By Richard Johnson— (From left) TOK members: Alistaire ‘Alex’ McCalla, Xavier ‘Flex’ Davis, Roshaun ‘Bay C’ Clarke and Craig ‘Craigy T’ Thompson—. THE hills are expected to come alive with the inaugural staging of Blue Mountain Music Festival at the Hollywell National Recreational Park in St Andrew February 22-23. The event, Brainchild of Roshaun ‘Bay C’ Clarke of dancehall quartet TOK, aims to bring the camping festival culture to Jamaica and pair that with pulsating reggae. Clarke has co-opted … Read entire article »

By Howard Campbell— Influential— THE music industry is a tough business. It can be tougher for journeyman artists like singjay Influential, who has been pounding the boards for nearly a decade. In Suffer, his latest song, Influential addresses some of the challenges he faces trying to make it on the competitive dancehall scene. The song is a production of Jobes Records, operated by Alrick and Rupert Green. “Mi nuh get nuh justice from the business, a jus’ pure exploitation. A jus’ … Read entire article »

Veteran singer Patti LaBelle may be one of the most celebrated performers in the business, but she is not is a diva. At least not anymore. “That word is used so loosely that I don’t even consider myself a diva,” LaBelle said in an interview with PrideSource. “I always considered myself a woman who sings her heart out and who gives 120 percent. ‘Diva’ is a word that I wouldn’t wanna call myself because it’s so loosely used. … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson— David Rodigan—-VETERAN British broadcaster David Rodigan is a picture of concentration as he sits inside the control booth at Tuff Gong Studios in St Andrew. Tarrus Riley and his Black Soil Band are in the midst of a recording. The band strikes the opening chords and Rodigan becomes animated. His feet tap in time with the drums, his head bobs, then a smile begins to form, growing into a wide grin. Rodigan’s eyes light up, … Read entire article »

Shaggy (right) joins NeYo for their collaboration, ‘You Girl’, at the Shaggy and Friends Concert at Jamaica House, Hope Road, on January 4. – Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer– Digicel has released the figures relating to a live stream of the recently held Shaggy & Friends Concert at Jamaica House. As one of the main sponsors of the concert, Digicel offered more than 600,000 Facebook fans the opportunity to view the concert live on its fan page. The live stream was a massive success, reaching … Read entire article »

  Terror Fabulous— Veteran reggae artist Super Beagle is riding on the attention he received after his classic single Dust A Sound Boy was sampled by Grammy Award-winning rapper Kanye West, by releasing a new album. Though he is yet to decide on a name for the album, Super Beagle has already released and remixed a lead single. The album’s lead single is called Mama Cry, a song denouncing crime and violence while drawing attention to the turmoil parents go through, particularly mothers when they lose a child … Read entire article »

A resident of Orange Villa takes National Security Minister Peter Bunting and Police Commissioner Owen Ellington on a tour of Orange Villa, where a man was shot dead by the police – Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer– By Monique Grange— KINGSTON, Jamaica: The Ministry of National Security is to embark on a project this year that will see members of select units of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) wearing cameras on their bodies. Speaking at the Post Cabinet press briefing this morning … Read entire article »

Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell (left) hands over the cheque for $70 million to the Bustamante Hospital for Children – Jermaine Barnaby/Photographer— The atmosphere in the conference room at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston was beyond euphoric this afternoon as the Shaggy Make A Difference Foundation donated J$70 million to the facility. The money was raised through donations and proceeds from the Shaggy and Friends Concert that was staged earlier this year. Orville ‘Shaggy’ Burrell lauded the sponsors for the role they … Read entire article »

Justin Bieber ARRESTED For DUI and Drag Racing Justin Bieber was arrested for DUI … TMZ has learned. Law enforcement tells us … Bieber was busted in Miami Beach and it didn’t end with DUI … he was also busted for drag racing. The arrest occurred early Thursday morning. Bieber is now in custody and is at the police department where he is being tested — presumably to more precisely measure his blood alcohol level.  Our law enforcement sources say … Read entire article »

By Kevin Jackson—-  Stylo G—   DANCEHALL got a much-needed adrenaline shot in the United Kingdom last summer thanks to deejay Stylo G’s hit single Soundbwoy. It got heavy rotation on major radio stations including Kiss FM, Radio One and 1Xtra. Stylo G, whose real name is Jason McDermott, is in Kingston promoting his latest release, Move Back. A video for the song, directed by Ras Kassa, was filmed in downtown Kingston on Wednesday. Originally from Spanish Town, Stylo G migrated … Read entire article »