CLINTON LINDSAY

By CLAUDE MILLS @ Loop Jamaica—- Foota Hype Controversial dancehall selector, Oneil Ricardo Thomas, popularly known as Foota Hype, has been released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility where he was detained since December of last year. News of the development was confirmed by artiste manager and Foota Hype’s confidante Kerry Ann Townsend, who in an interview with Loop News, said the selector was ‘grateful’. “Foota said he will do media next week. He just jumped out, so he … Read entire article »

By Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer— Alton Ellis (left) and Eddie Parkins of Alton and Eddie, the duo responsible for the hit ‘Muriel’. Eddie Parkins, one half of the duo Alton (Ellis) and Eddie, who, in 1960, recorded what would become a monster hit, ‘ Muriel’, passed away in New York last week Thursday, his lifelong friend Eric Collins confirmed to The Gleaner. Collins said that the singer, who was a resident of the Caton Park Nursing Home in Brooklyn, … Read entire article »

By Romario Scott/Gleaner Writer— Nigel Clarke—- Ratings agency Fitch has said the Jamaican economy is expected to contract by four per cent this year as the shock from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the foreign currency revenues drying up. Fitch yesterday revised Jamaica’s outlook from positive to stable but has maintained its Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating at B+. The agency said the sharp contraction of the foreign currency revenues will interrupt the prior downward trend in government … Read entire article »

Copeland Forbes— By Howard Campbell— Music industry veteran Copeland Forbes believes it will take more than one year before Jamaica’s reggae product recovers from the coronavirus fallout. He made the ominous prediction with uncertainty surrounding European summer festivals, which have provided a solid payday for many Jamaican artists over the years. Forbes, who has booked reggae tours for over 40 years, said the postponement/cancellation of events like Summer Jam in Germany and Rototom in Spain, because of the coronavirus, … Read entire article »

By Bianca Gracie— Jesse Royal— While Rastafarians continue to promote self-care, good health and spiritual togetherness, they have historically been targeted by political forces due to their beliefs. Jesse Royal, a reggae artist from Jamaica’s St. James parish, aims to bring those stereotypes to light in his new video for “Natty Pablo.” Premiering on Billboard below, the 300K-directed video finds the artist moving product on a truck before he and his crew get stopped by the police. But instead of finding drugs … Read entire article »

By Kimberley Small – Staff Reporter— Minister Marion Hall— No one is flying anywhere right now. But that doesn’t mean celebrities shouldn’t have their travel documents in order, or that embassy offices have halted processing applications. The assertion rings true with the latest social media appearance of Minister Marion Hall, formerly known as Lady Saw, lamenting the denial of a United States O1 visa. “When I was Lady Saw, I got all these O1 visas. They’re given to … Read entire article »