From reggae and dancehall to viral slang, fashion and internet culture, Jamaica has shaped global entertainment for decades — but according to Nekeisha Burchell, the country is still not earning enough from the multi-trillion-dollar creative economy it helped shape and inspire. The Opposition Spokesperson on Culture is now calling for Jamaica to aggressively position itself within the estimated US$3 trillion global creative sector, arguing that the island’s cultural influence should be translating into far greater economic returns.
Burchell made the case while highlighting Jamaica’s worldwide impact through music, digital culture, content creation and lifestyle branding. From the global rise of reggae and dancehall to Jamaican phrases dominating social media trends, the country continues to punch above its weight culturally. However, she warned that Jamaica has not fully monetised its creative assets, particularly in areas such as intellectual property, streaming, digital ownership and creator-driven businesses.
The conversation comes at a time when the creator economy is rapidly expanding through platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Spotify, creating new opportunities for musicians, influencers, filmmakers and entrepreneurs. Industry observers have increasingly argued that Jamaica’s entertainment industry must evolve beyond simply exporting talent and viral moments to building stronger infrastructure, ownership and long-term wealth within the sector. Meanwhile, younger creatives are being encouraged to tap into emerging spaces such as AI, digital media, gaming and global content production.
With dancehall, reggae and Jamaican culture continuing to influence audiences worldwide, the push for a stronger creative economy strategy could become a major talking point in the country’s future economic plans. As global demand for Caribbean culture grows, many believe the question is no longer whether Jamaica has influence — but whether it can finally secure the financial rewards that come with it.
View this post on Instagram
