Two Dominicans doing their thang...couldn't be more proud!

Click HERE to listen!

Red Klinic Medley features young Dominican artists doing what they do best. Big ups to Olbenz, Jah Foxx, Shadow Flow, Kalihi, Mr. Benji N2O and Ras General. Click HERE to watch the video!

Click HERE to see Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne in the video for their song "Knockout"

Buju Banton was scheduled to be in court on June 21st but US District Judge James Moody changed the date to September, and to date the reason is unclear. This is the second time since his December 2009 arrest that his trial date has been changed. The initial trial date was April 21st 2010.

David Oscar Markus, Buju's attorney, has filed an objection, saying the change violates the federal Speedy Trial Act. This law requires that a criminal defendant’s trial start within 70 days of him being charged or makes an initial appearance, whichever is later. Mr. Markus also requested a hearing on this matter for next Thursday, June 3, 2010 and is awaiting the Court’s response.

Source

Click HERE to see what some of your fav celebs were doing this past week!


Here's one: It's Benji from Triple K checking out the South Africa vs. West Indies cricket match at Windsor Park Stadium.
Photo source

Rihanna and Victoria Secret model Laetitia Casta get down with some super sexy girl on girl action is the video for "Te amo."Not yet even on her official You Tube page, the video was first leaked on a German site on Friday May 28th.

Click HERE to listen and watch.

They don't call Olbenz the Fiyah Warrior for nothing...This man has energy....don't let the small frame fool you. He is a giant on the stage. You can't help but be captivated. Born in Dominica, but recording extensively in the French West Indies, he has made a name for himself in the Reggae and Dancehall arena. The Lime chatted with him recently about this climb to success. Check it out below:

1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is knowing that the message in my music reaches the people all over the earth and that it inspires them positively in their everyday life.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I've got various goals which I hope to achieve, but my priority is to play my part in ensuring that Dominica's music develops as an industry which could be of financial benefit to every national artist.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your careet?
Having to leave my loved ones behind on many occasions to build up my music career overseas.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
When I look to where I came from and see all the opportunities I was blessed with because of music; I dont ever have fears of not making it big . I am more focused on makin good music for my people. Plus, I live my life knowing that no good work or deed goes unrewarded--it always pays of in some form. So, I'm forever optimistic of my future. Real warriors know that anyone living in fear is already defeated.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Definitely my energy and the level of perfomance that I consistently bring to the stage. Also the wealth of knowledge that I've acquired over the years.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
Get my music copyrighted by an international copyright society and always pay close attention to the lyrics that I write. That was advice straight from Nasio Fontaine over the phone.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Stick to the business and pay less attention to the hype.

Click HERE to read Olbenz responses to our 20 Questions

I guess with her baby bump showing through her clothes, Alicia Keys felt it was time to just confirm what everybody has been guessing for the last couple of weeks. She is pregnant and the child's father is her soon-to-be husband, producer Swizz Beatz.

Alicia Keys gets a hug from her fiance Swizz Beats at her Keep A Child Alive black ball fundraiser in London this week.
Photo source

According to theYBF, she is 4 months preggers and after her July3rd performance at the Essence Music Festival, she will jet off to France for a July 4th wedding.

Bret Michaels made a surprise appearance on the American Idol season 9 finale wearing a T-shirt with the image of the late great Robert Nesta Marley. A former frontman for rock group Poison he performed the band's hit song "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" with finalist Casey James. Michaels, who won this season's "Celebrity Apprentice" show last Sunday, suffered a brain hemorrhage in April. He was hospitalized again May 20 for what doctors called a "warning stroke" and diagnosed with a hole in his heart.

Bret Michaels (wearing Bob Marley Tee)and Casey James started singing Poison’s “Every "Rose Has Its Thorn"
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Bret backstage with his "One Love Bob Marley" T-shirt

I don't follow idol like I used to but this was Simon's last show. Lee Dewyze emerged winner beating out Crystal Bowersox who got second place.

