By Roy Black— In the hey day of Jamaican foundation music, Orange Street was home to a plethora of music-related establishments.— Growing up along Orange Street in downtown Kingston – the heart of Jamaica’s popular music during its embryonic stage – I was privileged to be among some of the greats who created the foundation music of ska and rocksteady. Music Street and Beat Street, as Orange Street was then called, was a constant buzz of activity, with … Read entire article »

Veronica Koppelman— Jamaicans could soon have another security option to protect themselves from credit and debit card fraud. The Ireland-based firm LaabamOne is planning to launch a new point of sale anti-fraud software in Jamaica in July, and the company expects that this will significantly reduce the possibility of credit and debit card fraud. Veronica Koppelman, who is in charge of marketing and training, is in Jamaica getting feedback from prospective businesses on the software. “Businesses are definitely interested. … Read entire article »

By Carlene Davis— Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade—- When the ‘Brampton Top 40 Under 40’ awards are presented on June 20 in Ontario, Canada, Jamaican Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade will proudly take her place among the honorees. The annual awards are given by the Brampton Board of Trade to individuals in leadership roles who are making an impact in the community, and Shelley-Ajibolade is ecstatic about being recognized. “I’m excited because lots of time people are making their mark but they are often not recognized. … Read entire article »

By Carlene Davis— Jerome Campbell—- Scores of Jamaicans are turning to the Google Play Store for help to convert the seven digit telephone numbers in their contact list to meet the new 10-digit dialling regime, but not many are aware that one of the most popular conversion applications (apps) is made by one of their countrymen. Jerome Campbell, a 31-year-old Jamaican information technology specialist and app designer, is responsible for the second highest rated country code converter in the … Read entire article »

DERBY, England (AP) — A signed pair of running shoes worn by eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has been stolen from an address in Linton, Derbyshire. The white, blue and red spikes were used by the Jamaican great in a 100 meters heat at the 2012 Games, Derbyshire Police said. “The spikes are part of an extensive collection that I have built-up over the last 10 years,” the victim said. “There are only four or five pairs … Read entire article »

By Dave Rodney/Gleaner Writer— The Black Eagles Bandmembers are (left to right) Ianbassa, Joe West, Ras Denroy Morgan, Ras Basil Bernard, Natasha Di Marco, Irene I-Shea Shaikly, Dave Reiss and Marc Rossi.— Singer Denroy Morgan did the 1981 smash single I’ll Do Anything for You. Some of his 32 children are in the Grammy-winning band Morgan Heritage. As a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Coptic Church of North and South America, Morgan is acutely aware of the empowerment ganja … Read entire article »

An incest trial involving a Kingston real estate businessman, who was accused of raping his 15-year-old daughter three years ago, collapsed Thursday in the Home Circuit Court after his daughter maintained that she had lied. The businessman’s daughter, who had confessed from last year that she had lied, was taken into custody and charged with creating public mischief. It is believed that she was subsequently granted station bail The 66-year-old businessman was freed on two counts of incest … Read entire article »

By S. Leslie— Mavado’s teenage son, Dantay Brooks, has been charged with murder.—- The Jamaica Constabulary Force has confirmed with Urban Islandz in a statement that they have formally brought murder charges against Mavado‘s son. Dantay Brooks, 17, was charged for the murder of Lorenza Thomas, aka Israel or Chulups, who was shot and killed in Cassava Piece last week Tuesday (June 5). Law enforcement sources told us that Thomas’ murder is believed to be a reprisal killing for … Read entire article »

By Ande’ Williams— Errol ‘Scarrie’ Blackwood— The dancehall fraternity in New York has been plunged into mourning following the murder of popular Jamaican nightclub owner in Queens, New York. The dead man, 59-year-old Errol ‘Scarrie’ Blackwood of Roosevelt, on Long Island, was shot outside another nightclub and died while reportedly trying to drive himself to the hospital around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Blackwood was the owner of the Onyx Lounge in Queens, New York. According to www.cbsnews.com, investigators are currently examining whether his … Read entire article »