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US puts Barbados and St Lucia on 2025 Trafficking in Persons Tier 2 Watch List; Cuba and Venezuela Tier 3, Haiti designated a special case

Irie Dale September 30, 2025 2025 EVENTS, News

WASHINGTON, USA – The US State Department on Monday positioned Barbados and Saint Lucia on the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, Tier 2 Watch List. Cuba and Venezuela were classified as Tier 3, and Haiti, designated as a special case. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA), Pub. L. No. 106- 386, in 2000, equipped the US Government with new tools and resources to mount a comprehens... »

Former Prime Minister of Jamaica Portia Simpson Miller Suffering From Dementia

Irie Dale September 22, 2025 2025 EVENTS, Jamaica, News

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is living with dementia. The confirmation came from her husband and long-time confidant, Errald Miller, during a rare and emotional recent interview. The revelation, made on the 17th of September, coincided with Simpson Miller being honoured with one of Cuba’s highest accolades, the Medal of Friendship, presented at the Cuban Embassy in Kingston... »

Embatted Dancehall Artiste Squash’s Sentencing Date Set!

Irie Dale September 11, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

Montego Bay Dancehall star Squash is set to learn his fate in a US federal court later this year, with sentencing scheduled for 24 November. The deejay, whose real name is Andrae Maurice Whittaker, recently pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. The charge stems from a traffic stop in February, during which police recovered two Glock pistols. Squash had reportedly bee... »

Dancehall Artist Squash Pleads Guilty, Faces 15 Years For Firearm Charge

Irie Dale September 8, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

Dancehall star Squash has pleaded guilty in his firearm possession case in South Florida. The Montego Bay deejay returned to court on Friday (September 5), where he formally entered his plea in exchange for a reduced sentencing. According to court documents, Squash, whose real name is Andre Maurice Whittaker to one count of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition. In exchan... »

Swizz Beatz Breaks Silence After Weeks Of Alicia Keys Divorce Rumors

Irie Dale September 8, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Swizz Beatz has responded to recent rumors about his marriage with Alicia Keys hitting the rocks. Following weeks of speculation online, the super producer says his marriage to Alicia Keys is doing just fine. Swizz Beatz shared a video of himself and the singer dancing while calling out folks online spreading rumors that they are heading for a divorce. “Everybody knew we was divorced but us,” the ... »

25 Dancehallers Who Strongly Supports The PNP Jamaica

Irie Dale September 2, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

With the general election set for September 3, the political energy across the country is strong as people openly show support for their political party of choice. One party that continues to receive strong backing from many Jamaican entertainers is the People’s National Party (PNP). Over the years, many well known Jamaicans who are not politicians from entertainment, business, sports, and other s... »

13 Dancehallers Who Strongly Supports The JLP Jamaica

Irie Dale September 2, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

With Jamaica’s general election set for Wednesday, September 3, the role of Dancehall entertainers in local politics has once again come to the forefront. While the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) is not traditionally known for having widespread support from the top names in Dancehall, the party does have a handful of artistes who have shown loyalty to the “green team.” However, when it comes to the Pe... »

Embattled Dancehall Artiste Squash Set To Plea Guilty On Gun Charges After Making Deal With Feds

Irie Dale August 19, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

Reports are saying that Dancehall artiste, Squash will no longer face a jury trial in the United States after deciding to change his plea in a federal gun case. The entertainer, whose real name is Andrae Whittaker, is expected to officially enter a guilty plea in court on September 3. This decision comes just before his trial was set to begin on September 2. The St James native deejay had up until... »

Feds Request To Use Music Video And Phone Evidence In Dancehall Artiste Squash’s Case

Irie Dale August 18, 2025 2024 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

The legal pressure seems to be mounting on Dancehall artiste Squash, as U.S. federal prosecutors move to use his own music, phone videos, and messages as evidence in the gun-related case against him. The entertainer, born Andrae Whittaker, was arrested in February during a traffic stop in Miami, Florida. He’s now facing serious federal charges, including unlawful possession of a machine gun and be... »

