Check out Hip-Hop legend and Bajan son Doug-E-Fresh performing at the 2010 Grammys. He joined Jamie Foxx and T-Pain for the performance of "Blame It" and Slash (formerly of Guns and Roses) rocked it out with them too!!!!

Yes, yes, so well deserved...After an 8 year break Maxwell comes back on the music scene to win the Grammy for Best R&B album.





'BLACKsummers'Night' is Maxwell's fourth album and his first since 2001's 'Now.' The album sold over 316,000 in its debut week and spawned four singles, with 'Pretty Wings' being the most successful of the tracks.
Best R&B Album Nominees:

'The Point Of It All,' Anthony Hamilton

'Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics,' India.Arie

'Turn Me Loose,' Ledisi

'Blacksummers' Night,' Maxwell -- WINNER!

'Uncle Charlie,' Charlie Wilson

**** "Pretty Wings" also won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.

Big congratulations to the Marley brothers Ziggy and Stephen who each won a Grammy at tonight's award show- Ziggy for Best Children's Album and Stephen for Best Reggae Album!


Marley Brothers (L-R) Ky-Mani, Julian, Ziggy, Damian and Stephen.
Photo source

This Grammy won for his Family Time album which features noteworthy stars such as Paul Simon, Willie Nelsoon, and Toots Hibbert marks his fifth such award.

Younger by four years, ziggy's brother Stephen won his seventh Grammy with his Mind Control-Acoustic. This album is a follow up to this 2007 album Mind Control.

This is the fourth time in the last five years that a Marley has won the award. Last year there were no Marleys nominated and Burning Spear won the Best Reggae nod.

Brother Julian's Awake was also up for Best Reggae Grammy, his first nomination.
Interestingly, their father Bob has never won a Grammy. In 2001 he got a lifetime achievement award and this year, his 1973 album "Catch a Fire," was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Did you know that "Fraiser" was born on a Caribbean island and raised there too?

click HERE to find out where and to see pics of your favorite stars at pre-Grammy events.

According to a statement issued by Vybez kartel, it seems that the Empire does not want to lose on its investment in Kim Hamilton AKA Gaza Kim now KYM



It Reads:

The Portmore Empire invested a substantial amount of money in the career of singer Kim Hamilton--filming music videos, printing promotional posters and clocking several hours in the studio honing her talent. We're disappointed that she felt the need to issue a press release to the media announcing her departure from the record label, Adidjaheim Records, without first notifying the company. This is particularly disturbing given the fact that she is still under contract and the record company has fulfilled its end of the agreement.

Gaza Kim is also speaking about the incident. Listen HERE to her interview with Nikki Z as she talks about what happened and who was involved when she got beaten.

I reported earlier t hat Sizzla was arrested because of gunshots around his residence on Wednesday. The police were subsequently called, and he was taken into police custody at about 10:30pm for questioning. Sizzla was released Friday morning by the Half Way Tree police. No charges were filed.


Photo source

Rastafarian dancehall / reggae singjay, Sizzla, was taken into custody yesterday evening by the August Town police, after shots were allegedly fired in the vicinity of his residence in that community.


Photo source


Sizzla’s hands were reportedly swabbed (for gunpowder residue) and samples sent to a Government laboratory in order to determine whether or not he had fired a weapon recently. It seems likely that he will spend a second night (tonight) in police custody.
Source

Will keep you posted....

Dominican born, Bronx bred marie-claire; as well as Nelly Stharre, a Dominican who has called Kingston home for the last 15 years, will both be performing on the final night of the annual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Trewlany this Saturday January 30th.

marie-claire

marie-claire is an Italian-trained opera singer who has performed at Carnegie Hall and who’s songs have been featured in feature films such as Lovin Jezebel and The Roommate. She spent time in front of the camera as a cast member on the second season of Chapelle’s Show on Comedy Central. Since marie-claire’s return to Dominica, she has through her girlfullofgold productions ltd, produced and hosted local music programmes, while still making time to perform at events such as LIME Creole in the Park and various private functions. marie-claire has performed throughout the region, and Jamaica is a favorite stop for her, as venues such as Weekenz, Christopher’s Jazz Café and Red Bones Blues Café are like second homes. This year’s performance will be marie-claire’s second consecutive at Jamaica Jazz and Blues. Fans can look forward to her performing jazz standards as well as the singles “Jah Guide (Happy)” and “Care For You” which will be on her eagerly anticipated album The Evolution Continues. marie-claire has been in Jamaica working on the album for the last month.

Nelly Stharre

If you look up the words ‘Reggae Revolutionary’ you may just see a picture of Nelly Stharre. She is captivating mix of confidence, humility, honesty and passion. A fixture on the Jamaican musical landscape for the past 15 years, Nelly is no stranger to performing on the big stages in the land of Reggae. Not one to forget her Dominican roots, Nelly makes frequent sojourns to the Nature Isle to refresh, reconnect and share with her Jamaican husband and children the Caribbean’s ‘Garden of Eden.’ She even produced (through her company Calabash Heights) a DVD called Dominica The Secret Garden to share its natural treasures and culture with the world. Both Nelly Stharre and marie-claire contributed to the staging of the first in a series of charity concerts in her homeland commemorating the Year Of The Child. At Jamaica Jazz and Blues Nelly Stharre will perform songs from her album Soul Country.

