AN unruly crowd forced the cancellation of a concert headlined by Jamaican dancehall artiste Alkaline at the O2 Academy Brixton in London, on the weekend. According to an article posted on the Evening Standard’s website, police were called in after fans allegedly tried to gain access inside the sold-out concert venue. The O2 Academy Brixton is one of London’s leading music and theatrical venues. The maximum capacity is 4,921 (3,760 standing downstairs; 1,083 seated and 78 standing in the circle), alternatively the all-seated capacity is 2,391. The report said streets round the O2 Academy Brixton were closed from 8:00 pm with witnesses likening the scenes to a “war zone”. Promoters cancelled at the last minute citing fears over crowd safety. Video clips of the incident posted online show some patrons trying to escape … Read entire article »

Alkaline— A judge in the St Andrew parish court this morning ordered the police to either charge deejay Alkaline or release him by 6 p.m.. Alkaline’s attorney, Peter Champagnie, made an application in court this morning for the deejay to be released. The entertainer, whose given name is Earlan Bartley, has been in police custody since Thursday after he turned himself into investigators who are probing a case of murder. Police Superintendent Meverald Smith, who appeared on behalf of the police, objected to the application for Alkaline to be released. Smith said that investigators asked the entertainer 100 questions and he responded only by saying “I am innocent of these charges”.   … Read entire article »

BY SADE GARDNER—  Alkaline being escorted from Area Four Headquarters at Harman Barracks in Kingston yesterday. (Photo: Sade Gardner)— Dancehall deejay Alkaline spent last night at a Kingston lock-up following an extensive interview with detectives yesterday. Peter Champagnie, the deejay’s attorney, said his client has not been charged. “He has been detained and is currently in the custody of the police. The continuation of the interview will go into tomorrow (today),” he told Splash. Champagnie was unable to say where his client was being held. Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, director of the Corporate Communications Unit — the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s information arm — said she was not in a position to say where he was being held and when the interrogation sessions would end. “I think based on the brief of the investigators, we are not in a … Read entire article »

 Alkaline— EMBATTLED deejay Alkaline is expected to report to Area Four Headquarters at Harman Barracks in Vineyard Town, Kingston, today at 9:00 am. According to the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s information arm, an agreement was made between the police and Alkaline’s attorney, Peter Champagnie, at 3:00 pm yesterday. Champagnie confirmed he had been retained by Alkaline, and that the deejay only learnt of the development through the media. “He contacted me this (yesterday) morning and based on my schedule, we could not accommodate the meeting until tomorrow (today),” Champagnie told Jamaica Observer yesterday.  On Tuesday the CCU revealed that Alkaline was being sought for questioning in relation to the murder of Rohan Morris and was scheduled to report to Area Four HQ at Harman Barracks by latest 5:00 pm. Assistant Commissioner of … Read entire article »

 Dancehall artist, Alkaline— The police are seeking dancehall artist Alkaline for questioning in relation to the murder of Rohan Morris. The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), in a tweet a short while ago, said the artist, whose real name is Earlan Bartley, is to report to Harman Barracks by 5:00 pm tomorrow. The lawmen said it is believed that Alkaline can assist them with their investigations. The JCF did not provide any further information on the matter. … Read entire article »