Popcaan came out on top to win the 2016 MOBO award for Best Reggae Act. This marks the send straight win for the “Unruly Boss” deejay. This year it was Popcaan and Alkaline who were the two hot favorites to win the award. But Spice, Protoje and Kranium were also nominated in the category. Spice became the first female hardcore dancehall artist to receive a MOBO nomination and only the third woman ... »
Usain Bolt is testing the waters in music with a new single and music video “Gifted.” After announcing his retirement following the conclusion of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Usain Bolt is already looking for a new profession. Being from a country made of athletes and reggae music, it’s only natural that the sprint legend turn to music. So the big question is should Bolt quit his day job, I doubt h... »
Bounty Killer and Ninja Man are making it clear that they will not be going to Sting 2016 despite promoters announcement that they are among a handful of artists to be honored at the event. For a few years now both Bounty and Ninja have not performed at Sting due to a fallout with Isaiah Laing. Seems like those hatred runs deep because Killer is saying that he will not even go to the entrance of t... »
Dancehall Queen Carlene Smith was honored for her contribution to Jamaican music industry at the annual Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies (QORIHC). For those of you who don’t know who is Dancehall Queen Carlene, she was a staple in dancehall in the 1990s when the genre was shaping the face of Jamaican music. Carlene, who was the first true dancehall queen, was a true trendsetter and gave... »
A new Peter Tosh Museum is set to open its doors officially to the general public on Tuesday, November 1st in Kingston. The exhibition is geared towards promoting a deeper understanding into the life of the icon for visitors. Peter Tosh was born in Westmoreland on October 19, 1944. In the 1960’s, he migrated to the volatile community of Trench Town; where he met Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) an... »
Earlier this week a Public Affairs officer at the US Embassy in Kingston revealed that artists Anti-gay lyrics does not affects their visa, but any form of criminal dealings will. Public affairs officer at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, specifically pointed to the Vybz Kartel case noting that any artists linked to the incarcerated deejay are unlikely to receive a visa. He... »
The dancehall community is calling for the release of Vybz Kartel amidst the controversial X6 trial. Kingston businessman Patrick Powell was recently acquitted of murder involving the shooting death of 17-year-old Kingston College student Khajeel Mais. The shooting caused an uproar in 2011 and caused an even bigger uproar when Powell was found not guilty, leaving the entire Jamaican diaspora stunn... »
Anti-gay lyrics among reggae/dancehall artists is not to be blamed for U.S. visa woes, at least that is what the embassy in Kingston is saying. Dancehall artists have been dealing with visa woes for several years and anti-gay lyrics have been widely see as the root cause. Public affairs officer at the United States Embassy in Kingston, Joshua Polacheck, has stepped forward to address those claims ... »
Cham is getting ready to release his third studio album Lawless in the coming days. The album has been in the works since last year but was delayed due to the dancehall deejay’s hectic touring schedule. But sources confirmed with Urban Islandz that the album is complete and could be available on iTunes anytime now. Cham, former Baby Cham, has been working with his longtime producer and close frien... »
Shaggy and Agent Sasco spent the greater part of Monday night clashing with each other on Instagram. The friendly lyrical clash started when Direalshaggy posted an hilarious video of the Cookie Monster comparing the character to Sasco. Seems the Agent wasn’t about to sit by and let his friend embarrassed him on social media and responded with some fiery lyrics. Sasco and Shaggy are two of the bigg... »
Beenie Man is leading a healthier lifestyle thanks to his girlfriend Krystal Tomlinson. The beauty queen and the dancehall legend have been dating for over a year now and her lifestyle habits are rubbing off on him. The TV personality often use her social media pages to promote healthy lifestyle and says its a part of her daily life. “I know, and Moses also knew, that smoking cigarettes is not goo... »
Reggae icon Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry just won over the hearts of Vybz Kartel massive fanbase with his bold statement that the incarcerated deejay is the best deejay in Jamaica. The 80-year-old legendary producer posted a video on his Facebook page praising Vybz Kartel’s contribution to Jamaica’s popular music dancehall. “Hello to you Kartel, Jamaica best deejay ever on the reggae scene and dancehall sc... »
