 If it was left up to actress and broadcaster Rosie Murray, noted Jamaican folklorist Louise Bennett Coverley, popularly known as Miss Lou, would be named among Jamaica's national heroes.
Miss Lou, who would have turned 100 yesterday, is recognised as the first lady of Jamaican theatre, and her writing, poetry, radio broadcasts and performances, primarily with the National Pantomime, have become part of the nation's cultural history. As part of the centenary celebrations her main square in Gordon Town, St Andrew, is to be renamed Louise Bennett Square. Murray spoke with pride at her opportunity to share the stage with Miss Lou nearly 30 years ago, when the cultural icon returned to Jamaica for a special performance titled 'Miss Lou and Friends' held at the Little Theatre in St Andrew. She noted that evening cemented a long-standing admiration she had for Miss Lou who, for her, had long been championing the acceptance of Jamaican folk culture from as far back as the 1950s. That for Murray underpins her status and therefore makes her worthy of receiving the country's highest national honour.  A woman recently ended up in Dexta Daps' bed in his hotel room, and a video of her presence there has gone viral. But the ladies' favourite entertainer says he has no idea how she got there.
"Me affi bun out da girl deh, dat girl is a problem," the No Underwear singer said in an Instagram live post. "Me wake up to a video dis morning, me actually inna di bed and gyal a take one video a me," he said in one of the videos. "Me get a wicked set-up, mi nuh know how it happen, me still a try figure it out. Me still nuh know how she end up deh suh at that time. Yuh see however she get inna di room, somebody please figure it out and please prevent dem things yah from happening to the artiste dem," he said. Dexta Daps is considered by women to be one of the hottest in the business, and many fantasise about being with him, some going to great lengths to make this a reality. But he is not the first artiste to be pursued by his adoring fans in this manner  The “Olympe Rosé” riddim features songs from five artistes. Dexta Daps‘ “Big Moves,” Munga Honorable’s “Weekend,” Ricardo “Bibi” Gardner’s “Mount A Gyal,” Christopher Martin‘s “Dweet” and Ding Dong’s “Top A Di Top.” Ding Dong has also created an accompanying Top A Di Top dance. The video is fire, and it is well put together. The transition from artiste to artiste is seamless and smooth. The whole flow is just liquid and full of vibes. You have to get on your feet when watching this video as it makes you want to move and party.
The video produced by Rajah Karanja Nelson and distributed by 21st Hapilos Digital is quickly gaining views. The video was released to promote his Olympe Rosé champagne which can be seen right throughout the video. Many fans are also commending his brilliant idea to showcase his other branded products throughout the video, such as his Jeep and scooters. Check out the Olympe Rose Medley Video  Aretha Franklin, universally acclaimed as the “Queen of Soul” and one of America’s greatest singers in any style, died on Thursday at her home in Detroit. She was 76.
The cause was advanced pancreatic cancer, her publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn, said. In her indelible late-1960s hits, Ms. Franklin brought the righteous fervor of gospel music to secular songs that were about much more than romance. Hits like “Do Right Woman — Do Right Man,” “Think,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and “Chain of Fools” defined a modern female archetype: sensual and strong, long-suffering but ultimately indomitable, loving but not to be taken for granted.  RAZOR B is set to open a restaurant in the Corporate Area in early October.
The entity named Cassup's Kitchen will be located at Dunrobin Avenue in St Andrew and will offer dine-in and takeout options. “Our focus is 100 per cent on making sure people get great food, great service, at a decent price. It is a casual place to go for good, authentic Jamaican food. Full of flavour, nothing watered down or catered to a muted palette,” said Razor B. “We will have a full menu featuring all of the favourites as well a nice fusion of Indian style dishes including roti, pastas and nightly specials.” A trained chef, Razor B operates a catering business in Canada  Dancehall artiste Iyara is currently on a month-long tour of Canada, where he performed at a show in Leamington, Ontario, and did so well that he was booked for a follow-up show at the same club, the Devon House Bar and Nightclub, the following Saturday, August 11.
"A just crazy shellings a gwaan on this Canada tour. Special big-ups to all the - Alliance fans who support Iyara, Dem really a respond to the music in a real way," Iyara said. Iyara will end his Canada run with a performance at the Ring nightclub on August 25 in Branford, Canada. The deejay, who is a member of Bounty Killer's Alliance, is touring to support his eight-track, EP Proven, to rave reviews from music critics and fans alike. The EP is produced by his own label, Bellevue Entertainment, and is distributed by Johnny Wonder Distribution. The EP features major collaborations with artistes such as Bounty, Bunji Garlin, and Wayne Wonder. He has continued to push the EP in the local marketplace, aggressively distributing the EP to his growing legion of fans.  Gospel artiste Chozenn has made history with his version of Dovey Magnum's 'Bawl Out'. The song, which was released back in May, has hit the one million views mark on YouTube, making it the first gospel song in quite some time to reach that target. Wayne Marshall's 'Glory To God' is the only other gospel song from a local artiste (currently) that has been able to achieve views close to that figure. The latter has garnered more than 900,000 views since its release approximately four months ago.