BTW Bob Marley's Facebook page has over 4 million fans. If you want to be one of them click HERE.

Dada Son Entertainment is proud to announce that Gramps Morgan is the new face of CY Clothing Inc.


According to Gramps, "CY Clothing and I have a relationship that goes way back, to when I was a child. CY identifies with what I stand for which is culture, happiness, and love amongst the human race and that's evident in their brand; and it identifies with my brand, Gramps Morgan."

"I've wanted to do a clothing line for a long time and I wanted to join forces with the CY Evolution brand. They're always supportive of me when I go on tour, so I said why not! Let's join forces and take this to another level. I have so many ideas to improve the brand and they are excited about it."

Meanwhile Gramps' manager and partner, Anthony Alexander says, "This is a very exciting time for the Dada Son family. Under this new partnership comes the newest edition to the Dada Son merchandise catalogue; a brand new Gramps Morgan clothing line designed by CY Evolution."

A Statement from CY Evolution's Homer Bair, "CY Evolution is proud to announce that effective immediately. Gramps Morgan will be the face and the voice of CY Evolution.

Gramps Morgan is truly one of the greatest talents in Reggae music. His lyrics and music express the joy of Reggae.

CY Evolution is the premier Reggae Wear Manufacturer. Our designs express the true values of Reggae.

This union will enable CY Evolution to combine the musical inspiration from Gramps, with our unique and captivating artwork. This is a very exciting moment for Reggae, and the entire world."

CY culture is rooted in reggae, music, art and fashion. These walk hand in hand with personal style and self-expression. CY is for all people of all nations. CY is inspired by the faces, races, shapes and sizes of all humanity.

CY is currently available in stores in the Caribbean, North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Source

Oneil Edwards, of popular Reggae/Dancehall/Pop group Voicemail, succumbed to his injuries sustained in a shooting in front his home on Monday May 10th. He was shot in his chest abdomen and head, and had severe swelling of his brain. He also lost a thumb in the incident.

Many Jamaican artists such as Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas, Tifa, Alaine and Natalie Storm, congregated in HalfWay Tree, hours after the shooting, to pray and share words of comfort and encouragement, while decrying gun violence.


His group Voicemail has released one of the songs from their upcoming album in his honor. The song called "One Life To Live" was recorded six months ago it was one of the tracks on their upcoming album Next Level.

Voicemail: Oneil, Kevin and Craig

You can visit Voicemail at myspace.com/voicemailgroup
You can make a Paypal donation to voicemailgroup@yahoo.com.

RIP Oneil....this is truly a great loss..cause you were all about positivity and living life to the fullest. I am glad I got to meet you at the EMEs this year..you were very pleasant.

This was a very thorough report done by CVM news highlighting how the exchange of gunfire between police and supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke is affecting various parts of Jamaican society: the homeless, medical personnel, Air Jamaica flights, residents of Tivoli Gardens, etc


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To keep up with events in Jamaica log on to
Jamaicaobserver.com
Jamaicagleaner.com
CVMTV.com

Click HERE to see Rihanna's video for "Rockstar 101" featuring Slash

HEAVY explosions are ringing out in West Kingston as a large contingent of police and soldiers have converged on the volatile community of Tivoli Gardens in an effort to bring in reputed don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.


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Plumes of smoke can also be seen rising from the area.



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Until now the security forces have taken a soft-handed approach even in the face of constant attacks by gunmen which resulted in the deaths of two cops and the injury of six others.

The cops were attacked as they attempted to clear a roadblock at Mountain View Avenue.

Stung by the deaths of their colleagues lawmen have launched on offensive on Tivoli Gardens, Coke's stomping ground and the power base of Prime Minister Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituency.

There were also reports that the violence had spread to sections of a community known as 'Southside' near to the Kingston Central Police station. Jamaica Defence Force soldiers and police have been deployed to that area to quell the disturbance.

Gunmen and police were also engaged in a running gunbattle in the Central Kingston community of Woodford Park.

