PM Holness Lauds Yaksta, BVLK H3RO
Reggae and Dancehall artists Yaksta and BLVK H3RO were lauded by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at last week’s Budget Debate in Parliament.
“I met and was inspired by two of our new artistes and a producer,” Holness said during his speech on Thursday. “One of them is here with us this evening. I met a young man who goes by the name of Yaksta. He is known for his hit song Ambition. I also met with Blvk H3ro, who is known for the hit song It Nuh Easy; and, Tandra (Jhagroo), who is a music producer and engineer by Big Yard studios. Yaksta is promoting a positive influence on Jamaican music and so too is Blvk H3ro.”
Yaksta said he was pleased that the song, which now has over 10 million YouTube views, has moved the Jamaican people and inspired the Prime Minister to include its message in his speech. “It was an honor to be honored by somebody very honorable,” Yaksta told The Weekend Star.
The Assets singer, whose real name is Kemaul Martin, sat in the gallery at Gordon House on Thursday as Holness recited a few lyrics of his 2021 release.
“Why own a Ferrari with nowhere to park it? Why shop at Louis V when there is a Target? Farming over flossing, investment over braffings, inheritance fi me seeds,” the Prime Minister saud.
The gesture was widely received by members of the Government as they beat their desks in approval after Holness sang the lyrics.
Yaksta shared the moment with his Instagram followers with the caption, “It was an honor to be apart of this initiative Dancehall and reggae cyaa stall.”
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The Prime Minister said Yaksta’s record was a commendable piece of work, stating, “This is a positive message that can inspire a nation and guide us in our personal affairs in navigating these difficult times of crises, uncertainties, inflation and good shortages.”
“It speaks to a practical pro-growth, pro-social, wealth-creation, self-reliance ethos that all our young people need to have in these difficult times. These are messages that we must promote as we seek to define who we are as people. There is no success without sacrifice, no wealth without work, we must save and invest today for a better tomorrow,” Holness said.
When the Ambition hitmaker was contacted for comments after Thursday’s sitting of Parliament, he said it felt good hearing the Prime Minister speak about his work in such a manner.
“You know majority of the times, our music is seen as the black sheep of what society is, so fi somebody actually… give it utmost respect, it’s a very elating feeling,” said Yaksta.
“To actually see Jamaicans adopt to the principle of Ambition because many has, have and [are] now adopting to the actual concept and principle of what financial mobility and stability is and to actually see that a morph into being, trust me, it’s an accomplishment [and just the] start of what we can do as a nation” he added.
Holness also hailed the mastering engineer at Big Yard Studios, Tandra ‘Iytes’ Jhagroo, adding that they were “promoting a positive influence on Jamaican music”.
Reggae star Blvk H3ro, whose real name is Hervin Bailey, also took to Instagram to share the Prime Minister’s salute to Yaksta and himself. Holness said H3ro’s song It Nuh Easy was also a positive influence on young Jamaican audiences.
The Cool Runnings singer wrote on his IG post yesterday, “@andrewholnessjm mentioned @officialyaksta and I today in parliament as promising new artist, was a powerful reasoning the other day as well. Ps. Me father can’t believe 🤣😂🤣😂🤣.”
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