Entertainment
Update July 2008!
New York Irie Yam Jam Weather's The Storm
Despite the wind, large hail, lightning, thunder and constant down pouring of rain throughout the day on Sunday, July 27th, Irie Jam Media made the decision that the Caribbean cultural food festival would go on for those who braved the weather to attend. It turned out to be a wise decision as the event turned out to be a great one. West Indian Times arrived in the park once the rain stopped after 6pm and we were in time to see Third World about to take the stage. It was amazing to see the amount of Caribbean lovers of all ages who braved the weather to attend the Yam Jam. The patrons loved Third World who belted out hit after hit after hit! They began with 'Reggae Ambassador' and went into 'Satta Massagana', '96 Degrees', 'Try Jah Love', 'Now That We Found Love' and many other favorites from their vast catalogue of music. The band was energetic and really set the pace for the evening. Next on stage was Lushy who impressed the crowd with his hit 'Obama'; Cowskin who delighted the crowd with his energetic song about Dalmatian dogs and Cherry Rock who had a lovely lovers rock tune. The three artists proved to be winners with the crowd and the fact that they went on after a major act showed that Irie Jam Media has respect for upcoming artists. Next on stage was Byron Lee & the Dragonaires (minus Byron Lee who was ill and unable to appear). The band was amazing, they began with 'Blame It On The Music' and went into a slew of Soca and Reggae hits that the patrons loved. It was a beautiful set. Towards the end of the night Oliver Samuels appeared (his plane had been delayed by the weather) and although he was too late to MC the show he delighted the audience as always. For those who did not make it to the Yam Jam due to the weather, they missed an awesome evening of fun in the park. Now just imagine what Irie Jamboree is going to be like on Labor Day Weekend!
3rd
Annual Virginia Caribfest A HitThe 3rd Annual Virginia Caribfest Festival which took place on Friday, July 18th and Saturday, July 19th was two days of Caribbean splendor. It's theme “Wonders of the Caribbean” came alive as thousands of patrons were in attendance to witness authentic Caribbean entertainment for the entire family. The weekend was alive with Calypso, Soca, Reggae, a parade with bright, energetic masqueraders, a steelpan jamboree, savory cuisine from the Caribbean and other nations, arts & crafts and much much more. On Friday night the festival showcased the Steel Pan Jamboree which was very entertaining and showed the splendor of the steelpan which was originated in Trinidad in 1946. There were pan players of all ages and from many different cultures, but they all were in one accord in bringing alive the sweet pan sounds of the Caribbean. Saturday was an energetic carnival atmosphere which began with a parade of bands from Towne Point park in Norfolk, VA to Harbor Park Stadium which was the venue for Caribfest. The costumes were awesome, the masqueraders jubilant and everyone had fun especially those sprinkling the powder and water! Throughout the day in the park there was entertainment by bands which included Nature's Child, Bukwi, Mista Vybe, Royalty Band, Ms. Alysha, Big Deal, Crossovah, Michelle Sylvester, Terry Seales, Vybez Evolution Band and Nadia Batson. It was especially exciting to see the young children embracing the positive Caribbean culture and delighting in the music, dance and excitement. Each year the Virginia Caribfest gets better and better and soon it will rival many of the large Caribfest's which take place all over the world!
Singer Roy Shirley, whose seminal hit song Hold Them, is recognized as the first rock steady song, died in England last week. 
Roy Shirley passes away
published:
Monday | July 21, 2008
The British company, Trojan Records which reissued several of Shirley's music in Europe, announced his death on its website. "Truly unique, Roy was not only one of the true greats of Jamaican music's first golden age, but also a gentleman in every sense of the word, and he will be sadly missed by all those who knew him, either personally or through his music," the posting read, in part. Born Ainsworth Roy Rushton Shirley, he grew up in Trench Town, an area that produced several pioneers of Jamaica's popular music.
Hold Them, recorded in 1967, was his biggest hit. It was reportedly the first song funded by a young producer named Joe Gibbs who would go on to find fame in the 1970s with Dennis Brown, Culture and George Nooks. Hold Them's loping beat was considerably slower than ska and is often cited by musicologists as the first rock steady song.
ICM Fest Returns with a Vengeance!
