By Roland S. Martin—– Aretha Franklin told CNN she has long been a fan of “American Idol” and is interested in being a judge on the show. (CNN) — “American Idol” lost two stars this week when judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced they would not be returning next season, but the hit Fox show could gain itself The Queen. Aretha Franklin, an 18-time Grammy Award winner who Rolling Stone proclaimed the greatest female singer of all time, told … Read entire article »

Phillip Daley (third left), inspector of postmen, and Samuel Perrin (second left), supervisor of postmen, along with postmen (from left) Lascelles Palmer, Errol Smith, Jermaine Simpson, Desmond Easy, Dennis Gooden and Rennix Houston (on bike). – Photos by Karen Sudu—– By Karen Sudu—– SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine: JUST AS its name was written in the history books when it became the first capital of Jamaica, Spanish Town boasts the first postoffice to be established not only in Jamaica, but in … Read entire article »

By Kate Derringer Barclay —– The Marseilles-based indie reggae-infused rock band, Drunk Souls, has been described as an exhilarating ride. Their debut album generated over 100,000 downloads, and the group have enjoyed comparisons to Manu Chao, Gorillaz, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Human Race” is the newest single from the critically acclaimed Drunksouls CD “Revolution”. Djamil Ramdane and Julien Mur are the two core members. The additional members are: Pierre Pesin (Trumpet), Jean Marc Layani (Keyboards), Fred Albertini(Bass), … Read entire article »

REGGAE artist Half Pint is currently in the United States and is part of Slightly Stoopid’s 2012 Unity tour. Slightly Stoopid is an American band based in California, who describe their music as a fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip-hop, and punk. HALF PINT… part of Slightly Stoopid’s 2012 Unity tour The tour which also features acts 311 and Soja and will run until September 6. Half Pint, however, is scheduled to headline a European tour … Read entire article »

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL—— FOR many years, AJ Brown was the Montego Bay version of Las Vegas’ Wayne Newton. A native son, he got his start as a singer working the city’s hotel circuit but surprisingly, has never performed at Reggae Sumfest, one of the resort area’s major events. Brown is scheduled to appear on the festival’s International Night 2, which takes place July 21 at Catherine Hall. Last week, he spoke to Splash about his debut on … Read entire article »

Duncan & girlfriend Omarosa “The Green Mile” star Michael Clarke Duncan was hospitalized Friday after suffering a heart attack, a rep for Duncan tells CNN. The 54-year-old actor was taken to a Los Angeles hospital, where doctors report that Duncan “suffered a myocardial infarction early this morning,” the actor’s rep says. “He is now stable and we look forward to his full recovery.” According to TMZ, it was Duncan’s girlfriend Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, a reality star and former contestant on … Read entire article »

By Ann Oldenburg—   Jennifer Lopez waited until the Steven Tyler dust had settled to announce that she, too, will not be returning to the American Idol judge’s table. “The time has come,” she told Ryan Seacrest on his radio showthis morning. Seacrest said his phone had been “blowing up” since Lopez talked about her exit on the Today show yesterday, hinting that “it’s time for me to go.” But he hadn’t talked to her. So he asked her, since yesterday, has anything changed? She explained … Read entire article »