Jamaican Conjoined Twins Arrive in Saudi Arabia for Separation Surgery

Irie Dale August 11, 2025 2025 EVENTS, News

Jamaica’s conjoined twins, Azora and Azaria Elson, have taken a major step toward a life-changing medical procedure. The one-year-old sisters, born in 2023 and joined at the abdomen, departed the island on Sunday, July 28, aboard a specialized Medevac flight headed to Saudi Arabia, where they are expected to undergo separation surgery. The journey was made possible through collaborative efforts be... »

Prime Minister Holness Sets September 3 as Date for Jamaica’s Next General Election (VIDEO)

Irie Dale August 11, 2025 2025 EVENTS, Jamaica, News

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that Jamaicans will head to the polls on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. The long-anticipated declaration came on Sunday night, August 10, during a massive Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) rally at Half-Way Tree, where thousands of supporters gathered in a sea of green to hear their leader set the stage for the upcoming political showdown. The announcement follows S... »

Vybz Kartel Marks One Year Since Release From Prison “God Is The Greatest”

Irie Dale August 8, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Vybz Kartel reflects on his prison release a year ago on July 31st. The dancehall legend walked out of the Tower Street Adult Correctional Facility a year ago with his two co-accused, Shawn ‘Storm’ Campbell and Andre St. John, also known as Mad Suss. Vybz Kartel had been fighting for his freedom for thirteen years before catching a big break in his final appeal to the UK Privy Council.... »

Baby Cham Mourns Loss Of His Mother: Watch Video

Irie Dale August 8, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

Veteran Dancehall artiste, Baby Cham is currently grieving the loss of his Mother. The ‘Ghetto Story’ hitmaker confirmed the news in a series of posts in memory of his Mother on Monday, August 4. One of the posts captioned, “The Most Beautiful Human Being I Know, ONE DON MAMA JENNIE. May Jehovah Prepare A Place For You, I’m Gonna Miss You So Much . One Don, Mama Jennie I Love You With All My Bo... »

These Dancehall and Reggae Artistes Have the Most Children

Irie Dale July 21, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

One of the many pillars of Jamaican culture is family, some are more about it than others. However, male Dancehall and Reggae artistes, specifically, have been known and stereotyped to have a large amount of children, usually with more than one partner. This was highlighted by a post, recent published on Instagram by Reggae artiste Nesbeth. This post shows a number of Dancehall icons and legends a... »

Vybz Kartel Crowned ‘King Of Dancehall’ At Reggae Sumfest 2025 (VIDEO)

Irie Dale July 21, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

Vybz Kartel is officially the King of Dancehall. The Jamaican legend received his crown at the 2025 staging of Reggae Sumfest. Almost a year after his release from prison, Vybz Kartel solidified his legacy in Jamaican music as the King of Dancehall. The Queen of Dancehall, Spice, was on hand to crown Kartel early Saturday morning, July 19, on Night one of the iconic reggae festival. The Por... »

Baby Cham Links With Stephen & Damian Marley On “Hustling In My Blood”

Irie Dale July 18, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Baby Cham connects with Marley brothers, Stephen and Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, for a new hustle anthem, “Hustling In My Blood.” The dancehall legend has been teasing the song for the past few weeks, and fans now have the final cut, which was released on Friday (July 11) with an accompanying music video. The conscious single was produced by The FaNaTiX and Baby Cham, while the cut wa... »

Deva Bratt’s Family Launch GoFundMe Page, To Help his legal Battle After Arrest

Irie Dale July 11, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Following his recent arrest, and detention by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) in the United States, the family of Dancehall Artiste Deva Bratt has orchestrated an initiative to fight for his freedom and right to remain in the country. This initiative came in the form of a GoFundMe account that has been made as a method to collect donations to meet a target of $4500 USD. This is in ... »

Deva Bratt Reportedly Arrested and Detained by I.C.E

Irie Dale July 7, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The mass deportation policy enacted by United States president, Donald Trump, has seen north of 50, 000 immigrants apprehended and placed in detention by the I.C.E (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to be sent back to their homelands in recent times. Jamaicans have been and continue to be included in this group as time goes by. One such Jamaican that is allegedly in this group is Dancehall Vete... »