The International Caribbean Music Festival returns with a Vengeance back to its original Pre Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday, November 16 at the historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Key Biscayne, Miami. Voting is now in process to determine which artiste will make it in the final lineup for the show. “It will definitely be the people’s choice,” commented a spokesperson for the festival. This popular event has experienced many first and a lot of positive changes since its inception in 1997 as a Pre-Thanksgiving Family Fun Day, Reggae Bash held at AT&T Amphitheatre, with a lineup that still is being talked about today. Among the artistes that graced the stage were Beenie Man, Capleton, Sanchez, Spragga Benz, Richie Stephens, General Degree and a host of other tough acts including Sean Paul doing his first major show in the US. In 2001, Caribbean was added to the event’s title to reflect the new direction of the Festival. Artist from various genres throughout the Caribbean were added to reflect the diversity of the region and of Miami Caribbean population. Haitian super acts Sweet Mickey, Zenglen, Nulook, Boukman Experyans and the Virgin Island super group Jam Band, along with dancehall acts TOK, Veterans Sugar Minot & Cocoa Tea were also included. It was clear that the event had outgrown the venue. The fifth annual staging of the Caribbean Reggae Festival saw a new venue at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and Beach was added to the title. The Caribbean Reggae Beach Festival show turned out to be the biggest in Miami for 2002. A touch of Soca was added to the event which included Machel Montana & Denise Belfon. Yellow Man & Half Pint out-done themselves with an unforgettable performance, Red Rat made an exciting entry riding on the back of a motor cycle on stage which had the Festival in frenzy. The Historic Virginia Key Park was closed for renovations in 2003. The Caribbean Reggae Festival then moved to its biggest venue, the Bi-centennial Park. Over 30,000 fans from all over the Globe traveled to see the greatest line-up of Top Dance-hall stars, which includes Sizzla, the crowd favorites Bennie Man & Bounty Killer returned, Buju Banton made a rare Miami appearance, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Elephant Man and Spragga Benz. In 2006 the name was changed to the International Caribbean Music Festival and the line-up was expanded to include International Musicians other than reggae/dancehall. It was also the first time Reggae / Dance-hall, Reggaeton and Soca Artists combined on one stage. 2006 was the year that the International Caribbean Music Festival was invited to be a part of the Miami Carnival which took place in October. Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, Bunji Garlin, Alison Hines and others performed on the same line-up. In 1999, 2005 & 2007 there was no staging of the Festival. The promoters regrouped and have now return with a vengeance, back to its original week-end Pre Thanksgiving Family Fun Day at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. This year’s staging by all indications will be greater than great. The Promoters are urging everyone to log on to www.icmfest.com and keep the votes coming, as they will be going all out to ensure that ‘patrons wish will be their command’.
GOD is the answer … Thank GOD for life … GOD bless us all …
Freddie McGregor's documentary entitled "Freddie's First" is set to premier at the Toronto Island Soul Festival
during the month of August.
The reality based, cultural, docu-trip, was narrated by the 40-year reggae music veteran himself. Following five successful screenings, FUNSATION4's Rhea Smith and Lonai Mosley will present the Canadian premiere on Sunday, August 3, 2008 at 5:30 pm as part of the Harbourfront Centre's - Island Soul Festival Toronto, Canada.
Truck Rams Concorde & Knocks Off It's Nose at NYC Reggae Festival
July 9 - Well, it seems that Jamaicans have managed to make international news once again by knocking off the nose off the British Airways owned 'Concord'. It seems that after the June 29th Reggae Festival held at the spacious Aviator Sports & Recreation – Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, New York (Flatbush Ave South extension), a truck transporting equipment out of the festival ran into the Concorde's nose and knocked it off. An embarrassed museum official says a two-week nose job should reverse the damage to it's original state. The Museum is apologizing to British Airways, which owns the jet, saying that the recreational facility should have provided better security for the plane.
