Syl Johnson, Soul Singer Heavily Sampled in Hip-Hop. The Chicago Bluesman’s 1967 single “Different Strokes” has been used in tracks by Jay-Z and Kanye West, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, and more—- By Madison Bloom— Syl Johnson in 1979 (Photo by Kirk West/Getty Images).— Syl Johnson, the Chicago soul and blues singer whose 1967 single “Different Strokes” has become one of the most sampled songs in hip-hop, has died. Johnson’s family confirmed the news in a statement to Pitchfork, but … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON–Observer Writer— John Holt The 1973 album 1000 Volts of Holt, by the late reggae singer John Holt, has been certified gold in the United Kingdom. The certification, which was issued last Friday by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), represents a combination of sales and streaming figures totaling more than 100,000 units. The 18-track set was first released on vinyl by Trojan Records. It was then re-released in the 1980s. A deluxe edition was released with 21 … Read entire article »

BY KEDIESHA PERRY—Observer writer— Donovan Germain CONTRARY to stories being circulated on social media that Buju Banton has gotten back his United States visa and will be performing alongside Koffee on her upcoming tour, his long-time manager Donovan Germain has said this is not so. “If he had gotten back his visa, you would all know. Did you see Buju, or Buju Banton being advertised? Those are two different people. As far as I know, he has not … Read entire article »

DESPITE repeated attempts at recovery, regional carrier Fly Jamaica remains wingless and seems destined for permanent closure. The airline suspended operations and made all employee positions redundant due to the lack of aircraft on March 31, 2019. Fly Jamaica is a Jamaican airline headquartered in Kingston, which has been trying to recover after one of its aircraft experienced a runway excursion at Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport in November 2018. Since then all attempts at recovery have … Read entire article »

By Stephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer— Desmond Dekker and The Aces. From left: Easton Howard, Desmond Dekker & James Wilson ‘Winston’ Samuels— .— Grief has struck the family of former member of The Aces, James Wilson Samuels, known popularly as ‘Winston’ Samuels, as they mourn the musician’s death. According to Edward Delroy Bradshaw, he took his brother to the Burlington Medical Centre in Brown’s Town, St Ann, after his showing flu-like symptoms last Friday and was instructed to take him … Read entire article »

Dancers move against foreigners— BY RICHARD JOHNSON—Observer senior reporter—1 Dancehall Dance Association (DDA), the umbrella organisation representing dancers in the popular music space, is standing by its statement against the proliferation of foreign nationals currently operating out of Jamaica and teaching dance classes. In a strongly worded statement released to social media recently, the organisation stated that only Jamaicans should be allowed to teach such dancehall dance classes in Jamaica. “No non-Jamaican is permitted to teach dancehall dance classes … Read entire article »

Country-reggae singer Wesrok says no one agency or person can tackle the high levels of murders sweeping the island. Wes Rok “I am appalled at the murders but it is not surprising, the problem of crime is a systemic one. Nobody has the will to create the necessary changes, the politicians have the power but they don’t have the will to change it. The constabulary force has its issues and are unable to curtail the high level of … Read entire article »