CARIBBEAN food stall owner Thomas Benjamin has been selling his mouth-watering array of cakes and treats in Bury St Edmunds for more than 10 years.Thomas, who lives in Thetford, once made a living working for Thermos – making flasks and hot and cold food containers.
But one day he woke up and decided he didn’t want to work for someone else and realised his Caribbean roots could help him to live the dream of setting up his own business.
It was 38 years ago that Peter Tosh began work on Legalize It, the album that would become his career statement. American Lee Jaffe, one of the persons who helped him craft that set, pays tribute to the singer on Saturday with a photo exhibition in Los Angeles. Also titled Legalize It, it showcases some of the photographs Jaffe took for the album which was released by Columbia Records in 1976. It will be held at the Dem Passwords gallery.
48 years ago yesterday, one of Dancehall’s patriarchs was born as Gerald ‘Bogle’ Levy began his journey towards becoming Jamaica’s most decorated dancer.
Though controversy surrounded his life, Bogle graced the world with his slick moves, undeterred ego as well as an ability to wow a crowd at every turn with his feet. The works of Bogle as well as the original Dancehall Queen, Carlene (who deserves a very honorable mention for this list) works are instrumental in creating a clear avenue for Dancehall to travel through as their knack for entertaining audiences sparked a movement that has gradually grown since they rose to stardom in the early 90s.
via Bogle inspires a generation: A look at Jamaica’s most influential dancers.
Boy, what a month! With the JA Jubilee celebrations still ringing in people’s ears a well-deserved congrats to Jamaica for breaking the world record in the relays and taking home gold, silver, and bronze at the London Olympics. Apparently the party hasn’t even started in Jamaica yet as they are still waiting for USAIN BOLT to return home – you already know this is going to be an all-nighta!
Caribbean cinema brings it to the UK. As the athletes step out the filmmakers step in to take over the city. The first weekend of september will see the UK debut of STORM SAULTER’s critically acclaimed period piece Better Mus Come alongside the world premiere of Ring Di Alarm —a series of short film by 6 different directors. Here’s the trailer….
When Maxi Priest sits down and crosses his legs, his dreadlocks drape and curl around his body, hanging over one ankle and the edge of his chair. Though the singer was born and raised in England, they are a tangible reminder of his Jamaican heritage. He’s combined the two to produce his own distinctive (and very successful) brand of reggae fusion.
Right now, Maxi is hot off the June release of his new album, which bears the self-explanatory title of ‘Maximum Collection.’ “It’s 36 songs from way back when to now,” he says. “I kinda look at it like a fast lane for the younger generation to catch up to speed on where I was and where I am today.” On the track list, look out for songs like ‘Close to You’, ‘Strollin’ on’, ‘In the Springtime’, ‘How Can We Ease the Pain’, as well as popular covers of ‘Wild World’, ‘Fields of Gold’ and ‘Cry Me a River.’
via ‘I just keep going’.
The sprinter arched his arms over his head in the distinctive celebration made famous by double gold medal winning Mo Farah, after crossing the finish line.
The Jamaican team of Bolt, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter and Michael Frater finished in a time of 36.84.
Bolt received the baton with Jamaica already in the lead and sprinted home to smash the previous record of 37.04 secs and Olympic record of 37.10 secs.
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Hero?
Super Hero?
How about just plain ol’ faster-than-anybody-ever Usain Bolt?
Bolt, 25, did it again Thursday night, pulling away to another gold medal in the 200 meters with a 2012 world-best time of 19.32 seconds.
Ranking Trevor, an influential deejay or toaster, as Jamaican patois rappers were called during his 1970s heyday, died in the Olympic Gardens area of Kingston yesterday morning, Aug 7.
According to reports, he was returning home from a dance when a collision with a car threw him off of his motorcycle; as he lay on the ground another vehicle ran over him. In various reports on his death, Trevor’s age has been listed as either 60 or 53. A report in the Jamaica Star lists his birthday as January 20, 1960, making him 52.
via Ranking Trevor, Rap Reggae Pioneer, Dead in Road Accident.
Usain Bolt of Jamaica is the world’s fastest man.
Again.
With a huge crowd in the Olympic Stadium roaring and a worldwide audience watching, Bolt blazed through 100 meters in 9.63 seconds, setting an Olympic record as he won his second straight gold medal in the showcase event of the Games.
Putting to rest all the rumors that he was injured after he lost twice to teammate Yohan Blake at the Jamaican Olympic trials, Bolt emphatically outdid a strong and deep field to reach the line first and break the Olympic record of 9.69 he set at Beijing four years ago.
Add internationally acclaimed Reggae songstress, Etana to the list of popular personalities within the Jamaican music industry who will bear children in the coming months.
Following recent revelations that Dancehall/Reggae superstar, Ce’Cile and FiWi Choice Top 10 host, Amita Webb are set to become mothers for the first time, Etana has announced that she’s pregnant with her second child. Etana’s husband and prominent Jamaican actor, Andre Morris made the exciting announcement via Facebook on Thursday.
“Touring!!! Reggae Music Lives. The RawSoul Rebel mixtape coming out soon. Also looking forward to the birth of my daughter!!!” Morris stated.