Reggae artist Jah’Mila delivered an impassioned speech at the East Coast Music Awards in Newfoundland on Thursday, urging collaboration and change within the industry after receiving the R&B/Soul Release of the Year award for her song Never Fail. While the track doesn’t fit the R&B or soul genres, Jah’Mila used her platform to call for the creation of a category that would properly honor reggae music, expressing excitement for the future of the East Coast Music Association (ECMA).
Addressing the crowd in St. John’s, N.L., the Halifax-based Jamaican Canadian singer emphasized the responsibility of artists to set an example for others in the community. “Please don’t let them down,” she said, reminding the industry that there are many artists across the East Coast looking to the ECMA as a beacon of inclusivity and progress. Her speech resonated deeply, especially as the ECMA has faced criticism for a lack of diversity and transparency in recent months.
Backstage, visibly emotional, Jah’Mila explained her motivation for speaking out. “It took a lot of balls,” she admitted, explaining the importance of addressing these issues for the sake of the community. She pointed out that avoiding difficult conversations would only allow the same problems to persist.
The ECMA, which has faced turmoil since last fall, including the ousting of its CEO and protests from members, has long been critiqued for favoring folk and rock music, leaving other genres, like reggae, underrepresented. This year’s awards, however, saw several significant wins for diverse artists, including Inuk soprano Deantha Edmunds, who won Indigenous Artist of the Year, and Maggie Andrew, who claimed African Canadian Artist of the Year for the second consecutive year.
The event also paid tribute to Mark Hiscock, the beloved accordionist who passed away this week. Amidst the celebration of musical talent, the evening highlighted the need for positive, constructive conversations and greater transparency in the region’s music industry.
Jah’Mila’s speech marked a significant moment at the awards, reinforcing her call for a more inclusive and representative music community on the East Coast.
Source: Swifteradio.com
