“Up, down and across” is probably the only way one can properly describe the aviation and travel sectors in the Caribbean for the year 2011. Fares were up and down; planes were up and down and politics played a subtle role across the archipelago

In the middle of the second quarter, the region saw the consummation of the Caribbean Airlines – Air Jamaica deal whereby Trinidad and Tobago’s Caribbean Airlines Limited completed the takeover of Air Jamaica, which in the end left the Jamaican government with a 16.4 percent shareholding in Caribbean Airlines.

via The ups and downs of regional aviation.

The 20-track album featured production from The Neptunes, Jeremy Harding, Delroy ‘Delly Ranks’ Foster, Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Troyton Rami and Steelie and Clevie.

Dutty Rock was a ground-breaking album for a Jamaican dancehall artiste. The set opened at number nine on the Billboard 200 album chart with first week sales of 65,000 copies.

via Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock 10 years later.

Musicians Joe Wailer and Eyahra Mathazia’s latest reggae albums will appeal more to their fans than to those who have never listened to their music.

The reason is you have to be a patient listener to be able to appreciate and enjoy the music, which is certain to have something to strike everyone’s fancy.

via Reggae music at its best.

Seminars, conferences and other educational fora organised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association JaRIA do not have the support and participation of younger members of the country’s artiste fraternity.This was the observation of renowned reggae artiste and JaRIA member Freddie McGregor. The Big Ship singer made no effort to hide his ire as he hit out at the lack of support coming from the younger talents.

via Freddie McGregor lashes out at younger artistes.

Reggae artiste Luciano, while confirming that there was a bottle-throwing incident at a concert in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is emphasising that it was “out of the ordinary” and definitely does not reflect his normal reception in Africa.

Luciano, known as the Messenjah, has been unwavering in his support of Africa and all things African. He has consistently done conscious lyrics and has a huge fan base in certain parts of Africa, a continent he has toured many times.

via Bottling incident not the norm for Luciano

In the fashion industry — today you’re in, tomorrow you’re out. With that in mind, Jamaican supermodel Jaunel McKenzie is taking no chances, and is making plans even before she hangs up her stilettos.

The leggy starlet, who hails from St Catherine, is launching a travel guide application (app) at the end of January, with fellow model Kimanee Wilson.

via Jaunell launches travel ‘app’.

Prominent Reggae artiste, Damian Marley aka Junior Gong could soon work on a follow-up to the highly successful joint album, Distant Relatives, which featured American hip-hop superstar, Nas.

The two internationally-acclaimed acts released Distant Relatives in May 2010 via Universal Republic as well as Def Jam Records; fusing elements of hip-hop and Reggae while singing about social issues such as poverty and ancestry. The collaborative album debuted at number five on the U.S. Billboard 200 charts; showcasing hit singles such as As We Enter, Patience and Land of Promise, a remake of the classic song by Reggae legend, the late Dennis Brown entitled Promised Land. Additionally, the album feature other prominent acts such as Lil Wayne, Joss Stone as well as Damian’s brother and fellow Grammy-winning Reggae artiste, Stephen Marley.

via Damian Marley hints at new album with Nas.

When a man decides to shave off his mustache or beard, it’s rarely a big deal. Maybe a significant other has something to say, and it goes no further. But when Matthew Miller, better known as the Jewish reggae rapper Matisyahu, removed his signature beard Dec. 13, he tweeted about it, included photo evidence, and made it the shave heard ’round the world.Dag, Matisyahu – couldn’t you have gone more slowly? Maybe trim down to a Vandyke or goatee? A soul patch, perhaps?

via More changes in store for a Jewish reggae rapper? 

Another international act has been added to the line-up of the January 7 staging of the Shaggy and Friends charity show at Jamaica House.

Rapper Eve joins Lauryn Hill and Deniece Williams as the non-reggae acts for the event organised by diamond-selling reggae artiste Shaggy to raise funds to go towards the construction of a 15-bed cardiac intensive care unit at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in St Andrew.

via Eve for Shaggy and Friends charity concert

The selling of Sean Kingston’s tickets for Mavado’s show was already a bad omen for a festive season that showed so much yet disappointed before it has even reached full swing.

Revelers were looking forward to the most happening act from Jamaica’s Mavado whose real name is David Constantine Brooks. But the dancehall champion who was set to perform on December 16 at the Harare International Conference Centre have been let down as the gig has been postponed to January 27, 2012.

via Reggae Artist Mavado Kills Festive Season For Zimbabwe.