Jamaica’s Senate Erupts Over Chronic Law’s “Government Badness”
Self-proclaimed Dancehall Defender and Peoples National Party (PNP) Senator Damion Crawford, drew the ire of his Government colleagues in Jamaica’s Upper House of Parliament, when he accused Prime Minister Andrew Holness of, among other things, embracing Chronic Law’s violence-laced song titled Government (2018).
Crawford’s statements, which Government senators repudiated vociferously and insisted were untrue, caused a ruckus in Gordon House, and later saw the senator being forced to withdraw his statements, by two JLP senators who are also lawyers.
The PNP vice president’s comments had come whilst he was making his contribution during the debate surrounding the Appropriations Bill earlier today.
“Government badness has been a feature of the approach of the JLP Government on anyone who offers critique or dissent. The citizens of the country, Mr. President, are afraid of the Government. You embraced a song called Government Badness, Andrew Holness, not me…. So you speak to the things you embrace, not me,” Crawford had said to Senate President, Senator Tom Tavares Finson.
The song in question grew in popularity, and the line “Government Badness”, became a common slang during the outset of the COVID virus last year, when persons who broke the curfews imposed by the Andrew Holness administration, when captured by the police were jeered about trembling and bowing to the might of “Government badness”.
A line from the song, features somewhat of an homage to Holness, which goes:
“One uptown wid a likkle neat crepes
Gun pon belly, di beretta never left
Government badness, Andrew Holness
Mi nuh left my dogs when mi roll out inna di Mark X”
Contrary to Crawford’s claims though, Holness has never endorsed the 6IX star’s song. He has though, endorsed the song Bro Gad by 6IX member Daddy1, which is a tribute to loyal and supportive men who provide mentorship to other young men. Holness has even taken on the moniker “The Honourable Brogad”.
During the Senate exchange, Crawford also said he was aware of people who have been “arrested and publicized” for criticizing Holness, and that he could give examples.
It was at that time that he was interrupted by Leader of Government Business, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, who on a Point of Order, said Crawford was misleading the “Honourable House” and demanded that he withdraw those allegations.
“They are untrue; they are baseless and should be withdrawn. They should not remain on the record of this honorable chamber,” the attorney-at-law, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
She was also joined by Montego Bay-based attorney-at-law Senator Charles Sinclair who noted that the only person who has been arrested was a man who broke the law, and pleaded guilty in court and that nobody has been arrested for criticizing the Prime Minister.
“Be responsible man!” Sinclair rebuked, to which Crawford, a former University of the West Indies (UWI) Guild president retorted: “Whether the Government side agrees or not, I had no intention as is being fabricated sir, to have impugned any motive upon an individual.”
After doubling down on his statements, claiming he had said nothing wrong, Crawford subsequently wilted under the stinging repudiations of Sinclair and Johnson Smith.
After being told by the Senate President, to withdraw the statement Crawford started appearing contrite, responding: “But mu neva seh it sah! Awrite, withdraw, move on.”