IT TAKES A STRONG PERSONALITY AS WELL AS A STONG VOICE TO MAKE IT IN JAMAICA’S MUSIC INDUSTRY BOY’S CLUB. FORTUNATELY, ETANA HAS WHAT IT TAKES. By Beverly Bryan—— Etana’s bio reads like a reggae fairytale. After moving to Florida from Jamaica, she went through middle school, high school and college listening to soul, R&B and just about everything else and went on to join an R&B girl group. She loved performing and shopping for costumes with her … Read entire article »

JAMROCK sound system has been around since the late 1980s and continues to hold its own among the new wave of ‘sounds’. According to selector Donovan ‘Aggart’ Wright, “It is the love for the music and the juggling skills that has kept Jamrock going strong all these years”. Jamrock sound system selectors Donovan Wright (left) and Gary Whyte.   Wright is among six selectors with the veteran sound. The others are Davie ‘Stone’ McNaughty, Donovan ‘Chullups’ Lawrence, Gary ‘G … Read entire article »

The achievements of Delroy Wilson as a budding teenage sensation of the 1960s ska era is well documented in Jamaica’s music history, and was showcased in the last Music Diaries. He had, by 1966, when ska was going through a transition, stamped his class as a rarity, the wonder boy of Jamaican music. But Wilson’s achievements go way beyond the boundaries of ska, taking us into the realms of what was to become known as rocksteady. By the time this … Read entire article »

Lumumba– Buju Banton’s legal team is using all its options. In its fight to earn freedom for Mark Myrie, the team, led by Chokwe Lumumba, is starting a campaign aimed at the United States Supreme Court. The campaign, another letter-writing effort, tries to raise awareness about Buju’s drug case and points out the team’s stance against the artist’s incarceration. On November 14, Lumumba’s team released a letter to the US Supreme Court, saying Buju has filed a petition for … Read entire article »

Kwabena Nip– By Curtis Campbell—– Kwabena Nip emerged on the local scene with his smooth vocals over a single called Bloody River in 2011, and has since embarked on promotional tours in England and Africa. The artist recently collaborated with veteran reggae singer Marcia Griffiths, but laments what he terms a lack of respect to the genre he loves. “In Jamaica, we must always remember these legendary artistes. They are a gift from the Most High to us all, and they still continue to spread the … Read entire article »

BY SIMONE MORGAN—— ISAIAH Laing, CEO of Supreme Promotions, organisers of the annual Boxing Day show, Sting, says the company is struggling to keep this year’s event. “It is very difficult getting sponsorship and to date we are still without a major sponsor,” he told the Jamaica Observer. TOP: Merciless and Kiprich in battle. Bottom: LAING… it is very difficult getting sponsorship   According to Laing, sponsorship covers approximately one-fifth of Sting’s expenses. He said since its inception in 1984, … Read entire article »

KAREN ‘Sister Sasha’ Chin is now putting the finishing touches on her first gospel album, Chosen, due to be released early next year. Produced by Johnny Clarke, Adrian Scarlett and herself, the album features I Don’t Mind, a collab with Jadai. Sister Sasha   “I have no regrets. I just want to live a life that is holy and acceptable in the eyes of God. I have had my good and my bad days and I thank God for … Read entire article »

Jamaican reggae-dancehall artist Capleton who is affectionately known as King Shango by his legions of fans is expected to return to Zimbabwe for a reggae-dancehall gig at City Sports Centre on December 7. Red Rose Entertainment’s boss, Barbra Chikosi, who is the promoter of the show confirmed Shango’s visit. Capleton will be performing along side local reggae/dancehall artists who include Guspy Warrior, Lady Bee, Lady Squanda, Freeman, Winky D and Sniper Storm. After performing in Zimbabwe Shango … Read entire article »

MIAMI (AP) — A family feud over rights to use of late reggae superstar Bob Marley’s name and image has been settled in Florida federal court. A one-page filing recently said the dispute was resolved between Marley’s half-brother Richard Booker and a Bahamian company that represents Marley’s widow, Rita Marley, and his children. Terms of the agreement were not filed as of Friday. The lawsuit filed last year asked a judge to order Booker to stop using Marley’s name … Read entire article »