During the late ’70s and ’80s, somewhere in Above Rocks, St Andrew, a little girl with eyes round like two saucers and shining bright like the sun would sit and watch, and be dazzled by the amazing Tina Turner, who in a sense became her muse. With...
Closely intertwined in the story of the song Steppin’ Razor, is the 6-foot-four-inch-tall Wailer named Peter Tosh, who was known as the ‘Steppin’ Razor’. But, just as critical to the story of the song is the songwriter Joe Higgs, who entered...
To the world, Marcia Lynneth Griffiths is no ordinary mortal. She is the highly respected Queen of Reggae and wherever she goes, it is natural to see her holding court, as she is swarmed by fans like bees to honey. However, to King (yes, King is...
Even as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week named legendary DJ Kool Herc among their inductees for 2023, the call for Toots and the Maytals to be similarly acknowledged has been energised. Double Grammy-winning DJ and producer Wayne ‘Native...
Chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), Ewan Simpson, is emphasising that his organisation “is not prepared to get involved” in an altercation between the widow of Sugar Minott, Maxine Stowe, and some of his children over a...
Standing atop an SUV, dressed only in a pair of pants, with duct tape preserving her modesty, Racquel Jones kinda defiantly announced to the world that she is elated. In fact, the word, “elated”, is written down the length of her pants, and Elated...
Reggae journeyman Max Romeo is getting ready to pack his touring kit for the last time as he bids goodbye to the life on a road much travelled. For more than half of a century – 57 years to be exact – the roots reggae troubadour has traversed...
Music industry all-rounder, Colin ‘Iley Dread’ Levy, also known as Chardavid, is setting the record straight regarding his whereabouts for the past four years. The artiste, record producer and promoter, who sounded quite upbeat, shared that he has...
The inaugural MECA (Marketplace Entertainment Centre for the Arts) Awards unfolded last Wednesday at the venue of the same name in Marketplace, and for those who attended, it was well worth it. But just like at other award shows that have been...
The Little Theatre Movement’s (LTM) annual pantomime, which traditionally opens on Boxing Day, will not be staged this year. Still, plans are in place for something special to unfold in the virtual space on December 26 and for a gala opening in the...
Dancehall artiste Mr Vegas is fully bright and loving it. Having performed on numerous stages across the globe in his 30-plus year career, today, Clifford Smith’s journey takes him to a different stage, one on which there is no mic in his hand and...
Even as his multiplatinum-selling song, Cheerleader, was still breaking records and he was in the spotlight, reggae singer OMI, quietly found his personal cheerleader, tied the knot, and expanded his family. The notoriously private entertainer...
A new album from Fredddie McGregor is like a breath of fresh air, and it is no coincidence that that is the title of the 13-track project which is set to be released early next year. And, leading up to the release, McGregor will be on a progressive...
Over the decades, the name John Swaby has become synonymous with light, stage and sound. In fact, he was the first person to actually own a stage in Jamaica. He can recall a time when the Jamaica Defence Force used to “have to be traipsing all over...
V. Rocket International has the distinction of being “the only sound that goes to the moon”, so it’s only right that the legendary sound system, which was started in the UK in 1964, should have its own documentary chronicling its supersonic journey...
Comedy King Oliver Samuels has had a storied career, and he has a lot of stories to tell of his 50-plus years in the business of making people laugh, but many of the stories that shape him are those that lay bare his softer, less carefree side. A...
When it comes to the enigmatic Tanya Stephens, the best maxim is: Expect the unexpected. An exciting bundle of unfiltered – and one can supply any noun of choice right here – quirkily sprinkled with some kinda madness awaits when sharing the same...
It was as much a sonic as it was a visual experience inside the National Arena last Thursday as carpenters, artisans, technical teams, and creatives were singularly focused on putting together the final pieces of various floats to mount the...
Actress Sandra Lee knows her way around live theatre, having starred in her very first production while a student at the Vere Technical High School in Clarendon. That opportunity ignited a passion for the arts, which would later see the then...
The Vatican flag was flown at the Seventh-day Adventist’s (SDA) 61st General Conference (GC) Session in St Louis, Missouri (MO) on June 11. While some church folk are okay with it and have offered stout defence, other members of the church are...
The decision to produce a Jamaica 60 commemorative album for 2022 instead of hosting the annual Festival Song Competition was not one which was taken lightly. Penthouse Records CEO and veteran producer, Donovon Germain, a member of the judging...
Last Thursday, at the UBS stadium in Long Island, New York, a beaming Patricia ‘Miss Pat’ Chin, co-founder and president of VP Records, dressed in academic regalia, graciously accepted York College’s Presidential Medal from President Dr Berenecea...
(For this special Mother’s Day celebration during the year of Jamaica 60, the Entertainment Desk is featuring some of the women who have made outstanding contributions to the fields of music and culture) The story of VP Records is one defined...
Name and face recognition are two things that BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ and presenter Seani B enjoys in Jamaica, where his respect is large within the reggae and dancehall community. When Seani B is in the island and calls on an artiste, he or she shows...
Under the stars and an almost full moon, Jamaicans representing every sector of society joined Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the lawns of Jamaica House last Wednesday evening as he officially launched the Jamaica 60 celebrations. Also present...
