PROMISES of improved salary for Jamaica’s working-class may have been the deciding factor in the hard-fought general election last week.

Singer Phorein makes a similar call in his new song, the self-produced, Better Pay.

“The focus is to speak for the hard-working Jamaican people who are being significantly underpaid. The song speaks what’s on the mind of people who are working everyday but can’t even catch up,” said Phorein. 

Though he lives in Connecticut, Phorein keeps in touch with current affairs in Jamaica. He said Better Pay is inspired by the challenges the average Jamaican faces.

“Because my songs are mostly inspired by my Jamaican culture it would be great to get exposure in Jamaica. It’s my home and that’s where I would like to make a positive difference,” he said.

The Opposition Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) vow to make persons earning $1.5 million or less a year exempt from paying taxes, was popular with voters in the general election.

Pundits believe it was critical in the JLP’s nail-biting 32-31 win over the incumbent People’s National Party.

Phorein (real name Milton G Jackson Jr) is from Salt Spring, Montego Bay. At age 16, he migrated to the United States, making a name as Melo Yellow on the East Coast scene.

He recorded and performed alongside acts like Junior Holt, Elephant Man, Merciless, Mad Cobra, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Terror Fabulous and Anthony B.

Later, he had a change in moniker to Phorein.

He heads the Soraya Amy Jackson Foundation, named in memory of his daughter Soraya who died from cancer in 2007 at age nine.

The Foundation helps financially-challenged Jamaican students entering college or trade school.

“There are students leaving high school in Jamaica and can’t further their education because they don’t have the money. Thanks to Chris Grant from Scholarship Jamaica for all his help in getting the programme up and running. This year we are offering 10 scholarships valued at J$50,000 each,” he explained.

Howard Campbell