Jamaican dancehall icon Vybz Kartel has sparked a wave of controversy in Guyana ahead of his upcoming performance at the highly anticipated Baderation concert on Saturday, May 24. The uproar centers around his track Good Like Jesus, which the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has slammed as “blasphemous and deeply offensive.”

In a strongly worded statement released Wednesday, the ERC called for the song to be banned from airplay and public performance in Guyana. The commission claims the lyrics, which include explicit references to female anatomy and religious imagery, are “profoundly disrespectful to Christian religious sensibilities.”

The ERC expressed concern over what it sees as a direct affront to the Christian faith, particularly to depictions of Jesus Christ, a figure central to the beliefs of many Guyanese.  “Such content undermines the values of reverence, respect, and harmony that underpin Guyana’s multicultural society,” the statement read.

As Kartel’s performance draws near, it’s unclear whether the backlash will impact the show or spark wider protests. Still, the controversy has thrust the outspoken artist—and his provocative lyrics—back into the spotlight. In Trinidad and Tobago last week, there was social uproar after news emerged that the artiste would be restricted from specific interviews and additions to his itinerary which included meeting with community leaders, ahead of a May 31st appearance at the Queen’s Park Savannah. The public outrage was further exacerbated when a media release outlined measures being considered by the Minister of Defense, Wayne Sturge, which highlighted that due to mounting public concern surrounding Vybz Kartel’s lyrical content, entry to the event may be restricted to those 18-years-old and over. Additionally, the media release also referenced the single highlighted by Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission, noting that performance of that song, also faces the possibility of performance restriction.

Minister Sturge said the decision-making process involved balancing the artiste’s right to freedom of expression with national security concerns, the public interest, and the protection of children.

In a concise and very intentional move, Jamaican dancehall artiste, Adidja ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer has reassured fans over Trinidad and Tobago’s government’s decision to limit his movements when he visits later this month. The artiste is carded to perform at a major concert event on May 31st at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

The show, which was originally set for Carnival Friday in T&T, was postponed and fans have since been eagerly anticipating seeing the prominent dancehall entertainer.

Over the past 24 hours, news headlines swirled inciting negative feedback from several quarters. It came following a premature revelation that efforts to secure permission from the new Defense Ministry, headed by Minister Wayne Sturge, for the artiste to appear on midday and early morning interviews, as well as other youth-centered engagements, were denied, limiting the promotional team’s itinerary for the artiste.

Today, in his response on the matter, Vybz Kartel said there is no problem with him performing in T&T. He placed the blame on the promoter’s effort to fill his itinerary.

Since his release from prison, the artiste has moved out of the Caribbean and is now residing in the US state of Florida. He recently performed in Barbados, this following sold out shows at Barclay’s Centre in New York on April 11th and 12th.