Damian “Junior Gong” Marley celebrates 50 years of Jamaican independence at the 20th annual Reggae Sum Fest in Montego Bay, Jamaica alongside Trey Songz, R. Kelly, Beenie Man, Shabba Ranks, Lady Saw, Tesanna Chin and many more.

Damian “Junior Gong” Marley was in rare form on his 34th birthday while performing at the 20th annual Sum Fest in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The three-time Grammy award winning reggae artist and youngest son of the late Bob Marley performed his usual hits like Trouble and Welcome to JamRock to a crowd of over 12,000 amped concertgoers.

via 5 Questions With Damian Marley at 2012′s Reggae Sum Fest.

Roots first started selling his Reggae Reggae sauce in 1991 at the Notting Hill Carnival. Sixteen years later, after an investment from Dragon’s Den entrepreneurs Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh, it hit the shelves in Sainsbury’s. Since then, Roots has written six cookbooks, including his latest, Sweet (Conran Octopus £18.99). His proudest moment remains, however, singing happy birthday to Nelson Mandela when he visited Britain in 1996.

If you had only £10 to spend on food, where would you spend it and on what?

I’d go to my local market in Brixton – the one near Electric Avenue, the place Eddy Grant sung about. I never tire of reminding people how important it is to support your local market. I’d get the mainstays of most Ital dishes, which is the name of Jamaican vegan food, and what Bob Marley used to eat. So sweet potatoes and herbs and things like this. Also some lady’s fingers. I wouldn’t go for meat. Though maybe, money permitting, I’d get a red snapper.

via My Life In Food: Levi Roots – Features – Food & Drink – The Independent.

When you think of a Jamaican family trip, you imagine aqua waters, pristine white beaches and tropical drinks. But without the proper safety precautions, your dream vacation can quickly become a nightmare. Like many Caribbean destinations, Jamaica lacks many of the safety precautions considered standard in the United States, making it easier to experience an unfortunate incident if you’re not careful.

1. Don’t Relax Information Security

Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean thieves won’t commit identity theft. Call and write your credit card company before leaving for vacation, and tell them the hotel you’re staying in. Without prior notification, the company may assume identity theft and automatically lock your credit card information. Notifying them prior to your trip will help prevent unexpected hassles, but also make them aware of any suspicious activity that could occur.

Avoid bringing unnecessary electronic devices to Jamaica. A lost iPad is bad enough, but a stolen iPad with your stored bank and credit card information can become disastrous. Purchase an identity protection plan from a comprehensive service like Lifelock is also a smart option. Identity protection can help monitor networking and immediately alert you of any suspicious activity.

2. Consult Hotel Reviews

Jamaica is a well-known hotspot for American tourists, which means there’s plenty of high-quality, luxury resorts available. Some hotel accommodations are sub-par with proper safety measures- it’s better to know what you’re getting before you arrive in Jamaica. Pictures and websites don’t tell the whole story. Instead, use travel reviews from previous guests to determine the quality of the facility. Call the hotel directly and ask about hotel security (locks, gates, private keys, etc.) any well-run facility will be more than happy to answer your custom concerns.

3. Be Inconspicuous When Outside the Hotel

As a general rule, walking through major urban areas, such as Kingston or Montego Bay, is advisable only if you’re willing to tone down your appearance. Leave the jewelry, expensive sunglasses and couture handbag at home. Wearing such status symbols is like wearing a flashing arrow for the many pickpocket thieves waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. But if you decide to carry a camera and cell phone, take the extra steps on public transportation or while strolling through a market to ensure your belongings are safe. These guys are professionals, so don’t assume you would know if they reached into your bag. Instead, turn your backpack around so it covers your torso and belly, and fold your arms over the front. Always remember to keep cash in a money pouch under your shirt.

4. Avoid Staying Out After Dark

This is especially important in urban areas. Crime and crime prevention are unequally matched forces in Jamaica, and your best defense against any potential threats is the law. Make travel plans, cab, bus etc.

