Marley mulls Concept album

DAMIAN 'Junior Gong' Marley has hinted that there may be a follow-up to Distant Relatives, the 2010 concept album he recorded with American hip-hop star Nas. In a recent interview with the Longhorn Hip Hop radio station,...[more]

Mavado gets May trial date

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Lauryn Hill, Ne-Yo for Shaggy show

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Flexxing with DJ Naz

BEING one of the few Jamaican female disc jockeys Nazaria Davis, better known as DJ Naz describes her style of mixing as 'storytelling'. Promoting her 'Gurl Power' brand, Naz has been creating a buzz since she entered the...[more]

Kartel sings from behind bars - Records song questioning actions of the police

With legal woes seeming to increase daily, dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel has recorded an audio clip behind bars, somewhat proclaiming his innocence.The clip in question surfaced on YouTube on the weekend with the deejay, ...[more]

Matterhorn eager to 'kill' Twins at Sting

Armed with his slew of recent 'Dancehall Duppy' songs, dancehall artiste/selector Tony Matterhorn says he is eager to do lyrical battle with the Twin of Twins at Sting this year."I been warring wit people, I care...[more]

Sizzla still stable Reggae act hospitalised after motorcycle accident

Up to late last night, popular reggae artiste Sizzla Kalonji was still listed in critical, but stable condition in a Kingston hospital following a motorcycle accident on Wednesday evening. The artiste was airlifted to...[more]

Assassin sings of JPS woes

"... Every minute I got another BB broadcast promoting the initiative. So I say alright, let's give Black Friday a soundtrack," -Song done in support of yesterday's 'Black Out Friday' Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter...[more]

Tarrus wins Marcus Garvey Award Reggae crooner takes annual award for contribution to music

The Jamaica Observer 2007 Artiste of Year and one of reggae's most current hitmakers, Tarrus Riley, was recognised with the Marcus Garvey Award for maintaining the vision way of Marcus Garvey through his music. The...[more]

I-Octane, Khago share stage at A St Mary Mi Come From

UNITY and positive vibes were all around at the 10th staging of Capleton's A St Mary Mi Come From at the Grays Inn Sport Complex in Annotto Bay, St Mary on Friday. The show came to its peak near 3 o'clock on Saturday...[more]

Fullyloaded with highs and lows

The recently concluded Boom Fullyloaded lived up to expectations in some areas, but failed to end as a seamless event because of some technical difficulties and an overbooked line-up of performances. The STAR arrived at the...[more]

Dancehall deejay Mavado arrested and charged

DANCEHALL deejay Mavado was yesterday arrested and charged by the St James police for assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property. Mavado, whose real name is David Brooks, turned himself in to...[more]

Jamaica Music 50: Taking control of the music

THE celebration of Fifty Years of Jamaican Music, incorporating The Wailers and The Skatalites, will provide the soundtrack for a worldwide movement designed to develop and activate strategies to reclaim and take control of...[more]

Spice & Missy Elliott have Fun - Another hip-hop, dancehall collaboration

Two years ago female deejay Spice lit the dancehall world with her Vybz Kartel combination Rampin' Shop, then she was at it again with the funny, cheating single Jim Screechie...now this time she is greeting the summer with...[more]

Duane Stephenson joins Tarrus Riley for European tour

AFTER touring the US with the Wailers for the first half of the year, reggae recording artiste Duane Stephenson is currently in Europe on a three-week tour with the She's Royal vocalist Tarrus Riley. The tour, which runs from...[more]

Selector sheds tears at Boom 45 face-off

The Boom 45 face-off last Saturday was nothing short of explosive, as contestants came from all coordinal points, sacrificing sweat and tears to shake off opponents with the hope of being the last man standing at this...[more]

Selector Boom Boom launches record label

Popular selector Marlon 'Boom Boom' Wizard has launched his own recording label, Boom Boom Records.The DJ says that he has always wanted to explore the field of production and he feels this is the perfect time, given the...[more]

