'Do more for entertainment' *Artistes say new Government should help industry

The 2016 General Elections came to a climax last night and Jamaican entertainers have already weighed in on what they expect of the new administration that will run the country for the next five years, especially as it relates to improving the music industry.
Dancehall artiste Mr Vegas has never shied away from speaking his mind.

The entertainer told THE WEEKEND STAR that he doesn’t believe that the government has done enough to preserve reggae music and he hopes that will change in the next five years. He also expressed that lowering fees to stage events will have a positive impact on the country. He added that extending the lock-off time for entertainment events would also have a positive impact on the industry.

“I would like to see them adjust the noise abatement act to 4 a.m. on weekends and set up live music venues in tourist areas to entertain visitors when cruise ship comes to our ports. They should also lower fees to stage an event and ensure that institutions such as the Jamaica Association of Composers Authors and Publishers (JACAP) and the Jamaica Music Society (JAMMS) pay the correct songwriters and not pocket the moneys collected from promoters," he said.

However, Gage, another dancehall artiste, said he had no expectations of the government because the music industry is doing fine without politics.

“The music industry is quite OK without politics. Politics is still going to be politics after elections,” he said. “But if they were to do something adjusting the Noise Abatement Act is one thing people want to see happen. I don’t know if they (the Government) are going to do that, but if it was promised then that promise should be kept.”

Chin Chin, formerly known as Shauna Chin, seemed annoyed with politicians and their promises, especially as it relates to the entertainment industry. “Well, the music industry has been waiting on the government to assist with improving the industry for a while now and they’ve been dragging their feet, so artistes should not expect anything but should seek to help themselves,” she said. “If the government decides to contribute then the industry should accept it, but we should not sit and wait for them to do so.”

Gully Bop, who has faced issues with management during his relatively career, said that was one area the government needs to focus on more.

“I would love if they could focus on like promotions and management because right now a dat a my problem, especially the management side. Too much corruption inna di business, so mi want them fi help wid dat,” he told THE WEEKEND STAR.