Conscious reggae artiste Chuck Fenda has sparked controversy with the song Wah Gwaan Pon Di Rock.

Wah Gwaan Pon Di Rock, released June 5 via Juna-Vill Records, is fast gaining popularity due to its lyrics, which double down on a number of issues which he says are affecting ordinary Jamaicans.

However, Chuck Fenda, affectionately called “Di Poor People’s Defender”, says the song should not be interpreted as being political.

“Mi forward pon di rock and see wah gwaan. It nuh civilised, because civilised people nuh go through dem atrocities ya and dem type of abuse ya. We haffi a talk fi di people and fi di yutes dem. We haffi start live like first world country because we have the greats like Usain Bolt and Bob Marley and wi have the greatest island pon di rock. Di place haffi clean up, because we caan continue pon da path ya. So wi just haffi go out deh and speak on behalf of di people,” said Chuck Fenda.

He added, “I man nuh deal wid politics, I man is just fi di people. I am like the voice of the people. This song has nothing to do with politics, a just weh mi see a gwaan. I am just dealing with Rastafari work.”

The artiste shared that he expected the social media uproar about the song, because of the concerns and issues that were highlighted.

“Did I expect this kind of feedback and uproar about the song? Yes because the people a go through hardship, the people feel oppressed, they are looking for a shepherd to lead them through that path. A we a di voice fi di less fortunate and di underserved,” Chuck Fenda reasoned.

He said the message he wants listeners take away from the song is to love themselves some more and stay strong despite their circumstances.

Chuck Fenda is gearing up for his third performance in Switzerland on July 10. He is the headliner for the Laksplash Festival, which will be held in Twann.

“It is my first time doing this festival and mi a look forward to greeting the fans and delivering a wonderful performance, while sending a message to the people. I want when they leave the venue to go home, they leave with something in their minds, something special that they received from the performance, while sending a message of positivity and righteousness. Something exceptionally different,” said Chuck Fenda.