CLINTON LINDSAY

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland is known for big-selling acts like rappers Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and rock band Nine Inch Nails. The city’s reggae scene is still growing, and one of the artists leading that growth is Sun Shade. The singer launched his Don’t You Be EP in Cleveland in August. It has seven songs including the title song, a nod to the stripped-down roots-reggae beats he heard as a youth in his hometown of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Sun Shade “I grew up with roots, … Read entire article »

By Livern Barrett/Senior Parliamentary Reporter— A Government senator yesterday stopped short of suggesting that more “ordinary” Jamaicans be allowed to obtain licensed firearms. Kerensia Morrison, who was speaking in the Senate, said that “maybe the time has come” to consider giving “regular, ordinary, honest, decent, (and) hard-working Jamaican citizens better access and opportunity to defend themselves, their homes, and their properties against criminals”. “Criminals are armed and dangerous. They walk into any public space, any house, any plaza, any … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer— Joseph “Joe Joe” Hoo Kim — IN the 1970’s, Maxfield Avenue was one of Kingston’s happening communities. Journalists from around the world flocked the area for stories on its people, politicians and music. Joseph “Joe Joe” Hoo Kim, who died of liver cancer at age 76 on Thursday in New York, had an impact on Maxfield Avenue through his Channel One studio, located in its heart. Music producer, Franklin “Ben Up” Irving, who has … Read entire article »

By Claude Mills of Loop News— Reggae icon Bob Marley’s only Grammy nomination came in 2002, more than two decades after his death for best Long Form Music Video. Though the main reason the music legend most likely did not win prior, was that a reggae category wasn’t added until 1985. Over the years, there have been many debates about winners and talk about a Marley lock on the top award with Ziggy Marley notching no … Read entire article »

From LOOP NEWS— Buju Banton— Incarcerated reggae superstar Buju Banton will reportedly be embarking on a major world tour in 2019. The reggae legend’s team announced via social media that he would embark on a tour dubbed “Long Walk To Freedom”. “The anticipation continues to build, looking forward to seeing you all soon. Stay Tuned!” the post read. Donovan Germain, the artiste’s close friend and former manager, said that Buju Banton’s first performance will be in Jamaica. “I cannot give any details … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell Observer senior writer—    Wesley Tinglin — Wesley Tinglin, founder, lead singer and chief songwriter of The Viceroys, died September 18 at the University Hospital of the West Indies. He was 75-years-old. His daughter, Petronia Tinglin, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Splash that he died from lung cancer. She said Tinglin suffered a seizure in July at the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay while waiting to board a flight to Paris, France where The Viceroys were scheduled to perform. The group … Read entire article »

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — South Africa’s top court ruled Tuesday that private, personal cannabis use was legal in a landmark case that had pitted law enforcement agencies against marijuana advocates and the judiciary.— Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, delivering the Johannesburg-based Constitutional Court’s unanimous verdict, declared the law banning marijuana use in private by adults “is unconstitutional and therefore invalid”. “It will not be a criminal offence for an adult person to use or be in … Read entire article »

 BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The Barbados government has appointed international pop icon, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, with specific responsibility for promoting education, tourism and investment for the island.— Prime Minister Mia Mottley said the government was honored to be able to confer the title on the outstanding Barbadian singer who has contributed significantly to raising the island’s profile across the world. “Rihanna has a deep love for this country and this is reflected … Read entire article »

 James Johnson— James Johnson, a young minister of the popular Church of God of Prophecy at 41 Old Harbour Road in St Catherine was gunned down this evening while teaching a class at the church. According to the police’s Corporate Communication Unit, Johnson, a 29 year-old pastor from Union Estate in the parish, was reportedly in the middle of teaching a class about 5:00 pm when a lone gunman entered and shot him several times. There has, this … Read entire article »

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter— A DJ mixer A couple who allegedly kidnapped a pregnant woman over a stolen DJ mixer, holding her hostage for two days after demanding money from her sister, was on Tuesday offered bail when they reappeared in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court. Disc jockey Akeem Campbell and Natice Grey, a shop and bar operator, were each offered $300,000 bail by Parish Judge Maxine Ellis on charges of kidnapping, extortion and conspiracy. They … Read entire article »