politicians or the reality of what that country is really going true, am a musician
I can tell you, so just allow what he’s bringing out to the ppl of dominica and just learn
From it and move on from there, we are in a zone in the Caribean where we can get an
Other like Maria every year and am sure the police will be ready for the looters the next
Time because they learn from this experience just like sxm the gendarmes and police will be on the island before
Any hurricane strikes again said the president and PM.
Please stop hating the man. Without dice carnival is dead. Am I going to buy a plane ticket so expensive to go home for carnival without dice hell no. I guess u all do not want us to come home for carnival. Dice tell them kiss where the sun don’t shine
Come back Tokyo and sing, see how you burs my tennis shoe tongue.
Come back Beggy and sing ”look man killing man for man today ”
who else to come back nah ? help me .
PATHETIC.
All those who used to dance ”femme polokette”
what allu saying ? translate de whole song .
all over de place i was hearing
i want to go dong in your suss, abbreviated word for sussoon;
Translate .
I dow support pressing Dice OK .
Boople’, See How They Bring Calypso.
Isn’t he singing tomorrow night..so how they silence him?
As a Dominican living overseas, I will never promote,encourage,conduct,bring,give,send,donate,recommend, establish,do,push any type of business in this demonic country as long as Satan and his angels are in control.
This country needs a thorough cleansing.
Thanks, stay where you are in your perfect corupt world!!!
Val and Piper have absolutely no balls whatsoever. The country full of men in positions with no principals and are without backbone. You banning a calypsonian and the people who allowed the country to suffer after maria are still in their jobs, the commissioner and deputy. Well let me see allyou Dominicans now.
I am sure that the orders came from higher up.
Off course they have ballls……..ping-pong balls.
I’m a lobourite but Dice is one of my favorite mucisians. I hope the which ever minister that the carnival falls under their ministry can deal with the people who blocked dice accordingly
never knew people were born labourite or uwpite or papyite….
Lol ikr. Smh. Look at the country boy. JAH
That’s making any sense? I guess you are living on some other planet or you never really interact with others or read the news. When someone says that they are a a labourite, upwite, Democrat, Republicans, etc it means that they support that political party.
Yes they should be guided accordingly by the people. It’s becoming dictatorship
If the public remain docile, influential men and women, civil organizations and the private sector continue to remain silent, then you deserve the government you have. This single act of depriving Dice of his constitutional rights to Freedom of Speech is egregious. The government has been completely disconnected from the commoners. This is the act of a dictator who is supported by parasites looking for a meal. Is Dominica galloping toward an authoritarian state where no opposition nor criticism of the government is tolerated? This is exactly what happens when a government has overstayed its time. Time for Skerrit and his sheep-like enablers to demits office.
* to demit not to demits. The automatic anticipating word mechanism gets the better of you sometimes. It changes a word without you realizing it. Always important to re-read.
You are already in a dictatorship. Wake up. A man that manages to get himself continually re-elected constitutes authoritarian rule. Who is stopping him? You can’t even get 3rd or 4th party candidates to run. Linton is the only opponent.
When you all are done, and satisfied, you will say “look he cannot represent the country overseas. ” No, he is being victimized and not being given the opportunities. It’s terribly wrong to unjustifiably treat someone….a creative no lesson so despicable. I wonder what exactly about this song, is a threat and yoto whom.
His music promoting public destruction, and rebellious behavior… Tell dicey fix up his lyrics
What ? I know sooner or later they would try to block dice. They can’ t stand the truth. Hold your head up high, dice. They can’ t keep a good man down !!!!
whats the truth, did a jamaican soldier shoot a looter in Dominica?
BABY Doc regime and the TonTon Macoute
How is this breaking news? It doesn’t change the price of rice
Also why he putting out dem ppl business outside so, cyanna do nothing with black people 
That’s just a dumb statement, the dumbest in my opinion. Educate yourself and just maybe you will understand why it’s breaking news and not them ppl business but ours. I’m sure you are black, so why the stereotype about we blacks.
Just because I black I have to condone to BS black people does normally stand for?
This is a JOKE, what a country. Dominicans you better wake up this country is in deep peril.
You see that’s how it is now. Anybody refusing to Skerrits tune is being persecuted. Shame on you Piper and also shame on you Cuffy. What happened to your principles? You lost your backbone when the Skerrit called.
Val should change his name to Pontius Pilate. He does not need Skerrit’s job. He could have resigned but I suspect his ego got in the way. No respect for you Val.
Roosevelt Skerrit is a coward. There is no question in my mind that this directive came from him. A man who claims his people love him and he loves his people but needs an armed security detail to protect him from them 24 /7 ?.
Russian I thought similarly. I can understand Piper a D/can by name but a Denizen . Val falls under the term opportunist with a human face.
I would want to believe that the contract termination has nothing to do with the song looters, I read the lyrics and although I find it mediocre there is nothing offensive. It is just an ordinary calypso laced with the usual political satire that most people expect around carnval.
They can’t get over the my dominica trade house win occasion nor can they bear talk about the useless police force.