So far there are no reports of injuries.

Source

According to URB magazine, Laruyn Hill will headline the “Rock The Bells” tour this summer. Word has it she will perform the songs off her Miseducation of Lauryn Hill album. The list of performers will be announced at the Official Launch Party at the Key Club in Hollywood CA tonight!



Lauryn Hill’s last performance was at the Ragamuffin Festival in New Zealand this year. (Watch Her Performance below)




Log on to rockthebells.net for artist and ticketing info.

Chris Brown has been confirmed to perform at the 2010 Reggae Sumfest music festival. It has not been announced which of the 2 international nights (Fri July 23rd or Sat Jul 24th) he will perform on.


Photo source

Other confirmed acts are :

*Shaggy
*Beenie Man
*Tarrus Riley
*Jah Cure
*Elephant Man
*Queen I-Frica
*I-Octane
*Konshens
*Chino
*Stacious
*Tessanne Chin
*Gramps Morgan
*Tifa

This is the seventeenth staging of this music festival. It features a beach party on Sunday July 18th, Dancehall Night is Thursday July 22nd, and International Nights are Friday July 23rd and Saturday July 24th.

For more details log on to ReggaeSumfest.com or their Facebook Page

Meantime check out C Breezy's just released video for "Deuces"

The annual Calabash International Literary Festival is back for it’s 10th staging this year and will take place from May 28th – 30th 2010 in Treasure Beach St Elizabeth. The 10th anniversary edition will have authors, writers and performers from all over the globe and another great festival is expected.


alabash

he Calabash Festival states that “the mission of the Calabash International Literary Festival Trust is to transform the literary arts in the Caribbean by being the region’s best-managed producer of workshops, seminars and performances.”




For more information on the Calabash International Literary Festival including a full schedule of events over the three days it is being held, author profiles, accommodation suggestion and much more visit the Calabash International Literary Festival website at calabashfestival.org

Martinique was the runaway winner in the recent "Best Caribbean Destination” poll conducted by About.com’s Caribbean Travel site (gocaribbean.about.com).


The Isle of Flowers was the preferred choice of 38% of the 3,800 voters, out-pacing second place finishers Dominica and St. Kitts & Nevis, each with 26% of the vote. Among the seven other finalists placing even further behind Martinique were such notables as Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun, Cozumel, etc.), Costa Rica, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Maarten/St. Martin.


About Martinique (www.martinique.org)
About Dominica (www.dominica.dm)
About St. Kitts (stkittstourism.kn)


Source

Alicia Keys recently posted her latest remix of "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)" featuring Drake..We already posted the version with Vybz Kartel on a previous post.


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Click HERE to check it out!

The May June issue of Buzzz Caribbean Lifestyle magazine features some well-known Caribbean moms. One of them is the mother of this guy who is quite popular in his own right. Can you guess who's On The Cover????

Protoje- son of Lorna Bennett.

Click HERE to find out.

Right now Jamaica is experiencing some difficult and violent times. Although most of the recent violence has been in Kingston, it affects all of Jamaica. I think Protoje's song "JA" is rather timely as it talks of the strength of the Jamaican people. Jamaica gets a bad rap when it comes to violence, but it is still a beautiful country with some warm people. Let's just pray that this recent bout of violence concerning the Dudus matter ends real soon.



Meantime....enjoy the song

The nominations for the 2010 BET awards were announced at the 230 Fifth Rooftop Garden Bar and Restaurant in New York City and celebs with Caribbean heritage are in almost all categories.




Alicia Keys and Melanie Fiona each have four nominations, followed by Rihanna with 3 nods. Nicki Minaj has two on her own, but added with her nominations as part of Young Money she has a total of five nods.

The 10th annual show will feature performances from Trey Songz, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Diddy-Dirty Money, who was on hand to announce the nominations, along with Oscar nominee Queen Latifah, who will serve as host.

The BET Awards 2010 will air live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 27, at 8 p.m. The nominees are listed below.

