Curtis Campbelll, Gleaner Writer Producer Markus Myrie (Buju Banton son) Following Forbes Magazine‘s recent announcement that no recording artiste, across all genres, has sold a million albums since the start of the year, members of the entertainment industry have shared their contingency plans for surviving in the broader market. Artiste manager Carlington Wilmot says reggae and dancehall m... »
JAMAICAN radio disc jock ZJ Wah Wa pleaded guilty to telemarketing fraud at a hearing in the Federal District Court in Bismarck, North Dakota, yesterday. ZJ Wah Wa, given name Deon-ville O’Hara, is charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. “Mr O’Hara entered a guilty plea, pursuant to the terms of a written plea agreement,&... »
AN Antiguan church minister is calling on authorities to put a ban on dancehall artiste Alkaline, who is scheduled to perform in that country on Saturday. According to the Antiguan Observer, Bishop Charlesworth Browne, head of Christian Ministries Church, said the artiste “will bring decadence and death” to the nation. The religious leader said he is prepared to call for a boycott of t... »
Christopher Martin is downplaying reports that he risk contracting Ebola when he recent travel to Africa. But Martin is letting his fans know that he does not have the deadly disease and not only has the 21 days period has passed but he was nowhere near the Ebola hot zone on the African continent. Christopher Martin stars in the hot new Jamaican movie Destiny. Other dancehall artists in the film a... »
In the words of the great revolutionary and philanthropist Nelson Manley, “A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.” And that’s the type of noble mindset that has inspired Dancehall artiste Sheldon Lawrence better known as Aidonia to launch a new initiative geared towards educating youth... »
A doctor who recently returned to New York from West Africa and was rushed to hospital with a fever on Thursday has tested positive for Ebola, health officials in the US have said. His girlfriend has reportedly been quarantined. »
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (Trinidad Express) — Another Trinidadian has been unmasked fighting in Syria for the militant movement Islamic State (ISIS). The man, according to well-placed sources, has been identified as Ashmead Mohammed, who had sworn his innocence during the 2011 state of emergency when he was detained over an alleged plot to assassinate the Prime Minister and other government ministe... »
Beenie Man and Lady Saw sat down for a live TV interview for the first time in their careers. The dancehall king and queen has been releasing hit singles from the early 1990s and is showing no signs of slowing down. Lady Saw opened up about her upcoming album, due on November 18. She said the album will feature guest appearances from Estelle, Flow Rida, UB40 and Beres Hammond. Beenie Man says he h... »
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Oscar Pistorius spent his first night of a five-year jail term in a single cell in the hospital wing of a prison in the capital, Pretoria, said a prison official. He seemed confused and tired when he entered the Kgosi Mampuru facility, prison commissioner Zebilon Monama told the South African Press Association. Monama said Pistorius was tense as wardens took his f... »
Popcaan and Black Ryno has ended their long standing beef. The two former Portmore Empire deejays have been feuding since 2010 following Black Ryno’s exit from the group led by incarcerated dancehall star Vybz Kartel. Popcaan and Ryno even brawled on stage at the 2012 staging of Sting. But now they have put all that behind them. Black Ryno was spotted at Popcaan’s recent album launch for his lates... »
is at the slimmest he has ever been since becoming a rap boss and perhaps his entire adult life. The Maybach Music Group chief has been busy working out in his RossFit, his version of the hugely popular CrossFit training program. Rick Ross has reportedly lost over a 100 pounds working out and dieting. Ross posted these photos on his Instagram yesterday shocking his fans, who commented saying they ... »
As news of the death of ‘Stick by Me’ singer John Holt went viral members of the entertainment fraternity both locally and internationally took to social media to express condolences and to pay tribute to the ‘legendary’ Jamaican singer. Some of the many tributes: Ub40 — RIP to the King of Reggae John Holt! Massive inspiration and will be sorely missed. Shaggy — We HAVE LOST A LEGEND!!! RIP JOHN H... »
VETERAN reggae singer John Holt died in a London hospital yesterday. He was 69. Copeland Forbes, Holt’s manager since 2006, confirmed the entertainer’s passing. “John died at 2:40 am English time. His [John’s] nephew informed of his death,” Forbes told the Jamaica Observer. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed. Forbes said Holt did an operation at the University Hospital of West Indies in Jun... »
