Business: Launching the "Ratchademic" Era

Amid a torrid period of public scrutiny and criticism(from the PM, no less) , dancehall got a (bell) ringing endorsement from JN Foundation and New York professor Chris Emdin. At Kingston's Knutsford Court

Emdin (left), founder and co-ordinator of Hip-hop Ed (in an ironic switch, a New York movement is brought - modified -  to Jamaica), in his eloquent nd energetic presentation, coined the term "ratchademic" as the latest incaranation of academics meets street cred.

Dancehall Diva Tifa and Wayne Marshall were present, as was American actor Derek Luke (Antwan Fisher, Notorious) to lend their support and lead the dancing and rhyme-spitting line.

“Dancehall Meets Science” will use the genre to help promote science to grade nine students with a series of dancehall clashes using only science and mathematical content at over twenty schools across the island. “There is declining academic interest and performance in science and maths, and this is something that we need to address as a matter of urgency, even as we speak about improving our economic outcomes,” The JN Foundation said.

Jamaica National Group senior manager, learning, development and culture, Dr Renee Rattray, will be leading the Science Genius Jamaica project. “Our Science Genius Jamaica competitions will mirror the clashes we are already familiar with in the Jamaican dancehall, as individual students and teams participate in an opening round. The top five students and teams from that round will move to the final round,” Dr Rattray said.