Story and photos courtesy Overtime Media
Describing Jamaica as “the model” for cultural and governmental collaboration, Belizean Opposition political leader, and hip hop legend, The Honourable Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow called on Caribbean governments to deepen partnerships with the private sector and invest strategically in the region’s creative industries.
Barrow delivered the message during his keynote address, From Stage to State, at the in Kingston.
“These conferences are so very important,” he told attendees, stressing the value of information exchange in an evolving global industry.
Responding to a question from Overtime Media about culture as an economic driver, Barrow was clear about music’s impact.
“The work of great musicians such as Bob Marley and Shabba Ranks, as well as the development of Reggae and Dancehall music, has done more for the Jamaican tourism product than anything else,” he said.
Barrow argued that Jamaica demonstrates how public policy and private investment can converge around culture.
“There is no one in the world who does not know about Jamaica — its music, its food and its culture,” he declared, noting that successive political administrations supported the industry’s development, even amid rivalry.
Framing his own transition from performer to legislator as “quintessential hip-hop,” Barrow said creatives belong in governance.
“We belong in Parliament. We belong in the Cabinet. We belong in the Prime Minister’s office,” he stated.
He also warned about emerging threats to artists’ rights, particularly artificial intelligence.
“We need to protect our rights. We need to protect our work and that can only be legislated,” he said. “If we don’t get involved in the legislative process, we’re going to wake up one day and find that our rights are gone.”
Reflecting on his life — including incarceration following a 1999 nightclub shooting — Barrow described his return to Belize as a turning point toward service.
“There’s no time to feel sorry for yourself,” he said. “You need to spend every moment creating your present and your future.”
His message was clear: the Caribbean’s creatives have shaped global culture — now they must help shape policy.
Barrow also revealed he will return to the stage this year, launching a world tour beginning in May 2026 to mark the 25th anniversary of his self-titled debut album, Shyne. However, he made clear that his commitment to public service remains central.
“You can’t get bigger than being a rap superstar,” he said. “So there’s no vanity in indulging in public service. In fact, it’s training. And there is so much more work to be done…”
