Beating a child (corporal punishment) is considered a necessity by some Jamaican parents, but immigration attorney Joan Pinnock is warning that Jamaicans migrating to the United States will have to learn how to spare the rod, as this is one of the reasons for the deportation of several immigrants annually. “Lots and lots of Jamaicans are being deported for beating their children,” Pinnock told The Sunday Gleaner. “Some of the torture that we go through in Jamaica as … Read entire article »

There is controversy surrounding the shooting death of a Jamaican man by police in the state of New York, in the United States on Wednesday. The New York Police Department reports that 31-year-old Miguel Richards was shot several times inside his apartment in the Eastchester section of The Bronx after he disobeyed several orders to drop a fake gun and a knife he was holding. However, Richards’ father, Belvett Richards is claiming that his son was murdered. Speaking … Read entire article »

By Garwin Davis—   Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has joined the growing list of persons paying tribute to the late Earl ‘Wya’ Lindo. Lindo, a keyboard player for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and who was considered one of the more versatile musicians of his generation, died in London on September 4. According to Grange, Lindo was “an exceptionally gifted musician who played a pivotal role alongside Bob Marley and the Wailers in the global … Read entire article »

TRIBUTES continue to pour in for late pioneer musician engineer Hedley Jones. Jones, 99, died passed away of natural causes on September 1 at his St James home. Jones’ son, Art, remembers him as a loving disciplinarian. “He was an intellect. He was very disciplined and stern as it relates to getting things done, but he was a loving father. I remember him always taking my siblings and I to the beach on Sundays, then brunch after church. … Read entire article »

There are times when I believe that there is a deliberate collusion between performers of dubious ability and persons of similar dubious ability, determined to publicize Jamaican popular music content – and this includes journalists (print and electronic), radio disc jocks, professional publicists, bloggers and social-media enthusiasts – to conduct The Great Jamaican Dancehall Music Con. It is a con which consists of, among other elements, focusing on conflict, controversy and confrontation instead of content. Ultimately, … Read entire article »

Justin Crellin, general manager of the nonprofit Mateel Community Center, isn’t quite sure why the organization’s trademark event and primary fundraiser, Reggae on the River, turned out to be such a financial dud this year. But he has some theories: The low attendance may have had something to do with the lineup, with California-based acts such as Slightly Stoopid and Stick Figure proving less appealing to fans of old school roots reggae. Or — a related theory — it … Read entire article »

By Curtis Campbell—   Dancehall artist Khago, who resides in Florida, has resisted the multiple warnings to leave the Sunshine State before the deadly Category 4 hurricane, Irma, crashes into the state’s eastern coast. “Mi cyah leave mi pickney dem, so let God’s will done. If I drive to New York and the storm comes there, am I going to drive to Boston? Then if it comes there, am I going to drive to Maryland? We are at … Read entire article »

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami  will be opening in cinemas nationwide on 27 October. It re-invents the music film as an electrifying journey through the performance, private and public worlds of pop cultural icon Grace Jones, whose bold aesthetic echoes throughout the film. Director Sophie Fiennes (The Pervert’s Guide To Ideology, The Pervert’s Guide To Cinema, Over Your Cities Grass Will Grow) creates a powerful cinematic experience, contrasting breathtaking musical sequences with intimate personal footage, … Read entire article »