Durrant Pate/Contributor

Culture Minister Olivia Grange sought to defend dancehall artiste Spice amid swirling controversy around the now-cancelled ‘Ohhhh No!’ school tour.

Grange, who broke her silence on Sunday (February 2) during the church service to launch Reggae Month 2025 at the Fellowship Tabernacle, appealed for greater discernment in separating Grace Hamilton, the person, from her Spice stage name and alter ego, acknowledging that “the journey will not be an easy one.”

The minister’s message came days after a sit-down with Spice, Ministry of Culture and Entertainment officials and the clergy—as the provocative songstress found herself at odds with Christian conservatives who criticised what ‘positive message’ Spice could offer young minds considering her profession.

“Spice school tour carries with it a positive message but because of her adult entertainment posture, some members of the church express concerns about her going into the school….I understand their concerns but the tour has a positive message. Jesus came on Earth to save sinners, so we have to find a way to help each other,” said Grange.

Spice planned an islandwide school tour to give motivational speeches, whilst delivering messages about self-worth and making positive life choices. The Ohhhh No! tour this has since been botched because of a pushback by church and parental groups, arguing that Spice’s lifestyle doesn’t portray the message she is communicating.

Reggae music increasingly synergising with the church 

She acknowledged that the musical genre has come a long way now being able to play and be heard in churches noting, “There was a time when you couldn’t carry reggae music into church but thanks to People like Al Miller (head of Fellowship Tabernacle) and others we can carry reggae music into the church. The church has awesome responsibility likewise the industry as while the music unites, the church must continue to keep us together and guide us through.”

For his part, Reverent Miller, who is well known for bringing some of the more popular secular artistes such as Papa San and Lt. Stitchie into Christianity through ‘Culture Clash’ some two decades ago, reminded the congregation of his journey with reggae music and trying to develop the genre into its purest form of uplighting music, which carries a positive message of hope and peace.

Meanwhile, Grange spoke about the free insurance policy for the entertainment and creative sectors, which is now available.

The Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan (JECIP) is available to all entertainers and creatives, who are listed on the National Registry of Entertainment and Creative Industries Practitioners (E-Registry).

Guardian Life Insurance Group is administering the plan, which covers registered persons, aged six to 75, with the option to extend to age 99. The coverage is free for all registered entertainers and creatives, which means no monthly contributions are required.