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin Presents Artists United For Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp
Vickie Winans

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Ester Dean
Lil Kim
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Trina

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
B.o.B.
Drake
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Clipse
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj
Wale
Young Money

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – Video Phone
B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – Nothin’ On You
Drake & Trey Songz – Successful
Drake f/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West & Eminem – Forever
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – Say Aah

Video of the Year
Beyoncé f/ Lady Gaga – Video Phone
B.o.B. f/ Bruno Mars – Nothin’ On You
Melanie Fiona – It Kills Me
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West – Run This Town

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Mo’Nique
Zoe Saldana
Gabourey Sidibe

Best Actor
Quinton Aaron
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Selena Gomez
Lil JJ
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith
Tyler James Williams

Best Movie
Avatar
Law Abiding Citizen
Michael Jackson’s This Is It
Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire
The Blindside

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Vanessa James
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Usain Bolt
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Tiger Woods

Viewers Choice Nominees
Beyoncé – Sweet Dreams
Jay-Z & Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind
Monica – Everything To Me
Rihanna f/ Young Jeezy – Hard
Trey Songz f/ Fabolous – Say Aah
Young Money (Lil Wayne, Gudda Gudda, Nicki Minaj, Jae Millz, Drake, Tyga) f/ Lloyd – Bedrock

Centric Award
Melanie Fiona
Maxwell
Chrisette Michele
Monica
Sade


Best International Act
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (UK)
Dizzee Rascal (UK)
Estelle (UK)
Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP) (South Africa)
K’NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (UK)
Sade (UK)

Dancehall artist Reanno Gordon popularly known as Busy Signal has launched a t-shirt line called Busy Signal Turf Gear.




According to the Busy Signal Turf Gear facebook page:

“Busy Signal Turf Gear is authentic Jamaican street gear with world class style. The brand embodies Jamaica attitude, creativity and confidence with an international twist; delivering a fresh spin on urban apparel.”





Already available at local Jamaican stores like Shimmer, and Intuition, Busy Signal Turf Gear will soon be available in Germany, Sweden and Barbados.

Log on to their Facebook page to find out where else it will be available.

You can find the Busy Signal Turf Gear in Jamaica at SHIMMER, INTUITION in Kingston and SHIMMER in Montego Bay. The gear will soon find its way to outlets in Germany, Sweden, and Barbados.

Pitbull announced on his website that he is canceling his May 31st Phoenix Arizona show in protest of new immigration laws there which many feel targets the large Hispanic population and encourages racial profiling. His official statement is below:

I am canceling my concert in Phoenix on May 31... How is the country we enjoy and love bcuz of its human rights, freedom, opportunity and that has been built by immigrants, now start 2 deny them??.. It is contradicting 2 everything the USA stands 4.... official details soon

Read more at PlanetPit.com

Crystal Cunningham has a degree in Economics and once worked at a bank. Now she travels the world as co-host and co-producer of Caribbean Lifestyle show, SPLASH on BET Centric. She is also an international model and actress. Seems like leaving the '9-to-5' was a good move for her. Lets she what she makes of her success, thus far.



1. What does success mean to you?
Success carries so many meanings for me and constantly changes as my goals and dreams change. I tend to judge my success more so by how my actions positively impact those around me – friends, loved ones and of course, my community. I believe that the more people I help along the way while achieving my goals, the greater my sense of fulfillment and my drive to take larger and larger steps towards pursuing my dreams. However, I can safely say that when I am at a place where my mind is at ease because my family is comfortable and my mother no longer has to work another day in her life, then I am truly successful!


