As news dawned that the US had installed a white supremacist in the White House, some found consolation in the idea that his presidency might at least make for some excellent music in response. Was this a desperate grasp for a silver lining? Or was it, as some people suggested, a tasteless opinion which trivialised [...]
Luciano’s United States visa was cancelled by American law enforcement officers last weekend. The artiste, who was scheduled to perform on the Philadelphia Jerk Festival at Fairmount Park on Sunday, took to social media to advise promoters and fans of the development. “I regret to announce that whilst crossing the border from Canada into America [...]
WMG’s independent distribution division, ADA, has expanded its partnership with reggae label VP Records. Their deal, first signed in 2009, now includes physical distribution in the U.S. and Canada, and worldwide digital distribution. Previous successful releases from VP include records from Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton, Elephant Man, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Mavado (pictured) and the [...]
Though a week has not yet elapsed since Lady Saw got baptised, the former queen of the dancehall is wasting no time where "getting it right with God and man" is concerned. In an open letter, Lady Saw bears it all, answering questions that well-wishers and critics have thrown at her since she gave [...]
In case you missed it, a dreadlocked beauty queen competed in the Miss World competition. Dr. Sanneta Myrie, who was born to a single mother in Kingston, Jamaica, was midway through medical school when she decided to enter the beauty pageant. “I have always wanted to be a doctor and help people, but who wouldn’t want [...]
This is part two of a feature In Her Skin, which will have Jamaican women sharing their philosophies on beauty, and revealing some of their own beauty secrets and practices. Here is Kamila McDonald-Alcock. “EXCUSE me, excuse me! Are you that lady?” As we got up to leave our table at Grosvenor Cafe´ in Kingston [...]
Jamaica now has the third-longest copyright term in the world, and the term extension has been imposed retrospectively, all the way back to works created in 1962, the year ska burst on the public scene.The new term only binds on Jamaicans, meaning that the currently public domain Jamaican works that are going back into copyright [...]
MUSIC video director and film producer Jerome Hyde has 10 years of experience under his belt. He has worked on major Hollywood films and television shows as well as videos for hip hop and reggae acts. Currently in Kingston for the inaugural Jamaica Film Festival, the 30-year-old Washington DC native wants to learn more about [...]
Levi Roots is handing me a spoon bubbling with hot, coconutty liquid. The musician-turned-chef is holding court at a cooking demonstration in the Jamaican sunshine and what he’s making smells amazing. I was first to volunteer to taste his creation, and as I slurp up the contents of the spoon I’m delighted I put my [...]
Despite Jamaican reggae’s pro-cannabis stance over the past six decades, the plant remains illegal in the music’s birthplace.Jamaica’s reggae artists are unrivaled in their vociferous championing of marijuana usage and persistent rallying for its legalization. A primary tenet of the island’s indigenous Rastafarian way of life, which is inextricably linked to the cultural identity of [...]