Long live the ‘Greats’ – ‘Tribute’ outlasts founder’s expectations Having come of age in an era many regard as the golden age of Jamaican popular music, Kingsley Goodison has always had a kinship with performers of the 1960s. Hence came his decision to start the ‘Tribute to the Greats’ awards show in 1998. The annual [...]
Entertainment: Ziggy Marley charts his own course Though it may unsettle fans who believe the struggle against political and social injustice is a crucial component of the best reggae music, Ziggy Marley, eldest son of reggae’s most transcendent figure, Bob Marley, doesn’t quite see it that way. Marley says his struggle is “spiritual,” unlike the [...]
Rastas blast Munga’s ‘Gangsta Ras’ image A group of Rastafarians who feel that dancehall artiste Munga’s promotion of himself as “the Gangsta Ras” with attendant image, is a perversion of the integrity of Rastafari, say they intend to pursue the use of intellectual property protocols to protect and preserve the culture and symbols from misuse. [...]
Beenie entertained, Cham was truly brilliant Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest’s Dancehall Night on Thursday attracted the largest audience since its 15-year inception – perhaps an indication that dancehall is not entirely dead but has merely evolved, becoming more mainstream. Cham gets into his act. “We cannot fight dancehall,” said MC Richard ‘Richie B’ Burgess, “it’s [...]
Cham gears up for big show Dancehall star Cham expects his Red Stripe Reggae Sumfets performance to be one of the high points of what has already proven to be an extra hot summer. The artiste’s input on the remix of rapper Mim’s This Is Why I’m Hot (along with Junior Reid) maintianed it’s momentum [...]
Jamaican troops serenade Queen with reggae The Army is so heavily deployed on operations that soldiers of the Jamaican Regiment have been called on to protect the Queen outside Buckingham Palace, senior officers admitted yesterday. A company of 140 Caribbean troops have been called up to relieve soldiers of the Coldstream Guards who are preparing [...]
Matisyahu Tonight at Sound Advice Amphitheatre At first glance, it´s easy to consider Matisyahu as a novelty act within reggae music. The tall, slender, and heavily bearded Jewish crooner seems about as far as you can get from Jamaica, and, in appearance, he´s unlike anyone else who´s ever made a living as a reggae singer. [...]
Low turnout at ‘Bad From Mi Born’ At 1:30 a.m. yesterday, it was different party, same story at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston, as the tiny turnout for ‘Bad From Mi Born’ was a reminder of the weak support for ‘Retro Reloaded 2′, held there three weeks earlier. The dancehall audience proved to be [...]
Da’Ville rocks Europe The singer Da’Ville reportedly received an especially warm welcome from adoring fans who enjoyed every bit of his performances. Da’Ville also had to sign hundreds of autographs and take photos with just as many fans. He was bombarded with overwhelming phone calls when he visited radio and TV stations.
Alison Hinds – Soca Mama A hectic touring schedule takes her all over the Western world and away from family in Barbados, as she promotes her popular single Roll it Gyal, but soca singer Alison Hinds has mastered being mommy and wife from a distance. Hinds, popular in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean [...]