Published Wednesday, August 15th 2007

Reggae Sundance 2007 in Holland was rated a success.  Thousands were there to take in Jah Cure's first performance as a free man and they were not disappointed.  He performed Longing For, Jah Bless Me, Jamaica, King In This Jungle, Run Come Love Me (and was joined by Jah Mason), What Will It Take, Good Morning Jah Jah, I'm Still Around, Reflections, Ghetto Life, Sticky and Love Is.  There were also stand-out performances by Natural Black, Tony Rebel, Marcia Griffith, Tarrus Riley, Yellowman, Gyptian, LUST, Lutan Fyah, Jimmy Cliff, Capelton and Bunny Wailer.   Gregory Isaacs seemed to have some throat problems but everyone was happy to see him on stage again.  

Has Barbado's Anderson Blood Armstrong finally proven himself to be a full-blooded calypsonian? He might not wish to put it like that since he has paid the dues of 20 plus years in the art form, but the results of the Cable & Wireless Pic-O-De-Crop Finals  on Friday, August 3rd proved once and for all that Blood can never again be written off in any kaiso contest.  The man who – as a Lodge School boy – rocked the airwaves in 1984 with Sports Billie and then, at age 15, became the youngest-ever Pic-O-De-Crop finalist, came within a quarter-point of winning the national calypso crown this year.  He didn't see it as a coming-of-age, though, but simply as a surmountable challenge.  "When I have something to do, I put my all into it. I might not have won the crown but I feel like a king," he said.  Particularly pleasing was the fact that the title could have gone to either him or his "big brother" Red Plastic Bag, who won the Pic-O-De-Crop title for a record eighth time. Blood didn't mind losing one bit.   "We go a long way back. In fact, last year he wrote one of my songs. Usually when he's writing, he calls and seeks my opinion. We were always close," he recalled, harking back to the years when the newly formed Square One was backing band for the Untouchables tent.   Incidentally, both entities – the band, of which Blood was lead vocalist, and the tent which featured Bag – no longer exist.  

Controversial Jamaican singjay Tanya Stephens' 'rebelution' may just have to take a back seat while she furthers her education and expands her horizons.  On Wednesday, August 8th she was awarded a Resource Development International (RDI) scholarship to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom.  Media representatives were invited to witness the handing over of the scholarship at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston, where a bubbly Stephens, the second recipient of the scholarship, stepped out in signature shades, a cleavage-baring number and heels.  The event was attended by Jeffery 'Assassin' Campbell, the first scholarship winner who is said to be doing exceptionally well with his program and who found out a month ago that he was at the top of his class.  "It is not about As or Bs, we get distinctions and passes," explained the Red Square member who said he has not failed any subjects thus far. He added that he was very proud of Stephens and wished her all the best, while stating that the course is not a walk in the park, but takes dedication.  "The premise for the scholarship was to identify public figures who are doing something of substance, and this year Tanya won the vote," said regional director of RDI North Caribbean, Aldain Reid.  Asked whether the scholarship will be awarded only to individuals in the music industry, Reid said he was not quite sure about that, as they were now looking into the possibility of establishing a scholarship exclusively for artistes in order to give other members of the society who are excelling a chance at receiving the RDI scholarship.  Tanya expressed her gratitude for the scholarship, saying, "I am really happy and don't take this lightly. You will not be disappointed. I appreciate this and will do my best".  "Money is not the only thing to be taken into consideration," she added. "Had it been left up to me, I probably would have procrastinated for the rest of my life. There wasn't any system to accommodate people like me before. I tried on many occasions to go back to school, but was told I had to be there 90 per cent of the time, which I could not do if I wanted to pay for the course."  RDI, established in Jamaica in 2005, is a distance-learning option for Jamaicans to pursue Bachelor's and Master's degrees with top British universities.

In Guyana, a new fashion designer has emerged on the local scene. Wacky entertainer Lucky B whose real name is Carlos Williams recently decided to take a break from singing to make his dream of designing a reality. His clothing line is called 'Stosh' and he has opened a clothing store at the Merriman's Mall.   The singer who is known for tunes such as "Son-in-law Must Never Live by Mother-in-law" and "Chutney Posse" said that years ago he was involved in the tailoring business. About five years ago he went to Antigua where he worked at the Black and Black Designing Company. Lucky B spent one year with that company and gained lots of experience in designing clothing. When he arrived back home in Guyana from the Caribbean island, he placed all his energy into his singer career and his designer skills were left on the back burner until now.  Lucky B says he is catering for persons any age in any design possible. His line, Stosh, has pieces for weddings, parties and other occasions and the designs come in batik, tie dye, African pieces among others.  He said his pieces were reasonably priced to suit anyone's pocket.

 

Mafia House recording artiste Beenie Man told reporters in Jamaica that there will be neither a ‘Summer Sizzle’, nor a birthday party/first anniversary this year.  “There will be no first anniversary, I will be spending my birthday and my anniversary in Osaka, Japan. I will be performing on the Mighty Crown show, and after that I will be going to South Africa in September,” he said.  He denied that there was a relationship with Barbee.  “There is no relationship. Even if there could be a relationship, there cannot be one now, too much people a watch, so nothing cyah happen. And if unnuh (the media) want the friendship fi cut off, mi will cut it off but mi tink it unfair fi mek unnuh mek me stop work with Barbee,” he said.  In the meantime, Beenie Man's combination single, Give It Up featuring Barbee on the 357 Records label, made its debut on the Richie B top 30 charts in Jamaica at the #27 spot.

The songs of Bob Marley are to be transformed to the London West End stage in a musical of the late reggae star's life. Actor/playwright Kwame Kwei-Armah will use Marley's hits, such as I Shot The Sheriff and No Woman No Cry, to inspire the script. Chris Blackwell, founder of Marley's music label Island Records, will produce. Marley died in May 1981 at the age of 36 after refusing medical treatment for cancer.
 

 

It was reported recently in Jamaica that Reggae artist Norris Man caused riots both onstage and offstage at the stage show 'St. Mary Mi Come From' when an army of bobos descended on him and beat him to a pulp after he told Sizzla to 'suck his madda' while both of them were onstage.  Norris Man is reported to have been waiting backstage while Sizzla was performing an extended set. Norris Man walked onstage and began to perform. Sizzla is said to have told Norris Man to behave himself and leave the stage, and then Norris Man blurted out  'suck you madda'.  Sizzla simply said, 'what yu tell me 'bout mi madda' and suddenly, a small army of turban-wearing men began to beat Norris Man savagely. In the meantime, Sizzla continued to deejay as if nothing had happened.  The onstage altercation caused a melee at the front of the stage, as some rastafarians in the crowd began to jump onstage in an earnest attempt to beat Norris Man as well. Capleton was able to restore order with a long stream of expletives and the show resumed. However, later, Norris Man returned onstage and appealed to the people, 'see what dem do me' and this time, he was boxed and mauled, and dragged off the stage like a ragdoll by another set of angry rastafarians. The crowd was terrified by what they were witnessing and there were several mini-stampedes throughout the packed venue.