No sabotage at Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall finals
Executive producer of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall, Mark Kenny, says he is very disappointed with the way the issue surrounding an incident with runner-up Reggae Queen has evolved, but maintains that the competition will continue to unearth authentic Jamaican talent and try to present palatable entertainment for the viewing public.
Reggae Sumfest moves ahead despite challenges
The promoters of Reggae Sumfest, Summerfest Promotions, has indicated that despite the challenges facing the event, the annual festival will take place from July 18-24 at Catherine Hall, St James. The organisers are also appealing to stakeholders to work with them in finding creative solutions to the challenges to stage the 18th edition of the ‘Greatest Reggae Festival on Earth’.
Johnny Gourzong, executive producer of the festival, cites reduced sponsor support and increased production and artiste fees as some of the challenges being faced. He said, “Reggae Sumfest is important to Jamaica’s tourism and impacts positively on the economy and despite reduced sponsorship, we decided it was important to beat the odds and host the festival this year.”
Rado, producer of Mavado’s Gal Over Gun, shot
Everton Minott, the producer of the popular Mavado song, Gal Over Gun, has become the third person in the entertainment industry to be shot in the same week.
Minott, who is better known as Rado, was reportedly shot in Spanish Town last night and has been admitted to hospital there. Rado is the CEO of the Armz House Records label, which recently released the Double Action riddim.
Damian Marley and Nas Explore Their Roots on Distant Relatives
The history of Africa is long and complex; professors, N.G.O. workers, and United Nations employees devote their lives’ work on just one region. But Nas, poet laureate of the Queensbridge Projects, and Damian Jr. Gong Marley, Bob Marley’s youngest son, didn’t let the immensity of the place stop them from exploring their shared roots with their collaboration, which they recorded under the name Distant Relatives. As Marley told me, “With Distant Relatives, we’re talking humanity. Our people. It’s stemming from Africa being the cradle of civilization.”
Jah Cure goes techno with Never Say Never
Producer, Rick Warren, has remixed Jah Cure’s recent hit, Never Say Never, with a Techno flavour. The reggae version of the song was released in February of this year on the Stonehenge Riddim and was the first single of that compilation.
The Stonehenge rhythm also features artistes such as Anthony B, George Nooks, Pressure, Bryan Art, Lutan Fyah, Gyptian and Courtney John among others.
Reggae gig opens up Cote d’Ivoire’s ‘Rasta Village’
With its wooden shacks on a beach shaded by palm trees, Cote d’Ivoire’s “Rasta Village” could be anywhere in West Africa — if it wasn’t for all the dreadlocks, Ethiopian flags and murals of the Lion of Judah.
Last weekend, the villagers in Cote d’Ivoire’s Rastafarian colony, near the port of Abidjan, made a rare opening to the outside world with a four-day reggae festival that culminates in the anniversary of Bob Marley’s death today.
In November 2004, the international watchdog group Human Rights Watch issued a devastating report that cited Jamaica as the most virulently anti-gay bigoted nation in the Western Hemisphere.
The report, aptly and grimly titled “Hated to Death,” exposed the pervasive homophobia that both drives and permeates the former British crown colony – including the country’s popular culture, law enforcement apparatus, and much of its health care system.
Clyde McKenzie wrote an excellent piece in last week’s Sunday Observer, and it goes without saying, I endorse his main prescriptions for correcting the dire predicament in which the Jamaican music industry finds itself presently.
As it regards the issue of self-regulation, I wish to go a step further than my colleague did, in proposing that members of the industry devise and collectively agree to adopt and publish a code of ethics and standards, which governs the professional conduct of all representatives of the music industry.
He is still celebrated for his role as headstrong country boy Ivan Martin in the iconic Jamaican film The Harder They Come. And as it turns out, Jimmy Cliff is just as determined as the character he played over 30 years ago.
The reggae veteran, who shot to international stardom with hits including Many Rivers To Cross and You Can Get It If You Really Want – both of which featured in The Harder They Come – was always clear about what he wanted to achieve. In fact, he even disobeyed his own father to pursue his career.
Mugabe rewards Jamaican reggae star with farm as payment for gig
Jamaican reggae star Sizzla Kalonji has been rewarded with a farm – for singing at president Robert Mugabe’s lavish 86th birthday party in February. Rather than paying the bill, Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party handed the artist – who denies he is on the run from gun crimes charges back home – a farm in central Chegutu, according to reports in state media.