Dexter Blake, owner of Linkage Radio in New York, made a formal complaint to the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica this morning regarding the personal conduct of radio talk show host Kingsley ‘Ragashanti’ Stewart.
According to Blake, Ragashanti lambasted him for falsely advertising him for an event, Linkage Radio’s First Annual Award show, and during his tirade, called the show ‘bogus’. The statements were made during the personality’s popular ‘Ragashanti Live’, which is aired on Newstalk 93 FM between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The inaugural staging of the show is scheduled for New York on March 5, 2010.
Blake is irate that Ragashanti abused his privileged position as a radio talk show host to disrespect him a manner that was uncalled for.
“What he did yesterday morning was unprofessional and disrespectful,” Blake said. “And I am not the only one he has done it to, he did it to Horseman this morning calling him ‘dutty bwoy Horseman’ because Horseman owes him $80,000 for a show he did for him in September this year.”
Blake explained that he tried to contact Ragashanti on several occasions but failed because of certain exigent circumstances. First, Blake’s flight to Jamaica was delayed, then on his arrival, he tried to contact Ragashanti but the talk show host was preocciupied with his Mix Up and Blenda show on Christmas Day.
“I tried to give him the money over Sting, but he never showed up for that event even though he was advertised,” he said. “I planned to bring the money to Ragashanti at the radio station yesterday morning but I was so surprised at how he attacked me, I never bothered to, I was on my way from St. Elizabeth and I just turned back.”
He said he made a report to the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica complaining about Ragashanti’s uncouth behavior.
“They told me that Ragashanti will have to apologise for his behavior, and if he doesn’t they will be forced to take further action against him,” Blake said.
ONE876 called the Broadcasting Commission to verify if the complaints had been made or not, and it was verified that a complaint had indeed been lodged.
In the meantime, Mr. Blake is incensed that Ragashanti could behave in such a manner.
“We have given him a free show, free air time on our Linkage Radio station in New York, and we have done this for two years now, and now he smears us on national radio. That is the heights of disrespect,” Blake said. “He is diminishing the Linkage radio name and dissing the listenership in New York by saying that the show is bogus.”
Well-known events promoter ‘Horseman’ said he was also peeved at Ragashanti’s behaviour and would be driving up to the Mona-based radio station to ensure that he is paid the monies owed to him.
“I am not hiding from anybody, I have nothing to say about Ragashanti, one day, he will put his foot in his mouth. His own behaviour will be his downfall. I will be parking up right beside his van, as him come out, him ah go see me, so him know say mi nah hide.”
