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CLINTON LINDSAY » GUEST RUNDOWNS

TIME, PATIENCE AND BRANDING REQUIRED FOR JAMAICA TO REGAIN IT’S REGGAE GROUND!

Copeland Forbes— By Shereita Grizzle– Billboard magazine’s findings in their 2014 year-end publication, showing how poorly Jamaican reggae acts fared in comparison to non-Jamaican acts for the year, has left a bitter taste in the mouths of some key industry players. In a recent interview with The Sunday Gleaner, Copeland Forbes, former manager of late singer John Holt, said reggae is, and will always be, uniquely Jamaican. However, while explaining that non-Jamaicans merely make a “replica of the real music”, Forbes agreed that these non-Jamaican acts do far better at capitalising on what they have and are more knowledgeable about the impact of proper marketing. “What the local reggae industry does with the music is up to us. We will always have the authentic thing. No one can take that from us, but we need to do … Read entire article »

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KINGSTON’S RANNIE WILLIAMS CENTER IS THE HOME FOR FEBRUARY’S “REGGAE MONTH” CELEBRATIONS!

Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna (second right) ignites a pair of torches in officially launching Reggae Month 2014 at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Hope Road, St Andrew, on January 28, 2014. Witnessing the lighting ceremony were Kingston’s mayor, Councillor Angela Brown Burke (left); vice-chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), Charles Campbell (second left); JaRIA chairman, Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper (third right); and deputy director of tourism, attractions, cruise and events at the Jamaica Tourist Board, Jason Hall.- File— By Sadeke Brooks— With the Reggae Village at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre,Hope Road, St Andrew, now its stable home, the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is well prepared for February’s staging of Reggae Month 2015. Charles Campbell, executive director of JaRIA, said, “I think at this stage we are more ready than … Read entire article »

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“THIS YEAR’S LINEUP IS NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR” SAYS PROMOTER OF THE JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL!

“THIS YEAR’S LINEUP IS NOTHING SHORT OF SPECTACULAR” SAYS PROMOTER OF THE JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL!

By Richard Johnson— Top: Magic!  Bottom: Mariah Carey(L) & Soja WALTER Elmore, executive producer of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival, is confident his line-up for this year’s event rivals similar festivals worldwide. The 2015 staging — from January 29 to 31 at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium — is headlined by American Grammy-winning megastar Mariah Carey, former Gap Band singer Charlie Wilson, Peter Cetera formerly of Chicago, The Pointer Sisters, American reggae band SOJA and Canadian reggae-fusion band Magic!. Barbadian … Read entire article »

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SINGER JIMMY RILEY HOSPITALIZED AFTER CONTRACTING THE CHIK-V VIRUS, ACCORDING TO PUBLISHED REPORT!

  By André Williams— Veteran reggae, lovers-rock singer Jimmy Riley, who is also the father of Tarrus Riley, is terribly ill and remains hospitalised three weeks after being admitted for an undisclosed illness after contracting chik-V. THE STAR understands that there is no clear indication when the elder Riley is scheduled to be released from hospital as his current state is said to require regular monitoring by doctors. Riley’s latest studio album, Contradictions, was released in September 2013 by VP Records and features son Tarrus, Sizzla and Fanton Mojah. Efforts by THE STAR to speak to a member of the family proved futile. It is unclear who currently manages the elder Riley, who, up to a few months ago, was still actively touring and performing at gigs locally and internationally. Jimmy Riley had several hits in the 1970s, including Tell the Youths the … Read entire article »

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MR. VEGAS KICKS OFF THE NEW YEAR ON TOP OF THE CHART WITH “MY JAM!”

THE FOUNDATION RADIO NETWORK TOP 30 MUSIC CHART (NY) 1/9/15 TW      LW WOC TITLE ARTIST     LABEL HPR 1-3 -12 MY JAM (1) MR. VEGAS MV MUSIC #1 2 2 13 Captured Land Chronixx Overstand Records #2 3 4 12 Check Hezron Tad’s Records #3 4 6 10 Fighting Brave Like A Lion Aaron Silk Fat Eyes Records #4 5 1 13 Hard Work (3) Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley Ghetto Youths Int’l #1 6 9 7 Rock Stone Stephen Marley/Capleton/Sizzla Ghetto Youths Int’l #6 7 5 14 Stay With Me Romain Virgo Lifetime Records #2 8 12 7 Dat Nah Go Work Ikaya/Shuga Penthouse Records #8 9 11 7 All I Need Michelle Gordon Eternal Light Records #9 10 7 13 Ready When You Ready RC/Exco Levi/Shuga Penthouse Records #3 11 13 6 Front Door Tom Laing Top Tier … Read entire article »

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GRAMPS MORGAN ARRIVES IN ACCRA,GHANA,FOR MAJOR CONCERT JANUARY 16!

