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Eek-a-Mouse

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Iconic reggae artiste Eek-a-Mouse has been rambling about the Marleys for quite some time. However the singer, who is known for singles like Wa Do Dem and Police in Helicopter, has finally decided to take his ranting to social media to express his grouse.

In a three-minute video posted by Lyric DVD, the artiste says Bob Marley would have preferred if more support was given to Trench Town.

"This is not reggae music, it's Marley music controlled by a family, Bob sey Trench Town Rock I will never turn my back on you. But Rita Marley run to Ghana and left us a suffa on ya," he said among other things.

The veteran also claims that his collaboration with Junior Gong and Bounty Killer, which was featured on the Welcome to Jamrock album, is one of Junior Gong's most successful songs world-wide. The effort, called Khaki Suit, was part of a Grammy award winning project and Eek-a-Mouse believes he should have benefited more for his role in the record.

The artiste also revealed that he has plans to approach Junior Gong so as to secure a better pay cheque for Khaki Suit.

"I went on the Internet a few months ago and speak mi mind," Eek-a-Mouse told the interviewer. The veteran also expressed that other reggae artistes are not necessarily in support of the Marleys, however they are afraid to speak against them because of their connections in the industry.

He also recommended that the Marleys take other Jamaican artistes on tour, so as to ensure the longevity of the local music industry. He says giving support to other reggae artistes outside of Jamaica does not benefit Jamaicans.

"That is why the white reggae bands make all the money, the song name Why You Gotta Be So Rude I like that song, but I guess reggae artistes are being raped," he said.

Efforts to get a comment from the Marleys proved futile. However Junior Gong has signed reggae artiste Wayne Marshall to his label Ghetto Youth International, and recently released his album and mixtape Tru Colors.

Eek-a-Mouse recently remixed his single Wa Do Dem with Busy Signal and Half Pint. That effort is called Money Flow.