LOS ANGELES — Two people have been charged with extortion after police detectives say they arrested the pair for trying to sell what they said was embarrassing information about Stevie Wonder. The duo, Alpha Lorenzo Walker and his girlfriend Tamara Eileen Diaz, have been jailed since their arrest on May 2. Both have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to appear in court on May 16 for a hearing in which a judge will decide whether … Read entire article »

New Jersey authorities are searching for the killer or killers in the shooting death of a local radio talk show host known for her activism on veterans’ issues. April Kauffman, 47, was found dead inside the bedroom of her New Jersey home Thursday from “multiple gunshot wounds,” according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office. Kauffman, who hosted a weekly talk radio program on WOND, was found around 11:30 a.m. Thursday by a worker who called 911. Kauffman … Read entire article »

Jah Jah Youth New Jersey: When New Jersey-based reggae singer Jah Jah Yute is introduced to Jamaicans overseas, the first thing he is asked is if he is related to a former Jamaican prime minister. Why? Because his real name is Steadman Shearer and people want to know if this tall, talented and statesmanlike artist is connected to former Jamaican Prime Minister Hugh Shearer. And, yes, they are indeed cousins! Jah Jah Yute was born in the hills … Read entire article »

BY RICHARD JOHNSON—- SAXOPHONIST Lester Sterling, the lone surviving original member of the Skatalites and Doreen Schaeffer, long-time vocalist with the pioneer band, have added their voices to the list of persons paying tribute to bass player Lloyd Brevett. Brevett, the band’s original bass player, died last Thursday in Kingston at age 80. Lester Sterling (right) and Doreen Scaeffer (3rd right) in this photo of the Skatalites.   When Splash caught up with Sterling and Schaeffer, who both call New … Read entire article »

By Luke Douglas   THE expected introduction to the market of new media companies such as Netflix and iVu present a challenge to traditional media providers and cable companies, according to executive director of the Broadcasting Commission, Cordel Green. However, despite the rapid changes in the media landscape, Green sees opportunities ahead for media companies that can provide quality programming at reasonable cost. Green said approximately $6.53 billion or US$77.7 million in total revenue was collected in the electronic … Read entire article »

By Simone Morgan—–  Donovan Germain This is the first of a two-part feature on Jamaican producers. Next week, we will look at the younger producer’s perspective. (L-R) Lloyd ‘King Jammys’ James. Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke   LLOYD ‘King Jammys’ James, Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke, Robert Livingston, and Donovan Germain are some of the names that come to mind whenever talk of contemporary reggae’s most successful producers comes up. Their productions dominated the reggae/dancehall market for over 30 years, topping pop and reggae charts worldwide. Recently, … Read entire article »

  Where were you when you heard the news that Robert NestaMarley had died? Marcia Griffiths, member of the I-Threes I was driving through Sister Judy’s gate. I was hearing rumours before and she was hearing them as well. I was driving inside and she stood there looking at me with a certain anxiety. Both of us were at the same place when it was confirmed. We just stood there numb. We were speechless, didn’t know what to do … Read entire article »

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen delivers the Throne Speech during yesterday’s ceremonial opening of the 2012-2013 session of Parliament at Gordon House in Kingston. – Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer—- By Daraine Luton—- DESPITE a declaration from Phillip Paulwell, the leader of government business in the House of Representatives, that yesterday was the last time the Throne Speech would bear that name, several of the island’s legislators are cautious about such a move. Andrew Holness, the leader of the opposition … Read entire article »

By Jonathan Tully— Among the performers at Saturday’s One Love Reggae Festival are Capleton, Nadine Sutherland and Cocoa Tea—.   Big reggae fans will have a great excuse to go to Cruzan Amphitheatre on Saturday, as some big names and up-and-coming performers will be on hand. Grammy-nominated Capleton — perhaps known best at first for “Alms House” back in 1992, but more recently for “That Day Will Come” and “Small World” — and Cocoa Tea, who had a worldwide hit … Read entire article »