UPDATE: Shanti Dope Management posted his statement on Facebook defending the lyrics of the song.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) seeks to ban the airing of Shanti Dope’s song ‘Amatz’ for allegedly promoting drug use.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said the song may mislead the vulnerable youth and think that it is alright to use drugs.
“It appears that the singer was referring to the high effect of marijuana, being in its natural/organic state and not altered by any chemical compound,” he said.
“This runs contrary to Duterte’s administration crusade against illegal drugs,” Aquino added.
According to a statement, Aquino already submitted a letter to the “Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), and the ABS-CBN Corporation to prevent the airing of ‘Amatz’ and its promotion in the different media stations throughout the country.”
PDEA also recommends that similar songs should also be banned from airing.
“We respect and appreciate our artists in the music industry, however, we strongly oppose the promotion of musical pieces or songs that encourage the recreational use of drugs like marijuana and shabu. It is contrary to our fight against illegal drugs,” according to Aquino.
Meanwhile, the rapper belies PDEA’s accusation saying the agency singled out a few of the song’s lyrics and that it was taken out of context. He also calls on the PDEA director to listen to the whole song.
“We enjoin Director Aquino to listen to the whole song, and not just take a few lines out of context. The song begins with the persona talking about the ill effects, the violence, and dangers of drugs: “Kamatayan o parak / Na umaga o gabi, may kahabulan / Dami ng nasa ataol pa / Hangang katapusan laki ng kita sa kahuyan,” the statement reads.
“In fact,” the statement further adds, “it clearly shows the persona taking a stand against illegal drugs, while at the same time pointing out that what has made him “fly” (so to speak) is not drugs, but music.”
Shanti Dope and management also took offense on the questionable interpretation of the song. They said that it also poses threat against the artistic freedom in the country.
“This is a brazen use of power, and an affront to our right to think, write, create, and talk freely about the state of the nation,” according to the statement.
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