One of Reggae music’s brightest young talents, Chronixx, has hit out at the government for not doing enough to help build Jamaica’s music industry.
Chronnix posted a lengthy message on the photo-sharing social media site, Instagram, yesterday, directed at Culture Minister Lisa Hanna and Junior Minister for Entertainment, Damion Crawford.
The message is posted beneath a photo of him looking out the window of what appears to be a music store somewhere abroad, and smiling.
Chronixx’s photo has received nearly 3000 likes and 200 comments on Instagram.
A screen shot of the message and a response from Culture Minister Lisa Hanna has also been shared widely on other social media sites, including Twitter and Facebook.
In the message, Chronixx criticizes the Jamaican government for not erecting a live music venue in honour of reggae music.
He says reggae is the only reason people are still visiting this, quote, “beautiful island of bankruptcy”.
He called out Ministers Hanna and Crawford, saying he thinks it’s time they sit and listen to what the artistes have learnt from the rest of the world.
Minister Hanna has since responded by commenting on the post.
She points out that both Chronixx and other artistes are benefiting from trade agreements in place for cultural and creative services, many of which attract no tariffs.
She says the government has trained over 9-thousand young people this year, adding that more young people need to get involved in the business of culture.
And the Minister is pointing the finger right back at Chronixx, saying she’s called him and left messages to share ideas, but has never gotten a response.
She concludes, “Stop blaming and lumping all politicians together. It’s unfair and untrue.”
In subsequent messages, the artiste suggests the building of reggae music venues with the names, “The Burning Spear Centre, Third World Theatre, and The Marley House.”
He asks, “Where are our venues?” and then says that if the government builds a music venue in Jamaica, he will perform the first show there for free, adding that tourism will triple.
Minister Hanna again responded, saying the Prime Minister has already agreed to build a performing arts centre and is sourcing the funds.
The exchange has been met with various reactions on social media.
Many have reposted the comments, some agreeing with Chronixx about the need for reggae music venues in Jamaica.
While others have supported Minister Hanna’s response and openness to dialogue.
Reggae and dancehall singer, Tanya Stephens, has also commented on the post, telling Chronixx to remember that citizens can also invest in building a proper venue.
She says taxpayers can’t afford to indulge artistes any more than they can afford the things he points out as wrong.
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