Macka Diamond says she is retiring from music

After more than three decades in the industry, dancehall artiste Macka Diamond says she will be hanging up her microphone at the end of the year to focus on herself and loved ones.

“I choose to retire because dem a say dem nuh want mi inna dancehall and mi a nuh nothing to them inna Jamaica, so mi just done. I want to be happy and free, and my birthday is coming up in January and I want to reunite with my son. I have given too much of my life to music and I lose my son to it, and people still a bring mi down. I am tired of it,” she said.

In an interview with THE STAR, Macka Diamond, who entered the industry under the moniker Lady Mackerel, said she does not feel appreciated by some industry players, many of whom she said had ‘bullied’ her to exit dancehall because of her age.

“I haven’t got love from nuff of the industry people dem; and thank God for my fans, as they are the ones who have been holding up. It is time that I go and look about me and focus on myself and loved ones. I want to live for me. I want all of who was wishing for me to leave dancehall [to] take it and enjoy it now,” Macka Diamond said.

“I have left uno and uno good old music, so leave mi alone now, please. I have not begged anyone anything. I am still getting and refusing shows. Music business is for johncrows and dog**** and for all who have bad heart, because uno think music is uno light and salvation. I am a hitmaker and is uno a lock the door on me, because uno bad mind and covetous,” she added.

According to the entertainer, she is often trolled because of her constant presence on TikTok and her participation in love matches. She said she is criticised by many who accused her of abandoning her music career for ‘lions’, ‘galaxies’ and ‘whales’ (TikTok’s highest-paying gifts).

“Uno hate mi because uno cheat mi and don’t see mi a mash up. Nuff a the promoters can’t even pay anyone, becuase no one wants to pay and go in. A lot of uno acting like uno rich and hype, and uno a suffer. All of a sudden uno a talk say mi over TikTok a beg; but when I was over Instagram and others and a go live, uno wasn’t complaining. But because money over TikTok uno a chat. Leave mi, because mi leave dutty music give uno,” she said.

As she throws in her towel, Macka Diamond says her catalogue of hits will forever make her a superstar, and that what is due to her will be given.

“Nuff of who hate mi do it for no reason, because they can’t say I have done anything to them. All I ever do is help people, and all uno do is try and bring mi down all the while because uno want to see a good person that God send on earth suffer. I will not give you that opportunity to see me down. I done have my hit songs already, so no one can take that away from mi. I am the one leaving dancehall and I will forever be a superstar. No one can take away my royalties or whatever is due. Uno leave mi now,” Macka Diamond said.