Dominicans. .calling on all patriotic dominicans to boycott that crap and let’s rise up against this rogue regime. This is certainly not a government. ..this is a devilish cult and we The people MUST prevail against that evil regime and their cronies
“LOL” you making laugh at your comments “devilish cult” you in it thats why you can identify them “Lol”
There is 3 sides to a story my side, your side ,
and the truth.
Wow! Wow! Wow! SMMFH!
Reminds me of the song by SYE a few years ago-Dr. Finger!
. Maria came, got within striking distance and then increased in speed on our doorsteps, darcarlayed us even taking the Punjabe Doctor’ (Mugabe Jr.) roof first or so he claims, then left total destruction but still we have not learnt. I am so sick and tired of so called filthy politicians and those who accept pittance to do the dirty, stinking, unjust works. Whenever people say Dca is cursed we tend to get upset but actions like this make me wonder if they are correct. My good friend Val really surprised me. Hold strong Dicee for who jah bless no man can curse. They just cannot keep a good man down no matter how they try.
This country is truly a failed state with the Caribbean’s Mugabe wannabe at the helm. But just remember Mugabe fell suddenly….
Assertive like the rod of Moses!
Freedom of expression under attack. All calypsonians should boycott carnival. I think they need to do some real psychological analysis and lie detector test on those incharge. I think Maria loosened some screws in a few folks head. Who can run leave now.
Yes, all calypsonians should boycott from today, in support of Dice, today is Dice, tomorrow can be any one of them.
They silence The Dice…….Next it will be the PEOPLE!!!!!
This country and its Governance…..Oppression of Free Speech!!!!
They must PAY!!!!!!!!!
Well the power is greater in the people, so lets stand together and exercise our power.
Is so we come nah. Everybody looking forward to hearing looooooters.
Is so we come nah. Everybody looking forward to hearing looooooters. Anyway we know who the looter are, and we will be singing “show me the looters, who are the looters, where iis the looter. Lol. Dice Again!!!
Val Cuffy why why are u and others pressing de man like that
There is too much WICKEDNESS in this country but since when Dominica
Become like a cruel country I really don’t understand what is going on
My view is that he could have sang another Song. But have we really sat and listen to the lyrics, Please do, then you will understand. Listen to the Lyrics my people. Not everythings man write for you you sing. I think as a calypsonian you should hav a say in what is in your lyrics,
Why should he??? Just to please Skerrit and the Cabal.
We as Dominicans like to settle for less, as he, Val Cuffy, said in his calypso a few years ago.
I am very disappointed in Val, amazing what a few dollars can do. I am calling for a boycott of bulls eye.
Val is a puppet. The name at the bottom of the letter is the culprit pulling Val strings. Val himself is a calyosonian and has over the years has endured his fair share of political censorship. Let’s not forget there have been many songs banned in Dominica over the years, ask Rabbit and ask Levy Loblack. Dominica has always been a censored society.
If Val was a man he would have told Piper to sign the letter himself but he did not have the stomach for that. Money, money, money!
You cannot serve to Masters! So why call Val a puppet. So what are you saying
Just serve your conscience and you won’t have to serve two masters.
If u boycott bullseye we will not boycott you on all our projects as well. And we will boycott all u business too.
Because you all to malkasay Zoe say moon bawi dre.
You not learning mr ungrateful man???
Try it and u will see how we will boycott all u businesses too through our own style too.
Read between the lines.
Just take example on how we followed our charlo
Just try it.
And besides we don’t really need your 2pence Roy.
We have enough support in Dominica to support val.
More so who cares if u support or not?
I want u to get dam sickness dat require u to go for medication and is bull eyes only dat have the medication.
Cal providing cure for u. Wish your Brother had gone dre instead of run away we all know y.
Sac way sot Zoe yay
I hope you are not one of these people that are actively involved in Skerrits corrupt schemes because otherwise you’ll find your red ass in Stocktake when the day of the new order in DA comes.
Why boycott the local young aspiring man’s business for a decision of the CEO? Lets not get carried away. I truly disagree with the decision to sanction Dice’s song; but to boycott Val’s pharmacy? give me a break.
Why not? Our President set a precedent and caused Brizee to close. You don’t want people to follow our beloved President’ example? I would say let people make up their own mind, they have a choice.
Dominicans need to BOYCOTT THIS CARNIVAL FESTIVAL OPENING THIS AFTERNOON, no one should show up, let me see the guts of Dominicans and how they can show the world what they stand up for.
I sanction that. Take them where it hurts. Do the same to Tonge, boycott their businesses. Skerrit cannot force you to shop there.
Stupes. Ignorance! Ignorance! Ignorance! Well now I will go Bullseye
Who cares what you do?? But since you’re going inside ask Val to put the red flag outside. Stupid.
Ludicrous… And the last two lines… “Please be guided accordingly” and the “we wish you success in your endeavour”… Bad English, totally unnecessary and irrelevant to what the letter is about. Somebody please advise these people.
I thought I was the only one who noticed that!!! When highly educated are made to pass like fools. Pathetic!
I see that koshone too, them likkle children they have working for them that do that, thank universal education
I would have placed “ Please be guided …. after the sentence ending 5:00 pm but what is wrong with the English written in there? On a different note – Dice’s music over the years is the only vibes I hear that can possibly attract international acclaim for Dominican calypso. Whoever made that decision needs to review it.
Why put please be guided at all?