Cham: A Clean-Cut Ambassador for Reggae Earlier this year all of Jamaica seemed to be listening to the same song. That song was “Ghetto Story,†by a rising star known as Cham, who told a vivid tale of poverty and crime. Over an electronic beat composed of a few sharp buzzes, Cham started at the [...]
Bob Andy: One of Reggae’s last great soldiers One of my greatest honours in life was being able to introduce Bob Andy at Sunsplash – Roger Steffens, US reggae lecturer/historian. Andy. one of the prime movers in the world of reggae music Steffens is one of many influential persons in reggae to have accorded status [...]
Men for sale? Perched on the edge of her sunlounger, the young Jamaican man picks up the woman’s hand and lavishes it with kisses. “You is very beautiful, you know that, girl?” he says. The ‘girl’ giggles as she sips her cocktail. Somewhere in her early 40s, she hardly qualifies for the description. Nor is [...]
UB Irie In 1978, England’s unemployment soared to new heights as railroad and coal-mining strikes paralyzed the economy. Birmingham’s disenfranchised youth gathered at church dances where DJs played the latest Jamaican reggae and at blues dances throughout the city and at uptown clubs such as the Rainbow and the Mecca Ballroom. That same year, a [...]
Marley brothers spread ‘One Love’ When reggae icon Bob Marley died 25 years ago, he didn’t just leave behind a legacy of music that transcended the globe with songs of revolution (“Get Up, Stand Up,”), love (“Waiting in Vain,”) and pride (“One Love”). He inspired his children, equally devoted to fulfilling an overwhelming desire to [...]
My first time at Reggae or “A yot a-yook, but d’ yood no ‘nough.” It all started when Northern Lights Editor Jarad Petroske asked me around 5:30 p.m. Friday to go down to the infamous hippie-fest Reggae on the River. “Hasn’t it already started?†I asked, trying to come up with an excuse.
Cruzing into music – Anthony Cruz bio With his cute baby face, captivating eyes, sexy physique, soulful voice, classy attire, shy-guy demeanour, fun-loving attitude and slick stage act, Anthony Cruz is regarded as one of the most charismatic entertainers around. And boy, does he make the ladies weak!
Even in death Miss Lou smiles Jamaicans from all walks of life yesterday streamed into the National Arena in Kingston to pay their last respects to Jamaica’s cultural icon Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley whose body is on view for two days before an official funeral tomorrow.
Sunsplash returns with daylight dancehall Before falling off the concert calendar in 1997, Reggae Sunsplash was famed for its daylight endings. On its return to the expansive seaside Richmond Estate in Priory, St. Ann, on Thursday night, it was back to sunlight endings for the bmobile Reggae Sunsplash. MC Richie B sent a substantial audience, [...]
Reggae hits full stride Event officials said 15,000 people were spread from French’s Camp to Dimmick Ranch. This is the first year the even has been held at its new location, Dimmick Ranch. And contrary to what some may believe, Reggae on the River is a family friendly event.