Both marie-claire and Nelly Stharre will be backed by local Jamaican musicians and without a doubt will do Dominica proud.

ABOUT JAMAICA JAZZ AND BLUES
The festival, which since its introduction in 1996 was known as the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, has attracted thousands of patrons from the USA, Europe, and the Caribbean over the years. International artistes that have performed at Jazz and Blues (as it is popularly known) include Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias, Earth Wind and Fire, Roberta Flack and Kenny G.

Artists performing this year include Machel Montano, Erykah Badu, Billy Ocean, Robin Banks, Queens Project - Tamia, Kelly Price and Deborah Cox, Babyface, The Whispers, Joss Stone, Monty Alexander, Joe Roy Jackson, and Maxi Priest.

Saturday’s show at Greenfield Stadium will feature Gladys Knight, Third World, Hall & Oates, Jon Secada, and Marion Hall (Lady Saw).

Both ladies have been featured on The Lime in our 20 Questions segment. Get to know marie-claire and Nelly Stharre and to listen to some of their music.

The JAMAICA Jazz and Blues Festival will be streamed live on the internet thanks to a partnership forged with TurnKey Productions, SteadyImage.net, CbeanMedia and Internet video streaming company Livestream.com.

The company (Livestream.com) will stream the happenings from the JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 live on their website to their 1.2 million subscribers around the world. The Stream will be supported on the round by Telegens, a local Wifi company will be providing the internet feed to Livestream.com.

Erykah Badu performs at Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival Friday Jan. 29th 2010
Photo source

Film Producer Adrian Allen of SteadyImage.net and Sherra Pierre-March of CbeanMedia have consolidated efforts in making this opportunity of live streaming the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival a reality. Walter Elmore, executive producer for the JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 , explained that the partnership was a critical element in promoting the experience that is the JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival 2010

“Livestream.com has over 700,000 channels to which more than a million people around the world tune in each day. Our Festival will be streamed on the website’s homepage free of cost, and they will also allow us the opportunity to integrate the platform with our Facebook and Twitter, so our fans and friends can expect us to maximize on this opportunity,” Elmore said.

With Livestream.com as the exclusive streaming provider, the player widget for the webcast can be embedded anywhere on the web, and integration with Facebook and Twitter allows online viewers to engage in web-based conversations with other fans around the world, and even the band”.

Livestream.com will also be advertising the Festival on its channels and website, and will be shared among sites such as JamaicaJazzAndBlues.com and iNation.tv, making access to the stream a breeze.

“The Festival is always growing, and a partnership like this helps us to grow and spread our wings. This year, we became a week-long event and that’s really exciting for us, and now we are very pleased to be able to offer this to music fans around the world,” remarked the executive producer.

Livestream.com offers the opportunity for producers to use the website to create live, linear, and on-demand Internet television to broadcast anywhere on the Web through a single embeddable player widget. Some of the unique features of the site includes to ability to mix multiple live cameras, overlay graphics, and desktop streaming with 3D effects.

The 2010 staging of the JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Festival 2010 will be a seven-day long celebration of The Art of Music that will see Montego Bay engulfed in the awesome sights and sounds of the TurnKey Productions event from January 24-30.

The signature performance nights will take place from January 28 – 30 at The Greenfield Stadium, Trelawny, which is 12-15 minutes away from Rose Hall.

Having seen performances from the likes of Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Anita Baker in past Jazz Festivals, the Festival stage is pleased to welcome to JAMAICA Jazz & Blues Fest 2010: Gladys Knight, Joss Stone, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmunds, Erykah Badu, John Secada, Deborah Cox, Kelly Price, Tamia, Machel Montano HD, Billy Ocean, The Whispers, as well a reggae band Third World.

I mentioned in an earlier blog that Rihanna's young fan Jasmina Amena died from Leukemia. Artists like Rihanna, Kelly Rowland and Lil Mama used their celebrity to help in her efforts to get a donor. Today both Rihanna and American president Barack Obama (who met her recently) have issued statements about her death.

Photo source

Rihanna

"I am incredibly heartbroken that Jasmina has passed away. She was such a brave
and special child. She showed more strength and spirit than many adults I have
met. I feel blessed that I was able to have her in my life, and know that
through her example she has saved many lives. She was truly an angel on
earth."

President Obama,:

“Jasmina showed tremendous bravery in the face of adversity, and her ability
to stay positive throughout her battle was an inspiration to me and to all those
she touched,” Obama remarked. “As the parents of two young girls, our hearts
particularly go out to Jasmina’s devoted mother Thea. Our thoughts and prayers
are with her and with all who knew and loved Jasmina.”

Photo source

Jasmina, who was adopted from Africa at birth, passed away at10:55 PM Tuesday night at NYU Langone Medical Center, her mother, Thea Anema, was by her side.

