Gil Bailey —Fifty years after his voice was first heard on New York’s airwaves, Gil Bailey has again broken new ground. Two weeks ago, the veteran broadcaster debuted his The Gil Bailey Show on YouTube, and hopes the medium will introduce him to a new generation of fans. During his daily four-hour afternoon slot, Bailey plays reggae, calypso, soca and gospel music, a mix that has endeared him to West Indian listeners in the tri-state (New York, … Read entire article »

By Aaliyah CunninghamObserver writer— Patrons light up the sky at Fully Loaded  Dr Andre Haughton, Opposition senator, intends to move a motion which seeks to allow the use of Jamaican expletives in dancehalls. Haughton said he was influenced to do this after police warned Japanese sound system Mighty Crown not to use profanity during the Fully Loaded show on August 2. “This motion is important because this is our culture,” he told Jamaica Observer’s Splash. “Too many aspects of our … Read entire article »

VIRGINA, (AP) — Police are investigating the shooting deaths of two people at a restaurant in Virginia. Newport News police spokesman Brandon Maynard said in an email that officers responded to a report of a shooting Thursday afternoon at Dunn’s River Jamaican and Caribbean Restaurant. Maynard said the officers found two people suffering from gunshot wounds. They were both pronounced dead at the scene. Maynard said one person has been detained but stressed that the investigation is ongoing. There … Read entire article »

BY CANDIECE KNIGHT—Observer staff reporter— The Denham Town evangelist who was seen in a video being attacked by a Rastafarian man while delivering a spirited sermon in Arnett Gardens is calling the altercation a blessing. A short video of the incident, which surfaced on social media over the ’emanci-pendence’ weekend, shows the evangelist, Valancy Hawes, declaring, “Hol’ yuh position, Satan,” at an open-air service on Eighth Street (popularly called Mexico) in Arnett Gardens. The Rastafarian man, Steve … Read entire article »

By Claudia Gardner— Bounty Killer wants the Jamaican government to end the ban on using expletives during stage performances. There has been a raging debate over the last few days led by Bounty Killer, about the use of Jamaican expletives not being allowed at the Fully Loaded sound system clash event in St. Ann, the use of which, according to the Warlord, is a key element of that type of entertainment. On Sunday the Warlord uploaded a poster of … Read entire article »

By K.D. Anglin— Koffee wants to follow in Bob Marley’s footsteps with Reggae music. TV personality Simone Clarke-Cooper interviewed Koffee after her performance at the Independence Grand Gala at the National Stadium on August 6th. The ‘Lyrical Docta’ expressed how thankful she was to Jamaica for embracing her and for the opportunity to perform at a national celebration for her home country. Koffee does genuinely seem grateful for her accomplishments and fans, and most of all, her country. When asked what she would … Read entire article »

Minister says items taken when island was a colony ‘belong to the people of Jamaica’— Mark Brown Arts correspondent—  The British Museum received the Jamaican artefacts in the early 20th century. Photograph: Alamy A Jamaican government minister has demanded that the British Museumrepatriates objects in its collection taken when the island was a colony. The culture minister, Olivia Grange, wants the museum to return artefacts including a 500-year-old carved wooden figure thought to represent Boiyanel, a rain god; and a carved figure … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELLObserver senior writer Glen Campbell  Rita Marley, who steadfastly developed her husband’s legacy into a multi-million dollar brand, has been awarded the Order of Jamaica in this year’s National Honors and Awards, announced yesterday by the Jamaican government. The OJ is the country’s fourth highest honor. Marley, widow of reggae legend Bob Marley, leads a cast of entertainment industry veterans who have been awarded the Order of Distinction, Jamaica’s fifth highest honor. Recipients of the OD are … Read entire article »

Shaggy arrives at the Pre-Grammy Gala And Salute To Industry Icons at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo: AP)— Before Disney films its live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid,” ABC will take a crack at it with a live production starring “Moana” actress Auli’i Cravalho as Ariel.The production, to air on November 5, will also star Queen Latifah as Ursula and Shaggy as Sebastian. Queen Latifa The music will be … Read entire article »