Longtime radio legend and civic leader E. Steven Collins died early Monday from a heart attack while surrounded by family and friends, announced Radio One – the company where Collins worked as Director of Urban Marketing and External Relations and hosted of his weekly show, Philly Speaks on Old School 100.3. Collins was 58. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter called the “tremendous loss” of his friend ”hard” to take, an “immeasurable” loss. “I don’t know when I met him… but certainly will never forget him,” Nutter said. “Collins … Read entire article »

BY ALICIA SUTHERLAND—- MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The Manchester police recently destroyed pirated DVDs and CDs valued at approximately $12 million. Top: Inspector Wilbert Mills…Bottom: Pirated DVDs and CDs, valued at approximately $12 million, recently burned in Manchester. (PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNETT) Special Inspector Wilbert Mills, who heads the Operations Unit of the Island Special Constabulary Force in Area 3, said that the discs were seized between January 1 and August 31 this year. The seizure, he said, has put a … Read entire article »

ORLANDO, Fla. — George Zimmerman’s wife has called police to her father’s house, saying the former neighborhood watch volunteer who was acquitted of murder threatened her with a gun. Lake Mary Police Chief Steve Bracknell says Shellie Zimmerman called police shortly after 2 p.m. Monday. Bracknell says Zimmerman hasn’t been arrested and officers are at the house trying to determine what happened. Shellie Zimmerman filed for divorce last week. In the divorce petition, Shellie Zimmerman says she and her … Read entire article »

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — The Trinidad Express newspaper reported Sunday that legendary calypsonian the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco) is at a New York hospital in serious condition. A brief statement from the singer’s family also confirmed the report. Calls to Sparrow’s home and mobile phones in New York went unanswered, as well as calls to his home in Trinidad, where his wife, Margaret Francisco, spends much of her time. General secretary of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation Wayne … Read entire article »

Ben Jealous makes remarks outside the NAACP headquarters in Baltimore, Saturday, May 17, 2008.— WASHINGTON — Benjamin Jealous, the president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, says he plans to step down by the end of the year. Jealous announced his plans to resign on Sunday. He says he plans to pursue teaching at a university and spending time with his young family. The Baltimore-based NAACP is the nation’s largest civil rights … Read entire article »

Chuck Fenda— Chuck Fenda is gearing up to release his latest album, Jah Elements tomorrow (September 10). The 17-track album is to be distributed by digital distribution giants Zojak World Wide. He believes the album may be one of his best to date. The album is produced by Lloyd ‘John John’ James, and the songs written by John John, Angel Doolas and himself. “It’s a team effort and I think it’s one of my best albums so far. In Jah Elements, we’re calling up on … Read entire article »

  By Curtis Campbell— The chairman of the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers (JACAP), Paul Barclay, is urging local radio to play more Jamaican music in order to increase returns from royalties. According to the chairman at JACAP’s recent Open House Forum, JACAP had to pay 65 per cent of the almost 150 million collected in royalties to overseas creators, because not enough Jamaican music is being played. Although the issue is one that has been raised on several occasions, with distinct cultural … Read entire article »