The official video for Mariah Carey's song "Up Out My Face" featuring Nikki Minaj has just been released.



Click HERE to view!

Seven year-old Jasmina Amena lost her battle with Leukemia yesterday Jan. 27th. She was a big fan of Rihanna who supported efforts to help find her a donor.






Condolences to her family.

Wow....two down, one more to go. Gaza Indu, after what happen to Lisa Hype (now Lisa Hyper) and Gaza Kim (now Kym), I say watch your back girl. Gaza Kim is officially out of Portmore Empire after she was beaten outside Big Yard studios. Fingers have been pointing to Vybz Kartel and members of the Empire as being responsible for the attack, allegations they strongly deny. Gaza Kim became part of the empire last year at age 17. She is known for her popular song with Vybz Kartel "Teenage Pregnancy."

Gaza Kim and Vybz Kartel in a poster for their song "Teenage Pregnancy"

From Jamaica Star:

Several members of the Portmore Empire have been quick to deny being beaten, as well as any involvement or knowledge of any beating that have taken place in the crew.

As news of an assault on teenage singer and member of the Portmore Empire, Gaza Kim at 'Big Yard', off Mannings Hill Road, spread in the media yesterday, other members of the Portmore Empire have since contacted THE STAR to proclaim their innocence.

Rumours have been circulating that other members of the Empire were being beaten on a regular basis and another artiste was rumoured to have been beaten over the weekend when they defended Gaza Kim.


verbal altercation

According to reports in Tuesday's STAR, Gaza Kim was at Big Yard when she and a group of men got into a verbal altercation. THE STAR source claimed that Vybz Kartel arrived on the scene and the men were instructed to beat her. A statement from Kartel, however, denied his involvement in the incident and condemned violence against females and children. A statement from Gaza Kim confirmed that she had been assaulted over the weekend and sought medical attention, details as to what happened, however, were omitted. According to the release, Gaza Kim says she will be taking legal action against her attackers.

Gaza Indu, known for songs such as Virginity alongside Vybz Kartel, was one of the first to call. Indu made it clear that she has never been beaten, nor was she present at the time that Gaza Kim was beaten. Indu said that she was calling all media contacts so as to clear her name. One of the latest females added to the Gaza crew, Sheba, also contacted THE STAR. Like Indu, Sheba stated that she was not present at 'Big Yard' over the weekend and did not appreciate that her name was being called up by the media and in rumours concerning any assault.

Two of the leading male artistes from the Empire, Blak Ryno and Jah Vinci also made contact with THE STAR yesterday. Persistent rumours of being beaten have circulated around both figures. When asked about these rumours Ryno replied, "a lot of things have been said about di Gaza that aren't true. We cannot control what is being said in the media ... I am sure about myself and I have never witnessed any one being beaten on di Gaza."

As for singer Jah Vinci persons have questioned whether he is still a member of the Portmore Empire, after rumours have spread that he no longer hangs with the popular crew. Jah Vinci however, denied these rumours saying, "Gaza fi life."
Source

Remember last year Fay-Ann Lyons said she is "pregnant not sick" and would not be deterred from competing in soca monarch finals??? Well she won, big belly and all, both groovy and power segments. Well my girl done give birth to de baby so you should know she coming to mash up the place for 2010, right? Well here are the persons who will be fighting to dethrone her:

Groovy Soca Monarch Finalists (Results)

Kerwin Dubois

Shurwayne Winchester

Patrice Roberts

Chucky

Rikki Jai

Zoelah (St. vincent)

KMC

Lil Bitts

TC (Barbados)

Nnika Francis

Ainsley king





Power Soca Monarch Finalists (Results)

Blaze and JW

Farmer Nappy

Blaxx

Tallpree (Grenada)

Shal and Screwz

Super Jigga TC

KMC and Ronnie Mcintosh

Iwer George

Daddy Chess (Dominica)

Tian Winters (Antigua)

Skinny Fabulous (St Vincent)

Mr Killa (Grenada)

Let me take you back to Fay-Ann's winning Power Soca performance which also won Road March ("Meet Super Blue")

and here she is with her winning Groovy Monarch performance ("Heavy T Bumpa")

The 2010 (Trinidad and Tobago) International Soca Monarch is on Friday 12th February 2010, at the Queen’s Park Oval, from 9:30 pm.



I don't understand how Ricky T did not make it since he is the reigning Soca Monarch of St. Lucia.

And Benjai pulls out of the competition. He had already made it as far as the sem finals.

Benjai at Groovy Soca Monarch finals last year

Photo source


He stated on his facebook fanpage:

Just to let my fans know, I'll not be participating in Soca Monarch this year. very displeased with the way things are being handled and will not put myself in a situation that has me uncomfortable!!!

Here are Da'Ville and Fiona on the way to his big birthday bash in New York!




Click HERE for more pics!

