KINGSTON, Jamaca – Dancehall producer-turned-artiste Steve ‘Balla G’ Mitchell is devastated that he will miss the funeral service for his mother, former Member of Parliament Phyllis Mitchell because of “unforeseen circumstances”.

The former MP will be laid to rest today, March 1.

“This is the hardest thing for me not to get the real closure. I saw my mom the last time in 2022; she came to meet my wife and my two kids. Had that not happened, I wouldn’t be able to be strong right now,” the 48 year-old former star footballer said.

Phyllis Mitchell represented the constituency of St Catherine North East as Member of Parliament representing the People’s National Party and also served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Culture. She passed away on January 21 at age 79.

Balla G revealed that last minute developments regarding his immigration status did not permit him to travel.

“My big daughter will be representing me at the funeral and everybody else is going to be there. My mother contributed a lot towards national development and I will always remember her unwavering commitment to uplifting others,” Balla G said. He is also an emerging artiste in his own right as he teamed up with Jahmiel on the powerful  ‘Concrete Jungle’ single in 2024.

Balla G first got major props for the collaboration, ‘Jah Will Never Let We Down’ with Sizzla on a reworked production of the famous El Shadai rhythm in 2013, and he hasn’t looked back since.

“The song, ‘My Glory’ is doing well in Tanzania, getting airplay on the radio station, Banana FM and it is also getting a buzz in Sierra Leone where I did several online interviews,” he shared.

He has also been consistently active on the production side, recently releasing two singles, ‘Freedom is a Must’ by Sizzla and Beenie Man’s ‘Proper Love’, both on the same rhythm.

Balla G, who was an accomplished Jamaican footballer who represented Jamaica at the under-17 CONCACAF level in the 1990s, is sorry that his mother will no longer be around to cheer on his success.

“My mother was my biggest cheerleader. She cheered me on as a footballer, from Dacosta Cup through to college in the US, she supported me in my business ventures. Our family has always been very supportive of each other, me, my mother and my sister, Nikole. But to be truthful, my mother wasn’t really fond of my involvement in music, because of the stigma with our music industry,” he said, laughing.

Balla G is the brother of retired Jamaican sprinter Nikole Mitchell who specialised in the 100 metres. She also competed on the successful national team in the 4 x 100 metres relay, winning gold medals at the World Junior Championships and an Olympic bronze medal in 1996.

“I am really proud of my sister Nikole and all she has done. We have always supported each other and there is going to be a big hole in my life where my mother used to be. I will miss her, so will her former constituents, friends and colleagues, my mom was a real friend to all,” he said.

Balla G has already written a ‘mama’ tribute for his dearly departed matriarch. “Ah just voice mi ah go voice it now,” he said.

–  Claude Mills