Tad's Records to release Vybz Kartel compilation

TAD'S Record is set to release Colouring Book, a compilation of the biggest radio and street anthems of 2011 from Vybz Kartel. In keeping with Kartel's controversial nature and unrestricted lyrical prowess, the album will...[more]

Beenie Man rum coming Deejay preparing for summer season with new singles

Deejay Beenie Man is setting himself for the summer season with the news that he has signed major endorsement deals with MegaMart and that he's just inked a deal to have his own line of liquor, Yaad Swag, as a business...[more]

I-Octane to release new album

I-OCTANE'S fans have got accustomed to a certain sound from him and they will be in for quite a treat when his debut album Crying To The Nation is released this fall. The 14-track album is already completed and will feature...[more]

Rolling Stones' Keith Richards a reggae fan

Internet reports are quoting Rolling Stones' guitarist Keith Richards as giving Jamaican music really high marks. The website musicrooms.net quotes the 67-year old British rocker, whom the site notes lived in Jamaica at one...[more]

Etana completes 12-city US tour

WITH her second album out and climbing reggae charts around the world, Jamaican singer Etana recently wrapped up a 12-city tour of the United States, which began on May 10. This tour comes hot on the heels of a hectic...[more]

Rihanna's 'Man Down' under fire - Jamaica-filmed video said to incite murder

Barbadian singer Rihanna has come under fire locally and overseas for her recent video Man Down which was shot in Jamaica.The singer shot the video for the reggae-inspired song in Portland in April, which premiered on BET on...[more]

Jah Vinci leaves Empire

t's strike four for the Gaza camp as Jah Vinci is the latest member to make his departure from the group, after being signed to the Portmore Empire since 2008.He becomes the fourth artiste to part ways with the Gaza camp...[more]

Kartel returns 'fire' at Shabba?

Popular deejay Vybz Kartel seems to be returning lyrical fire at Shabba Ranks after many speculated that the veteran's latest None of Dem song was taking lyrical aim at the Portmore Empire leader. In None A Dem, Shabba takes...[more]

Marley's light shines 30 years later

THIS Wednesday, May 11, will mark the 30th year since the death of reggae icon Bob Marley. The Bob Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Museum are making preparations to mark this occasion. Manager of the Foundation and...[more]

Bounty drops bleaching tune

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Kartel could sue - Deejay claiming loss of income

CONTROVERSIAL deejay Vybz Kartel is again in the headlines. This time, the artiste who is known for his witty lyrics, bleached skin, colourful tattoos and his Portmore Empire, is threatening to take legal action following the...[more]

Meet Pashon Minott - Singer changes stage name to honour father's last request

Carrying on Sugar Minott's legacy, his daughter Fire Pashon has changed her name, plans to release an album for her father and launch a clothing line in his name.Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, Fire Pashon says she has...[more]

Shots fired at Ocho Rios concert

THE March of Three Kings concert headlined by Mavado, Elephant Man and Wyane Marshall was marred by gunfire which caused a stampede from Margaritaville in Ocho Rios on Saturday night . "A music and love wi seh,"...[more]

Negril party promoter finds success with retro formula

PARTY promoter Sean Greenfield has been promoting parties for a while now. He said it all started while he was at UTech, but became an official party promoter in 1999.He also stated that promoting parties is hard work, but...[more]

Jamaica Journal launches second music issue

AN appeal has come for the introduction of Jamaica Journal to students in schools. Dr Clinton Hutton, co-editor of the special double issue on popular Jamaican music, made the call during the recent launch at the Redbones Blues...[more]

More bacchanal on week two

It was another suberb Bacchanal Fridays at Mas Camp. The night belonged to telecomunications giant Digicel who stayed true to the theme Once Upon a Dynasty with their version of Ming Dynasty. At near 11 o'clock, from the...[more]

Good vibes for Magnum Follow Di Arrow

MAGNUM Follow Di Arrow, which is the first major dancehall stage show for the year, is expected to marshall good support from dancehall fans. Despite promoting the Magnum Follow Di Arrow for 13 years, Dexton Ennis of Decky...[more]

