4 Artises Visas Cancelled

The visas of five of Jamaica’s top entertainers have been revoked, THE WEEKEND STAR understands. According to information coming from the Fraud Prevention Arm of the United States Embassy in Kingston, the visas of Bounty Killer, Mavado, Beenie Man, Adonia and selector Ricky Trooper are in the process of being cancelled.

When contacted for confirmation last night, Minister of National Security, Senator Dwight Nelson, relayed through his communications department that “he has no such information.”

Greensleeves former owners deeper in debt

UK-based Zest Group is in deeper debt with £4.3 million ($572 million) in accumulated losses following the disposal of reggae label Greensleeves, one financial year ago — but it hopes to boost revenue from Dominican reggae star Nasio Fontaine in 2010.

The group made a trading loss of £283,000 over 12 months ending September 2009, which was added to previous losses totalling £4.05 million up to 2008 when the group disposed of Greensleeves, according to data released Monday, March 29, 2010. Equally troubling is the group’s balance sheet showing that for £1 held in assets £8 in liabilities was owed up to September 2009. Prior to Greensleeves’ disposal in 2008 total assets were 3.5 times its liabilities.

Disney’s magic meets Jamaican rhythms

The magic of Disney meets the magical isle of Jamaica, as Walt Disney Records readies an album of classic Disney songs newly recorded by a cross-section of top reggae musicians. The Disney Reggae Club features songs from immortal Disney animated films
- from The Little Mermaid to Jungle Book – recorded by such esteemed artistes as Grammy-winning reggae legend Toots (of Toots and the Maytals fame), five-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley, reggae’s most prolific and long-lasting production team Sly and Robbie, multiple-Grammy winner Cedella Marley, Grammy winner Burning Spear, legendary British band UB40 and Hasidic rapper Matisyahu. The album is set to arrive in stores and at online retailers on June 8.

Matisyahu still tops Billboard Reggae Album Chart

Iration, the Hawaii-based reggae-rock band debuted at number two on Billboard Reggae Albums but Matisyahu’s 30-week-old album remained at the top.

Time Bomb (Law Records) is the band’s highest-ever charter on Billboard, having maintained the number two slot for the second straight week following its debut.

Life is ‘irie, mon’ in Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae

When visiting this verdant Caribbean island, always remember that as important as knowing your rights is getting your lefts sorted out.

You quickly learn that as in Australia and the United Kingdom, driving is done on the opposite side of the road. “The left side is the right side, the right side is suicide,” the locals joke.

Then there’s the matter of what to do if you break the law and an unscrupulous police offi cer says, “Right or left?”

Talking With Jimmy Cliff, Shepherd Of Reggae Music

This week, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame got a little more crowded.

Monday night marked the Hall’s 25th annual induction ceremony. In the class of five: The Stooges, the Hollies, ABBA, Genesis and reggae star Jimmy Cliff.

Alison Hinds aim to top Jamaica chart

Soca queen Alison Hinds plans to top Jamaican charts with her deejay-studded album Caribbean Queen but noticeably absent is fellow Barbadian star Rihanna.

“We look forward to topping charts everywhere, especially in Jamaica. Caribbean Queen is my gift to all my fans everywhere in the world so that we can celebrate together when I come to town,” she told the Observer in an interview.

Nas and Damian Marley Perform New Collaborations at SXSW

Considering Jamaican immigrants (and their soundsystem culture) were the driving force behind the birth of hip-hop, and that rap in turn inspired reggae’s evolution into dancehall, one would think the two genres would mix more often.

Maybe they will in the wake of Nas and Damian “Jr Gong” Marley’s upcoming collaboration ‘Distant Relatives,’ at least if their searing surprise appearance at the Fader Fort during SXSW is anything to go on.

Wonderful end to Negril’s One Love Reggae Series

Reggae crooner Wayne Wonder headlined the final concert last Tuesday night, in the winter series of the One Love Reggae concerts. “I want to give Negril my all” said the artist born Von Wayne Charles, and so he did.

The singer, whose No Letting Go album had been nominated for a Grammy Award, has come a far way from the days of him using his musical talents to do covers. In fact, he blazed to prominence with his cover version of British heartthrob Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up. However, he has since then created a steady stream of successful Penthouse Records-produced tunes including I’m only Human, Baby You and I and Saddest Day which he recorded in combination with Foxy Brown.

Tekla Metfet links Bob Marley with the Bible and African Philosophy

On February 6, 1995 –the 50th birthday of Robert Nesta Marley OM — Janet L DeCosmo in a paper presented at a seminar on Bob Marley at the University of the West Indies, Mona sought to compare the Rastafari folk philosopher with David of Biblical fame.

“This paper will provide evidence….comparing Marley to King David, who loved to praise the Lord in song and dance, and who loved many women, but who was also a great warrior and leader.”