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
Ultimately, I would love to take my career to the silver screen and I’ve already been fortunate enough to command a role in a movie called, “Themba”, a new German-South African film production about a young, impoverished South African boy with dreams of becoming a football star. Just in time for World Cup 2010, naturally, the subject is football, and the way the sport gives hope, joy, and strength to the South African youth, and for many is the only way to forget about the hardships of life, if only for a few moments, while chasing the ball on the pitch. Although a minor role, I play Nalini, the sexy model girlfriend of one of the lead football stars (Themba official site)


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
I would definitely have to say giving up my first career which was in banking. I rose through the ranks of the bank from a CSR to a Customer Service Manager and As. Company Secretary which was no easy feat as the high ranking positions within the industry is male dominated. It was a tough choice however personal circumstances were such that I had to make a decision and I used the opportunity to pursue my dreams.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
All the time…every day and when that fear takes a hold of me, I am motivated even more to work harder towards achieving my goals and to push myself beyond the boundaries of what the world supposedly says I cannot do. It’s almost as if the fear of not making it big fuels my drive and longing to achieve more; it rejuvenates my thinking and motivates me to re-invent myself each time the universe throws a challenge or obstacle in my path on the road to success.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Honestly, my hair (lol!) – I know it sounds silly but my hair is so dynamic and eye-catching; it adds a whole new dimension both on camera and on the runway; it’s almost as if my hair carries a personality of its own!


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
Upon graduating from primary school, one of my teachers said, “The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.” Having a dream, a vision for a short while and then giving up on that dream in the face of adversity and resistance, will not take you down the road of success. It is necessary to sustain the vision, to persist and to persevere to realize your goals and dreams.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Think, believe, dream and dare! Knowledge about the industry and the business of the industry is key to your success. ‘You’ are your greatest asset and also your own worse enemy! Believe in yourself to the point where you make a commitment to the development of you! Dream - endeavour to live the life you imagine and dare to take action, to make choices and decisions, and implement those choices and decisions to achieve your goals. Always remember: there will be good days and bad days so be thankful for the great opportunities and learn from those that challenge you; a great personality goes a long way and smile, because you never know who’s watching!

Click HERE to find our what were our 20 Questions for Crystal and her answers to them!!!

Ms Shivaughn Johnson won the title of Face of Shabeau Dominica. She receives a one year contract with 3M Production, as the Face of Shabeau Dominica, she will be make multiple media appearances and have multiple nationally run AD Campaigns.






She will move to Barbados to compete in the finals and compete against winners from other islands on June 28th for the title of Face of Shabeau as well as well as the opportunity to become a TV personality on The Caribbean Channel and a management contract with Trump Model Management Agency in New York.




Ms Shivaughn Johnson poses with Gholda James (1st Runner up) and Sharma St. Hilaire (2nd runner up).

To see the other contestants in the Dominica leg of the event click HERE!

Trina is in the latest issue of King Magazine...


Click HERE to check out the hottt pics!

According to The Jamaica Observer:
THE Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has created an exhibition honouring musicians who performed at the Apollo Theatre. Included in this exhibition is a plaque loaned to the Smithsonian Institute by the Marley Family.


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The plaque, which is on loan to the Smithsonian Institute for the next three years, was given to Bob Marley for selling 100,000 units of the Survival album in Italy.

In addition to the plaque, the display features items from other musicians including Miriam Makeba, Afrika Bambaataa and Mongo Santamaria. After the Smithsonian display ends, the Apollo exhibit will travel to the Charles H Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit and then the Museum of the City of New York. The plan is to have the plaque at the Bob Marley Museum in Jamaica upon its return from the Smithsonian.

This latest laudatory acknowledgement of Bob Marley's global significance has been a street in Nigeria being named after him in January of this year in celebrations of its 48th year of independence.

Marley has been placed in the company of Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and sport heroes Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo and Mary Onyali, all of whom have streets in Nigeria with their names.

It is also understood that the film, Africa Unite, is having a premiere at the Real Life Pan-African Documentary Film Festival being held in Ghana from May 16 - 20.

Africa Unite has been rated a masterfully executed film by Stephanie Black that is at once a concert tribute, the Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of the world-renowned reggae icon.

One of the founders of the festival, Awam Amkpa, who is also a professor of Drama and Film at the New York University in the USA, is reported to have said that the festival was to inspire Africans to document their own histories while exchanging film vocabularies, methods and contexts with film-makers from other continents.

