Jamaica considers cashing in on its image Usain Bolt had just been crowned the undisputed sprint king when a businessman boldly walked into the government office here hoping to cash in on the Jamaican track star’s record-setting dash. The visitor from the Cayman Islands sought to brand his creative ideas: U-Sane Energy Drink and Lightening [...]
Buju Banton, anti-gay reggae star, has U.S. tour canceled by promoters The Jamaican dancehall star Buju Banton has a long-standing reputation for inciting anti-gay sentiment (his 1992 single “Boom Bye Bye” proposes pouring acid on homosexuals and shooting them in the head with an Uzi, among other things; in 2004, he was tried and acquitted [...]
Lucky Dube death verdict delayed The Johannesburg High Court has delayed the verdict in the trial of three men accused of killing South African reggae singer Lucky Dube. One of the men recently confessed he had taken part in the crime and said all three deserved to be punished. They had originally denied murder.
Deadly Shoot Out Three policemen were yesterday shot and injured and a gunman shot dead in a dramatic early morning gunfight at a house owned by reggae singer Luciano at Westminister Crescent in Kingston. The incident, which started about 5:00 am, ended shortly after 7:00 am when police broke down a door to the entertainer’s [...]
Of hypocrisy and the Noise Abatement Act The seemingly selective application of the Noise Abatement Act, which sees some promoters facing rigorous enforcement while others are allowed to operate with impunity, is becoming a source of increasing concern in the entertainment industry. Three weeks ago, Negril-based promoter Clive ‘Cubba’ Pringle, who is also chairman of [...]
Venture Seeks to Cash In On Bob Marley’s Image Reggae singer Bob Marley’s name and likeness have been slapped on unauthorized merchandise since his death in 1981. Now, the Marley family and a private equity firm that invests in retail brands are preparing a major push to license Mr. Marley’s likeness, trademarks and themes to [...]
Going back to his roots: Reggae Reggae Sauce star Levi Roots The hunt for the Eastern Counties’ most enterprising family is on with Barclays Local Business and Levi Roots. Dragon’s Den winner and Reggae Reggae Sauce entrepreneur, Levi Roots, has teamed up with Barclays Local Business to hunt for the Eastern Counties’ leading family businesses.
J’can CD sales fall worldwide – Downloads, piracy blamed for decline The sales of Jamaican music CDs worldwide are declining, with Internet access and piracy major contributing factors. With the great increase in Internet access, the sale of actual CDs has been declining significantly. In addition, with the easy access to pirated music (bootlegs), fewer [...]
Kieron Tyler celebrates the 1980 reggae movie Babylon Brixton, 1979. Fat Larry’s record shop. Reggae soundsystem wannabes Ital Lion are trying to strike a deal. Days before their Christmas showdown with Jah Shaka’s soundsystem, the crew are looking for the right track. Two tunes are given an airing on a reel-to-reel tape recorder. “Exclusive, straight [...]
Jamaica at a crossroads It is impractical and illogical to believe that the country that produced Mary Seacole, Marcus Garvey and Bob Marley, the latter two in more recent times, would cease to produce other human wonders. For those of us who came of age, meaning, took responsibilities, in the 1960s, what Jamaica accomplished at [...]