A pall seemed to have been cast over members of the reggae industry following the guilty verdict handed down by the jurors in the trial of Buju Banton. Everyone at the Observer intimated their disappointment...[more]

Long live the King - Marley dominates charts three decades after death

THE late Bob Marley, who would be 66 years old today, remains the king of reggae based on his continued chart dominance over contemporaries. Marley is currently ten times more popular than Jewish-American reggae singer...[more]

Lisa Hyper to sign with Solid Agency - Willing to put Bounty differences aside

Female deejay Lisa Hyper is currently in negotiations with the Solid Agency camp to provide booking services and a management team for her career. She believes that a good team is necessary for the success of any artiste and...[more]

Tafari hunts the big break with Money in My Pocket

NEWCOMER Tafari hunts the big break with his latest single Money in My Pocket. The song shows a different side to the deejay/rapper. However, Tafari is quick to point out that the vocal charisma and charm displayed on the...[more]

KARTEL WON'T ANSWER AIDONIA? - Deejay says he is too busy making mone

Dancehall artiste Aidonia's challenge to former mentor Vybz Kartel to respond to comments he made in a recent interview might be going unanswered. Aidonia challenged his former mentor in an interview that was posted on...[more]

Vybz Kartel is selector's choice

Deejay Vybz Kartel earned the selectors' choice for top 2010 artiste, based on the sheer quantity of his hits selected by the compilers of various dancehall mix-tapes. The music of Kartel including hits Clarks, Straight...[more]

David Brooks, not Mavado, for Rebel Salute

LAST year, Tony Rebel showcased Marion Hall and Agent Sasco - not Lady Saw and Assassin - as headliners for his annual festival, Rebel Salute. This year, it is David Brooks and not deejay Mavado who will be taking to the...[more]

GT Christmas Extravaganza scores

PROMOTER GT Taylor and his team can take a bow for a well-produced and executed staging of the GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza in St Elizabeth on Saturday Night. The event, which marked the 11th staging of the popular...[more]

Lacklustre Sting 2010

SOME blame the recession, the absence of Vybz Kartel and Mavado, Kartel's event in New Kingston, and a myriad of other factors; whatever it was, Sting, the much-anticipated 27-year-old music festival failed to hit the mark on...[more]

'I WON'T ANSWER BEENIE' - Kartel says he has no time for a feud with 'The Doc'

Deejay Vybz Kartel says he will not be responding lyrically to recent comments and a song from veteran deejay Beenie Man.Beenie Man appeared on Nationwide 90 FM's 'Ragashanti Live!' last week and previously recorded a song...[more]

A Busy Season for Khago

WHILE getting ready for his first tour in 2011, chart-topper Khago will sign off the year with a number of performances during this season. Proving himself to be one of the most consistent hitmakers of 2010 Khago is in high...[more]

Sting abuzz in the streets

Without the presence of top-flight deejays Vybz Kartel and Mavado on the line-up of this year's staging of Sting, many have raised questions as to whether or not the show would be prosperous as in past years. Dubbed 'The...[more]

Magnum, Stone Love renew partnership

Magnum Tonic Wine and Stone Love, two leading brands in dancehall, have extended their strategic partnership for another year following a successful three year relationship. "We are really happy to continue with...[more]

Busy year ahead for Gully Squad

Members of the Gully Squad are anxiously anticipating the upcoming Christmas season as they have a number of shows lined up. In addition, they say 2011 will be their time to shine.The show count for the group is so many that...[more]

'Distant Relatives'

THERE is clearly a chemistry between these two artistes. It is more than just the son of the reggae king, vibing with one of hip hop's young princes. There bond is more than friendship between reggae act Damian 'Junior Gong'...[more]

Beenie Man drops 8 collabs with friends

Deejay Beenie Man, buoyed by the success of his hit singles, Rum and Red Bull and I'm Okay, has tackled a new ambitious musical project which he hopes will help to re-define his legacy as a leader and innovator in the world...[more]

