Shaggy performing at the Vatican with French singer Anggun The annual Christmas concert at the Vatican in Rome had a Jamaican twist this year with a performance by diamond-selling, Grammy-winning artiste Shaggy. The performer dropped two tunes on his audience – Angel, the single from his hugely popular album Hot Shot released in 2000; as well as the holiday staple Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas which he performed alongside Anggun, the Indonesian-born French singer-songwriter and television personality. In a series … Read entire article »

The eastern Caribbean countries of Barbados and St Vincent and The Grenadines have now recorded their first cases of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID-19. In Barbados, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George told journalists that the positive result was returned today. “To date that is the only confirmed case we have,” he said. However, George said the Health Ministry has sent “carefully selected samples” to be tested and the results are expected in seven to ten days. In … Read entire article »

New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks at an event on Friday, December 10, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File) A Jamaica-born convicted drug dealer is among 10 immigrants granted clemency by New York Governor Kathy Hochul who said that they have “showed remorse and exemplified rehabilitation.” In commuting the sentence of Roger Cole, 55, Hochul noted that he was originally sentenced to 125 years to life in prison, “having been put on trial during the … Read entire article »

Cruise ships float at PortMiami, on April 7, 2020, in Miami. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now warning people not to cruise regardless of their vaccination status because of an increase in cases fueled by the omicron variant detected in ships. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) MIAMI (AP) — The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned people on Thursday not to go on cruises, regardless of their vaccination status, … Read entire article »

Reggae lost another of its stalwarts on December 28 with the death of Mikey Chung, a talented multi-instrumentalist who played on numerous hit songs. Chung, who was 71, died at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston. He had cancer and suffered renal problems in recent times, said his brother Charlie. Mikey Chung He was the older brother of Geoffrey Chung, considered one of reggae’s most creative producers. Like Mikey, Geoffrey, who died in … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL—Observer senior writer— LEO Graham, best known for the 1975 hit song A Win Them, died in Falmouth, Trelawny, on December 19 at age 80. Leo Graham His son, Rohan Graham, known in music circles as Daweh Congo, told the Jamaica Observer that his father died from cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease four years ago. Graham was from the district of Joe Hut in Trelawny. He moved to Kingston in the early 1960s “to learn trade” and … Read entire article »

BY BRIAN BONITTO—Associate Editor — IN an effort to set the record straight, Beenie Man posted his negative COVID-19 test result on social media, amid news reports emanating out of Ghana on Monday that he had tested positive and had broken quarantine. “As a carrier of sickle cell disease, I understand the importance of protocols set out to help stop the spread of the virus. I know the importance of protecting myself, my family, my team, and … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL—Observer senior writer— Derrick Scott CONTROVERSIAL St James pastors Jason Rose and Kevin Smith put the Church under intense scrutiny in 2021. It drove Derrick Scott to dust off False Preacher, a song he first released three years ago. The self-produced single, boosted by a video with footage of controversial clerics, was recently re-released. Scott told the Jamaica Observer that False Preacher is as much about true Christian soldiers as it is about those who deceive their flock. “I want the … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—Observer writer— Tanto Metro & Devonte DUO Tanto Metro and Devonte are back on familiar territory. Their latest single Gypsy Tipsy is number one on the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Top 30 Music Chart. This is the duo’s first chart-topper in two years, following Love Song, a 2019 release from their fifth studio album Reggaenometrist. “We are both elated and humbled to be back at number one. It’s always a pleasant feeling to know that we can still make hits, so … Read entire article »

By Sade Gardner/Staff Reporter— DJ KashMatic has created a GoFundMe account to raise CAD$25,000 to secure his placement for the 2022 fall semester at Trebas Institute in Canada.— “When I reach this goal and complete my degree, it’s going to feel like mi a everybody son cause dem help me,” an exuberant DJ KashMatic told The Gleaner. The 23-year-old created a GoFundMe account on the weekend to help with raising CAD$25,000 to secure his placement for the 2022 fall … Read entire article »