Rooplal G retains Chutney crown In a battle among the kings of chutney and calypso, Rooplal G emerged winner taking the top prize of $200,000 at the NLCB’s Chutney Soca Monarch on Saturday evening, leaving Reigning Calypso Monarch Luta (Morel Peters) in the dust. Luta who had thrilled the audience throughout the competition failed to [...]

Stephen Marley Naturally in control When the initial Smile Jamaica concert took place, Stephen Marley was just a small boy, so its little wonder he has no direct frame of reference for it. Now, inside a small townhouse, tucked away in the recesses of the iconic Hope Road property that his father established, first as [...]

Belfon’s ‘Bicycle Wine’ Known for her acrobatic dance routines and scintillating lyrics, Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon is considered a diva in her own right and some have even proclaimed her the only Soca Dancehall diva in the music industry today. This year her antics have not changed and other Soca Monarch contestants will have to [...]

Songs not a sign to parties Over the years, it has become the norm for political parties to adopt the songs of dancehall and reggae artistes as part of their campaigns gimmicks. However, some artistes say no permission has been granted and warn that this will no longer be tolerated if it is done for [...]

Events, the new fighting ground In recent times, stage shows have become the new fighting ground where artistes meet to settle the score fist to fist. Remember the hostile confrontation between members of Mavado and Aidonia’s entourages at Mavado’s Birthday Bash held at Horizon Inn, Port Henderson Road in Portmore in 2006? Not to mention [...]

The naughty teenager Marcus Chan Tack is not daunted by the fact that he was voted out of the semi-final and then the final of the Synergy Soca Star competition, because he is now able to boast that he is the only finalist to have been voted back in, on two occasions. “I think this [...]

Rastafarian roots reggae ‘till Midnite “Midnite” has many associations. It’s a point in time, a character in both Marvel and DC Comics, a shade of unbelievably dark blue in Gap’s color catalogue, and it is also a reggae band. It’s common knowledge that reggae remains, in its most bona fide form, fossilized on the island [...]

Miss Jamaica Universe 2007 search now on Jamaica’s preliminary to the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 2007 has begun. Jamaican rights holder Pulse is reporting a strong interest from a number of young women both in Jamaica and in the Diaspora and this could be the year that Jamaica takes the international title. While the prospects [...]

An evening of diversity Ocean’s Spray Small lived up to expectations at the recently concluded Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Rose Hall. The newcomers did not disappoint. Danah Cameron was up first. A former back-up singer, Danah proved that her vocals could lead any day.

Remembering Dennis Brown, reggae royal My friend Randy Fagan called to remind me that tomorrow, the first of February is supposed to be a special day. It’s Dennis Brown’s birthday. Did you remember? Maybe you didn’t even know. Yes, when February comes around, our memory of the late Dennis Brown is usually eclipsed by our [...]