Once upon a time, a couple of French guys named their rock band Jamaica. Was it irritatingly ironic? Yes. Was it potentially harmful for the country’s rep? Maybe. But was it illegal?
To the chagrin of some highly miffed Jamaican officials, no.
The band has become some very annoying salt in an old Jamaican wound. The country’s Intellectual Property Office has tried and failed to stop the world from using its name willy nilly, arguing that the country has no control over how its used, and that it often takes financial hits over branding issues.
Jamaica (the band) argued that everybody names themselves after foreign countries these days (which is true, as we’ve exhaustively noted) and that it’s uncool to name yourself after your own homeland. The group respects Jamaica (the country), and the paradox is part of the fun.
Why aren’t you having FUN, Jamaica (the country)? Don’t you love it when white French rockers co-opt your name, then release a music video that juxtaposes the country with cannabis and Rasta stereotypes? Isn’t that particularly FUN when your country thrives on tourism? Lighten up, mon!
In all seriousness — until we’re all living in places named Coca-Cola and Microsoft, naming your band after other countries shouldn’t and won’t be illegalized. But I am alarmed by the arrogance of some of these bands, which, with a few exceptions, are from western countries and could care less about the stress it causes their namesakes. Some of the worst offenders are UK indie rockers Egyptian Hip Hop and Ireland electro clubbers Japanese Popstars, who seem to be mocking entire genres and countries with their hilaaaaarious hilariousness.
Don’t get me wrong, I heart Jamaica the band and their upbeat bass-driven rock tracks and their no-synth policy, but seriously, why not just name yourselves The Black Girls and get it over with?
The country is still kicking a$$ on SEO, though. Type “Jamaica” in Google and you don’t see the band for at least a bajillion pages. Type it in Getty, and for some reason you get Oprah.
But type “Jamaica band” and you no longer get The Wailers, if you know what I mean.
Photo Courtesy of MTV Iggy