By Debra Borchardt , CONTRIBUTOR I write about retail and cannabis.  Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.— Jamaican reggae singer Julian Marley performs music and also lends his name to a line of cannabis products. AFP PHOTO / ABDELHAK SENNA (Photo credit should read ABDELHAK SENNA/AFP/Getty Images) It’s official. Canadian-based GEA Technologies Ltd. and DropLeaf, the parent company for Julian Marley’s cannabis company JujuRoyal have merged. The deal was originally announced in June, but as of last week, the merger … Read entire article »

Following their victory in the World Reggae Dance Competition earlier this year, the Xqlusiv dance crew has been making strides on the international scene. The dance crew has been working on an upcoming project with Australian music producer, Mista Savona. Xqlusiv dance crew will be representing Jamaica in an upcoming music video for a groundbreaking project dubbed Havana Meets Kingston. The project will see Savona gathering some of Cuba and Jamaica’s most influential musicians in one recording studio, … Read entire article »

By Shereita Grizzle—   Restaurants, bars and lounges are beginning to offer more than just a spot to have dinner and drinks. However, over the past few months, these ‘chill spots’ have begun to breathe new life into the live entertainment scene by offering a midweek entertainment package that has been evolving with time. It is not a new phenomenon for hang-outs to incorporate live music into their entertainment package, but in recent times, the number of spots offering … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON— For well over a century, Alpha Boys’ School has cultivated a rich musical tradition boasting alumni, including members of The Skatalites, who have been integral to the development of Jamaica’s cultural history. Today the school, located on South Camp Road in Kingston, continues to be that incubator and cultural cradle for present and future generations. In addition to its strong musical programs, which expose young men to all aspects of musical performance, the school, now … Read entire article »

RJR News has received confirmation that incarcerated dancehall entertainer Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, has been admitted to the hospital with a kidney infection. Reports are that Palmer reported feeling ill about noon on Sunday. He was treated by medical staff at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Center. But he again complained of feeling ill on Sunday evening. He was transported to hospital Monday morning. Palmer was sentenced in 2014 to 35 years in prison for murder. … Read entire article »

Jamaican Olympian and track star, Asafa Powell, has created a fitness band targeted at Jamaicans seeking to better maintain their health. Dubbed Active by Asafa Fitness, the product was launched on Friday. The wearable watch and smart device, which is similar to the popular Fitbit product, is designed to allow individuals to keep track of their daily activities and fitness regime. It features technology that can monitor heart rate, calculate calories, record workout sessions, measure hydration, and monitor … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON– LUKIE D is excited about his upcoming album which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2018. The album, which is being produced by his Barblings label, will be his first collection of new music since 2006’s Deliver Me (Maximum Sound label). “This will be my first album of new material in a very long time and I can’t wait to share it with the fans. There’s a lot in store and … Read entire article »

PRINCIPALS of Pulse model agency are excited about one of their latest finds — Zoe Griffith. The 20-year-old student of the University of the West Indies, who was named winner of the recent live final of Pulse’s Caribbean Model Search, has been signed to Models 1 in London and Women & Supreme in New York. Pulse chairman Kingsley Cooper said Griffith is a rare find, and the response from the international agencies which immediately snapped her up … Read entire article »