Kerry Young was thrilled when she received an invitation to read at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica late last month. After more than four decades living in Britain, she still calls Jamaica home. Pao, her first novel, inspired by her father, had been nominated for the 2012 Commonwealth Writers Prize. It revelled in her [...]

In commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain, the Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment section recognises 50 persons who made significant, yet unheralded, contributions to the country’s culture. This week we feature singer Rico Rodriquez. ‘HORNSMEN ’ dominated the early years of Jamaican music. Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Headley Bennett and Bobby Ellis [...]

I think it’s fair to say reggae hero Jimmy Cliff has bigger ambitions than the many Americans who listen to reggae music on their smoky couches. Consider his triumphs so far. Cliff is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for helping to shape, define and popularize reggae and ska with his songs – [...]