Chozenn's song, which caused a heated discussion within the music industry on what secular songs are appropriate for gospel artistes to remix, has to date garnered 1,005,728 views. Chozenn is still standing by his decision to remix the raunchy dancehall track. He said that he is not surprised the song has received the attention it has, as the track was ordained by God to reach the masses. "I'm joyful because the gospel is being heard and felt whether people like it or not. God works mysteriously, and my heart is at peace. What they are seeing now in the physical was what the Lord revealed to me already in the spirit, so to God be the glory and all praises to the King," he said. "In these last days when the dark world is so united and people are doing everything to try and denounce God and say God is fake, God is not real or he doesn't exist, God shows that He works mysteriously and He's rising up some new warriors, some Joshua generation warriors for this era and this season."  Entertainer Denyque has given birth to a her first child. The baby, a boy named Conner Dash, was delivered on Wednesday.Denique's husband, Careem Mullings, posted photos of his pregnant wife, moments before delivery, as well as an image of the newborn in his arms.
Connor Dash already has an Instagram page, and his dad has edited his own profile to reflect the fact that he is now a father. Denique, a Miss Universe Jamaica 2016 finalist, had kept her pregnancy private even though persons began speculating during the time of Jamaica Carnival in April that she was expecting a child  The Melbourne Cricket Club on Courtney Walsh Drive (formerly Derrymore Road) in Half-Way Tree will be the venue for this year's staging of the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall grand finale.
According to Sanjay Ramanand, one of the show's producers, there wasn't necessarily a strategic decision behind the change of venue, as the show changes venues for the final night every year. However, he explained that the Melbourne Cricket Club was chosen this year because of its location. "I don't think it's been the same venue any two years in a row, but we really like this venue because it's kind of central in Half-Way Tree, and it should be easy access that way. It's right there on Courtney Walsh Drive, so hopefully, it's not hard to miss, and we're counting on people coming out," he said  Sean Kingston is dubbing his recently concluded Made in Jamaica tour a success and says he is ready to take on more countries across the world as he continues to strengthen his fan base.
The Jamaica-born international star said he just wrapped up a tour of Europe and will be headed to Mexico next to promote new material. Kingston, who was in Canada before heading to Europe, said he has been working on connecting more with his fans and finds that there's no better way to do that than through touring. "Fans were crazy, they showed a lot of love. There were a lot of girls crying and stuff," he said laughing. "But seriously though, as an artiste, I always appreciate meeting my fans on the road. They show me so much love by supporting my music and when I get to meet them on tour, I always try to show them that same love back by giving my all with each performance."  Dancehall singjay Vershon is aiming to tap into the international market, courtesy of a major collaboration with African superstar Shatta Wale.
Shatta Wale, a Ghana-born producer and reggae-dancehall musician, is best known for his breakthrough hit Dancehall King, for which he was awarded Artiste of the Year at the 2014 edition of the Ghana Music Awards. Vershon and Shatta Wale's record is titled Can You, and was produced by Vershon's own label, Real Queffa Production. Aimed mainly at the female audience, the Inna Real Life singer noted that the record has hit potential. He also told THE STAR that his new body of music will reflect growth. "In recent months, I became distracted with a lot of situations that could have been avoided. But I am now back on track and fully focused on what is important, and that is elevating my career to the next level. I am currently working on a number of projects, the first of which is this collaboration with Shatta Wale. Right now, we will be launching an aggressive promotional campaign around it and others singles heading into the last quarter of the year. So fans can look out for a lot of upcoming activities from me," he said. Vershon, who recently had tongues wagging following the release of his controversial record, My Success, also pointed out that he is looking to expand his reach by tapping into the motherland. BIG SUPPORTER"Shatta Wale is a huge act in Africa, and people need to realise that Africa is one of the biggest supporters of reggae and dancehall because we are one people. I am making world music, and right now mi just a try tap into several international markets because the work never stops. As an artiste, you can't allow yourself to be caught up into the hype and the bag of mix-up thing in Jamaica, because the world is out there waiting on some good music," he said. Shatta Wale recently visited the island with hopes of tapping into the Jamaican hardcore dancehall scene.  