Instead of worrying about the usual issues that comes with her first child on the way (the pain!!!, baby-proofing home, chosing Godparents), Christina Milan now has to add a lawsuit to the lot:

A pregnant Christina Milian in LA recently

Photo source

According to TMZ:

Christina Milian's 81-year-old neighbor claims he was mauled by one of her dogs back in 2008 -- and now the man wants Christina to pay for the canine's alleged brutality.Leo Skolion filed a lawsuit against Christina and family earlier this month in L.A. County Superior Court, claiming the family's negligence lead to the attack that left him with "severe personal injuries."Leo tells TMZ it all started in October of '08, when Christina's home had "flooding problems" which caused a gate between their properties to become damaged.Leo says he went over to speak to the family about repairing the gate when one of their dogs escaped ... then attacked him from behind and bit "a huge chunk" out of the back of his arm.The 81-year-old claims it took 19 stitches and 9 months of rehabilitation to get back to normal -- and that he still has to receive psychiatric help for fear and depression.Leo is suing Christina -- real name Christine Flores -- her mother Carmen and her sister Danielle for an undetermined amount.

Source

Christoper Martin is in the studio working on some music and took time out to pose for this pic for his fans....awwww....

See more celebs out and about by clicking HERE!

Ghetto Youth’s International, organizers of the annual Bob Marley concert Smile Jamaica, have announced that the 2010 staging of the celebration of the King of Reggae’s birth would have to be called off, due to numerous circumstances.

Smile Jamaica spokesperson Norman Bryan, said yesterday that while the organisation was looking forward to staging the concert after “there are some extenuating circumstances that just cannot be ignored, and there’s no way we could proceed with the concert bearing them in mind.”

He added that the Marley family will still be celebrating Bob’s birthday and honouring his legacy in private.

Bryan also said that the Ghetto Youth’s International would be redoubling its efforts to make a 2011 staging possible.

“Ghetto Youths International will continue spreading the message of the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, and we will be definitely putting our heads together to make 2011 the year Smile Jamaica returns from its hiatus.”

Smile Jamaica saw its historic birth in December of 1976, when it was held at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. The event took place a mere two days after gunmen almost ended Bob Marley’s life, and he was recuperating in the Blue Mountains. It was there that Marley magic reigned supreme yet again, as an injured Bob agreed to perform one song for the 80,000-strong throng of patrons. That one song turned into a magical 90 minute performance with Marley and the Wailers.

Here are the seven beauties, vying for the title of Miss Dominica 2010-one of whom will walk away with the crown on the night of Friday Fe. 12th 2009.


L-R Clarissa Nicholls, Marcia Baptiste, Kristelle Fagan, Valdie De Jean, Shama St. Hilaire, Danna Augustine, Amy Polydore

Please click on each lady's name to view her official profile.

Clarissa Nicholls

Marcia Baptiste

Kristelle Fagan

Valdie De Jean

Shama St. Hilaire

Danna Augustine

Amy Polydore

If you are a Facebook member. There is a page dedicated to the show. You can access it by clicking HERE.

If not keep up with the ladies at TheRealMas.com and DominicaCarnival.com and of course there is always the OFFICIAL SITE!

Justin Dior Combs, son of entertainment mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs had a Prince of New York themed super Sweet 16 birthday party at M2 Ultra Lounge in New York on Saturday. The party will be featured in to an upcoming episode of MTV's Super Sweet Sixteen show. He got a $10,000.00 check which he donated to Yele Haiti as well as a Maybach car.

Justin's Dad Sean "Diddy" Combs , Nicki Minaj (his date), Justin and his mom Misa Hylton-Brim
Photo source

To see the car, cake and other pics from the party click HERE.

The "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon has so far raised $61 million and the album featuring performances from the event is on sale on iTunes and Amazon and already boasts a #1 single in Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris' cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

According to Rolling Stone:

Friday night’s “Hope For Haiti Now” telethon raised more than $61 million for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck then average of 24 million people watched the entire two-hour special, while an astounding 83 million total U.S. viewers tuned in at various points of the telecast and an additional 5.8 million streamed the special online.the performance that has drawn the most charity downloads on iTunes internationally has been Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris’ duet on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” In fact, as of press time, JT’s “Hallelujah” continues to top U.S. iTunes Top Singles chart, beating out Taylor Swift’s “Today Was a Fairytale”; it’s also the lone “Hope For Haiti Now” performance on the iTunes Top 10 songs chart. The entire Hope For Haiti Now album currently sits at Number One on iTunes’ Albums Chart, and is all but guaranteed the top spot on tomorrow’s Billboard 200 chart. According to Reuters, organizers will continue to collect money from “Hope For Haiti Now” for the next six months.

Source


Here is a look of their moving performance:

Contratulations to Rihanna who won the NRJ award for International Female Artist of the Year award. The show was held at Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France last Saturday.

Rihanna wears Jean-Paul Gaultier at the 2010 NRJ Awards!

