Some Dancehall Artists Jeer Andrew Holness’ Offer Of Stimulus Money
Prime Minister Andrew Holness was being jeered by some members of the Dancehall fraternity yesterday, after The Star tabloid published an article claiming that the Jamaica Labour Party leader has promised to dole out sums of cash to “entertainers”.
At the same time, the Prime Minister was also being rebuked by citizens who say they are upset that he is considering giving money to artists, most of whom are multi-millionaires and are in no way needy, declaring that he should instead give the funds to poverty-stricken members of the population.
In a move that seemed to be aimed at placating Dancehall artists, selectors and other members of the entertainment fraternity who have been berating him mercilessly about his protracted lockdown of the sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holnesss had said the Government will be giving entertainment stakeholders money.
Holness was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, where he also announced that parties and events would remain under lockdown as part of the country’s COVID-19 measures.
The entertainment sector has been in lockdown for almost a year and the Ministry of Health has categorized events such as parties, concerts, and round robins as COVID-19 super-spreaders. The ban on these events will continue at least until May 4.
On the Star’s Instagram page where a photo of a laughing Holness was uploaded, the tabloid outlined aspects of his presentation.
“We understand the hurt and suffering. Many have lost significant resources, so we are going to have to make an allocation,” The Star reported Holness as saying. “I do plan to call in the leaders of the industry… We want to have an engagement because we see our music and our culture as a part of our economic recovery.”
The criticisms rained following Call Me If singer Dexta Daps’ apparent attempt at jest, backfired, after he commented that he wanted to be among the first five to be granted government aid.
“A lieeeeee…. start wid d younger artiste 1st but I’m like 5th so dnt 4get me moneymoneymoneymonaeeeee…(lotto commercial style)😂😂😂😂,” he wrote in response to The Star’s IG post.
Dexta was immediately castigated by themerchrack, who told him to quit fooling around, as other persons in the sector needed help, and the funds should not only be reserved for entertainers, but also for other business operators who support the entertainment industry.
“@dextadaps I think you should be quiet if you have nothing constructive to contribute! This is no time for mere silly gestures or joke. Business operators are literally out here suffering due to the lockdown of the entertainment industry, parties nor other events can be held. Event planners, event execution companies, caterers, bar services, delivery companies, etc; we’re all a team and we’re all affected…,” she said.
Dexta then indicated that he had no option but to laugh, because the PM’s statements were worthy of ridicule.
“😂😂😂… @themerchrack wen u get a joke u should laugh my friend… I’m sorry but that shyt was funny… 😂😂😂😂… if u na get u really think me ago get😂😂😂😂 … just laugh wid mi ya 😂😂😂😂,” the Calabar High Schol old boy said.
On another post where The Star posted a screenshot of Dexta’s response, other Jamaicans expressed their displeasure, claiming that the PM was looking out for the rich and that Dexta and his colleagues were undeserving.
“Entertainers like dextadaps don’t need any money. Him already rich and make millions already,” wealthy_yute101 grumbled, while nappyjamaican declared: “Look how much poor ppl find it hard fi find them meal every day, and the curfew that’s affecting ppl to work extra to feed their families, a dem need the money, bout entertainers. entertainers hungry??????? Kmt foolery.”.
“Oh come on mr prime minister no way are you to do that. The 99%of those people are already rich who isn’t rich can help themselves you don’t hear any of them asking for help they only interested in you opening up so they can go do there tours…,” thomasjoan57 said.
Others accused Holnesss of ingratiating himself to the Dancehall stars because they have been scolding him about his recent comments relating to Dancehall’s impact on Jamaica’s high levels of violence.
“A through the entatainers them a burn him out that’s why him doing it,” bernardantonette said, while remarkable_6 added: “Poor jamaica mi wah run weh. So true him seh the music cause crime him a buy dem out now and dem Happy fi hear that because they themselves don’t care about the poor”.
Others said it was likely that if Holness decides to give Dancehall artistes J$10,000 contributions similar to what ordinary Jamaicans received as care packages last year, they will likely reject it.
“Right, they can’t give anyone in the entertainment industry $10,000 like they gave the ordinary Jamaican. They might even refuse a million dollars cause that can’t pay their bills so tell me how?” delzgud said.
Over on ZJ Sparks’ Instagram page where the post was also shared, songstress Tanya Stephens released a barrage of laughing emoticons, and later squared off with rudegamers18 after he tagged her and said: “@iamtanyastephens Him fi give regular citizens instead”.
Stephens replied: “@rudegamers18 I have zero interest in that.”
Apparently seeking to engage Stephens in a conversation rudegamers18 wrote: “@iamtanyastephens But I don’t see nothing wrong what what him seh still. Offering to help but it okay if some don’t want it. I just prefer him prioritize poorer ppl like some senior citizens. Many ppl in entertainment seem “ok-ish”. Give thanks still.”
It was at this point that the now-annoyed Boom Wuk artiste made it clear that she was in no way, shape or form interested in whatever stimulus package that Holness had in mind for the entertainment sector.
“@rudegamers18 how zero interest translate to discussion? Me nuh want noten from them… I the individual no have no interest. Any clearer?”