Anthony B wishes Jamaicans took Beryl seriously

After watching the terrible impact of hurricane Beryl as well as the antics of some Jamaicans, reggae/dancehall artiste Anthony B, out of a sense of "fear and caution," composed a song titled ' Bad Beryl'.

The song, which detailed his observation of the category four hurricane's impact on Jamaica, starts out with praises to the " Father for blessing this land" but also underscored that if Jamaicans had taken the warnings more seriously, the effects would have been less devastating.

"Mi see how di storm just mek a turn affa di country and mi watch how it a manifest and a seh we should be giving thanks and be joyful because if dis category five storm did travel pon di road weh it a travel pon, wi would be talking about a different Jamaica right now. Jah know, people don't even see di force weh a work fi keep wi safe. When mi look pon YouTube, mi see everybody jus a laugh and a dance mi seh dis come in like a [scripture] from di Bible. Chaos a gwaan and is like di worl a end and man jus a laugh and a drink and a party," he said with a hiss. "Dis kinda reality mek mi seh yuh know mi affi sing supm bout dis," the Chill Out artiste told THE STAR.

He continued, "Suh mi write the song from an awareness point because dat don't deh inna wi as Jamaicans. Our first [reaction] is 'A lie man - no storm naah come.' Mi naah seh wi can't have a sense of humour, but we cya tek everything fi joke" he said while expressing sympathy to those affected.

The singer said the Bad Beryl single, which was officially released on Friday, has been receiving favourable airplay and positive reactions.

Anthony B said he "feels the pain" of the residents, especially those in St Elizabeth, a parish which was badly affected. He pledged to assist by visiting the parish, which is the birthplace of his late mother, to "give back to the people" upon his return to Jamaica.

He urged his colleagues in the entertainment fraternity to do the same. Dancehall artiste Shenseea, and her team travelled to St. Elizabeth recently to provide care packages to residents.

Anthony B shared that his show in Venezuela was cancelled owing to the hurricane, but added that he is anticipating performing at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay on July 20.