Dancehall star Alkaline’s camp is pushing back against claims that the deejay is “inaccessible,” shutting down the long-standing media label following recent comments made on Jamaica’s popular television programme Entertainment Report. The rebuttal came swiftly after renowned entertainment journalist Anthony Miller, during an interview with Canadian promoter and investment banker Dwayne Hines, described Alkaline as elusive when it comes to media and fan engagements — especially in comparison to Vybz Kartel, whom he labelled as accessible and media-friendly.
In a strongly worded statement issued by Alkaline’s publicist Rickardo Shuzzr, the team dismissed the characterization as “simply unfounded” and accused segments of the local media fraternity of deliberately spinning a misleading narrative. “A prominent Jamaican entertainment opinionist made yet another attempt to push the misleading narrative that recording artist Alkaline is inaccessible,” said Shuzzr, without directly naming Miller. The publicist further blasted certain figures in the media for allegedly stirring conflict between artistes for clicks and sensationalism, arguing that this undermines journalistic integrity. “These opinionists, who run subpar platforms and receive unwarranted acclaim for their ‘popular’ programs, do not embody the principles of trustworthy journalism,” the statement declared.
Shuzzr explained that Alkaline’s decision to limit media appearances is a calculated move to preserve the entertainer’s independence and control over his image, rather than an avoidance of engagement. He also pointed out that Alkaline frequently connects with his Vendetta fanbase through social media, emphasizing that the artiste has never been completely shut off from public or press interactions. “Since his rise to prominence in the mid-2010s, Alkaline has consistently made himself available for interviews,” Shuzzr stated, lamenting what he sees as unfair and conditional coverage from media personalities posing as journalists.
The dispute unfolded as Alkaline continues his successful New Rules Festival tour, having performed to a sold-out crowd at Rebel nightclub in Toronto on Saturday night. The deejay is also scheduled to headline the Trelawny Multipurpose Sports Complex in Jamaica on July 5, an event likely to further spotlight the ongoing situation between the artiste and sections of the Jamaican entertainment media.
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