Travis Scott Gifted Vybz Kartel A Custom ‘JACKBOYS’ Lamborghini

Irie Dale July 7, 2025 2013 Events, 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, GERMANY

Travis Scott sent custom “JackBoys” Lamborghinis to several artists, including Vybz Kartel, to promote his upcoming project JACKBOYS 2. The album is the second collaborative effort between Travis Scott and the JackBoys collective after releasing the first one in 2019. To promote the album, Scott sent custom Lamborghini Huracans to some of the artists featured on the project, like Vybz Kartel, Don ... »

Jah Cure Remanded In Dutch Jail Until October Over Interpreter No-Show

Irie Dale June 25, 2025 2025 EVENTS, AMSTERDAM, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Jah Cure has been remanded in a Dutch prison when he appeared in court earlier this week after an interpreter no-show. The reggae singer was back in court for another hearing as prosecutors in the Netherlands pressed their appeal against his acquittal on attempted murder charges. On Wednesday (June 18), the singer and his attorney appeared in court for a substantive hearing in the matter. The hear... »

Mavado’s Daughter, Daniela Brooks Shows Us New Benz She Received from her Daddy

Irie Dale June 19, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Daniela Brooks aka Skye Diamond, the daughter of Dancehall star Mavado, is riding in style, thanks to the ‘Progress’ deejay. The 24-year-old, upcoming Dancehall artiste took to social media, Monday night, to share a video and a photo, showcasing her silver coloured Mercedes-Benz. What made the post even more meaningful for followers was the soundtrack: her father’s hit single “Jehovah Guide Me” pl... »

Vybz Kartel, Spice and Others Performing in Atlantic City, New Jersey : WATCH

Irie Dale June 16, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ATLANTA, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Watch Vybz Kartel’s latest performance, which took place in Atlantic City, NJ, United States over the weekend. The show featured performances from Spice, Blak Ryno and many others. Vybz Kartel performed for over an hour, reeling off countless hit songs. Check out Vybz Kartel’s performance below: »

Marion Hall (Lady Saw) Receives U.S. Green Card

Irie Dale June 16, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Marion Hall, the Jamaican-born artiste formerly known as Lady Saw, continues to chart a transformative course in both her personal and professional life since her dramatic shift from Queen of Dancehall to daughter of God, an ordained minister. After being baptized in December 2015, Hall made a decision to leave Jamaica and relocate to the United States. She moved to Florida in early 2016, shortly ... »

Trinidad Promoter Claims ‘Life In Danger’ Over Vybz Kartel Concert No-Show

Irie Dale June 10, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

The Trinidad promoter behind the failed Vybz Kartel concert is now claiming that his life is in danger. There has been a big uproar among concertgoers in Trinidad who feel fleeced after buying tickets to see Vybz Karel headline the One Caribbean Music Festival concert last weekend on the Caribbean island. Promoter Odane Anderson, head of Jacho Entertainment, has come under fire from the dancehall ... »

Vybz Kartel Apologises to Trinidad Fans: Talks on Issues With Show Promoter

Irie Dale June 2, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Early Sunday morning, shortly after midnight, Vybz Kartel uploaded a video on social media in which he formally apologised to the ‘Trinidad People’ and details the multiple issues he had with the promoter of the One Caribbean Music Festival (OCMF), leading up to the show date on Saturday. “Promoter fi the Trinidad show memba a years mi know yo, memba when you forward initially for the show, my man... »

Vybz Kartel Skips Trinidad Show

Irie Dale June 2, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, TRINIDAD

Hours before his highly anticipated performance in Trinidad and Tobago, it was announced on Saturday that Jamaican Dancehall star Vybz Kartel will not be appearing at the One Caribbean Music Festival (OCMF). Kartel’s management team issued a release, detailing that the artiste would not participate in the event due to the promoters’ alleged failure to honour contractual agreements. “Vybz Kartel ha... »

Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Outlines Kartel’s Restrictions: “I would not let him talk to our children and do TV shows”