Photo source

Performing "Russian Roulette"

Photo source


Here she is singing Russian Roulette


Here is her acceptance of her award from Kelly Rowland


Her new man Matt Kemp is dodging claims of abuse by a past girlfriend. All I have to say is she should take her own advice:

Miami rapper Trina (Katrina Tayor) says she is giving serious consideration to adopting a Haitian child. I know she has Dominican roots (as in la Republica) but she also says in the statement that she has Haitian relatives, so I guess the situation is hitting very close to home for her.



In an official statement on the subject, she says:

“With the current state that Haiti is in right now, I personally feel like donating monetary and physical possessions is an enormous and vast donation; however, I would like to contribute on a higher level for more personal reasons like being ready to raise/nurture a child and by being involved on a day to day basis,” Trina states.

“The tragic and untimely list of events that have happened in Haiti–even before the recent “Earthquake”–have made me realize how blessed I am as an individual. I want to share that with a child who is a victim in this disturbing time, in addition to adding on to my immediate family circle.”

“I am in the financial position to adopt, therefore, I am taking it into deep consideration at this time. I have always admired other individuals for adopting children not so much for their celebrity status, but more so because of the nurturing and invaluable change and joy it will bring to a child’s life.”

“Lastly, the fact that I am considering adopting a child from Haiti is even more significant to me because a great deal of adopted children come into the United States from larger countries–like China, Russia and African countries. I also have family members that are of Haitian descent.”

Source

Kudos to her. Hope she really does it.

The two-hour "Hope For Haiti" telethon aired Friday night on the major networks and dozens of other channels, including MTV, Bravo, and PBS, and was also streamed live online. I personally watched on MySpace. Stars like Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Reese Witherspoon, Steven Spielberg, George Clooney reached out to viewers to encourage donations for Haiti, following a Jan. 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 200,000 people.

Bono, Jay-Z and Rihanna perform the Swizz Beatz produced "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)"

Photo source

It started off with Alicia Keys singing "Prelude to a Kiss." I don't know how she held in the emotion because I could tell that she was ready to cry. She even tweeted about that. Some persons have said the event was melancholic and sad but that is what you need in a telethon. You play the saddest songs, retell the saddest stories and show the saddest images so that even someone in maximum security prison will want to share some of his (or her:-) commissary. I loved Coldplay's performance as well as Justin Timberlake's. And Sting. Wow! Oh he made that guitar wail and on top of that he was backed by The Roots! Oh yes I'm in musical heaven. Beyonce's performace of "Halo" was moving and of course Jennifer Hudson delivered with "Let It Be." Wyclef brought in a bit of Haitian Rara music in his performance of "Rivers of Babylon/Yele." Bono, Jay-Z and Rihanna's performance was good, not a waw but I was kinda bewildered why she could not cover herself up for this event. There is a time and place for everything and that was not a moment to make a fashion statement. Just sayin'.

Apart from the performances you had a lot of celebs on the phones taking calls. Haitian actors Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon and Jimmy Jean-Louis were present. We heard Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift take calls. And others spoke directly to viewers including Bill Clinton, Mohammed Ali (through a note read by Chris Rock), and George Clooney who spearheaded the entire event.

We also got glimpses of personal stories of people affected by the earthquake. It was so cute seeing Anderson Cooper trying to speak French. Overall I was touched by the event and I am sure many, many, people around the globe are as well.

Wyclef Jean performs "Rivers of Babylon"

Photo source


The $57 million total released Saturday, includes money raised by phone, text and the Web. It does not include donations by corporations or via iTunes, where people are able to buy performances of the event for 99 cents each, or the entire album for $7.99. Those funds also go to Haiti relief.

The "Hope for Haiti Now" CD is the biggest one-day pre-order in the site's history and the new song "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)" by Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and the Edge, debuted during the telethon, is the No. 1 single on iTunes.

People can donate via text, phone or through the "Hope for Haiti" Web site for the next six months. Among the organizations who will receive funds from the telethon include Oxfam America, UNICEF, and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Foundation.

Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon(who is from Haiti) and Ellen Barkin

Photo source

Haitian actor Jimmy Jean Louis and Ellen Degeneres

Photo source

Wyclef and Shakira

Photo source

Alicia Keys performing "Send Me An Angel"




Rihanna, Bono and Jay-Z performing "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)"




Wyclef performing "Rivers of Babylon"

It's finally here and I am totally loving it!




Click HERE to see officer Busy Signal holding things down on the "Night Shift," honey put them handcuffs on me, you'll have more than "One More Night" (I kid, I kid ...NOT)

Sunday gone Dominican's came out in droves for the 2010 Real Mas (Carnival ) Official Opening. As you can see from the pic below.

Large crowd in the streets of Roseau

Photo source


Here's a nice video of parade highlights for your viewing pleasure!


To see the still shots from the Parade go to Dominica-Weekly.com or DominicaNewsOnline.com or DominicaCarnival.com sites.


Below is the official schedule for Real Mas 2010.

All you singers out there, alicia Keys got a contest just for you.
Record your version of "Put It In a Love Song," "Doesn't Mean Anything," or "No One" for your chance to win a trip to NYC to see Alicia Keys live in concert at Madison Square Garden in March! Contests runs now through February 3rd. Head on over to MySpace for complete details and to enter.

