BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter Isaiah Laing, CEO of Supreme Promotions — organisers of the annual stage show Sting. (PHOTO: MICHAEL GORDON) UNCERTAINTY surrounds whether or not veteran deejay Ninjaman will appear on Sting — the popular one-night reggae/dancehall stage show — which is set to unfold at the JamWorld Entertainment Complex in Portmore, St Catherine, on Friday night. The &#... »
Just when you think that things couldn’t get any crazier in dancehall it did. This aspiring dancehall artists is the latest out of a new breed that are using shock value to gain fame. Alkaline, Tommy Lee Sparta, Gage are just a few names that comes to mind. But Checkdhat is a new deejay that just turn things up by tattooing and piercing his eyes. Sources close to the deejay siaid that it’s the rea... »
Ninja Man recently sat down with Winfred Williams Onstage. He expressed his disgust with the fact that he is not getting the recognition for his extensive tenure in the dancehall business. He says Laing and the entire Supreme Promotions team is very disrespectful. If he hears one more mention of Gully Bop being on stage with him, he’ll be a no-show at Sting. »
Legendary calypsonian, The Mighty Sparrow, recently received a significant financial boost of $2 million from the government of his home country, Trinidad & Tobago. Trinidad Guide reports that Dr. Lincoln Douglas, the Minister of Culture, had announced that, under the terms of the arrangement, the State would license Sparrow’s memorabilia for a ten-year period, with an option to renew. Mr. Do... »
Island Grill’s CEO Thalia Lyn (centre) hands over a cheque of $1 million to founder of Mustard Seed Communities Monsignor Gregory Ramkisoon (left) for the organisation’s annual Christmas treat to be held on Christmas Day. Assisting is Andrew Mahfood, executive director in charge of group finance at Wisynco. (Garfield Robinson) KINGSTON, Jamaica — Island Grill has donated $1 million along wit... »
KINGSTON, Jamaica – A man who was a key witness in the Vybz Kartel murder trial was shot dead in the Waterford area of Portmore, St Catherine this morning. Reports reaching OBSERVER ONLINE are that Damion Orrett also known as Ratty was in the community when a gunman alighted from a motorcar and shot him just before 9:00am. Another man was injured during the shooting and was taken to hospital. jama... »
There might be no chance of a Chris Brown and Karrueche Tran reunion, at least not anytime soon. The on-again off-again couple split last month after a bitter fight over some infidelity allegations on both sides. Their disagreement spilled over on social media with Brown publicly calling out Tran for allegedly cheating on him with his rival Drake while he was spending time in jail. Chris Brown eve... »
The Government of Jamaica has launched an investigation into reports that a Jamaican woman was raped by a senior immigration officer in the Bahamas. Senator A.J. Nicholson, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister, told RJR News on Sunday that he has been in discussion with Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Immigration for the Bahamas, and will shortly receive a report on the inc... »
IT has been 13 years since roots singer Yami Bolo appeared on Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley’s Halfway Tree album. It seemed he was set for mainstream acceptance in the United States. He collaborated on two songs with Marley, Still Searchin’ and She Needs my Love. Halfway Tree, considered by many music pundits as the best reggae album of 2001, won a Grammy the next year and ma... »
CHILDREN of late reggae singer Peter Tosh are currently entangled in a legal battle over US$2million stemming from royalties over his estate. According to an article posted on the website www.clintonlindsay.com, Tosh’s daughter Aldrina McIntosh claimed that her younger sibling Niambe has failed to pay her and their eight other siblings any royalties for the past five years. Their father Pet... »
Jamaica is ranked third on a list of the most murderous countries in the world.The list is included in the United Nations and the World Health Organization 2014 Global Status Report on Violence Prevention. Worldwide in 2012, there were 475,000 murder victims. Sixty percent comprised males between 15 and 44 years old. Half of the homicide victims died by the gun. Latin America was classified as the... »
Dancehall artiste Lady Saw has revealed that she was abused as a child. As a result, she has launched a foundation geared at assisting abused women and children. According to the Grammy award-winning deejay, who recently released a new album called Alter Ego, half of the proceeds from album sales will go towards the Lady Saw Foundation. “I had the idea for years now but my lawyer at the time... »
New York rapper Bobby Shmurda taken into police custody on Wednesday following his arrest in a massive drug sting by NYPD. The specific charges are not yet known because the indictment is sealed according to TMZ. But NYPD says the sting operation was part of a long-term investigation. SEE ALSO: Bobby Shmurda Scores First Billboard Top 10 With “Hot Boy” But it’s very clear that Shmurda, real name A... »
