‘We Are Brand Jamaica’: Buju, Beenie Man And Dancehall Stars Fire Back At PM Holness Over Hurricane Melissa Relief
Originally published by News Americas Now Read the original
By NEWS AMERICAS NOW ET EDITOR
News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Thurs Nov. 5, 2026: Some of Jamaica’s biggest reggae and dancehall stars are firing back at Prime Minister Andrew Holness after he accused some entertainers of waving the Jamaican flag to sell tickets while “tearing down the country” abroad. The clash began after veteran deejay Beenie Man criticized the Holness administration’s handling of the millions of dollars in donations received to help Jamaicans devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
What Beenie Man Said
In an interview with ITV News, one of the United Kingdom’s largest commercial news organizations, Beenie Man criticized how disaster relief funds have been distributed. He also warned that coastal development could threaten the livelihoods of Jamaicans who depend on the island’s beaches.
Holness Hits Back
Speaking at the official commissioning of the S-band Doppler weather radar station in Coopers Hill, St. Andrew, on Wednesday, Holness responded without mincing words. “It is a lie that was told on Jamaica by someone who benefits from brand Jamaica and we must call them out because they go and wave our flag and get people to attend their shows while they are out there tearing down the country. It is not going to help one more person get one more grant and these things need to be said. Unfortunately I am the only one willing to say it,” Holness said.
Later that day, he again chided the entertainer at a ceremony to reopen the Black River Hospital.
‘We Are The Brand Jamaica’
Buju Banton quickly came to the defense of the entertainment fraternity, arguing that promoting Jamaican culture takes far more than raising a flag. “No you wrong, we do not wave the flag, we are the brand Jamaica, we can’t wave a flag and people attend an event, it takes hard work, credibility, plus a body of work to get people more into Jamaican culture and we have been pushing brand Jamaica long before you enter politics, go check the file,” Buju wrote in a social media post.
Konshens also pushed back on the idea that artists simply ride on national symbols, saying international success comes from decades of talent, hard work, sacrifice and a strong musical catalog rather than “just slapping the flag on it.”
Questions Over Relief Money
Spragga Benz joined the growing chorus questioning the speed and distribution of relief aid. He pointed to audit reports showing more than J$1 billion in cash donations that remain unused or slowly deployed, and asked why that money has not translated into rapid help for displaced residents and roof repairs. He also challenged Opposition Leader Mark Golding to say what the People’s National Party (PNP) would do differently.
Tanya Stephens defended the artists speaking out. “The displaced ppl being neglected nuh satisfied either,” she posted on Instagram, adding: “Which lie Beenie tell?” Anthony B directed his criticism at both Holness and Golding, asking on Instagram: “How do you sleep when the rest of us cry?”
Why It Matters
Reggae and dancehall artists are among Jamaica’s most powerful global ambassadors, with fan bases across the diaspora in the U.S., UK and Canada. Their public split with the prime minister puts fresh pressure on the government to show how Hurricane Melissa donations are being spent, and how quickly they are reaching Jamaicans still waiting for help. Bennie Man has now released a new song titled simply: Weh Di Money Deh?
