BY BRIAN BONITTO—Observer Associate Editor —Auto & Entertainment— June Isaacs, marketing manager of Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, presents dancehall deejay Mr Lexx with a fruit basket and cheque on Saturday. Mr. Lexx is currently a patient in Andrews Memorial Hospital in Kingston. JUNE Isaacs, widow of reggae singer Gregory Isaacs and marketing director for Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), on Saturday, presented a fruit basket and cheque to dancehall deejay Mr. Lexx, who is convalescing at Andrews … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—Observer writer— LONG before there was social media or streaming platforms, Lady G was a hot commodity within the dancehall space. With a career spanning 38 years, Lady G came, saw and conquered. The winner of the Female DJ Of the Year award on multiple occasions (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, and 1998), Lady G truly paved the way for many female dancehall artistes of today. But her love affair with music began as a child … Read entire article »

A chirpy Derrick Harriott celebrated his 83rd birthday in New York City on Sunday. The veteran singer/producer has been in that US state since November last year, after doing a minor surgery. Derrick Harriott Despite another rumour doing the rounds that he had passed away, he was intent on not letting anything disrupt his celebratory mood. “I heard these false rumours spreading about me so I think those people who are doing it need to listen to some … Read entire article »

Sly Dunbar sat quietly at Kingston’s National Arena on February 6 as songs he and Robbie Shakespeare played and produced blared from speakers during a public viewing of Shakespeare’s body.The legendary bass player, half of Sly and Robbie, died in Florida on December 8 at age 68.  Olivia “Babsy” Grange, Sly Dunbar, Prime Minister Andrew Holness Dunbar, one of pop music ‘s great drummers, recorded and toured for over 40 years with Shakespeare. The Riddim Twins worked … Read entire article »

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 »