Each time he hit the stage during his ‘Bring It’ tour, one of dancehall music’s most renowned artistes, made a very powerful statement. He protested what he felt in his heart and soul, was the continued injustice meted out to the real creators of the music listened to, and enjoyed around the world. Sean Paul is now speaking up, telling fans via social media why he chose to wear the T-shirts that he did.

On Tuesday, the ‘Gimme de Light’ singer explained that he feels the real creators of the music we all enjoy, often receive the least monetary benefit. He used the platform that he had at the time – the tour stage, to showcase his discontent with the continued injustice experienced by artistes.

“I wore t-shirts with some of my musical heroes on the front with a ‘likkle’ quote from that artist on the back,” he wrote on social media. “I feel we as the creators of the music get the least monetary benefit from it and this was just my small protest to the labels and streaming services who take so much of the pie, as well as to just big up the creators of music I revere, honoring the fight they have fought for our music throughout the years,” said Sean Paul.

Among the artistes showcased by Sean Paul were Jimmy Cliff, Ray Charles and Bob Marley.

Last year, during his appearance on the Drink Champs podcast, globally loved reggae and dancehall artiste, Buju Banton spoke out on the new music business model, lamenting that artistes receive “pennies on the dollar” for their music.

One ‘Drink Champs’ appearance has landed internationally acclaimed dancehall artiste, Beenie Man, in hot water. The ‘Gyal Dem Sugar’ singer appeared on the popular US platform recently, after returning to the US after many years, having been previously barred from entry.

”I love Trinidad. I love Trinidad but dog don’t eat doubles. I don’t eat anything that dog don’t eat,” he told hosts Nore and DJ EFN. The duo had asked the entertainer whether he ate the Trinidad and Tobago delicacy. He went on to say that while the popular street food is nice, and he’s had it a couple times, even outlining the ‘triples’ version, he said he would not eat it because if it’s thrown to the dogs, they refuse to eat it.

Today, in a swift denouncement of an artiste that has been on many stages in T&T for decades, the people of Trinidad and Tobago have demanded an apology. On popular radio station, Vibe CT 105FM, hosts Ken Simmons and George Gonzales debated the matter, George calling for DJs to desist from playing the artiste’s music until a proper apology is received. Many callers echoed his sentiments.

Beenie Man was barred from US entry since 2015, along with artistes like Aidonia, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and Mavado. His travel limitation continued even after Aidonia and Mavado’s visas were restored. In 2011, Beenie Man’s visa was temporarily restored, but by 2015, he was angain barred entry to the United States. On December 26th, 2024, the artiste publicly announced that his Visa had been reinstated.