5. Obtain Travelers Insurance

Travel insurance packages can include everything from lost or stolen items to medical recovery. While it’s best not to travel with expensive personal items, sometimes it’s unavoidable. The right policy will replace the cost of such items damaged during your vacation in Jamaica. Even in major urban areas, medical care in Jamaica is limited and can be insufficient for your needs. Purchasing medical travelers insurance will allow you to be evacuated promptly back to the United States for treatment, with few complications or bureaucracy.

Bio: Aubrey Boone
Aubrey studied in Los Angeles with some of the finest chefs. She started documenting her experiences and now contributes to various foodie blogs.

Kerry Young was thrilled when she received an invitation to read at the Calabash Literary Festival in Jamaica late last month. After more than four decades living in Britain, she still calls Jamaica home. Pao, her first novel, inspired by her father, had been nominated for the 2012 Commonwealth Writers Prize. It revelled in her Chinese-Jamaican heritage and was written in the native patois that Jamaicans treasure.

Young bounced onto the outdoor stage. Behind her, a stiff breeze swirled the sea into frothy waves. In front, an audience of 2,000 eyed her expectantly. She almost lost her nerve. “What did I think I was doing?” she said, in an interview later that day. “What kind of audacity made me think I could speak to these people in their language when I hadn’t lived in Jamaica for years!” Still, the reading was a triumph; and afterward, Young’s new fans stormed the bookstore next door, which promptly sold out of her title.

via Jamaica: The land of devoted offshore authors.

In commemoration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain, the Jamaica Observer’s Entertainment section recognises 50 persons who made significant, yet unheralded, contributions to the country’s culture. This week we feature singer Rico Rodriquez.

‘HORNSMEN ’ dominated the early years of Jamaican music. Don Drummond, Tommy McCook, Roland Alphonso, Headley Bennett and Bobby Ellis arranged or played on numerous ska or rocksteady hits.

via Rico Rodriguez: Man From Wareika.

I think it’s fair to say reggae hero Jimmy Cliff has bigger ambitions than the many Americans who listen to reggae music on their smoky couches. Consider his triumphs so far.

Cliff is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for helping to shape, define and popularize reggae and ska with his songs – but also by starring in Jamaica’s biggest film, 1972′s “The Harder They Come.”

And yet Cliff (who performs tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel pool) tells me he still has much work to do.

via Cliff aims for next musical goal.

Clarks shoes, ‘diamond’ socks and Kangol hats were dancehall vogue during the early 1980s when photographer Beth Lesser made frequent trips to Jamaica to cover the country’s post-Marley music scene.

Lesser, who has written voraciously about dancehall’s formative years, continues that trend with Rub-a-Dub Style: The Roots of Modern Dancehall, her fourth book which will be released April 30.

via Dancehall’s roots REVISITED.

Sadiki’s single, produced by Kemar ‘Flava’ McGregor, is a heartfelt cultural ballad with a twist – it describes the family bond between an ailing mother and her son, but at the same time, the song offers a thoughtful commentary on the current state of Jamaican culture.

The title, “Mama,” refers in part to the nation of Jamaica itself, and through a succession of sensitive and symbolic lyrics, the song pleads for Jamaican expatriates to regard, support and most importantly, to love their homeland, despite its many struggles.

via Sadiki to release new reggae single, titled ‘MAMA,’ on itunes, produced by Kemar ‘Flava’ Mcgregor.

Jamaican singer Bushman will be in Nairobi on May 11 for a charity concert at Sankara to raise funds for March Forth Kenyan Kids. Bushman will perform an acoustic set with special guest Michel Ongaro and Senta Lain from 8:30pm. March Forth Kenya Kids is a non-profit organisation working with children to help give them a positive path in life and teach them skills they can use to survive.

via Bushman to perform for Kenyan Charity.

Veteran dancehall artiste Snagga Puss, aka Di Herbal Man, is hoping to make a comeback to the local dancehall scene. According to the artiste, who also operates a herbal medicine production business, he feels he has become more conscious and better at his musical craft than ever before.

Snagga Puss revealed that contrary to what his critics may think, he is still very much into dancehall and reggae music. However, he only took some time off to study.

via Snagga Puss eyes dancehall again – Hopes to reflect health consciousness in his music.