Last year Rihanna showed fans and herself a lot of love at Pepsi Smash superbowl event. This year she is performing at the pre-gamd jam. If you want to see her in person get the details below:

Rihanna fans have the chance to see her perform live at the 2010 Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam in South Beach, Florida on Thursday, February 4th.

Location: South Beach, FL (venue TBD)

Time: TBD
EMAIL: tickets@gothamcasting.com

Email the address above for tickets. Be sure to put "Pepsi Fan Jam 2010- Rihanna" in the subject line and include the following:
NAMEAGE (must be 18 years old)

PHONECITY/STATE

EMAIL--um the email would be coming from their email don't?

GUEST NAMES (you can bring up to THREE total)RECENT PHOTO (small files only, please)

Jamaican-American fashion stylist Misa Hylton-Brim is mother to Sean "Diddy" combs first child, Justin and he will be treated to a royal birthday bash this Saturday, under the theme Prince of New York.


Photo source

According to the NY Post,

The rapper -- still on a high after his epic, "party of the year" 40th birthday
bash in November -- has lined up a series of big-name performers and guests
including Chris Brown for the event at an unidentified local club on Saturday,
which will be filmed for MTV's "My Super Sweet 16." A source said, "The club
will be decorated with images from the New York skyline. Diddy will perform with
his band, Diddy-Dirty Money, but there will also be some big-name performers
taking the stage to surprise Justin." Guests will also include Combs' pals Snoop
Dogg, Lil' Kim, boxer Floyd Mayweather and possibly Jay-Z and Beyoncé. The
source added, "It's going to be big, but it won't be as lavish as Diddy's 40th.
Instead of gifts, guests will be asked to make a donation to the Haiti fund."

Source


Read more:

Talk di ting dem start talk di ting dem,Talk di ting dem start talk di ting dem, Talk di ting dem start talk di ting dem buss Natalie bizneeeeessss!!!!
If you know this refrain (with my little edit..LOL) then you know Natalie Storm, musically anyway. How about getting to know her better?

Natalie Storm Have you ever???



Had a wardrobe malfunction in public?
I went 2 a Reggae Boyz match back in 2008 and wore this tank that was cute but was way 2 sexy for the match(I was trying 2 distract the other side *wink*). When the Reggae Boyz scored the first goal I started jumping around and in my excitement my boobs fell out. Mi nuh mean nuh likkle peep show…They were all out nipples and all! My friend, Koffy was like “No Nats, U a go 2 hard”. I was soooo embarassed. I worried that some1 might have taken a pic and post it on the net or something but I guess everybody was preoccupied with the match 2 even notice.


Been fired from or quit a job?
I quit a job once. When I just left high school I was working at this accounting firm and the boss was coming on to me so I quit. He was good friends with my mother so he made me sick (ugh).


Fallen asleep in public?
I used to fall asleep in math class and dream of my math teacher who I had a crush on (Mi mother waan hear mi…lol). When I’d wake up there would always be drool all over my notebook *smiles*.


Been star struck?
I went on tour with Enur in 2008 and Estelle and Lady Gaga were on one of the shows we did. I was excited. That’s the only time I can say I’ve ever been star struck.


Bathed someone over 21 years old?
My mother was ill once and I had 2 bathe her. I’d do almost anything for any1 I care about.



Click HERE to read her interview!

"Hope for Haiti Now," is a two-hour, commercial-free concert to benefit the people of Haiti in the aftermath of last week's devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake.

Tonight's event begins at 8pm (ET/PT) and can be seen commercial-free on a number of networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1, CMT and more.

During the concert, fans will be able to pre-order "Hope For Haiti Now," a compilation of the night's performances available on iTunes. The artists, record labels, and Apple will donate their share of the proceeds to Haiti relief funds managed by Hope For Haiti Now.


Folks in the Caribbean can watch on Tempo

You can also watch the show live on MySpace:

Just click HERE to view live stream

And on YouTube as well.


About Hope for Haiti Now:
A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” today announced its lineup of superstar musical performances. The global telethon will feature performances by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York City; Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles; and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay‐Z, and Rihanna in a newly added London location.

All musical performances will be available for purchase for $.99 per song through the Apple® iTunes® Store beginning Saturday, January 23, with all proceeds benefiting Haiti relief funds managed by “Hope for Haiti Now” charities.


In addition to musical performances, Wyclef Jean in New York City, George Clooney in Los Angeles, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper reporting from Haiti, “Hope for Haiti Now” will feature more than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music supporting the cause with testimonials and by answering phones during the telethon.


"Hope for Haiti Now" will begin accepting donations at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT on Friday 1/22/10 via the following methods:
» Online: www.hopeforhaitinow.org
» Phone: 877-99-HAITI
» Text: Text "GIVE" to 50555
» Mail: Hope For Haiti Now Fund, Entertainment Industry Foundation, 1201 West 5th Street, Suite T-700, Los Angeles, CA 90017

I could think of no better Trinidadian artist better than Machel Montano to open for Beyonce at her concert in Trinidad on Feb 18th. His performances are high-energy, electrifying, visualy stimualting productions and will fit right in with Beyonce's act which is always 150%. This comes as extremely good news for Montano fans who were dissapointed that he would not be performing for the carnival season.

