CLINTON LINDSAY

Tony Williams was the creator of the British Reggae Industry Awards and a BBC Radio London DJ between 1977-1987 Written by George Ruddock— Brothers Tony Williams (left) and Spencer Williams in happier times— Pioneer radio DJ Tony Williams, who once had his own reggae show on BBC Radio London between 1977-1987 and was also the creator of the British Reggae Industry Awards which highlighted the talent of many UK reggae artists, has passed away in London on Monday, April … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer—    Fitzroy Francis— AS a youth in Waterhouse, Fitzroy Francis grew up with artistes who went on to become some of the biggest names in reggae and dancehall. In the last decade, he says he has noticed the drop in sales, and standard, of Jamaican music. That prompted Francis to expand his Mightyful13 Records label to the more lucrative pop market. Since its launch in 2011, he has worked with roots-reggae acts like Jesse … Read entire article »

By Stephanie Lyew— Garnet Silk—- The short career of popular Jamaican reggae singer Garnet Silk ended when he died in a fire in 1994 at his home in Hatfield, Manchester. Relatives of the reggae singer built another house on the land, but it still holds the remains of his former residence which has been an attraction for tourists. Member of Parliament of North West Manchester, Mikael Phillips, told The STAR that the location could be the next community tourism project. Two … Read entire article »

By  newsamericas— Screen grab from the Realtor.com ad featuring the reggae hit: “You Don’t Love Me (No, No, No)” By NAN News Editor News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. May 1, 2018: The reggae musical genre continues to seep into mainstream television, with a top real estate website featuring a song by a Jamaican-born songstress in its latest tv commercial, News Americas has found. Realtor.com, a real estate listings website operated by the News Corporation subsidiary Move, Inc. and based in Santa Clara, … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell— Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals — Toots and The Maytals have announced a 31-date tour of North America, the group’s most ambitious trek since lead singer Toots Hibbert was injured in the United States during a concert five years ago. The group kicked off the shows last Saturday in San Bernardino, California, with a performance at Kaya Fest, followed by a gig at The Marquee in Tempe, Arizona, the next day. In the … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer—    British singer and songwriter Sting (left) and Jamaican recording artiste Shaggy greet each other warmly at the Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary in early January. Sting performed on Shaggy’s biennial charity concert Shaggy and Friends. (Photo: Joseph Wellington) — 44 /876 , the 12-song album by Sting and Shaggy, debuts at number one on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart. The set has sold 10,227 copies since its release on April 21. This is the … Read entire article »

Pop artist Ed Sheehan and his cousin Jethro ‘Alonestar’ Sheeran Jethro ‘Alonestar’ Sheeran, cousin of MTV’s 2017 ‘Artist of the Year,’ Ed Sheeran, has revealed that success in the music business has caused a huge rift in his family. “Music is about the spirit first but the business has divided us all. It has caused huge problems in my family and myself and Edward (Ed),” Alonestar disclosed recently. (audio file attached) The point of contention is the 15-track … Read entire article »