Taiwan may not be the first place people think of when they think of reggae music, but the genre appears to be gaining popularity slowly and steadily across the island. The community of reggae music lovers may be small, but it is growing, and the island geography and laid-back atmosphere of Taiwan, which are reminiscent [...]
Ninjaman, dubbed as the Gold Teeth Don Gargan of dancehall, will not be celebrating a Merry Christmas in 2017.A seven-person jury found Desmond “Ninjaman” Ballentine; his son, Jahneil Ballentine, and a friend, Dennis Clayton, guilty of the murder of Ricardo Johnson, and they will be sentenced on December 15, 2017 more than likely to life [...]
The Harder They Come, Jamaica’s first (and still finest) home-grown film, was released in 1972 with the local singer Jimmy Cliff as the country boy Ivan Martin, who becomes a Robin Hood-like criminal outlaw amid the ganja-yards and urban alleys of the Jamaican capital of Kingston. The film’s director Perry Henzell, a ganja-smoking white Jamaican [...]
Damian Marley shot the music video for his new song “Medication” in a medical marijuana farm. The reggae singer, who is part owner of a medical marijuana company, exalts the drug’s benefits in “Medication,” which appears on his newly released album “Stony Hill.” It’s his first solo record in 12 years, but don’t call it [...]
Music industry players have welcomed the JCDC’s decision to endorse all of the island’s popular street dances this year.According to insiders, the support from JCDC is way overdue and more government-affiliated bodies should help to develop the music industry instead of tear it down."We think it is a nice move, and it helps the youth [...]
The song Dancehall Queen by Beenie Man and Chevelle Franklyn hit the Billboard charts exactly 20 years ago this week.Originally produced by Tony Kelly and Steven “Lenky” Marsden, the song was remixed by Lowell “Sly” Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare for Island Jamaica. It was the remix that took off and became a monster hit. Dancehall [...]
Critics have in recent times proclaimed Japan to be the capital of dancehall music and France the capital of reggae music. With that being said, several music industry protagonists have rubbished those claims, while others have agreed that the critics have put forward a strong argument. Iconic sound system operator Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, who [...]
Stella McCartney celebrated resort season with her annual garden party in NYC. This year the designer moved the chic fête from the Elizabeth Street garden in Nolita to the garden grounds behind the High Line Hotel. Ky-Mani Marley the only child of Bob Marley and Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis kept guests grooving to reggae throughout the night, reminding [...]
United Kingdom-based reggae label Greensleeves Records is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In commemoration of the milestone, the label has planned a series of activities to take place across the globe, with stops in places like London, Paris and New York. On June 21, the label will hold a 40th anniversary celebration concert at [...]
She’s Royal, the anthem to women from singer Tarrus Riley, turns 10 this year. Recorded in October 2006 and released in early 2007, She’s Royal was produced by renowned saxophonist, Dean Fraser.“The song came about as a self-esteem booster. At the time, I knew some girls who needed a confidence boost. I wanted women to [...]