Jay Z, whose wife Beyonce is expecting twins soon, was absent from the 2017 Songwriters Hall of Fame, where he was inducted by a charismatic longtime fan: former U.S. President Barack Obama. Obama, appearing in a taped video, told the audience Thursday that he’s been listening to Jay Z since he was a “young and hungry state senator” and compared himself to the New York rapper. Jay Z became the first rapper inducted into the prestigious organization … Read entire article »

By Curtis Campbell   After five years of denying paternity, dancehall artist I-Octane has now acknowledged that he is the father of DJ Amber’s daughter. I-Octane on Thursday posted a photo of the child on his Instagram page and with the caption: “When your babies are champions Maliha Muir/Ashiek Muir.” Hanging around the neck of the child, who DJ Amber said is their daughter, Maliah Muir, were five medals which she won at her recent prep school sports … Read entire article »

(AFP) – Reggae elder statesman Alpha Blondy called in an interview for a general amnesty and release of all prisoners held in his home country Ivory Coast since the political violence of 2010 and 2011. “Reconciliation in Ivory Coast can only be done through a general amnesty,” the multi-million album selling star said. “An amnesty would be a courageous political act.” Split from 2002 to 2011 between the rebel held north and government controlled south, Ivory Coast has recovered … Read entire article »

By Mel Cooke One day a few years ago, I stood outside the Afrique pub on the lower part of King Street, downtown Kingston, and heard King Stitt talk about having to run from the police when he was playing sound systems in the earlier days of Jamaican popular music. It was not because he was doing anything that actually broke the law, but, as he put it, to play a sound system was like a … Read entire article »

  The Government of Jamaica is looking to establish an Entertainment Insurance Plan to assist the music industry and artists. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, said the plan will be supported from the sales of the ‘Jamaica 55’ commemorative album. According to Minister Grange, “It is very heart-rending at times when our well-known, iconic artistes pass away and there are difficulties in ensuring that they have a decent funeral. There are situations where some … Read entire article »