(Lance O Reporting) The promoters of the annual Reggae Sumfest stage show in Montego Bay are beaming with joy after the authorities agreed to relax the tough stance taken against events which breach the Noise Abatement Act; that act states that music events cannot go past 12 midnight weekdays & 2am weekends. The government has taken a zero tolerance stance to events being held past two am. The decision has not gone down well with many of the promoters out West who believe that they have been short-changed, while preferential treatment is being shown to others. However, one promoter sees the extension given to the Sumfest promoters as a plus for those other events. Since April this year many entertainment events across the island, have been forced to end at midnight on Thursdays and by 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays as the police strictly enforce the Noise Abatement Act. The move initially sparked a protest, however, promoters began complying with the law. Sumfest on the other hand has been granted permission to go beyond the curfew. It starts July 13 with the beach party & picks back up Thursday July 17th with Dancehall Night. Highlights in my opinion will be seeing Beenie & Bounty on the same stage, Ninjaman, newcomers Erup, Serani, Demarco & I Octane. Friday is the first International night. It will be interesting to see what Keisha Cole does as she has several songs spiced with Jamaican artists. Also Jah Cure performs along with Queen Ifrica, Terry Linen, & Pressure. Lastly Saturday July 19th Beres, Taurus, Etana on the final night. T pain & Lil Wayne do nothing for me but Jamaica will be on a hype for this.
ATLANTA, July 4, 2008, - One of Dancehall Reggae's most prominent artists is speaking out on the treatment of women in the industry after learning that controversial Travel Channel TV host Anthony Bourdain referred to women as "b***hes" when describing dancehall music in a Jamaican-themed episode of its Emmy-nominated series, "No Reservations." Veteran Dancehall Reggae artist Nadine Sutherland blasted Bourdain over a brief narration in which he describes dancehall music as he and his crew head to a street performance in Kingston. "There's no rootsy, laid back Rasta vibe," Bourdain narrates. "This ain't about standing up for your rights or praising Jah or anything like that. Like Reggaetón, its mutant cousin, dancehall is the hardcore beat behind lyrics concerning, for the most part: acquiring possessions, getting respect on the street, beating down perceived enemies and enjoying the physical charms of varied, if not multitudinous, b***ches. The bleeped-out expletive is spoken while video of black women dancing fills the screen. Sutherland, whose professional career includes a string of hits after signing with Reggae legend Bob Marley's Tuff Gong record label, quickly denounced the comments. "I am offended as a woman," she told Redding News Review. "But it's in our culture, that is how we are portrayed by our own men who are supposed to protect us and who are supposed to love us." Alerted to the matter by Redding News Review, Travel Channel officials said they must "research" the "claim."
Shabba Ranks Confirmed to Headline The Adamari Caribbean Summer Festival 2008
The temperatures in Southern California are going to keep on rising. Shabba Ranks, the two time Grammy award winning Emperor of Dancehall Reggae is CONFIRMED to headline the Adamari Caribbean Sumfest at the Queen Mary Park, in Long Beach, California on Sunday, July 27th. Shabba is set to light up the main stage at the hottest outdoor Reggae event in Southern California. He will be performing his classic smash hit songs 'Champion Lover", "Ting a Ling", "Mr Loverman", "Trailor Load of Girls", "Dem Bow", "Telephone Love", "Twice My Age" and lots more. Shabba will also be blessing the fans with brand new tunes that he has recently released featuring Sizzla Kalonji, Mavado, Busta Rhymes and Akon. This is a one time chance for all Reggae music fans in Southern California to witness the Dancehall legend performing live on a giant festival stage. Please note the last time Shabba Ranks performed on a festival stage in Southern California was in 1993 at California State University in Dominguez Hills. Lady Saw, the Queen of Dancehall will be performing songs from her 15 year collection of Dancehall hits "Rich Girl", "Backshot" among others. Recognized for his hit "One Blood", Junior Reid will be sharing his rebirth with new hits "This is why I'm Hot", with M.I.M.S., "No One", with Alicia Keys and "Gangsta Don't Play" with Fabulous. Cham will perform his hits "Ghetto Story" and "Vitamin S" as well as new songs. The conscious performer Warrior King will introduce new music form his soon to be released album Tell Mi How Mi Sound as well as classical hits from Virtuous Woman. The number 1 artiste out of Belize, Supa G will be performing his hit "4 Men". The festival will also be featuring top local Los Angeles Reggae artistes and DJ's.
