VETERAN deejay Stitchie has noted the exclusion of gospel artists from the line-up of the ‘Respect Jamaica 50’ show, scheduled for July 25-August 6 in London.

“The oversight of gospel for different occasions is a concern to me. Culture is the tradition of a country and church-going is a part of our tradition,” Stitchie told the Jamaica Observer.

STITCHIE… noted the exclusion of gospel artists from the line-up of the ‘Respect Jamaica 50’ show scheduled for July 25- August 6 in London

He added: “Our National Anthem is a prayer. Our Pledge is a prayer as well as our Motto. From a musical standpoint, we have people who could represent this aspect of our culture.”

Stitchie, who had a successful secular career as Lieutenant Stitchie before converting to Christianity in 1997, expressed similar opinions to several dancehall artists who feel slighted that that genre is missing from ‘Respect Jamaica 50th’ which takes place at the Indigo 02 Arena.

During a visit to Kingston in June, Rob Hallett of promoters AEG Live said given the controversial conduct of dancehall artists, they were unwilling to take a chance on them appearing at the show.

The card features a star-studded lineup representing the evolution of Jamaican popular music.

Jimmy Cliff, Sly and Robbie, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Ernest Ranglin, Toots and the Maytals, Yellow Man, Tarrus Riley, Damian Marley, Morgan Heritage and Shaggy are some of the artists who will perform.