By Kevin Jackson— Beenie Man and Bounty Killer—ONE Jam/International Films Management is set to release a compilation album in tribute to the 1972 movie, The Harder They Come. The project is called Harder Than Hard. Dancehall kingpins Beenie Man and Bounty Killer have done songs for the set. Beenie Man’s track is titled Easier while Killer’s song is Harder. Hartland ‘Kaf’ Stoddart, an executive at One Jam, spoke to this column about the album, describing it as “a … Read entire article »

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has been listed as the eighth most stressful place in the world, according to website SiliconIndia. The list, posted to siliconindia.com, placed Jamaica between Pakistan and Masodonia. “Jamaica is certainly famous for many things; it is known for its beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls and landscapes. It is also renowned for its music — namely reggae and ska — and its rich nightlife. “However, the things that are making Jamaica so stressful are unemployment, lack … Read entire article »

Members of the reggae band, The Movement, were arrested in Fremont County Sunday, Feb. 9, for possession of under three ounces of marijuana and paraphernalia. In Idaho, carrying under three ounces of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor and punishable with up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was alerted that the ragged, dreadlocked crew allegedly smelled like marijuana while they were stopped at a gas station. Four units of … Read entire article »

  Tessanne Chin, who won season five of NBC’s The Voice last December, will now be represented by one of the world’s largest talent and literary agents, ICM Partners, according to a report on Hollywood.com. ICM Partners, which has offices in Los Angeles, New York and London, is a full service agency representing creative and technical talent in the fields of motion pictures, television, music, publishing, and live entertainment. Among some of the agency’s clients are Al … Read entire article »

  NEW YORK, United States (CMC) – Barbadian pop-singing sensation, Rihanna, has blamed her New York accountant for losing US$9 million in 2009. In new court papers filed in Manhattan Federal court and disclosed in media reports here on Thursday, Rihanna, 25, whose real name is Robyn Fenty, claims that she had US$11 million in cash when 2009 began and just US$2 million when it ended, blaming her former accountant at the Manhattan firm of Berdon LLP for … Read entire article »

Mary Wells— Kingston Paradise, directed by Jamaican filmmaker Mary Wells, has received an official nomination, with seven other films – the jury award for ‘Best Feature Narrative’ – at the 22nd Annual Pan-African Film Festival (PAFF). The seven films include two major films out of South Africa, and one each from Europe and the United States. PAFF is one of the largest and most prestigious Black Film festivals in the United States, founded by award-winning Hollywood actor, Danny Glover. This quirky new Jamaican film follows Rocksy, … Read entire article »

By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston—- The Grace Thrillers— THE Grace Thrillers are arguably the most influential act in reggae gospel. In the 1980s, their songs such as Living Waters (Jesus Jesus) and Can’t Even Walk won them a large secular following. According to Leroy Smith, who joined the group in 1978, the ‘Thrillers’ always yearned for a following outside gospel circles. But he recalls opposition from traditionalists when they made the breakthrough. “Some of the churches gave us a lot of … Read entire article »