Gramps “Roy” Morgan, of the popular Jamaican Reggae group, MORGAN HERITAGE has safely touched down in Ghana on Saturday morning, January 10, 2015 at the Kotoka International Airport. Roy Morgan  Gramps who is also son of legendary reggae singer, Denroy Morgan, would be playing at the Django Bar in Accra on Friday, January 16, 2015. Gramps was met at the airport by his Ghanaian Road Manager, King Lagazee. According to King Lagazee, the visit is supposed to be a “Homecoming” for the burly Reggae icon. He’s currently lodging in a hotel in accra and would soon jump on interviews around town. For the first time, Ghanaians will see him display his unimaginable musical talent on the night of the event. Supporting artists on the bill for the night are Stonebwoy, Jupitar, Mzvee, Episode, Sena, Captan, Bastero … Read entire article »

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SHOOTER GEORGE ZIMMERMAN ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A WEAPON!

By Lindsay Deutsch– (Photo: Joe Burbank, AP)—- George Zimmerman, the Florida man who was acquitted in 2013 of the shooting death of unarmed black teen Trayvon Martin, was arrested in Florida late Friday night on charges of aggravated assault with a weapon. According to Seminole County booking documents, Zimmerman, 31, was arrested by the Lake Mary police and was booked at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility at 10:10 p.m. He is being held without bond and will appear in court at 9 a.m. Since his high-profile acquittal, Zimmerman has had three other encounters with the Lake Mary police. In September 2013, Zimmerman’s estranged wife, Shellie Zimmerman, called 911 to tell police he had punched her father and was threatening her with a gun. She opted not to press charges. In the second incident, which occurred in November 2013, Zimmerman … Read entire article »

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ROOTS ARTIST ANTHONY B GOES ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM), FOR HIS LATEST RELEASE “TRAITS OF A CHIEFTAIN!”

 Anthony B— RASTAFARIAN singer Anthony B has never been afraid to experiment with different musical styles. His latest single, Traits of a Chieftain, blends reggae-dancehall with electronic dance music (EDM). Produced by Geoff Rand of We Chief Music and Nic Hard, the track premiered on the world’s largest reggae website, the European-based reggaeville.com, in January 2015. “At first, I was hesitant about doing it. You know as a Rasta, I was a bit sceptic. But I have never been afraid to embrace other genres, and cultures. So I went ahead with it, but made sure that I kept that conscious element in it. You don’t want to go into that crazy world and lose yourself,” Anthony B told the Jamaica Observer. “I am glad the song is doing well in that pop world, but … Read entire article »

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VYBZ KARTEL NOMINATED FOR FIVE YOUTH VIEW AWARDS!

VYBZ KARTEL NOMINATED FOR FIVE YOUTH VIEW AWARDS!

Vybz Kartel gets five YVA nominations   KINGSTON, Jamaica –— Vybz Kartel, the controversial artist who is currently serving life imprisonment for murder was nominated for five Youth View Awards (YVA). The categories for which the entertainer has been nominated are: 1. Favorite Local Chart Topping Song 2. Favorite Local Artiste of the Year 3. Favorite Dancehall Artist 4. Hottest Summer Song of the Year “Miami Vice” 5. Favouite Musical Collaboration The YVA are promoted by the company An Elegant Affair and nominations are mainly … Read entire article »

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DEEJAY FRANKIE SLY RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE “BAD!”

By Kevin Jackson—  Frankie Sly— DANCEHALL deejay Frankie Sly is back to claim the spotlight. This time he is taking a shot with his latest single Bad. Produced by the Chimney Records, the track is on the Happy Hour beat. Influenced by artists including Papa San and Early B, Frankie Sly honed his talent on a local sound system before he took up music professionally. He made his recording debut in 1993. “I used to listen to cassettes with the late great early Early B, the Doctor and Papa San and just imitate them. Then I had a friend whose dad had a sound system and I started trying out my craft every weekend on the sound system. That’s how I got started,” he said. Frankie Sly is known for hits Wah Wah Wah, Fassy and … Read entire article »

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