The composer of two of reggae’s biggest instrumentals, Ansel Collins wears the tag of unsung hero like a badge of honor. Little is known about his prowess as a musician outside Jamaica, but his most famous protégé plans to change that. Ansel Collins Drummer Sly Dunbar, world-famous as half of the Sly and Robbie production team, is working on an instrumental project with Collins on keyboards. The songs are expected out in the first quarter of 2020, … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—Observer senior reporter— Steve DeAngelo (Photo: www.stevedeangelo.com)— Global cannabis activist Steve DeAngelo was last Thursday recognized with the Equal Rights and Justice Award at the fourth annual Peter Tosh Awards. DeAngelo, an American, was recognized for his more than 40 years of advocacy for the legalization of ganja and more recently his Last Prisoner Project, which seeks to obtain the release of persons still incarcerated on ganja charges especially in parts of the world where the … Read entire article »

BY AALIYAH CUNNINGHAM—Observer Writer— Shaggy— GRAMMY Award-winning artiste Shaggy was forced to explain himself last week, letting fans know ‘It wasn’t me’ after it was revealed that persons have been posing as him to solicit money from his friends and associates. He took to Instagram to set the record straight. “It has come to my attention that there have been posts online from people purporting to be me and hitting up my fans for money while making false … Read entire article »

Amina Blackwood Meeks— Educational institutions are being urged to share knowledge of actress, broadcaster and folklorist Louise Bennett-Coverley, popularly known as Miss Lou, with Jamaican children and young people to ensure that future generations are brought to knowledge of their culture and heritage by those of us who know the stories of our past. In what is the centenary year of her birth, one local organisation, the Centre for Value Based Arts, is putting her work on … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—Observer writer— Fayuca— One Drop, a six-piece band from San Diego, California, debuts at number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums Chart this week with their EP, Far From You, which sold 91 copies in its first week. One Drop’s music embraces classic roots reggae and dub, as well as rhythm and blues and rock. According to the band’s bio, their influences include Steel Pulse, Gregory Isaacs and The Police. Far From You was released October 10 by Neptune … Read entire article »

On November 22, 2019, VP Records will celebrate the 60th edition of one of the label’s staple compilation brands, with the release of Strictly the Best Vol. 60 . The set includes current and breaking hits from some of the top artists in roots reggae and dancehall.  As a kick-off to the label’s 40th Anniversary celebrations, a first ever live show “Strictly The Best – Live Montego Bay” was broadcast in January from Usain Bolt’s Tracks and records in Montego Bay. … Read entire article »

From: CaribbeanNationalWeekly— As a youth, Bamm Holt keenly listened to the classic songs of his grandfather, legendary reggae singer John Holt. But though “Gramps” is one of his biggest influences, Bamm wanted to make his musical mark to a different beat. On October 25, reggae fans will get to hear Bamm officially for the first time on Money Problems. His debut song is produced by Gold and Goals Production, a Jamaican company. “Mi call my kinda music reggae-fusion. … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—Observer senior reporter— Jawara McIntosh aka Tosh 1 The Jamaican public was given an update on the progress being made by Peter Tosh’s son Jawara, more popularly known as Tosh 1, who was left in a coma for over a year after being beaten in a New Jersey jail, reportedly at the hands of a fellow inmate. Peter Tosh His sister Niambe told the audience at the Peter Tosh Music Festival held at the Pulse Centre in … Read entire article »

By Claudia Gardner —- Reggae/dancehall icon Sizzla is currently hospitalized following a motorcycle crash. Get-well wishes have begun to pour in for the reggae star after he reportedly sustained a broken ankle, following a motorcycle accident on Saturday. Sources inside Sizzla‘s camp confirmed with Urban Islandz on Tuesday that the singer was ‘out and stuntin’ on one of his motorcycles along Mona Road in Kingston when he lost control and broke his right ankle. Source says that Sizzla Kalonji’s injury was … Read entire article »