Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Phillip Paulwell - RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
IF PHILLIP Paulwell isn't retained as Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology after this Saturday's People's National Party (PNP) presidential elections, he may consider a career in entertainment.
Mr. Paulwell gave 'fans' a taste of his deejay skills last Sunday during a rally for candidate Portia Simpson Miller at the Jamaica Conference Centre in Kingston.
BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN
The Commerce Minister brought the house down with Momma Story, his take on deejay Baby Cham's hit song, Ghetto Story.
While Baby Cham's version is an ode to the violence of inner-city life, Momma Story is Paulwell's homage to Mrs. Simpson Miller, the Local Government Minister who is one of four candidates campaigning to succeed P.J. Patterson as PNP President and Prime Minister of Jamaica.
POSITIVE SPIN
On Tuesday, Mr. Paulwell told The Gleaner that, though he is aware that Ghetto Story has violent overtones, he tried to put a positive spin on it.
"I think a lot of the songs made by our youth today have catchy beats, but negative lyrics," said Mr. Paulwell. "I was trying to show what we can do by being positive."
Some of the minister's 'positive' message went as follows:
Dis a Portia story
Real Momma story
I rememba those days in the PNP
Mikey was the leader of the party
an' Prime Minister of the country,
Loved an' respected by all a we
Now Mikey decide fi give up the
'ting'
You an' PJ throw yuh hat inna the
ring
But it wasn't your time, so yuh
neva win
Mikey was very reassuring, him
sey in time to come yuh will get
the ting
Now PJ decide sey him gwine
retire
So a your time now, Momma hot
like fire
Yuh know sey Mikey will inquire
So when him call the cellphone,
yuh sey 'Mikey mi get the ting dey.
Ghetto Story is currently one of the most played songs in dancehalls and clubs throughout Jamaica. It has been banned by several radio stations.