According to the Trinidad Express:

Machel Montano is opening the Beyonce concert on February 18 at the Queen’s Park Savannah and will not perform at any other local event between now and the night of the show.

TSTT’s executive head of Mobile and Legal Services, Lisa Agard, made this announcement yesterday at a media conference at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Port of Spain at which Montano was present.

’We’ve received agreement from Beyonce’s team to have our very own Machel Montano perform at the show. We know that many Machel fans will relish this opportunity to see him in his only local performance for the Carnival season. Together Machel and Beyonce will deliver a riveting three hours of performance that will thrill and excite and leave everyone wanting more,’ Agard said.

Montano explained that in spite of rumours and speculation that he was staying out of Carnival because of the concert, he had made the decision to sit out the season within the past year. He said he has been working on new projects, including the filming of a movie to develop himself and broaden his scope as an entertainer.

Montano said the Beyonce performance is a new development that came into being while he was here making preparations to film scenes of the movie entitled Scandalous on the streets of Port of Spain on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

He said TSTT invited him to perform at the show and he told them he would once they got permission from Beyonce’s people for him to open for her.

’I was not planning to be here. However one of my projects, which is a movie that I am doing entitled Scandalous, is going to be filmed, parts of it are going to be filmed on Monday and Tuesday. It’s a soca Bollywood movie starring Machel Montano as the lead actor and featuring the music of Machel Montano with a lot of Indian interaction and Indian sounds,’ Montano said.

’As for the opportunities presented to me by bmobile to open for Beyonce, I must say that I was very excited to consider it because I was not really planning to make any appearances until I was fully ready to come back on the music scene in Trinidad and Tobago. I thought about it for a while and I said, OK if they approve I would take the responsibility to represent Trinidad and Tobago,’ Montano said.

Pan will also be a part of the event as the National Panorama champion of 2010 in the Large Band category will perform the National Anthem to open the show, while the winning band in the Medium Band category will perform for patrons entering the Queen’s Park Savannah.

As for the financing of the ’I Am...Beyonce in Concert’, and how would taxpayers be affected should the event, costing millions to produce, run at a loss as raised in a BBC article, Agard said such an idea is foolish.

She said that all indications are that the event will at least break even as in the two weeks since tickets went on sale TT$4.7 million has been realised with at least 300 tickets being purchased by people overseas.
Source

If you want to attend, you can purchase tickets HERE.

Peep Rihanna and Maxwell's performance on Oprah's show focusing on Haiti and the earthquake relief.


Remember Rihanna's cover of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" can be downloaded on iTunes. All the funds from purchases will go to Haiti relief efforts.



Maxwell who is of Haitian descent performed "Fistful of Tears." His song can be downloaded on iTunes and for the next 48 hrs proceeds will go towards Haiti relief efforts.

Estelle celebrated her 30th Birthday Abe & Arthur’s in New York City some of the people to attend were singer Wynter Gordon,Rocsi from 106& Park Kevin Liles, and model Tyson Beckford.

Photo source

To me she looks her age, no more...no less. Estelle has been working hard in the studio, so I am sure the party was a well deserved break. Can't wait for it to drop. Click HERE for more pics!

Jah Cure just released a statement that DNA results prove that he is not the father of a newborn.

There have been recent media reports about a DNA test result that involved Jah Cure. While not wishing to join the media circus that has ensued because of these revelations, Jah Cure wishes to outline a few facts and settle the matter once and for all. Jah Cure has supported the mother throughout her pregnancy and had his father and manager be with her at the time of delivery in the US. His support for her throughout this period was unwavering. Before the birth of the child Jah Cure requested a DNA test, a request which the mother refused. Despite this, Jah Cure continued to support the child and the mother.

Now that the DNA test has been done and it has been shown that he is not the father, Jah Cure wishes to move on.

The fact is that the most important individual in this whole affair is the child and the longer that this continues the more damage is being done to the child. Jah cure will not now abandon the child but wishes that the media respect the privacy of the parties as the child is indeed innocent and did not contribute to the mistakes of the adults involved.

The messed up part is that the mother refused DNA before the birth, Jah Cure sent his father and brother to be with her for the birth and he has to deal with a child that he probably had a bond with. the even more messed up part is this is not the first time he has been accused of fathering a child (a son that time) that was not his. Like I always say when I give opinion, who am I to judge right??? But some women just see entertainers and just think $$$$$$$. I hope that is a lesson for him and other artists to play it safe. After all, according to him condoms "are a must." And true to the press release the child is the ultimate victim. At least Jah Cure is doing a positive thing by still being there. Cyan make de chile pay for her mother mistake.

The music world's top stars are signing on for Friday's "Hope for Haiti" telethon. Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Keith Urban and Alicia Keys are just a few of the performers who will be featured, according to MTV Networks, an integral partner in the two-hour event.

Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys performing at Clive Davis pre-Grammy concert last year.
Photo source

Haiti was devastated and thousands of its citizens killed when an earthquake hit the Caribbean nation last week. "Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" will be an international event.

Haitian native Wyclef Jean will anchor the show from New York, while George Clooney will do so from Los Angeles. CNN's Anderson Cooper will report from Haiti. London has also been added to the lineup, and that's where Jay-Z will perform, along with Bono, The Edge and Rihanna in a special joint performance. Coldplay is also to perform from London.

In New York, Springsteen will perform, along with Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Jean and Sting.

In Los Angeles, Swift is to perform, and Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow plan a collaboration. Also performing in Los Angeles is Timberlake, Dave Matthews, John Legend, and Stevie Wonder.

People can purchase the night's performances for 99 cents each through iTunes starting Saturday. A statement released Tuesday says all proceeds will go to Haiti relief. The "Hope for Haiti" benefit will be broadcast from New York, Los Angeles, London and Haiti.

It will be televised on all the major networks at 8 p.m. EST, as well as MTV, VH1, CMT, BET, PBS, CNN, Bravo, and a host of other networks. In addition, the telethon will be streamed live on Web sites including YouTube, MySpace and AOL. The funds raised from the telethon will be donated to several relief organizations, including UNICEF, Oxfam America and Partners in Health.

Source

Like so many of us around the world, the heartbreaking images coming from Haiti have profoundly affected Barbados-born Rihanna. Now, in partnership with Oprah, Rihanna has made her performance of Bob Marley's anthem "Redemption Song" - live from the stage of today's Oprah show - available for charitable purchase through iTunes. Proceeds from the track will directly benefit organizations spearheading the relief efforts in Haiti, including the Red Cross, UNICEF, Oxfam America and Partners In Health. Visit Rihannanow.com or Oprah.com and click to buy the track, or send "Redemption Song" as a gift to friends and family.



Click HERE to download the song on I-Tunes

The most powerful aftershock yet struck Haiti on Wednesday, shaking more rubble from damaged buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets eight days after the country's capital was devastated by an apocalyptic quake.

The magnitude-6.1 temblor did not appear to cause major new damage in a city already nearly flattened by the Jan. 12 quake, but aid workers said it complicated rescue efforts and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said the government was sending teams to check on the situation in Petit-Goave, near the epicenter.

"We know they are going to need some help," he said.

At least one woman died of a heart attack, according to Eddy Thomas, a private undertaker.

"She had a heart condition, and the new quake finished her," he said while pushing her body along the street on a mobile stretcher.

Wails of terror rose from frightened survivors as the earth shuddered at 6:03 a.m. U.S. soldiers and tent city refugees alike raced for open ground, and clouds of dust rose in the capital.

The quake began as a slow vibration and then intensified into side-to-side shaking that lasted about eight seconds in Haiti's capital. Some in Port-au-Prince said the far stronger Jan. 12 quake seemed to last for 30 seconds.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Wednesday's quake was centered about 35 miles (60 kilometers) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince and 6.2 miles (9.9 kilometers) below the surface — a little further from the capital than last week's epicenter was.

Read more HERE.

See Footage following aftershock in AP video below:

Lisa Raye mentioned in an interview with Sandra Rose that her ex-husband former Turks and Caicos premier Michael Misick stopped payment on her 20-year old daughter Kai's university education.

Lisa Raye and ex-husband Michael Misick, former Premier of Turks and Caicos Islands.

I’m so proud of her. She’s a little upset coming from over in Europe abruptly. My ex-husband let his financial support… he just abruptly stopped [paying her tuition] and messed up her schooling. It was the same school he went to get his doctorate degree and that just f*cked her up. You don’t do that to no kid, you know what I’m sayin?

She's putting him on blast for doing that. But Kai is not his biological child, so should she even be angry that he cut her off???? What do you guys think?????

Lisa Raye in GIANT Mag photo spread.

On her relationship with Rev. Al Sharpton:

I think what people don’t know… they underestimated my role as First Lady… we were in a different country with different rules. Britain had taken over. They have suspended the Constitution and made my ex-husband step down and started a new government. So that made different rules and laws for me with my divorce. So when Rev. Sharpton came to me, he was like ‘you’re a little out of your league with this.’ So I actually leaned on him as one of our civil rights leaders and being a smart man and being one of the closest black men to our president that you can lay your hands on. I think that was a smart ass move. I was like, ‘come help me.’

SR: So he helped you out with the legal part of the divorce?

It’s not over. I’m divorced legally. But it’s two parts you know, the financial settlement, the divorce settlement. Because my ex-husband is up for corruption of governmental funds and money laundering… you know everything is just up in the air with that. And I’m like well, why I got to wait? I ain’t got nothing to do with all that? When I met my ex-husband I was my own millionaire. I was doing my own damn thing.

Source

see Lisa Raye's spread in GIANT Magazine by clicking HERE