Celebrities hail Obama's win

With the many advances in technology and social media, Tuesday's presidential election became the most tweeted event in US political history. A tweeted photo of the re-elected Barack Obama hugging his wife also made Twitter history as the most shared tweet of all time.

A host of Hollywood stars also took to Twitter to express their delight at the Democrat president's return to the White House for a second term, after his victory against Mitt Romney.

Passionate Obama campaigner and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria hosted a victory party with a group of close friends, and posted a picture of herself celebrating, adding: "We did it! Obama re-elected! Yes! Yes we can!"

Zoe Saldana also made her political allegiance clear, tweeting: "Barack Obama!!! The 44th President of The United States of America. God bless America, once again! ZS (sic)"

After the results were announced, Obama headed to his election party at the McCormick Place centre in Chicago, to present his victory speech to a crowd including Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Ashley Judd, Melanie Griffith, and Will.I.Am.

American Idol judge Mariah Carey was one of the first stars to voice her support, as she headed to the polling booth earlier in the day.

She tweeted: "Pon de line, ooooh it's early! Haaaaa. Let your vote be heard!! Four more years! (sic)"

Stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, Beyoncé Knowles, Lenny Kravitz and Katy Perry, all stepped out to show their support for the president in the polling booths.

Nicki Minaj was in shock over President Barack Obama's election victory. She tweeted: "So inspiring, dreams do come true ... CONGRATULATIONS MR. PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!! Cried the first time he was elected and this time was just so surreal ... never thought I'd see this in my lifetime. #GodBlessAmerica (sic)."

Konshens hits charts with 'I'm Coming'

Dancehall star Konshens has scored his sixth major chart hit for 2012 with the Good Good Productions track I'm Coming. His previous charting songs this year are Do Sum'n, Stop Sign, A So Mi Tan, Gal a Bubble and Siddung.

"The response to I'm Coming has been good so far. It's one of those songs that, once you hear it, you fall for it. People really love it," Konshens said. The single is quickly making its way up local charts and, at last check, was number nine on the ER Top Ten.

According to Konshens, the video is scheduled to be completed next week and will be directed by a team including Dameon Gayle and Gareth Cobran.

The recent MOBO Award nominee has also been working in the studios on various singles. 'I'm currently working on finding that balance with reggae and dancehall as my reggae songs nah bus like di dancehall dem, even though I give them the same level of promotion. So mi a turn it up more pon dem cah di business need it," said Konshens.

The School Rule riddim project is fresh out of the Subkonshus Music stable and, according to Konshens, this is a project directed at educating, warning and giving advice to schoolchildren. Among the artistes featured are Delus, Darrio, Aidonia, Popcaan, Sheba, and Voicemail.

"The songs on the School Rule riddim will contain topics directed at school kids and their development," Konshens pointed out.

Konshens recently appeared on America's Next Top Model during its filming in Jamaica. Konshens was selected as the guest judge for an episode and his song Do Sum'n was also featured.

Vogue touches down in Paris

Vogue Events, keen to follow up on the success of the first Vogue in February, has teamed up with title sponsors Hennessy to stage Hennessy En'Vogue - Touchdown In Paris tomorrow. The party will be held at The Terrace, Barbados Avenue, New Kingston.

Vogue Events is all about 'Leaving The Casual Behind' and this edition proved a perfect opportunity to connect with world-leading cognac, Hennessy.

The event will be a combination of exclusivity, beautiful people, quality service, premium beverages, and sweet musical juggling for a reasonable value, blending top-class entertainment with a décor of equivalent style. Music will be provided by DJ Flabba Dabba, Chromatic, DJ Menace and DJ Karyzma.

Exclusive high-end bottle service by waiters, complimentary French cuisine, Fruitgasm (edible fruit art), and Haagen-Dazs ice cream, are just some of the much-anticipated features of En'Vogue. The VIP Lounge will be provided by Pure 3.0 and Pure Heaven Juices.

To get on the guest list for a reduced entry fee, interested persons are invited to either email their full names to vogueguestlist@yahoo.com, send them to BBM Pin 214B1B39, or Twitter @VogueTheEvent. They can also log on to www.yardticket.com to purchase tickets online, using a credit card.

Tifa, Spice do 'Why U Mad'

Dancehall divas Tifa and Spice have teamed up for Why U Mad. Produced by Washroom Entertainment on the Dog Bite riddim, it is to be released this week.

"I've always wanted to collaborate with Spice for some time now. We almost worked together on the Matrimony project last year, but because of timing, it didn't happen," Tifa said.

Spice said "The song is basically talking about bad mind people and people who go out of their way to try to stop you in life. It's a song about the haters. We are God blessed and we are doing our thing."

"It's been a long time since a female, let alone a combination with two female artistes, is speaking out against bad mind. Myself and Spice have had our fair share. But it's definitely a liberating anthem for all," Tifa added.