WASHINGTON, (AFP) – Apparently, even the president of the United States can have trouble with his credit card. Barack Obama on Friday said his card was declined at a New York restaurant he went to while visiting the United Nations. “I was there during the General Assembly, and my credit card was rejected,” Obama said at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where he unveiled ... »
KINGSTON, Jamaica — An employee of the Ministry of Education who travelled to her homeland of Nigeria was quarantined at home and constantly monitored by health official, according to an ONLINE OBSERVER source. “The Health Ministry kept constant contact with her,” the source said. According to the source, other workers at the Education Ministry had expressed deep concerns with the woman’s travel t... »
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson (right), observes while Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse demonstrates to medical staff and officials at the Norman Manley International Airport, Friday, how a hand-held fever temperature machine works. (Photo: JIS) KINGSTON, Jamaica — Medical staff at the Norman Manley International Airport on Friday received two fever machines... »
Flippa Mafia, aka Flippa Moggella is still behind bars after being unable to post his US$200,000 bail. The dancehall deejay, whose real name is Andrew Davis, will appear in the Camden County Superior Court in New Jersey on November 17, for a pre-trial hearing. Flippa Mafia has been in jail since last year after been picked up by U.S. Marshals. He was charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, ... »
BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Crime/Court Desk Government says plan being made to transport Abu Bakr home LEADER of the radical Trinidadian Muslim movement Jamaat al Muslemeen, Yasin Abu Bakr, was refused landing in Jamaica yesterday after he was declared a threat to public safety. Abu Bakr was detained at the Norman Manley International Airport after he arrived on a flight from the twin-island r... »
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican Government has said that its ban on travellers to and from Ebola-affected countries “is in the interest of countering the threat to public health and national security”. “Having regard to the threat posed by the Ebola disease, the category of travellers designated in the ban are hereby not permitted to land in Jamaica,” the security ministry said in a r... »
Ishawna drop the highly anticipated video for her single “Restraining Order,” produced by JA Productions. The comedic video chronicles a real life situation Ishawna says that she is going through with her ex-boyfriend Foota Hype. The dancehall diva says she had to get out a restraining order against the sound system selector after their relationship went south earlier this year. The video was dire... »
T.O.K. is marking a remarkable 15 years in dancehall as a group. The group break into the genre in 1996 and saw huge commercial success over the years with hits including “She’s Hot,” “Footprints,” “Chi-Chi Man,” and “Topa Topa.” The four band member is perhaps the only group is dancehall music history to stand the test of time. Speaking with Winford Williams on OnStage last weekend T.O.K. members... »
Dancehall deejay Zumjay has successfully graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centre (FLETC) in the United States. The ceremony was held near the port of Brunswick in the state of Georgia. “Special Thanks to LTC Tracey Williams-Staten, SSG Edward Sibaja and my wonderful family for attending my graduation. LTC Williams has been such a huge supporter from the very beginning and I am e... »
Karl Samuda, MP for North Central St. Andrew – file photo Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Karl Samuda on travel ban Jamaican Members of Parliament and Councillors have each been allocated J$2 million and J$600,000 respectively, as part of the national effort to battle the Chikingunya virus. Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller, advised MPs of the allocation during a specia... »
Popcaan and Alkaline are among five other reggae dancehall artists vying for this year’s (Music Of Black Origin) MOBO reggae award. The nominees were recently announced in London ahead of the October 22nd show at the SSE Arena in Wembley. The other three nominees for the reggae MOBO are Taurus Riley, Chronixx and Stylo G. This is the first MOBO nomination for Chronixx and Alkaline who have been se... »
DESPITE worldwide panic concerning the Ebola virus in west Africa, Freddie McGregor intends to honour a November 29 date in the east African country of Kenya. According to the veteran singer, pulling out due to paranoia would be unprofessional. “If you sign a contract, you must be man enough to live up to it, unless it’s an act of God or sickness, honour and respect the promoter. They ... »
