The regional music scene is in uproar again, but the current source of contention is providing relevant food for thought about how we measure greatness, in such a subjective, diverse, unorthodox, and influential thing as our regional music.

The controversy has been about for a while, but it was re-hashed following comments by reggae star Buju Banton at his official album launch last month. Though heavily misquoted afterwards, the essence of Buju’s speech was that the profound influence and popularity of Bob Marley may have stunted the recognition given to other similarly talented and maybe even more talented reggae acts, which are still living. He said he wanted present acts to be judged fairly while still living without being compared to Bob. Expectedly, the argument evolved into a Buju versus Bob debate, with heated tirades coming from supporters on both sides.

Quick to comments were two of Bob’s sons. Bob’s eldest son, Ziggy, told Vibe Magazine that his father is among a list of musicians whom he calls heroes. “Me love my father, you know? And me love all of my elders and my heroes. And I would never say anything to put down any of them. From Bob to Toots to Peter (Tosh) to Bunny (Wailer). I wouldn’t say anything to put down any of those guys,” he noted.

Julian Marley told the Jamaica Observer that Bob serves as a guide for the business, and being dubbed the greatest only does reggae good. He said it can’t hurt the music, and reggae musicians and artistes should be grateful.

Buju Banton's camp said Buju’s comments were taken out of context, but still noted that having Bob Marley as the only standard to judge greatness, is limiting on living artistes, who may surpass him. Buju’s Gargamel Music said Buju didn’t say anything to slight Bob Marley, but that many other artistes have said it before him. The company’s president Tracii McGregor told Vibe Magazine that there shouldn’t be an industry revolving around only one person. In addition she noted that people use Bob as the standard to judge even his sons and their music. She said they are not allowed to create and develop in their own way, because of people comparing them to him.

Despite the specific arguments, the broader issue is just as relevant. In this day and age of sound scan and radio-play politics, where the best song does not necessarily end up being played on the radio, how does one fairly assess greatness? Should it be based on the number of records sold? In the present industry where artistes form their own labels and move millions without big record label budget, should they be recognized as great because of their shrewd business acumen? In this age where people with very little talent are packaged and marketed properly, and go on to sell millions, is this greatness? Is the artist who sells millions but can’t perform great? Should we use all these to judge them then?

Like other art forms, music is an extremely emotive subject. The standards therefore shift around like a line in the sand. Bob Marley lived in a different dispensation where music is concerned. There was no plethora of social networks sites to pump his music, no internet saturation so fans could feed off his videos as they left the editing suite, no iPods and iTunes to soak in his tracks. His music was pushed to the world by the aggression of the few record companies that were around at the time.

Jamaican music industry insider Clyde McKenzie recognizes the seriousness of trying to compare greatness across generations and within different time periods. Writing in the Jamaica Sunday Observer, he asked if Muhammed Ali could be considered the greatest boxer based on modern exploits, and how would we judge the greatest. How then should we judge greatness in this day and age? Record companies now have to literally fight for the ears and attention of music fans, who are much more easily distracted than the average fan 25 years ago. In this cut throat business today, people with amazing writing, superb vocals and electric stage persona get passed over daily.

What then is today’s standard for greatness? These are relevant questions to consider before everyone gets caught up in the narrow debate about two specific artistes. The Caribbean has proven constantly that talent is here. Therefore, an understanding of how others are judged, may lead label heads to package their artistes in the proper fashion, to make sure they make full use of the talent.