BMW Innovation Club official

The new BMW Innovation Club, a membership organisation for BMW vehicle owners, is off to a positive start. The club held its official launch party, Rev It Up, last Saturday at the club's HQ in Portmore.

"It's good to see people come out in support of the launching of the club. It's very encouraging to know that we have that kind of support," vice-president Sowande McKenzie said.

The blue, white and red decor was done by club vice-president, designer Rick Bailey of Rick B's Fashion, with lighting done by Scott Genius Lighting. Music was by hot Chromatic and Khaos Sound, over a very unorthodox sound system provided by Electromar. The audio came from a vehicle that was tricked out with large speaker boxes inside and outside of the vehicle, with lighting all around.

The patrons had a treat with the unveiling of the BMW Innovation Club's official drink cocktail, which has the same name as the launch event, 'Rev It Up'. The well-attended launch saw veteran singer Pinchers out in support, as well as the team from Jamaican auto tuners Skunk Nation.

Events being planned for 2013 include a BMW Car Show. The club is conducting a membership drive and is in the process of formulating a members' benefits package as well as planning philanthropic efforts, especially in the Portmore community.

The BMW Innovation Car Club of Jamaica was launched in partnership with Sound City, Downsound Records, Corporate Security & Investigation Services, E&R Hardware, Dennis Auto Garage American Parts Provider and Rick B's Fashion.


Auction for Alpha

The Alpha Boys' School and the International Reggae Poster Contest will auction the top, limited edition posters from the recent contest, including special contributions from international poster artists, on Sunday at the National Gallery of Jamaica, downtown Kingston.

Douglas Reid of Grosvenor Galleries will conduct the auction, Bunny Rugs, lead singer of 10-time Grammy-nominated act Third World, will serve as celebrity auctioneer, and DJ Afifa will provide the music. Persons who cannot attend the auction but are interested in bidding should contact Alpha Boys' School at alphaboysschool@gmail.com.

The posters to be auctioned are currently the feature of a special exhibition entitled World A Reggae: the 100 Best Entries from the First International Reggae Poster Contest, which continues at the National Gallery of Jamaica until November 10. Comprising the top 100 posters as well as original contributions from artists Luba Lukova, Juan Carlos Darias, Elmer Sosa, Roy Villalobos, Freestylee (the artist alter ego of contest founder Michael Thompson) and Maria Papaefstathiou (contest co-founder), the posters represent a very special part of a worldwide conversation about Jamaican culture. A follow-up exhibition is scheduled for Athens, Greece, in November 2012.

While the contest and subsequent exhibitions (both in Jamaica and Greece) meet the creative challenge set forth by its founders, the auction addresses social challenges, with all the proceeds from the auction to benefit the Alpha Boys' School. Alpha is also the inspiration for many posters that bear its name, or, in the case of Luba Lukova's specially contributed poster, a likeness of the late Sister Ignatious, former administrator of the school, who is known as the 'godmother' of reggae music.

The first of its kind, Sunday's auction will allow art lovers, reggae enthusiasts and fans of Jamaican pop culture to own a piece of history and support the Alpha Boys' School at the same time. The gallery will open at 1 p.m., with the auction starting at 2:30 p.m. Prior to the auction, the public is welcome to view the posters hanging on the gallery's walls for one last time. Buyers will be able to use major credit cards and cash. Cheques will not be accepted. Payment is required on the same day.

Alpha's music programme has produced some of the world's most respected and skilled musicians. Jazz men like Dizzy Reece and Jo Jo Harriot, ska pioneers Don Drummond, Lester Sterling, Tommy McCook and Cedric Brooks (founding members of the Skatalites), as well as dancehall deejay Yellowman, among many others, have all called Alpha their home. Today, about 100 boys at Alpha home are working hard to be the next generation of Jamaican success stories.

Jay-Z turns on power

Jay-Z is being hailed as a hero by his neighbours whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

Following the storm, the 44-year-old rapper came to the rescue of his fellow residents by buying a giant generator to power the whole of 195 Hudson Street in New York's TriBeCa area, where he and his wife Beyoncé Knowles own a US$7-million loft apartment.

The hip-hop star was later spotted uptown with Beyoncé and 10 month-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where they took refuge from the storm, the New York Post newspaper reported.

Jay-Z performed at a rally for President Barack Obama alongside Bruce Springsteen in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, to garner support for Tuesday's election. He replaced the lyrics in his hit song 99 Problems, chanting: "I Got 99 Problems, but Mitt ain't one", much to the delight of the crowd of 15,000 excited patrons.

The current American leader and the music mogul are firm friends, and Jay-Z has been a long-time fund-raiser and campaigner for Obama.

The president recently admitted he had given Jay-Z parenting advice after Blue Ivy was born in January, joking: "I made sure that Jay-Z was helping Beyoncé out and not leaving it all with mom and the mother-in-law."