Following the renewed war of words between Mavado and incarcerated entertainer Vybz Kartel it appears the Jamaican prison authorities have stepped in to quell the lyrical unrest. According to information gathered by 876ENT, prison officials at Horizon Adult RemandCentre have relocated Vybz Kartel from his original cell at the maximum security facility to solitary confinement. Solitary confinement ... »
Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt has donated 10 million dollars to help rebuild Haiti, after the island nation was slammed by HurricaneMatthew this week. The donation which will be utilized through his foundation was announced today after he travelled to Haiti to ascertain the damage caused by the hurricane. The money will directly be used to rebuild homes after Matthew, which has destroyed some 3,200... »
Three years ago Kunley of Ward 21 produced a song for Bounty Killer “Season of the Year” and a year later pop star Santigold sampled the track for her hit single “Kicking Down Doors.” Seems now Kunley is reaping more rewards from his labor after Nike featured the cut in one of their new ads. “I am delighted because this is the dancehall general that we are talking about, and this means a piece of ... »
Bobby Shmurda was sentenced to seven years in prison despite trying to get out of his plea deal. The New York rapper received the sentencing on Wednesday when he appeared in court with his lawyer. But before the judge could hand down the sentence, Shmurda requested in court that he want to back out of the plea deal that he took last month. “I want to drop my plea and fire you,” the “Hot N**ga” rap... »
Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley reflect on social unrest around the world in their new video “How I feel.” The black-and-white clip was directed by Henning Brix and features the two reggae stars singing about their true feelings about social and political issues facing the world. The powerful single was produced by Shane Brown at Penthouse Studio in Kingston. Gentleman and Ky-Mani Marley previously c... »
Shabba Ranks is among a handful of musicians to receive Jamaica’s Order of Distinction. Ranks has been widely credited for helping shape modern dancehall and bringing it to the world stage in the 1990s. His many hit songs remained a symbol of hardcore dancehall some two decades later. The dancehall legend receives the Order of Distinction (OD) at the rank of officer by the Jamaican government for ... »
Demarco is no fan of Mavado right now and he is sounding off about his beef with the Gullyside singer. During a recent interview with Anthony Miller of ER, Demarco says that Vado is not talented and only relied of Vybz Kartel feud to build his career. “His thing is hype its not talent,” Demarco said. But when pressed by Miller if he believe that people will agree with him that Mavado is not talent... »
Spice isn’t hear to give up any of her good good despite being single. The “So Mi Like It” deejay split with her baby daddy, who she dated on and off for year, earlier this year and has since been linked to a mystery man. She raised a few eyebrows this week with a post on Instagram where she posted a very revealing photo with the caption “Going Celibate for a year #Single and loving it.” Spice say... »
TOMMY Lee Sparta’s deportation case from Dominica in 2014 has taken a new twist. Party promoter Cabral Douglas, who launched a US$3-million lawsuit against the Dominica Government, has retained one of England’s top barristers — Dr Leslie Thomas — to lead the litigation phase of the case due to commence in Trinidad on October 20. “I am pleased to announce that I have retained the services of Leslie... »
Singer Shuga has cut ties with longtime manager Donovan Germain and Penthouse Records. “He was a great manager, he is my father and my foundation, but it is time to move out and move forward,” Shuga said, adding that she was “going through with the legalities now” to formalise the split. The St James-born artiste joined the Penthouse camp shortly after winning the Digicel Rising Stars competition ... »
LOVERS’ rock giant Gregory Isaacs, who had a massive following in England, will be honoured with a Blue Plaque at the house in which he died in London six years ago. The plaque will be dedicated at 59 Weald Lane, Harrow, his widow June Isaacs told the Sunday Observer. “This mean’s a lot…I feel honoured, very proud that Gregory has joined his predecessors Bob Marley and Dennis Brown being awa... »
Vybz Kartel and Popcaan were among the biggest winnners at last weekend’s International Reggae and World Music Awards, IRAWMA, 2016. Vybz Kartel is still rocking up accolades from behind bars. The incarcerated dancehall deejay won Best Male DJ/Rapper at the IRAWMA awards while his former protege Popcaan won Entertainer of The Year. Despite being incacerated since 2011, Vybz Kartel manages to stay ... »
Dancehall singjay Nesbeth (left) collecting his award for Best Song at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) from event founder Ephraim Martin at the Coral Gables Center in Florida last Saturday. (Photos: Contributed) My Dream, singjay Nesbeth’s anthem of self-belief, won Best Song at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) at the Coral Gables Arts Center in Fl... »