Irie Dale May 20, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, TRINIDAD

The leader of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Kamla Susheila Persad-Bissessar spoke on the upcoming visit of Vybz Kartel to the country, detailing the ‘dos and don’ts’ of the Dancehall artiste while he’s on the twin-island. She noted that she urged the Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge to restrict the deejay from talking to the media and interacting with the children of the country ahead of his highly an... »

Cassiel: Diddy Raped Me After We Split …

Irie Dale May 15, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

More fireworks from the Cassie Ventura testimony in the Diddy case … she told the jury Diddy raped her on the floor of her own home after they broke up — and she later tried to hurt herself because she couldn’t take all the pain. The singer testified Wednesday that in August 2018 they had a closure conversation to shut the book on their relationship … meeting at a restauran... »

Jah Cure Responds to Vybz Kartel in New Statement from Behind Bars

Irie Dale May 7, 2025 2025 EVENTS, AMSTERDAM, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

Tuesday morning, iconic Reggae singer Jah Cure made his first post on Instagram since 2025, with his previous post being about six months ago in October 2024 when he celebrated his last birthday, dubbing the occasion, the best birthday one could have behind bars. For his new post, he shared a video clip of Vybz Kartel singing to multiple of his songs and shouting him praises for his singing abilit... »

Flippa Moggela Talks About his Fallout with Bounty Killer and Elephant Man (Interview)

Irie Dale April 29, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

During an interview released on Sunday, Flippa Moggela talked about how music caused the rift between him, Bounty Killer, and Elephant Man despite the artistes being friendly during the very early days of their careers. As a young aspiring artiste, Flippa, a native of Waterhouse, was known at the iconic Jamaican music studio King Jammy’s. As a result, the Dem Yah deejay was well acquainted with ar... »

Bogle’s Murder Remains an ‘Unsolved Mystery’ 20 Years Later

Irie Dale April 25, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, Jamaica

20 years ago, on January 20, 2005, Gerald Levy, more popularly known as Bogle, was shot and killed. Following his death, multiple rumours began circulating, and several theories remain today. The Jamaican dancer was the originator of several culturally iconic Dancehall moves like the Wacky Dip and the Willy Bounce. According to a newly released video on the true-crime podcast Watson’s World, befor... »

Vybz Kartel Shares Why He Will Never Bleach His Skin Again

Irie Dale April 24, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Vybz Kartel was once the poster child for skin bleaching in Jamaican culture, but those days are long behind him. Prior to his incarceration, Vybz Kartel famously bleached his skin and even released a song, “Cake Soap,” about it in 2010. Back then, the dancehall legend sported his lighter skin tone and numerous tattoos proudly. However, he received mixed reactions from fans, with some folks blamin... »

Pardison Fontaine Confirms Breakup with Jada Kingdom: Watch Interview

Irie Dale April 4, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Rumour has been circulating since last year that rapper Pardison ‘Pardi’ Fontaine and Dancehall artiste Jada Kingdom split. Neither spoke openly on the matter until this week. The Hip Hop artiste finally confirmed their breakup in an interview released on Tuesday. Speaking on #Respectfully The Justin Laboy Show, Pardi stated that he is single and is taking it easy as he focuses on himself. While h... »

Dancehall Artist Squash Pleaded Not Guilty To Gun Charges

Irie Dale April 4, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

Dancehall artist Squash was back in court on Wednesday, April 2, to answer gun charges. The Montego Bay deejay pleaded not guilty to firearm charges when he appeared in court and opted for a trial by jury. His next court hearing in Florida is set for April 7, when the judge will decide on a trial date for the artist. Squash, whose real name is Andre Whittaker, and another man, Zidanne George Presc... »

Sean Kingston Placed on House Arrest, Mama Kingston Remanded after Guilty Verdict

Irie Dale March 31, 2025 2025 EVENTS, ARTISTES, ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, FLORIDA

Despite pleading their innocence since being arrested in 2024, Rapper Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, were found guilty on all counts in their federal wire fraud trial in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday. As per reports, the jury reached its verdict after a few hours of deliberation, convicting the pair of defrauding multiple luxury businesses, including a jewelry company, a high-e... »