PARTYNEXTDOOR's record 'Not Nice', which samples Vybz Kartel's 'Girl You Too Bad' single, has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Girl You Too Bad was released in 2011, while Not Nice was produced by international producer Dre Skull, who is known for his work with former Vybz Kartel affiliate Popcaan. Gold in the US signifies that more than 500,000 copies of the record have been purchased by fans. Not Nice currently has more than 20 million views on YouTube. This is the second bit of positive news for Vybz Kartel in recent times. The deejay, who is currently incarcerated, recently charted at number 37 on the R&B Billboard Chart with Fever. Vybz Kartel's 'best-friend' Amelia 'Milk' Sewell for comment on the deejay's current wave of success internationally. The media personality, who also played the substitute teacher on Vybz Kartel's reality show, Techa's Pet, said the deejay is still a trendsetter. "The copyright money you get from samples is your insurance for further down the line. He has kids to feed, and to see that his music is still being well received, despite his absence, really shows that he is the greatest of all time, like Usain Bolt. He is still relevant, and artistes are still trying to be like him. They don't know what to sing unless Vybz Kartel sings it first," she said. Milk, who has visited the deejay several times since his incarceration, believes the string of success for the deejay will lift his spirit behind bars. "This will keep him happy to see that the thing is still up. We are still close and we are still best of friends  Following an impressive performance at the recently concluded Reggae Sumfest, dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta is being signed by international star Sean Kingston.
The announcement was made on Sunday via Sean Kingston's Instagram page. In a photo of himself and the 'Spartan' soldier, Sean Kingston brags about being able to work the artiste and says there are big things to come from their partnership. "Haven't been this excited about signing an artiste since @torylanez," the caption attached to the photo read. "Mi nuh hide an talk @tommyleesparta is undeniably talented ... big news soon come," Sean Kingston wrote. Tommy Lee's camp was tight-lipped about the deal that was struck with the singer, songwriter and record producer. But while Tommy Lee and his management has been silent about the signing, his fans have been celebrating the announcement. "Big moves me general, it's a good look. You deserve it," said one user said on Instagram. "Ah big news dis. Tommy Lee is definitely one of the hottest dancehall acts right now. This is the best investment you will make @seankingston," said another.  Jamaican prisoners are to be allowed conjugal visits, which means they will be allowed to spend time in private with a visitor, usually their legal spouse, and engage in sexual activity.
National Security Minister, Robert Montague said "we must begin to humanise" people in prisons. "A lot of us talk about we are Christians but true Christianity is when you do for the least among us," the minister said.  Two men, who were held with nearly 500 pounds of ganja, were fined more than $1,000,000 or six months imprisonment. They are 46-year-old Gary Edwards and 39-year-old Evol Taylor both of Manchester.
Edwards was sentenced to $15,000 or six months imprisonment for possession of 602 pounds of ganja. He was also sentenced to $1 million or six months imprisonment for dealing in ganja. Taylor was sentenced to $15,000 or six months imprisonment and 12 months imprisonment for possession of 483 pounds of ganja. He was also sentenced to $1 million or six months imprisonment for dealing in ganja. The sentences are to run concurrently if the fines are not paid. Both men were arrested after the quantities of ganja were found during an operation by the police at two beaches in Hellshire, St. Catherine on May 4  Yanique ‘Curvy Diva’ Barrett, took on renowned ‘Daggerring Master’ Marvin the Beast at the recent staging of Chug It held in Portmore, St. Catherine. The Curvy Diva surely didn’t shy away from the challenge of dancing with Marvin; who is notoriously famous for conducting risky stunts with his female partners. In fact, Yanique insisted on an encore performance after the Beast decided to go easy on her on his first attempt.
Feeling a bit inspired, the host for the night – MC Nuffy decided to throw his hat in the ring by also challenging the Curvy Diva. The very outspoken Nuffy did a series of unusual antics, including jumping on Yanique’s posterior – which sent the audience at Chug It into a frenzy. Watch Video Below  Comedian Christopher 'Johnny' Daley, who, just this week, returned from an immensely successful trip to Helsinki, Finland, has announced that his hugely popular radio show, 'Johnny Live' morning show, will no longer be a part of the SunCity Radio portfolio.
The show, owned and executively produced by the actor and comedian, has been on the station since 2013. However, Daley says it is now time for a new journey for the growing entertainment brand. For the fans and dedicated listeners of the show, Daley expressed gratitude for their support. "I would like to extend hearty gratitude to my listeners, corporate partners and staunch supporters for the dedication they have shown. It is for that reason and the love for my many fans of the show why I can safely say we will be back at a new home to be announced soon. One love!" he said. |
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