Bounty Killer On Stimulus Money For Dancehall: “Why Would Entertainers Not Need Support?”

Dancehall artist Bounty Killer has responded to naysayers who are against the Jamaican Prime Minster’s recent offer of support to the local entertainment industry. The offer was criticized by Jamaican citizens on social media who said they were upset that the PM was considering giving money to artists, most of whom are multi-millionaires.

While speaking with the media yesterday, after a donation of tablets to a primary school, Bounty said he understood that many local artists are suffering right now and are in need of help.

The criticism followed Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ address in the House of Representatives on April 13 where he said that the government would have to “make an allocation” to the music industry.  “I do plan to call in the leaders of the industry … We want to have an engagement because we see our music and our culture as a part of our economic recovery,” Holness continued.

Bounty Killer agrees with the direction that the government wants to take and told reporters that the assistance is much needed, especially for upcoming artists.

“Why would entertainers not need support? Everybody needs support. Everybody knows what the pandemic does,” he said.  “It hurts everybody’s income and well-being. You have entertainers with status that may not need it but what about the smaller ones who may not have a hit song as yet? There are some who need assistance and some who don’t. But there are people who I know that need assistance.”

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In a statement yesterday, Prime Minister Holness noted that part of the capital investment that the Government will have to make is in entertainment spaces, venues, and locations which he acknowledges are insufficient.

“Presently, we have not designated spaces for entertainment, so you might have a dancehall right beside a church or a clinic within residential areas, and we disturb our neighbours,” he said.

“What the pandemic has revealed is that we need to reconfigure our society. We need to sit with the stakeholders and plan to build a new Jamaica, a Jamaica in which entertainment can be accommodated, and this is a conversation that we need to have without anybody saying that we are fighting dancehall.”

The entertainment sector in Jamaica has been in a protracted lockdown since early 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Ministry of Health has categorized events such as parties, and concerts as super-spreaders.

The ban on these events will continue at least until May 4.