After calling Government dumb

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Reggae artiste Chronixx has upset Culture Minister Lisa Hanna, after referring to the Jamaican Government as being 'dumb' and also implying that he was laughing at their policies. According to the reggae artiste, known for his social conscious lyrics, the Jamaican Government is yet to provide a venue for live music, yet reggae music remains the main Jamaican product celebrated by foreigners.

Chronixx's comments were posted to both his Twitter and Instagram pages and received several retweets. His comments read:

"Good morning Chronixx, you're smiling! No, I'm laughing. I'm laughing at the Jamaica government! And the poor people who applaud them and hang orange and green flags outside their board houses and on trees planted on "capture land". I'm laughing at this dumb government who have never erected a live music venue in honour of reggae music even though it is the only reason why people is still visiting this beautiful island of bankruptcy. I'm laughing because I know something that 'they don't know'," he posted.

policy-making decisions

The Smile Jamaica artiste also singled out Culture Minister Lisa Hanna, advising her to listen to the complaints of reggae artistes.

"Miss Hanna and Mr ... I can never remember his name. I think it's time we sit and listen what the artistes have learnt from the rest of the world. #linkup".

Chronixx also sold the idea that the Jamaican Government is not as productive at policy-making decisions, when compared to other countries, even within the region. The artiste posted a picture endorsing a Trinidad-based company called Trinidad Hemp Company; hemp is the non-psychoactive variant of the cannabis plant. Along with the post, he implied that other countries were leading Jamaica, using his songs Smile Jamaica and Warrior as sound tracks to support his opinion.

"Smile for me JAMAICA government. Rest a di world 10 steppa, 10 step ahead a dem! Respect to the Trini Every time! A logo for a feasibility study on hemp technologies in Trinidad," he said.

The taunting from the reggae artiste was apparently too much for Minister Hanna, and she decided to reply in similar fashion. According to the minister, the music industry has benefited from the Jamaican Government via trade and investments. She also implied that only some politicians should be thrown under the bus, implying that 'others' are actually working to make Jamaica a better place.

zero tariffs

"I love your music and your passion; however, I want to remind you that both yourself and other artistes are benefiting today from the trade agreements now in place for cultural and creative services. Just a moment ago, I concluded a meeting on foreign trade for cultural services, as already many of our cultural goods have zero tariffs for international trade. I have personally called you and left messages on your phone - and never get a response - because I would like to hear your ideas that can be implemented. Stop blaming and lumping 'all' politicians together, it is unfair and untrue. Blessed love." she posted via Instagram.

Iconic sound system operator Ricky Trooper sided with Chronixx on the issue. However, he did spare one politician from the backlash.

"I wouldn't say the PNP Government is helping Jamaican music. I would say it's only Damian Crawford who is fighting an uphill battle to put in his zoning system and try to make promoters get extra time hosting events. The Government really does not care, and that is why K.D Knight and the rest of them were able to pass that Noise Abatement Act for events to conclude at 2 a.m. Jamaica should be the capital of reggae music, but that is not so because we are ranked way at number 19 for hosting reggae festivals. What is the Government doing about that? The music industry is owed millions in royalties, and the Government has done nothing. Di government only help kill the music, so a true Chronixx a talk," Ricky Trooper said.