We’re not trying to compete - Entertainment Minister says Reggae Gold Awards complementing JaRIA

Following whispers that the Entertainment Ministry was trying to upstage the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association's (JaRIA) annual awards ceremony by hosting its own show, Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange is setting the record straight.

Speaking with THE STAR at the Little Theatre on Tuesday night, where she attended the JaRIA honour awards ceremony, Grange pointed out that the Ministry's decision to host an awards show this year (the Reggae Gold Awards) was not done with malicious intent, but to complement the JaRIA awards.

Grange, acknowledging that she has heard talk about the Ministry trying to 'steal JaRIA's thunder', says those individuals trying to paint the picture of a brewing competition between both award shows have been misinformed.

"When we decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of reggae, I had a discussion with the chairman of JaRIA and we agreed that it was necessary to do it (the Reggae Gold Awards). We also agreed that it would not compete with the JaRIA awards and so anyone who gives the impression that we are competing with each other is either mischievous or they misunderstand," she said. "There is no misunderstanding between myself and JaRIA as to the importance of the Reggae Gold Awards and the importance of inducting people in the Hall of Fame and the importance of recognising our icons at the level of government."

appointed by her

Grange noted that the entertainment advisory board which was appointed by her, represents a cross section of stakeholders in the industry.

"And at no point did anyone express a concern or an objection or that they felt insecure or they felt that we were in competition. We're here to complement each other," she said.

Grange further explained that as someone who holds the entertainment industry close to her heart, she will always do what's best to facilitate its growth and will never implement anything that will contribute to its downfall or detriment.

"More than anything else, I am part of the industry. Although I am minister at this time, the industry is important to me and I would never do anything to fracture the relationship that exists between JaRIA, the Ministry and other industry players," she said.

With that said, Grange said the Ministry will not be daunted by the naysayers as it seeks to honour those individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of Jamaica's music landscape.

"We're going to continue the awards because it's important that we continue to recognise our talent and our people; the people who have contributed to what is now at the centre of brand Jamaica. We honour our athletes and we must honour our singers and our players of instruments. We must honour our poets, songwriters, and composers," she said. "The awards will continue to complement what JaRIA has done and continues to do. It will remain as a tribute to the talent that we have."