Bad Boy Trevor proposes

ActorBad Boy Trevor, on Sunday, proposed to his girlfriend and business partner, Carline Brown, at their weekly Gal Farm Sundayz event held at Club Lucky 38 on Old Hope Road, St Andrew.The two, who had been dating for...[more]

Serani hits Hot 97

Serani's career continues on an upward path as his popular dancefloor track Skip to My Luu, featuring Ding Dong and Razz n Biggy, has been added to daytime rotation on America's #1 radio station HOT 97 in New York. It's a...[more]

Musical twist for Jah Cure - Joins Mavado, Rick Ross on new single

Singer Jah Cure says he's doing things a little differently in his recent collaboration with American rapper Rick Ross and singjay Mavado, titled Like I See It. Released on Tuesday evening, the collaboration when viewed...[more]

Gregory Isaacs a hit on charts worldwide

A day after his passing, fans of reggae singer Gregory Isaacs have rocketed his music catalogue to chart above all except Bob Marley. Isaacs' albums were currently charting highly in seven countries up to yesterday. He was...[more]

Cham, Killer return 'Stronger' - Artistes work with Dave Kelly on new projects

Deejay Cham and producer Dave Kelly are back in Jamaica doing music and after a week, their impact is already being felt. The two have reconciled their differences with deejay Bounty Killer and have a song that is already...[more]

DJ Naz spins her way to the top of the Heineken Green Synergy competition.

The Heineken Green Synergy show is now down to three DJs vying for the over $1 million in cash and prizes courtesy of Heineken after another exciting episode unfolded last Friday on TVJ. It was Ricky Eminence who first got...[more]

VP to drop Dennis Brown box set

The legend of Dennis Brown lives on as a three-disc compilation of his hit singles, The Crown Prince of Reggae - Singles (1972-1985), will be reissued by 17 North Parade, a VP Records imprint, on November 16. This collection...[more]

'Rumours dem Spreading' on Gregory Isaacs?

SINCE the start of the month speculations have been swirling about Gregory Isaac's health, but things intensified yesterday when rumours began spreading via the Internet that the 'Cool Ruler', had died. "I've been...[more]

IS VYBZ KARTEL REALLY A TARGET.??

Dancehall artiste Adidja Palmer known as Vybz Kartel feels he, is being targeted and strongly believes that there are some persons who are conspiring to see him locked behind bars again.In recent reports the deejay, expressed...[more]

A real 'Good Time'

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30th anniversary release of Live Final Marley Performance

LATEST NEWS:Hurricane Danielle and Tropical Storm Earl strengthen 6:29 AM Subscribe to our RSS Feeds Follow us on Twitter!Entertainment30th anniversary release of Live Final Marley PerformanceThursday, August 26,...[more]

Yendi takes 2nd, creates history for Jamaica

YENDI Phillipps last night placed second in the Miss Universe pageant, creating history as the highest ever finish by a Jamaican in that contest. Phillipps served early notice of her historic feat when she was...[more]

The elusive $5,000 note

A friend recently reminded me about a song that was done long ago by General Trees which begged, bawled and demanded that the Government produce a $50 bill. At the time the request was logical. We had a $10, $20 and $100...[more]

DPP rules murder Buckfield cop to face court for controversial shooting

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Beenie, Bounty: the real big men at Fully Loaded

On Friday last, all roads lead to the Old Coal Wharf in Port Royal for the much anticipated Fully Loaded dance 2010. As expected, the event featured a host of local and international sound systems. With the exception of ...[more]

Artistes v Promoters

"The future for legitimate show promoters look bleak," declared Teensplash promoter, Linval Gibbons. The Gibbons Promotions CEO pointed out that promoters are a dying breed. "Look at events like Reggae...[more]

GYPTIAN TAKES THE LEAD!

