Fantan Mojah has opened up about the economic and structural challenges facing conscious reggae artists in Jamaica, saying the system often sidelines the very music that built the culture.
Mojah said Jamaican airwaves increasingly favour foreign music over local roots sounds.
“In Jamaica, selectors play more foreign music,” he said on 3fm monitored by MyNewsGh. “So every year when royalty pay out, American artists get the money.”
According to Mojah, this imbalance forces many artists into creative compromises just to stay visible.
“There is no justice in the music in Jamaica,” he said. “So some artists have to sing certain songs to keep pace with their fan base.”
Despite his global popularity, Mojah rejected the assumption that success automatically translates into wealth.
“We wouldn’t say we make money,” he said. “We don’t do music because of money. We do it because of love.”
He also addressed long-standing rumours about his health, dismissing reports that he had collapsed.
“That was fake news,” he said. “People say anything for clout. Nothing like that happened.”
Mojah said Africa now represents both spiritual grounding and a future-facing market for reggae artists seeking respect rather than distortion.
“Africa understand how the market set,” he said. “Now is the time for Africa forget.”
As he prepares to mount the Bhim Festival stage, Mojah said the focus remains legacy, not controversy.
“Some things already gone in history,” he said. “You leave them there.”