Rihanna and Usain Bolt could be bumping heads regularly at the Puma headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany soon. The Bajan pop icon flew into the sports wear head office on Monday night to sign a new deal with the company that will see her taking on a new role as a Creative Director and a global ambassador. Up to now Usain Bolt was the biggest name Puma has behind the brand, but now Rihanna will ... »
The Jamaican government has welcomed the announcement by US President Barak Obama to normalise relations with Cuba. Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arnaldo Brown, says it will offer opportunities for Jamaican businesses. The ruling People’s National Party (PNP), on Wednesday said it has “positively received” the announcement of changes in policy regarding Cuba. “As a poli... »
LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — US prosecutors said Tuesday they will not charge veteran comedian Bill Cosby over allegations that he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1974. About 20 women have accused the 77-year-old Emmy and Golden Globe winner of sexual assault or rape in alleged incidents dating mostly from decades ago, but so far only former Playboy hostess Ju... »
In its second all-star Grammy Salute, CBS will broadcast a two-hour concert dedicated to Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life on February 16. The show will be held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The tribute is dubbed “Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key Of Life An All-Star Grammy Salute” and will feature Wonder and contemporary artistes covering his songs as well as other archival mat... »
All elements are aligned for the first staging of the electrifying Charity Concert, Euphoria to be held this Sunday at the LIME Golf Academy in New Kingston. With International Artistes already in Jamaica undertaking the promotional appearances and rehearsals, fans can expect a quality show from a quality line-up of artistes. Performing LIVE for the very first time on a Jamaican stage are Karyn ‘S... »
Country Man aka Gully Bop made his first live TV appearance when he sat down with Winford Williams on OnStage this weekend. The name Gully Bop has become a household name in dancehall in recent weeks after a freestyle video went viral online. The aspiring deejay has since recorded two songs that are getting heavy rotation on radios and dancehall sessions. But Gully Bop is not a total newcomer to d... »
The 2014 Magnum Sting has announced the lineup, as well as, a JM$1.5 million cash prize for the clash. Supreme Promotions, owned by Isiah Laing, is the production company behind Sting, and magnum is the main sponsor for the big event, dubbed the greatest one night reggae show on earth. There are plenty conscious roots reggae artists on this year’s lineup including Nature, Etana, Capleton, Loyal Fl... »
By Balford Henry, Observer Senior Staff Reporter KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the near future Jamaica could be importing cannabis (ganja) from the United States, says Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs. “Consumer tastes have shifted from outdoor growing, which is what ... »
The man whohas been identified and police are saying he was paid $1 million for the hit. Todd was shot in his arm at approximately 5 a.m. Thursday while closing the Taboo nightclub in Montego Bay which he owned and managed. A license firearm holder who was in his company shot and killed his attacker. Police has since release the name of the dead gunman as 29-year-old Corey Grant of 2 Warehouse Ave... »
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) – Miss South Africa, 22-year-old Rolene Strauss, was crowned Miss World 2014 at the contest’s glitzy final in London on Sunday, with an estimated billion viewers watching on television around the globe. Miss Hungary, Edina Kulcsar, was judged the runner-up and Miss United States, Elizabeth Safrit, came third in the 64th annual competition, contested by wome... »
MONTEGO BAY, St James — The St James police have announced that no permits will be granted for promoters to stage dances in communities where murders/shootings have been committed within 21 days prior to the date of the application. According to a release from the head of the St James Police Division, Superintendent Derrick Champagnie, the move comes against the background of threats made by a num... »
MONTEGO BAY, St James — Police has now identify the gunman who was shot and killed after he wounded nightclub operator and dancehall promoter Corey Todd in the wee hours of Thursday morning. The police recovered a Glock 17 9mm pistol from the dead man. Reports are that about 5:00 am, Todd, who operates the Taboo Nightclub in Fairview, St James, was pounced upon, shot and injured by a lone gunman. ... »