Reggae artiste GYPTIAN has been chosen over, deejays Vybz Kartel, Shaggy and Sean Paul to become the most popular dancehall artiste in North America and third popular globally based on online searches, amidst the prerelease of...[more]

Wear your colours

THE thousands expected to flock the National Stadium for the Jamaica Independence Festival Grand Gala tomorrow, are asked to wear the Jamaican colours, take a flag and transform the National Stadium into a sea of bright,...[more]

Farewell Lincoln 'Sugar' Minott

Lincoln 'Sugar' Minott was born on African Liberation Day, May 25 and laid to rest on Emancipation Day, August 1. It was the Ministry of Culture representative, Syd Bartlett, who highlighted this significant fact as he...[more]

Preacher seeks clash with Kartel - Says he is leading the generation astray

A local evangelist is demanding a musical clash with Dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel. Evangelist Taylor, who didn't want the name of the church he attends published, says he wants Isaiah Laing, the promoter of the annual...[more]

REGGAE Sumfest International Night II has come and gone, but memories of Usher's performance will linger in the minds of his adoring female fans. The American R&B singer was in total control from the minute he took the...[more]

Chris Brown dazzles on Int'l Night I

A dazzling dancing display from US singer Chris Brown at the Catherine Hall venue in Montego Bay had groupies glued to the front of the stage, screaming and tearing out their hair, fervently hoping for the slightest hint of...[more]

Marshall's 'My Heart' for MTV Africa

eejay Wayne Marshall is on a high with the premiere of his My Heart video on MTV Base in Africa.MTV Base is a 24-hour music and general entertainment channel from MTV Networks International with locations all around the world....[more]

ELEPHANT MAN'S TAXES ASSESSED AGAIN!

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No profanity at Reggae Sumfest, police warn artistes

The police in St James have issued a reminder to performers and patrons attending the Reggae Sumfest Festival this weekend to obey the rules of the land. The festival continues with Dancehall Night tonight, followed by ...[more]

Demarco moves abroad ❒ Closes wine bar, expecting first child

Producer and singjay Demarco has his plate full with a baby on the way, the closing of his wine bar Chateaux Vino and migrating to the United States. The STAR caught up with the singjay via telephone in Atlanta where he has...[more]

Godfather of Dancehall, Sugar Minott, dead at 54

FOUNDATION reggae and dancehall artiste, Lincoln 'Sugar' Minott passed away Saturday night at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew.According to Peter Burke, a close associate of the singer, Sugar Minott ...[more]

Vybz Kartel to spend 30 more days in jail

DETAINED dancehall act Vybz Kartel has been detained for a further 30 days, a week after he turned himself in to the Greater Portmore Police Station. Kartel's five-day detention order came to an end yesterday, but was ...[more]

Popular US Newspaper links DEEJAYS TO DUDUS

A popular US newspaper has linked the names of deejays with former Tivoli strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke but offered no evidence for its claim, which International Reggae Day founder Andrea Davis called unfortunate for...[more]

Kartel worried about reputation, bookings

Controversial deejay Vybz Kartel claims the police are attempting to smear his reputation.The deejay was listed as a 'person of interest' on Tuesday by the Constabulary Force and was expected to turn himself in yesterday....[more]

Vybz Kartel expected to hand himself over to police today

POPULAR dancehall DJ Vybz Kartel is expected to hand himself over to the St Catherine South police today, a day after being named as a major person of interest. Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adijah Palmer, is one of...[more]

Seven-star general hits back - LA Lewis releases Internet song aimed at Beenie Man

After their physical altercation following the funeral of dancehall artiste Oneil Edwards recently, LA Lewis has released a song hurling insults at Beenie Man. The song, Rush Mi, surfaced on the Internet late last week. In...[more]

Over 120 hopefuls turn out for Tastee's Portmore auditions

The quest to find the best talent in the performing arts began in Portmore on Saturday, signalling the start of this year's Tastee Talent Trail.The talented and the not-so-talented were on spot from early morning, and when...[more]

After car accident...BEENIE, LA LEWIS CLASH - Seven-star general tells police he was punched in mouth

The reflective and calming mood of the funeral for Voicemail's Oniel Edwards seemingly did little to soothe the nerves of deejays Beenie Man and LA Lewis who reportedly came to blows shortly after.Reports reaching THE STAR...[more]

