In June, Billboard disclosed some news that many may have found surprising, or perhaps not. The website revealed that United States (US) reggae acts were outselling their Jamaican counterparts, by comparing the number of Jamaican acts that have singles or albums on their charts to the number of US acts also making the list.

One of the prominent features of 1960s and 1970s popular music was the prevalence of singing groups. The feature seemed to have been triggered by the penchant of many artistes of that period to emphasise harmony in their musical output.

While there is no scientific data to suggest that there has been a reduction in payola in the music industry, Cordel Green, executive director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica (BCJ), says there is an indication that it is not as prevalent as it once was.

It is not surprising that the Government has seized the chest-beating opportunity provided by a generally positive change in Jamaica's standing in the latest World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report (GCR). It is what governments do when tangible evidence of economic success is not available.

The average Jamaican citizen, male or female, has the innate capability for aggression. This trait has been recognised in the reaction to someone 'mashing yuh kaan'.