Source

T.I's first interview since coming out of jail was with Larry King. I enjoyed it and wanted to share a clip. I know he is not from the islands but I am sure he has many fans in the region. I like the fact that he held his own with Larry King, he spoke clearly and eloquently and it was just very relaxed and quite informative.


T.I and Larry King
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Click HERE to view the full interview on Sandra Rose.com

Aight ya'll we are jumping right back into the music industry with our next interview. As much as he is not looking for a "buss" Protoje has definitely crossed the barrier between unknown artist and radio and TV favorite. His songs "Arguments" and "Dread" have been featured on ZiP and Fame FM as well as RETV, Hype TV and TV J. Despite having famous parents and a famous cousin in Donovan "Don Corleone" Bennett, Oje still did it on his own and earned his stripes. Read on to see what he says about his road to success.




1. What does success mean to you?
Success to me is getting closer to your goals every day. I deh pon my music so success is getting closer to having the album complete or closer to being on tour. I don’t really wait for something to happen to say I’m successful. I try to make something successful happen everyday.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
I want to be able to travel the world and perform music. That’s been my goal ever since- to be on stage performing and interacting with people.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
That’s a good question. Umm, the greatest sacrifice I’ve made in my career has been a huge personal sacrifice. I had to give up A LOT to stay in Jamaica and do my music. To do something you really want to chances are you have to make a sacrifice. I’ve always had to give up opportunities for music, although fortunately I had the chance to do other things it wasn’t like a music or bust type a ting. Music is the only ting that make me feel alive that way.


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
No, not at all because as I say, it just depends on what you call making it. So, even me saying I want to travel and do music, I travel from Kingston to Negril to go do a show or whatever it is. I don’t really fear not making it at the end of the day I’m living my dream of making my music, it’s just how people react.


5. What makes you stand out in your field?
Just being me, naturally. I try to really focus on just speaking my mind and what my truth is and how I feel about stuff. That has to make it authentic because no one is me. My music is consistent with me as an individual; so naturally it’s going to have some originality. I try not to focus on what other people are doing and just stay true to my roots. I am from St. Elizabeth, Santa Cruz Jamaica my experiences are going to be different from people from other places, but I stay true to who I am and I guess the difference just comes out in the music.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
I really can’t tell you who it’s from, I cyan remember. It’s just one of dem tings I just remember picking up a piece of information but it’s something I always go by and that is always working on my craft and not concentrating on end results. The music is the only true ting you have so when you focus on things like making it and stuff like that, that’s not where the focus should be it should be on the craft and doing what you can do for the music because it is all about the music.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Work on your craft. Get better everyday at what it is you do. If you get better everyday that’s 365 times. Can you imagine improving over three hundred times in one year??? Just work on your discipline and you will see the dividends right away. After one week you’ll be like woaw!!

Read more about Protoje HERE and see his answers to our 20 Questions.

With at JA$35,000.00 donation to Martha's House, Mr. Vegas is definitely putting his money where his mouth is. The Mustard Seed Communities home on North Street in Kingston housed children affected by HIV/AIDS. In March of 2009it was destroyed by fire and they had to relocate to Spanish Town.



Vegas issued a recent statement,

"I went to the first home a few years ago and I was so disheartened and touched by the living situation there and the cheerful spirit of these kids amidst all their trials, that I had to come back and follow up with them and donate money to assist. these are kids who are affected by HIV/Aids and though the new home is almost complete, there are other things that they need and supplies always cost money. Sometimes when we go about our daily lives we forget how blessed we are and complain about the smallest of things and there are others out there in more unfortunate circumstances. Let's not continue to turn a blind eye to our neighbor, but help them in any way we can,"

Many organisations, business entities and individuals have made contributions to Martha'sHome. I am very proud to say that Leah Marville, who was featured in our 20 Questions-Stars on the Rise Feature, also contributed financially to the organisation through her charity The Love Campaign

OK Clovis we get it already...you think that violent lyrics in Dancehall are directly reponsible for crime and now its coming back to bite the artists that spew them. But dang how many times this week are you gonna try to force this view down the throat of everyone that visits your papers site??? One for each artist that gets shot????

