Chipmunk: ‘I want to be called a genius’ It is a warm Saturday afternoon in Jamaica and I am in a large beach-fronted villa with Chipmunk and 20 bikini-clad, oiled beauty queens. The British grime star is filming a music video and the models are gathered in a circle, their heads bowed in prayer. “We’re [...]
How Plug ‘N’ Play assesses performers In recent years, live music has had a resurgence in popularity on the Jamaican music scene. This can be somewhat attributed to the start-up of various live music events, such as Smokin Jacket, Plug ‘N’ Play and Jamnesia. This rise has also managed to shine light on a few [...]
Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae Established more than 10 years ago, in Autumn 1998, Proud Galleries has quickly worked its way up to become one of most popular privately-funded photographic galleries in Europe. Proud Camden, its North London branch situated in the heart of the Stables Market, has made its mark as [...]
Reggae’s powerful imprint in Africa If the body of reggae music is found in Jamaica, then its heart and soul are certainly African. As a brand, reggae’s following across the continent is fanatical, some would say even religious. Nigerian singer Majek Fashek says: “If I was born in Jamaica, I would still be an African [...]
Sisterhood in the sun Judy Mowatt may have been one of Bob Marley’s back-up singers, but her voice has always placed her front and centre. Alongside Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, Mowatt was one of the I-Threes, but her work started before Marley and has continued to this day. The first woman to have been [...]
TV On The Radio, Parliament Members Join Lee “Scratch” Perry For New Record Dub reggae icon Lee “Scratch” Perry has enlisted an impressive array of guests for his upcoming album ‘Rise Again’. The record features eleven new songs featuring Tunde Adebimpe (TV On The Radio), Hawkman (Methods of Defiance, Tricky), Bernie Worrell (Parliament), Sly Dunbar [...]
There’s something about Beres There is definitely something about veteran reggae crooner Beres Hammond, which makes patrons feel like they are seeing him for the very first time, everytime he steps onto a stage.Another of those moments occured just two Saturdays ago when he was the headline act at a fundraiser organised by the Ardenne [...]
Hurricane Grace Fashion, fire, music and light: the elements are at their furious best as the inimitable Ms Jones storms into town on her wildly flamboyant world tour. Outrageously outfitted by long-time friend and collaborator Eiko Ishioka, the age-defying diva is something to see. Few singers have integrated fashion into their performances as seamlessly as [...]
Of ‘Star Bwoy’ and birthday wishes Without a doubt, Kingston is the entertainment capital of the Caribbean and continues to assert its primacy from the days of Henry Morgan, the pirate, to present. It serves as a crossroads of cultures and the unofficial meeting spot between the old and new worlds. Kingston is one happening [...]
Reggae star Smiley Culture’s family disrupt police meeting. Family and friends of reggae singer Smiley Culture have expressed their frustration over the police’s failure to explain his death. There were angry scenes at a Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) meeting at City Hall, in central London.