According to Culture Minister Olivia "Babsy" Grange, the Ministry had provided Kabaka Pyramid with support of one million dollars to enable him and the band to attend and perform at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Manchester, England, from October 24-26, 2024.
“I was determined to ensure that Reggae, Dancehall and our Jamaican performers are given strong consideration when the critical decisions about festivals and tours are being made. WOMEX brings together top performers, booking agents, festival organisers, venue agents and managers from across the world who are all looking to do business. It is billed as the most internationally diverse music festival in the world, is the biggest conference of the global music scene, featuring a trade fair, talks, films, and concerts. It was the first time in the 30-year history of the Expo that a Jamaican band was being showcased.”
While the gesture may serve as good PR, this is no less a "hodge-podge" approach by the Ministry which still lacks a vision for Jamaica's music and it's potential as a major economic vehicle for Jamaica.
So Minister, I have a few questions: after WOMEX, what is next? What is the next stage, and how does Kabaka Pyramid's sponsored participation drives the music to that next stage? What is the policy framework for Jamaica's music and how is this penciled into our education system at the various levels- primary, secondary, tertiary (including Vocational)? How do we make use of the fact of Kingston's declaration by UNESCO as a Creative Cultural City more than a decade ago, and Reggae as a Protected Cultural specie? Where is the support for raising up performance centers in Kingston and elsewhere on the island? How do we return live Reggae performances to our hotels instead of treating guests to half-dead imported Hispanic acts?
What is the plan?
Policy is needed, not Public Relations gimmicks. That is what this really is.
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