Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) president and Jamaica Reggae Industry Assocation board member Frankie Campbell has hit out at the lack of respect shown to reggae music and artistes in Jamaica.

Campbell commented on the issue during the Observer’s Monday Exchange forum at the newspaper’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters. He said despite the music’s accomplishments, not much is being done by the private sector and government to assist the entertainment sector.

The co-founder of the Fabulous Five Band stressed the need for influential sectors to tap into the earning power of music just as they have endorsed sports figures.

“I think culture and sports is the way out. Music has been doing it for years on its own. Why are we not getting help?” he queried.

According to Campbell, the government and private sector seem unaware of how lucrative the entertainment industry is.

“The entertainment industry is the largest in the world and we are one of the few countries that don’t realise that,” he said.

In their bid to capture the youth market, private sector companies like telecommunications rivals Digicel and Lime have used controversial dancehall acts like Vybz Kartel, Mavado and Bounty Killer in ads to promote their products.

Recently, LIME signed Grammy winner, Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley as the face of several of its promotions.

But Campbell believes because many of these artistes have had run-ins with the law, clean-cut performers have been stigmatised.

“My helper can go and get credit, but I, as a self-employed man can’t. All of a sudden our ratings gone, why? Because of a few bad eggs?” he quipped.

Campbell says many people in Jamaica are ignorant about the true state of reggae in contemporary music. He also bemoaned how little the younger generation know about the accomplishments of the music’s pioneers including Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.

To improve the situation, Campbell says the history of the music should be taught in school.