BY DONNA HUSSEY-WHYTE—- OLYMPIAN Olivia McKoy represented Jamaica with distinction at the premier global sports showpiece. But these days, the national javelin record holder who donned the Jamaica colours for 20 years in various stadia, is almost flat on her face. Her tears, which flowed freely when the Jamaica Observer caught up with her selling bagged juices on the streets of Kingston late last week, signalled a battered and bruised woman who has been forced against the … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—–  BUSY Signal has entered European pop charts with Watch Out For This (Bumaye), a song he did with American producer Major Lazer. The dancehall/electronic track is taken from Major Lazer’s album, Free The Universe, which was released on April 16. Busy Signal According to Billboard, Watch Out For This (Bumaye) is currently number four in France, five in Belgium and 42 in Switzerland. It is number six in New Zealand. This is the first European pop hit … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell— PATRONS attending this year’s Reggae Sumfest will not be allowed to enter the venue with vuvuzelas, the South African instrument that gained international popularity during the 2010 football World Cup in that country. Reggae Sumfest is scheduled for Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay, St James, from July 21 to 27. Top:Johnny Gourgong. Bottom: A supporter of the Jamaican national football team blows a vuvuzela at a recent match at the National Stadium in … Read entire article »

  THE NEW YORK/FOUNDATION RADIO NETWORK TOP 30 MUSIC CHART   7/17/13 TW LW WOC TITLE ARTIST LABEL HPR 1 -2 -11 FIGHT THIS FEELING (1) SHAGGY/BERES HAMMOND   RANCH ENT #1 2 3 12 For You Eljai Jah Mix Ent/VPAL #2 3 4 13 Behind Curtains Chronixx Zinc Fence Records #3 4 1 19 Finally Free (4) Tom Laing Black Scorpio Records #1 5 6 8 Love Love Love Etana/Busy Signal Gambino Musik/JustBus #5 6 7 8 Twilight Time Fred Locks Boot … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell—- GIVEN the personal challenges he has faced in recent times, singer Chrisinti says it was not difficult finding inspiration for his latest song. That song, Heart Of a Champion, he stressed, comes straight from the heart. Chrisinti “After being through a lot of disappointments I had to do a song like this,” he told Splash from New York City. “It’s all about perseverance.” Chrisinti, who suffered another setback this week with the death of his father, has … Read entire article »

By Simone Morgan—- Despite being incarcerated for almost two years, controversial deejay Vybz Kartel is still flooding the market with music. His latest album, The Voice of The Jamaican Ghetto, was released early this month. It is also the title of Kartel’s book which has been out since June. Vybz Kartel According to an article posted on the website www. urbanislandz.com, Michael Dawson of Whirlwind Records, who is responsible for marketing both projects, is confident the 22-track album will … Read entire article »

  Modern-roots reggae superstar Luciano will headline the Montreal International Reggae Festival, which runs from August 16-18 at the Quays of the Old Port (All photos courtesy MIRF) Modern-roots reggae superstar Lucianohas just been added to the bill at theMontreal International Reggae Festival, which will celebrate it’s 10th anniversary from Aug 16-18 on the Jacques Cartier Pier at the Quays of the Old Port. Luciano – born Jepther Washington McClymont in Davey Town, Jamaica, back in 1964 – is … Read entire article »

Jamaica native Andrew “Dru” Barnes of the alternative reggaeton band JOGYO, which has performed at Lincoln Center, may lose his left eye, according to friends. BY THOMAS TRACY—  WNBC— Jamaican musician, Andrew “Dru” Barnes is in the hospital after a maniac randomly attacked him with a hammer in Brooklyn. A deranged man bashed a 34-year-old Grammy-nominated musician’s face with a hammer during a bloody attack in Brooklyn, police said Wednesday. Jamaica native Andrew “Dru” Barnes of the alternative reggaeton band JOGYO, … Read entire article »

Simone & Diana King— Out reggae/dancehall artist Diana King shored up her lesbian fanbase when she headlined Club Skirts’ Dinah Shore Weekend 2013 at the Sunday pool party. Shortly before, she’d made history by being the first Jamaican artist ever to come out as LGBT. And now that the Supreme Court struck down the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, King is ready to make her partner of seven years her lawfully wedded wife. King, who now holds U.S. … Read entire article »

An exhibition celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela opens at Johannesburg’s Peacemakers Museum, to mark the global icon’s 95th birthday. (Photo: Ben Curtis, AP) JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s president says Nelson Mandela’s health continues to improve as he marks his 95th birthday. A statement from President Jacob Zuma’s office Thursday says, “Madiba remains in hospital in Pretoria but his doctors have confirmed that his health is steadily improving.” Mandela’s daughter Zindzi has said her father is gaining strength … Read entire article »