Funeral service for O'Neil Edwards Saturday

Voicemail member, O'Neil Edwards, will be laid to rest on Saturday. The funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 am at the Church on the Rock, Clifton Avenue, Kingston 8 and the body will be interred at Meadowrest. ...[more]

Ricky Trooper's mom worried over US probe

NEW YORK, USA — The mother of popular music selector Ricky Trooper is "worried and deeply concerned' that her son is being investigated by United States authorities, who maintain that he waved a real gun in his now...[more]

Guns out in the DANCEHALL

It's all about the Intra, di Ruga, di Bereter, di Luga Di Brico, di Lauma, di Glack, di Wringer Di Astra wi mek yuh body colder than Nebraska Yuh diss di yardy mobster, then we crack yuh like a lobster Di AK...[more]

Prayers for critically wounded Voicemail singer

Entertainer shot multiple times by gunmen[more]

Queen Ifrica, Machel, Gramps among big winners at IRAWMA

The 29 annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) which took place last Sunday, May 2 at the York College Performing Arts Centre in Queens, New York was another spectacular affair that attracted a...[more]

Spragga still intends to fulfill son's dreams

Veteran dancehall artiste Spragga Benz yesterday said that he's yet to follow up on the dreams of his son, who was shot and killed by police on Saturday, August 23, 2008, on Church Street, in downtown Kingston. The deejay,...[more]

DJ Sunshine drops new single

Coming hot on the heels of her debut single A Doh Care Anymore, which also features dancehall artistes Unicorn and Chi Ching Ching, DJ Sunshine has recorded another hot new single. The track, Nuh Yaad, was recorded for...[more]

Bounty Killer seeks blessings; follows Miss Ivy to church

Sometimes fact may sound stranger than fiction. And the call from a source to say that Bounty Killer would be going to church on Sunday (yesterday) was just a little hard to believe. Somehow, 'Bounty Killer' and 'church'...[more]

Beenie Man for Red Stripe Bold Socamaloo on Sunday

A high energy performance by the King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man will be the added feature to this Sunday's staging of Red Stripe Bold Socamaloo at the Keycard Beach Village, New Kingston. Previous weeks have seen...[more]

Dem tek way mi visa but mi still have mi life

King of the Dancehall, Beenie Man, without missing a beat, has launched a lyrical attack on the United States Embassy, as he grapples with the reality of the recent revocation of both his US work permit and his visitor's...[more]

Black Kat takes 'Final Warr'

Black Kat and its dynamic top man Pink Panther walked into the pages of dancehall history on Monday night when they copped the Squingy Cup, the symbol of supremacy for the final staging of the Death Before Dishonour sound...[more]

4 ARTISTES' VISAS CANCELLED - Selector Ricky Trooper also included

(l - r) Bounty Killer, MavadoThe visas of five of Jamaica's top entertainers have been revoked, THE WEEKEND STAR understands. According to information coming from the Fraud Prevention Arm of the United States...[more]

Greensleeves former owners deeper in debt

UK-based Zest Group is in deeper debt with £4.3 million ($572 million) in accumulated losses following the disposal of reggae label Greensleeves, one financial year ago -- but it hopes to boost revenue from Dominican reggae...[more]

Toots didn't make fans 'feel like jumping'

 OPPORTUNITIES to witness many of the pre-eminent reggae artistes live are all too rare, so Toots' appearance at Studio 38 on Sunday night, was one that promised much. It was a promise which the revered ska/reggae...[more]

Kartel: Deejay, gangsta, or porn star?

Deejay Vybz Kartel surely knows how to grab head lines (no pun intended.) He has positioned himself as the top deejay locally and last year released a slew of songs which ensured that he claimed the coveted DJ of the Year...[more]

Kartel in sex photo Artiste claims he lost phone in Negril

Dancehall artiste Vybz Kartel is claiming that he lost his mobile phone, leading to the unauthorised release of pictures with two women performing oral sex on him. "I lost my BlackBerry, the rest is history," the...[more]