CLINTON LINDSAY

By Stephanie Lyew— Natural Black— Mortimer Softley was determined to become a reggae sensation, and, without reservations, he migrated to Jamaica in 1995 to find a way to fulfil his dream. Softley performed first as Black and White until local musicians dubbed him Natural Black, a name that people grew to appreciate. Natural Black told THE WEEKEND STAR that having made up his mind to break into the reggae industry, the best idea he had was to move from Guyana to … Read entire article »

By Tim Kenneally— Michael Jackson’s Estate Sues Disney, ABC Over ‘The Last Days’ Special The estate of deceased music legend Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against ABC and Disney over the special “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.” The suit, filed in federal court in California on Wednesday, alleges copyright infringement. The suit says that the plaintiffs — identified as “various companies that comprise a part of the Estate of Michael Jackson –were “genuinely shocked” when they watched … Read entire article »

By Shereita Grizzle/Gleaner Writer CEO of Downsound Records, Josef Bogdanovich, speaking at the Reggae Sumfest Kingston Launch at Usain Bolt Tracks on Wednesday night.— This year will mark the third since Reggae Sumfest’s organizers decided to pull the plug on International Night at the annual festival. When the news was first announced, many were skeptical, with some going as far as to say the decision would impact the show on an economic level. But with the show continuing … Read entire article »

  Two women were among four people killed in a bizarre, two-motorcycle collision on the Sheffield main road here on Wednesday night. Another woman, who was a pillion passenger on one of the motorcycles, has been hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The deceased, all of Westmoreland addresses, have been identified as: 31-year-old photographer, Everton Spence of Sheffield district; 32-year-old selector, Ryan Robinson, also called DJ Force Ripe; 21-year-old Shakira Hawthorne, and 20-year-old Khadine Campbell, all of Whitehall … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter— Letter from Duckie Simpson’s legal team giving Michael Rose and his team a June 16 deadline. (Photos: Bryan Cummings) Letter showing Duckie Simpson as owner of trademark Black Uhuru. Entertainment — THE rights to the name Black Uhuru is possibly headed to the courts again. Michael Rose, one of many members of the Grammy-winning reggae group, is challenging for rights to use the name that is held by founder Derrick “Duckie” Simpson. The Jamaica Observer understands … Read entire article »

Tommy Lee Sparta— After being locked up for nine days by the police, dancehall artiste Tommy Lee Sparta was yesterday ordered released from police custody. The entertainer, whose given name is Leroy Russell, was ordered released from custody by St James parish judge Sandria Wong-Small. She said Tommy Lee was not properly detained by the police under the state of emergency. The police had claimed that Tommy Lee had fled St James and that he could not be … Read entire article »

By Shereita Grizzle Veteran entertainer Barrington Levy is at home recovering from a gunshot wound he received on Tuesday evening. The entertainer took to his Instagram page on Wednesday evening to let his followers know that he was OK. He did not go into details surrounding the incident but expressed gratitude for being alive. The entertainer revealed that he got shot in the back and explained that the incident was an accident. “Yes, my people, one more time. I just … Read entire article »

A planned July 13 performance by Sizzla is canceled, the Mateel announced on Wednesday.Mateel Community Center —  By Ruth Schneider, Eureka Times-Standard— After some local outcry this week, the Mateel Community Center said Wednesday that Sizzla will not be coming to perform at a show in July, a Mateel board member stated. “The board decided to cancel the Sizzla concert,” board member and former president of the board Garth Epling said Wednesday afternoon. He said the decision by the board … Read entire article »

On May 27 2018, ABC news published previously sealed video evidence from Mark Myrie’s 2010 trial on drug-related charges. This excerpt of old surveillance footage was leaked to the internet just as Myrie, known to music lovers as Buju Banton, is preparing to return home after nearly a decade behind bars. The timing of the ABC report raises many important questions: What purpose does this report serve? Why unseal this dated footage now, when Myrie is … Read entire article »

By Shereita Grizzle— Pastor Gino Jennings—- After being forcibly removed by members of Pastor Gino Jennings’ church at the YMCA on Sunday, entertainer Mr Vegas said the program is brainwashing Jamaicans and should be banned from television. He said what he witnessed on Sunday was a congregation of indoctrinated people. “The question should be, is this the man we want preaching in our homes? This man should not be allowed to preach to our children. I saw an 11-year-old child … Read entire article »