Marketing Director of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), June Isaacs, is imploring the music industry to recognise and support the awards handed out annually by the organisation. “Despite all that is being said, the fact is that...
It was inevitable one day that a foreign, white reggae group would win the Grammy in the reggae category, whether or not Jamaicans know who they are. That’s the sentiment of producer Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards following last Sunday’s shock...
Singer Christopher Ellis is in a Rub A Dub mode. That is the title of his new single which was produced by Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley and which is causing a stir. Critics say the song feels like Ellis stepped straight out of the ‘70s directly on to a...
Late singer and sound system owner Sugar Minott, Anthony B, Jesse Royal and Jah9 are among the reggae artistes whose works will form a part of CryptoRastas second non-fungible token (NFT) auction on April 1. CryptoRastas markets itself as “the...
Blogging and vlogging are activities that are usually associated with millennials, but increasingly they are becoming that pastime for the young at heart. Just ask Monte Blake. The charismatic owner of the legendary sound system Merritone, Blake,...
The lawyer for reggae singer Jah Cure, who was ordered to serve six years behind bars, will have a discussion with the artiste on the merits of an appeal. On Tuesday, a panel of three judges in the Netherlands handed down a guilty verdict on the...
The dancehall freedom convoy rolled into Stone Love’s Burlington Avenue HQ on Saturday evening, carrying on board the multitude who rejoiced like sinners set free from the shackles of sin. “Freedom!” was the jubilant shout from the Stone Love...
Elder statesman of reggae music, the legendary Winston ‘Burning Spear’ Rodney, has two major assignments this year. He has been announced for Rototom Sunsplash in August and the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise in December. Burning Spear, who has...
The headquarters of Romeich Entertainment, located in Waterhouse, St Andrew, was clearly the place to be last Tuesday evening for the by-invitation-only launch of Shenseea’s chart-topping debut album, Alpha. Once one reached the Campbell’s...
Alpha is out and the reviews are in. Not surprisingly, the Shenyeng Princess has found favour with her subjects, with many of them gushing over her versatility and applauding Alpha’s # 1 debut on the iTunes Top 100 Reggae Albums chart. As for the...
With Reggae Month just concluded, one of the messages which was proclaimed loudly was the need for positive messages through the music. This strident call came from Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange, as well as her...
Today, March 9, marks 25 years since rap legend, Biggie Smalls, also known as the Notorious B.I.G., was killed. He was only 24. Signed to Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Records, Biggie, who would have turned 50 this year, is considered one of the...
Dr Richard Kirkwood, a member of Casual-T — the ‘80s singing group comprising medical doctors — has died. Dr Charlie Roberts confirmed to The Gleaner that Kirkwood passed away last Wednesday in hospital in New York. He was 76. “Kirk was recently...
As the first anniversary of the death of Bunny Wailer comes around, his estate is facing challenges as the executors head to court, even as Wailer’s partner of more than 50 years remains missing. Neville ‘Bunny Wailer’ Livingston, a founding member...
In his opening song, Forward March, ska great Derrick Morgan summed up the vibeat Reggae on the Pier, filmed at the Port Authority of Jamaica’s cruise port at the historic Naval Dockyard in Port Royal – “ … because the time has come when you can...
It was a virtual lovefest on Tuesday evening when the Kiwanis Club of Eastern St Andrew entertained royalty as they honoured reggae queens, Marcia Llyneth Griffiths and Judith Veronica ‘Judy’ Mowatt, to celebrate Reggae Month. Much was made of the...
Come Saturday, February 26, Rastafarian singer Miguel Collins, better known as Sizzla, will make his historic debut with a 35-piece orchestra in performance for Reggae Month 2022. The Gleaner had a quick one-on-one with Sizzla recently, and he...
During Reggae Month, DJ Cassidy, creator of the critically acclaimed series Pass the Mic, will share his platform with 21 iconic reggae artistes. “I always dreamed of dedicating an entire Pass the Mic to reggae, and it is serendipitous that this...
Canada-based, global television network, FEVA TV – an acronym which stands for First Entertainment Voice of Africa – jetted into the island last weekend to shoot two episodes of We Outside, a music show which will highlight artistes in the...
It is not an unusual path for journalists to later change course and enter the field of law; what is not so usual is for it to happen the other way around. But, Aniefiok Ekpoudom, who is currently a full-time writer, actually chose the legal...
With Shenseea counting down the weeks to her album release, her team is in full promotion mode as they ramp up her visibility on an international level. On Wednesday, Apple Music announced that Shenseea, who they describe as “a global artiste”,...
It’s Valentine’s weekend and, with love in the air, actress Andrea ‘Delcita’ Wright is ready to present her intriguing short play about man-and-woman business on Sunday at a virtual event titled The Brink of Valentine’s. The quirky title of the...
Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Minister of Culture Olivia Grange, family members, music industry players and well-wishers all turned out on Sunday to view the body of internationally renowned bass player Robbie Shakespeare at the National Indoor...
Reggae singer Jah Bouks is diving deep into entrepreneurship and has invested in a fishing vessel, a restaurant and seaside cottages in his home parish, St Thomas. Angola is a word that conjures up many pleasant memories for Jah Bouks. In 2013, his...