Here is the most recent carton, showing Oneil Edwards (of Voicemail) and Mad Cobra in a hospital bed, being chided for not going to church. So I guess being a member of a church means that crime in Jamaica would be reduced ...like seriously???? Do you know how much crime is done in the name of religion??? But that is another post....


Photo source



This cartoon below was the first one which was done this week that addressed violence against artists in Dancehall. The thing is Oneil Edwards does not spew violence in his music so the timing was a bit off. Ok so Mad Cobra gets shot up and now a producer from Arms House records is shot, here comes another cartoon (above).


Photo source

I think it is more than insesitive. Even if it was Vybz Kartel that got shot up, it is still wrong.

I am a fan of Rihanna's- I like her edgy fashion, her daring hairstyles, her flawless makeup and of course her music. Yes, I even like the tone of her voice. But I gotta say I was ROTFL when I saw these clips on You Tube of her doing the moonwalk and falling during some performances.

Take a look:

During a show Saturday at Color Line Arena (formerly O2 World Hamburg) in HamburgRihanna tries to moonwalk in heels- I say she was just walking backwards man...yow she should never do that again, ever, ever, ever!!!!!





On Monday, Riri took a fall at the London's O2 Arena, during the beginning of her Spanish ballad "Te Amo." Ouch.




Three is the charm right?? Lol. Here she is in Marseille where she almost busted her face while sing... uh I mean synching "Let Me"


Source

With his $1 million dollar investment, Usain Bolt is joining a roster of celebrities who securing thier financial futures through entrepreneurship. On Tuesday night Usain Bolt's Tracks and Records sports lounge was officially launched. This is a venture forged with Kingston Live Entertainment (KLE), the company behind Fiction Lounge-a club frequented by Bolt.


Kevin Bourke (left) and Tina Matalon of Kingston Live Entertainment share lens time with Usain Bolt
Photo source


Usain Bolt's Tracks and Records will be located next to Fiction at Market Place and is scheduled to be opened in the last quarter of this year. The design will reflect that of a stadium and will boast a mezzanine, multiple bars and lounges, interactive booth seating and a retail shop carrying Bolt products.

The group hopes to make it a franchise and are looking at London next.

Click HERE to read more!

Foxy Brown appeared on The Mo'nque Show on BET last night. First off let me say she is looking very healthy....real thick bwoy, with long weave flowing past her rear. She walked on to loud cheers from the audience. When she greeted Mo'nique and guest Pam Grier she had tears streaming down her face and it was an evidently emotional moment.



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Here is a clip from the interview where she talks about her hearing loss, asking Pam Grier's permission to use the name Foxy Brown and how she has been humbled.

On May 19th, Jimmy Jean-Louis will receive the Humanitarian Award at the third annual Better World Awards Glitter and Glam Ball in Cannes for his charitable work in his home country of Haiti. Known for his role on NBC's Heroes, and lets not forget the sexy doctor in Phat Girls, Jean Louis has been doing a great deal for Haiti especially since the January earthquake that wreaked havock on the country's fragile economy, and tested the strength of the nation.


Jimmy Jean Louis at the 11th Annual Children Uniting Nations Oscar Celebration, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 7, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California.
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He will be honored for his work done through his charity Hollywood Unites for Haiti. The group has chagned its original mandate from provieing arts education and sporting equipment to Haiti's young, to providing earthquake relief supplies (foodm nmedicine etc). He will be handed the award by actor Sean Penn.

