While hailing Myaz is an artiste whose outlook defies the spurious argument that artistes should just give the people what thay want, executive director of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordel Green asserted that there are mercenaries in the country’s pop culture.

After quoting from Bob Marley’s Zimbabwe; “…soon we’ll find out who are the real revolutionaries. And I don’t want my people to be tricked by mercenaries”, Green declared: “today, there are mercenaries in the leadership of Jamaica’s popular culture – populists who are pursuing personal agendas for self-aggrandisement, while pretending to be concerned about and supportive of the masses.”

Citing Myaz as a catalyst whose mantra separates him from musicians who play music to live and those who live to play music, Green argued the notion that artistes are simply a reflection of society is false

and misleading.

“They (the artistes) do not only ‘reflect’, they influence. If it were otherwise, they would never be as powerful as they are,” the Broadcasting Commission’s official told members of the press and music fraternity at the launch of Benjy Myaz’s fourth album, You’ve Got Me, at the Waterfall on Wednesday evening.

“Artistes love their individual world view, philosophy and ideologies which shape the messages they create, influence their fans and direct culture in various ways,” the guest speaker added.

Lauding Myaz as a disciplined, accomplished arranger, songwriter, performer, producer, and musician extraordinaire, Green expressed concern about the unveiling of the album, if it would receive its true critical acclaim and exposure.

“This is because,” he said, “the media and the country are very busily engaged in a debate about music, which unfortunately is limited to a feud between two deejays, while relegating other talented constructive artistes to a footnote.”

Speaking as the musical ombudsman of sorts, Cordel Green – in obvious reference to the ongoing Gully/Gaza saga – added; “Some of you might expect me to address this feud in some detail. I will not. For the simple reason that I refuse to focus attention on the wrong set of artistes, or to feed into what is a contrived, vicious, circular, and irresponsibly dangerous PR stunt.”

The president of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians, Desmond Young also appealed to the local media to give Benjy Myaz’s latest set the exposure it deserves. “Aside from the negatives that our media often exposed in terms of Jamaican music, a production like this I hope will be given maximum exposure. and push an artiste like Benjy Myaz to the fore,” said Young.

Proceeds from the sale of You’ve Got Me will help children suffering from autism in Jamaica as well as starving kids in Darfur, Africa. “Autism is really prevalent here in Jamaica and I have been operating my foundation for just under two years and then Benjy made contact with us. and I believe that just putting such a fantastic piece of music behind the cause of autism will stand as testimony for your work. I am touched because I believe it’s really a difficult road to get support for autism’s causes, instititions, families here in Jamaica,” said the Autism Foundation of Jamaica’s Mia Chung who was roundly applauded.

A commentary on the album was given by broadcaster, motivational speaker and CEO of Twin Audio Network, Patrick Lafayette. But before that, the audio producer quipped: “Mi nah pay a cent to no disc jockey fi play my music. I think it’s a travesty. One should not, after one spent so much money to produce one’s music…”

It was soon time for Benjy Myaz to extend his appreciation ahead of engaging his guests with a brief highlight of his musical journey, climaxing with a short stint playing cuts from his instrumental set, You’ve Got Me.