Gay bashing reggae performers promise to stop the hate
Three of the world’s top reggae and dancehall singers have renounced homophobia and condemned violence against lesbians and gay men. Beenie Man, Sizzla and Capleton had previously released anti-gay hate songs, including incitements to murder lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Another Mavado concert cancelled!
When St Lucians heard that the most popular Jamaica dancehall artiste on the scene right now, Mavado, was scheduled to appear in St Lucia for a second concert, there was much hesitation before people finally decided to purchase tickets for the event. Their uncertainty wasn’t without reason. Weeks earlier there was intense hype around a scheduled Mavado concert which never materialized. Fans had bought tickets but when they reached the venue were told that the singer was not even in St Lucia and would not perform.
Skull Releases Reggae Single on iTunes
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Korean reggae artist Skull released his debut single “Boom Di Boom Di” at the Apple iTunes store, the most popular music downloading Web site in the United States, on Tuesday. Skull is one of the few Korean artists whose songs are available on the iTunes store in the U.S. He also unveiled his 3D animation music video for “Boom Di Boom Di” on the social networking Web site MySpace at www.myspace.com/skullriddim.
Capleton, Jamaican dancehall artist who spits fire
Capleton, one of the veterans of the dancehall reggae tradition that produced hip-hop crossover Sean Paul, is big enough to book a show at the 1,000-capacity Majestic Theatre — not small potatoes for a genre that isn’t exactly mainstream, no matter how many times you put “Buffalo Soldier” on repeat. A well-traveled Rasta who knows how to put on a show, Capleton was given the nickname in honor of his oratorical skills, based on a well-known Jamaican lawyer during his youth.
Alborosie marks journey from Sicily to Kingston Town
Italy’s most authentic and best-known reggae artiste came searching for legitimacy and is now ready for the world with the album Soul Pirate. After landing some major deals with BMG and EMI, the Sicilian-born deejay/musician/producer who goes by the moniker, Alborosie, has established his base in Jamaica for the past six years.
Still My Angel – Despite fight, Beenie says ’till death do us part’
After deafening silence from celebrity couple Beenie Man and D’Angel, after the two reportedly had a domestic dispute that left Beenie Man in need of medical attention, ‘The Doctor’ says all is well again with him and his ‘Angel’. It was reported in THE weekend STAR on April 19 that Beenie Man and D’Angel, had a domestic dispute, forcing one of them to seek medical attention.
Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry oddly inspired
Lee “Scratch†Perry is a man of iconic status, though many may point as much to his wild eccentricity as his creative genius in validating that mantel of legend. And in conversation, Perry, a pioneering influence in the development of dub music in Jamaica and of the “scratch†turntable effect used by DJs, proves to be both. At 71 years of age, the prolific songwriter, producer and performer is still making music and touring. He stops at the World Caf Live in Philadelphia on Sunday, supporting his latest — and according to many, his best in several years — CD, “Panic in Babylon.â€
Grace Trailblazer a blast of good fun
While the threat of rain lingered, patrons at the recent Grace Trailblazer roadshow, held at Dump Up Beach in Montego Bay, made the most of the fun and entertainment on offer. Not only were they entertained with music and games, they were also given the opportunity to sample the variety of goodies on offer from one of the largest corporate entities in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Old time moves come back again
If you were enamoured with dancehall in the early 90s, then you should have noticed that some of the dance moves are back, but with different names. To make things worse, even the more modern dance moves are being recycled and given different names, much to the annoyance of the ‘creators’.
Dancer, Ice, who was a part of the famous ‘Black Roses Crew’ with the now deceased dancer, Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy says the new crop of dancers is simply copying old dances and instead of giving credit to the creators, they rename them and call them theirs.
It is a sunny morning and a group of rakish young men are dancing to music on a boom box in the shadow of rusty containers and a moored ship at Kingston’s Port Royal.
The dancers are rehearsing a curious mix of dancehall, hip hop and Bollywood under the watchful eyes of a young local music video-maker.