Naomi Campbell takes the runway at Fashion For Relief Haiti

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Naomi Campbell will also receive an award at the event-the BWA Fashion Philanthropy Award. She spearheaded the Fashion For Relief Haiti which took place in New York City a month after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Many celebs including Chris Brown, Kelly Osbourne and Helena Christiansen


International Luxury Media's 3rd annual Better World Awards' Glitter and Glam Ball is an invitation-only, black-tie gala, cocktail reception and dinner, and will take place at The Lotus VIP Club on Le Goeland Beach May 19. The events special guests include Boris Becker, Prince Filliberto de Savoie, Princess Clotilde Courau, Elie Saab, Denise Rich, Hofit Golan, Troy Bayliss, Baden Cooke and Ana Cunya.

According to the Jamaica Observer:
THE main suspect in the shooting of Voicemail artiste O'Neil Edwards, was found dead in the Chancery Hall community this afternoon, Police said the unidentified man managed to escape a dragnet set up to nab him several hours earlier.

Edwards' cellular phone was found in the dead man's possession. The body was clad in green short pants, white T-shirt and blue slippers and was found on Lady Hamilton Close with several gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile a second suspect was picked up by the Manchester Police in that parish last night and is being transported to Kingston where he will be questioned by senior homicide investigators.


Edwards was attacked and shot several times as he attempted to enter his home at Belloc Avenue in the middle class community of Duhaney Park early Monday morning.

He condition is still critical and he remains hospitalised.

Source


I am glad that there are suspects in the case but as the saying goes, "Dead men tell no tales." To me the article is a bit vague. It says he was found shot by police who basically were hunting him down. So did the police shoot him????

And as for the Observer, their cartoon of the day is drawing some controversy-to the point where comments have been deactivated. Which to me is funny as most of the 30 comments were in support of the cartoon. It portrayed a Dancehall artist in a studio promoting gun violence and then shows said artist laying in the street with gunshot wounds to the chest. The issue of violent lyrics and crime is not a new one, this is a debate that has been brewing for decades. This week two artists (Oneil and Mad Cobra) on different ends of the Dancehall spectrum have been shot. Now Mad Cobra definitely promotes gun violence in his music so some feel that the cartoon is geared towards artists like him. Oneils reps feel that the cartoon is "insensitive", after all he mostly sing about girls and partying and enjoying life-not shooting down the next guy.And I don't know if I should call it irony or what but the same paper is reporting on Voicemail members talking about the insensitive cartoon, only to have said carton on their site right next to that comment

Personally, I feel the cartoon was in bad taste. We all know the issue at hand, like I said its not a new one. There are many people who have never listened to Voicemail and now associate Oneil with violent Dancehall. Seriously. Instead of going on YouTube and checking out the music, people are going on various forums and just spewing more hate and fueling the cycle.

So who has the right to freedom of speech??? The media, who can turn on and turn off comments at will, who can determine what and how much to put or leave out of stories??? the entertainers who are talking about the life they lived, live and want to live???? or regular folks like you and me that just want to comment on a story cause we can?????

Anyways I hope Oneil pulls through, and Mad Cobra too. He is a human being like you and me.

Big up Symplz from the Nature Island Dominica....peep their latest called "Shine"




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Big ups to Winston Jack CEO/Designer of Color Heritage Apparel who will be making his Fashion Week of Trinidad and Tobago (FWTT)debut on Wednesday June 2nd at 8PM. Please visit the FWTT Official Site for more details.

Winston Jack CEO/Designer of Color Heritage Apparel

Check out this video of Color Heritage at Fashion Rocks 2010 at the LQ Club April 25th in NY city.

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Here is the pilot for "Rep Your Heritage"- Color Heritage Apparel's TV Show Pilot hosted by Jeanille Bontierre, Queen of Caribbean Style and Travel. Check out interviews with Reggae Artist Bushman as He pays Tribute to Peter Tosh and lots, lots, more!!!

I love Sanchez, but OMG, I'm so excited that one of my fav singers Nicola Lionfish is performing with him. Please guys, give them (and her especially) your full suport. Good music is well and alive!!!!

Oh and yeah please click HERE to check out Nicola Lionfish 20 Questions Interview with The Lime