Carifest C.A.R.E.S 2008 Cancelled
(NY Release) July 5 - It is with enormous regret that Reggae-Carifest N.Y., Inc. announces the cancellation of the Carifest C.A.R.E.S. AIDS Awareness Benefit Concert for Keep A Child Alive scheduled for Sunday July 6th at the USTA National Tennis Center. Due to the economic recession and very bad weather forecasts for the day of the concert, very few tickets for the concert have been sold. Accordingly, the only conclusion is that the concert must be cancelled. Moving forward with the concert under these circumstances will in no way benefit the cause. Reggae-Carifest N.Y., Inc. apologizes to all patrons who purchased tickets and assures that full refunds will be made. All ticket holders can return to point of purchase to receive a full refund.
Thank you, Carifest C.A.R.E.S
Notice as posted on www.reggaecarifest.com
(Macka & Busy Interviewed in St. Kitts)
T
he line up was impressive, with an international flavor, consisting of international crooners such as John Legend, Mario and Billy Ocean, but with The Money Goddess in town, and being the lone female on the second night of the three night music festival, she not only came and saw, but also conquered, leaving her fans wanting more, even after earning encores too many to mention. The Money Goddess was in fine form, going through her slew of hits, which had the natives of St. Kitts going word for word and line for line with her. Her half-an-hour set was hot from start to finish, and from the outfit to the lyrics. Macka had the men drooling and the women thinking about doing a few more crunches, because if fitness was a class, Macka passed it with flying colors. 
Impressive as Macka’s performance was, she was not alone, because there were also great performances from other Jamaican heavyweights on the bill, such as, Busy Signal, Pluto Shervington, Ernie Smith and the ever smooth, Boris Gardener.
Up-and-coming cultural singer I-Octane is stamping his class on the reggae music scene right now. The cultural singer's song Poverty is now sitting in the number 7 position on the New York Charts and seems set to climb higher. The song is now # 8 on the South Florida Charts. However, that's not the only track enjoying success with the charts right now, his lately released song Different Page has now entered the New York Charts in the #28 position. In Jamaica, Different Page is in the #13 position on RE TV Top 20 Reggae Chart and #8 on Jamaica Music Countdown. The singer could not be any happier about the chart movements. "When you write a song you put your all into it. I feel good to see that it is being appreciated", a grateful I-Octane commented on the fact. The singer will also have the chance to perform those songs live and in living color for expected thousands of patrons that are expected to turn for Dancehall Night at Jamaica's biggest summer Festival Sumfest. This will be I-Octane's first performance on Reggae Sumfest and it is an opportunity that he relishes. "It's every artistes dream to work on a show like this and I can't wait to perform", as he spoke of his upcoming performance on the festival.
Tanto Metro Mourns Loss Of Sister
(Star Report) July 1 - Reggae recording artist Tanto Metro recently lost his sister Michelle Wolfe to cancer, this according to reports out of Jamaica. According to the artiste, who is known for hits like, Everyone Falls In Love and Give It To Her, "Mi likkle sista drop out. She died right inna mi hand, two weeks ago inna New York. She was battling cancer for seven years," he said. Tanto Metro's sister was 34 years old and, according to Tanto Metro, "Young, young girl like dat cut wey lef wi suh, cause she was di last child." Tanto Metro says the passing of his little sister, "really mash mi up, an mi really jus a come roun back. A Friday a come she a bury. The service will be at the Stella Maris Church and the burial at Meadowrest." Tanto Metro, who had been in New York, recently returned to the island to finalise the funeral arrangements for his sister. "Everybody a fly in soon, mi fadda fly in already an mi a guh pick up mi modda an di res a family members a airport today (Monday, June 30). But a whole heap a people she (his sister) did know, she an Jay Z sista a did fren, she an Mike Tyson sista an all dem people dey cause she did meet an get fi know dem tru she was a general manager a one a dem big hotel dey," Tanto Metro recalled. In the meantime, Tanto Metro says he has a few upcoming shows, "one overseas show in di US in August, one in Nevis and then one in St Ann. Tanto Metro, however, said that due to his sister's passing, "Mi did haffi tek a break, but afta di burial an everything, wi a guh touch back di studios... an me an Devonte link same way, a mi likkle bredda dat, suh di link seal."