CLINTON LINDSAY

By Kediesha Perry—Observer writer– Carnival scenes like this are common throughout the Caribbean. (Observer: File Photo)—  POPULAR social networking service, Instagram (IG) is apologizing for blocking Caribbean carnival-related material from its platform. According to Canadian news agency, Vice, several revellers were taken aback when they realised that Instagram issued a community guidelines regulation violation notice when they viewed hashtags like #fuzionmas, #stluciacarnival, #trinidadcarnival2020, #xuvocarnival, and #ehtshirtmas (representing carnival events in St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, and Antigua), after … Read entire article »

(Photo: via Jamaica Constabulary Force on Twitter)) ST THOMAS, Jamaica — The police have seized nearly 1,200kgs of cocaine about 60 miles south east of Morant Point in St Thomas. The quantity of drugs, which is estimated to be worth more than $1.5 billion, was handed over to the narcotics police by the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard after it was seized about 5:45 am today. The security forces reportedly found 50 bales containing 998 parcels of the … Read entire article »

By V. McGee— Buju Banton will not be performing in Geneva, Switzerland tonight as planned. The Grammy-winning reggae star was booked to perform at the Border Splash Benefit Concert at the Geneva Arena tonight, but the show was canceled last minute. Buju Banton updated his fans on IG early Wednesday morning after learning about the show’s cancellation. “Currently in Geneva, it has been brought to our attention that for reasons beyond our control, the scheduled show for tonight (July 31) … Read entire article »

By Amina Wako—s President Uhuru Kenyatta with radio presenter Mbusi at State House, Nairobi. PHOTO | PSCU Bob Marley President Uhuru Kenyatta will next week depart for Kingston, Jamaica for bilateral talks between the two counties. The president is expected to visit the museum of iconic reggae singer Bob Marley and the shrine of Jamaican-born pan africanist Marcus Mosiah Garvey. Andrew Holness Uhuru’s visit is at the invitation of Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holnes. He will be a guest at the country’s 57th independence anniversary. Uhuru … Read entire article »

BY KEVIN JACKSON—Observer writer— Christopher Martin— Christopher Martin regains strength on this week’s Billboard Reggae Albums Chart with And Then, which bolts from number 22 to two. Released by VP Records on May 3, And Then debuted at number one on May 17. Martin worked with several producers on the set, including Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown, Kingyard Productions, Chimney Records, White Gad Productions and Robert Livingston. To date, the album has sold just over 400 copies. Martin is one of three re-entries in the Top 10. Soca Gold … Read entire article »

A section of the crowd at Reggae Sumfest — People engaged in the travel industry will admit that events hold the potential to drive huge visitor traffic to a destination. For example, Summerfest, the 50-year-old music festival staged on the shore of Lake Michigan in the United States is reported to attract audiences in the range of 800,000 to 900,000 annually. Probably the fact that Summerfest, staged in late June and early July, features more than 700 artistes performing … Read entire article »

From: LOOP NEWS— Rita Marley and Sizzla Kalonji are to be honored by the Government at this year’s staging of the Grand Gala on Independence Day, August 6, at the National Stadium. Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Gender Affairs and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, made the announcement during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House last week. Grange said both are deserving of the honors. “Rita Marley and Sizzla will be both honoured this year,” she said. Sizzla Kalonji Past honourees include … Read entire article »

Singer Pat Kelly—- The thanksgiving service for the life of reggae and rocksteady singer Pat Kelly will be held on Saturday, August 17, at the Boulevard Baptist Church, Washington Boulevard, St Andrew, starting at 11 a.m. His widow, Ingrid ‘Jackie’ Kelly, told The Gleaner that there would be no special requirements such as ‘cheerful colors’ or any other tagline. “Just come as you are,” she said. “At this point, I don’t have much details, but the important thing is that … Read entire article »