It was almost 9:00 PM when I made it to Christopher's Jazz Cafe in New Kingston on Thursday Night. For a show scheduled to start at 7:30PM (8:00 island time) I was pretty late. Lucky for me, so was Tanya Stephens. Lucky for her, the bar took up half of the room, and having received a complimentary drink upon entry, most patrons were sufficiently inebriated.

By the time she strolled in draped in black (big black shades, black button-down, black leather pants and a pair of seriously haaawttt black biker boots) and flashed a braces-free smile, all was surely forgiven. And she started. "We need to go way back, I mean way back....to when artists had watch and did know how to tell time." Oh what an apology- only as Tanya would do it. Known for her "sick sense of humour" her excuse that she had to find a wig sent the crowd into peals of laughter. How can we not overlook her tardiness, after all she haffi look good for us right? LOL.

Tanya speaking to the captive crowd

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She kicked off her set with well-known favorites like "What's Your Story", "Cyan Breathe" "After You", "Boom Walk" (AKA Long Ding Dong), "Home Alone"( AKA Easter Bun AKA Girl Like Me AKA What would you do -LOL), "White Lies". In between songs she took time to share with the audience her views on life (it's all in the mind, if I make up my mind to have a good time, I have a good time), domestic disputes (bawl,vent-do not slash the tires. Get a lawyer), infidelity (no one runs from freedom, only from bondage), and men who are not too well- endowed (Bigging up di men wit di short ding dong in the house). But the audience was constantly reminded that she was not there "for moral guidance" or to give "rules to live by"


Intermission came a little to soon, boy, people were all wrapped up in the intimate vibe. Oh gosh, you should see dem plead for her to keep singing. Tanya had to get her drink on too, so she just flashed a big grin and made her exit. Ok. We'll wait. And let me tell you, wait we did. Now I know it was standing room only and for anyone trying to make it to the front door, it was an awkward dance of avoiding too close bodies, and half drunk glasses of liquor- an exercise in making moves and going nowhere. (Time out for a short visit down memory lane-I don't know how to swim, so when I was younger, I would say I can swim but only underwater. Funny thing is, I would be underwater kicking my legs and flailing my arms, but when I came up for air, I was still in the same place. Hahaha. That's what it was like trying to move in that club that night. Jah know...memories boy...anyways back to the review). Ya, but really I think most people stayed cause they really loved Tanya and she hadn't pulled out the big guns yet.

During the second set she spoke of her new album Infallible which she is giving away for FREE. Yes my people F-R-E-E. Some songs from the album include "Train of Thought," "Siddung Pon It", "No Means No", and the awesome HIV/AIDS awareness song "Still Alive." One ting I noticed, all the leave she wanted to leave and go wet her throat, Tanya loves the stage and she loves pleasing her fans even more, so when di jukebox came out, she just fired round after round of hits! The crowd was matching her word for word "I wish you woulda treat me like your glock/I woulda love it if you keep me pon cock/I wish you woulda treat me like your yatch/keep me wet while de waves dem a rock...and by the time she got to the hook, "these streets don't love you like I dooo" the glee was contagious, the collective voices filling the room and everyone singing the song to that person that they just love sooo much who never gave them their all. Next tune from de jukebox. "I said if we never...." pppuuuullllll uuuuuppppppp!!!! Bullet! Bullet! (lyrical bullets, The Lime and Tanya don't promote war uzeet) Madness!!!! Yow.. trust me. You had to be there to feel the energy. And so the hits kept coming- by request: "Goggle", "Still A Go Lose", "Cherry Brandy", "The Truth" "Damn You", "Reminiscing", "Do You Still Care" AKA Bubba, "Spilt Milk", "Put It On You" "Gangsta Gal" and "Do You Expect me". And then it was over. Time for the pics with the fans. And in true Tanya fashion, time for de boots fi come aff. I went home on cloud nine anxious to download my copy of Infallible.

Tanya Stephens and Ayeola (in Mamayashi)

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I've listened to Infallible, it's awesome. Tanya is older, she is occupied running her bar H2O in Ocho Rios, her kids are growing up and the maturity is reflected in the music. No "Gangsta Gal" here, but don't get it twisted, she still has her swag. Some of the songs I like are "Infallible" (it's a message to her child saying basically I am not infallible but listen to the wisdom I have gathered over the years), I also like "Turn It Up" (it's just bold, when I heard her sing it at the club I was like "Damn it sound like a threesome about to go down!LOL), "Siddung Pon It" ( I love the repeat of raaeee which is one of the favorite terms I've learnt in Jamaica:-). "Pull Up" could be a groovy Soca-and I'm partial to Soca. "Train of Thought" has a bluesy, bluegrassy, folk vibe. What else? I pretty much love dem all you know. Tanya cyan do wrong my be. So since it's FREE go cop that and make sure to attend her shows after all is not record sales that fattening her bank book, uzeemi.

To pics from the show click the following links:***Note, they are facebook pages**
IShango Photos
Social Lingua

Big ups to Christopher's for the awesome live music and Nuff Respect to the bandMo' Muzyk Pros!!

Oh and big up to Tanya's #1 FAN Tiffany who is a MAJOR reason why I am writing this review. Thanks for the motivation my girl...Is not everytime the words want to come out of my brain and on to the paper.

A favorite from "Infallible"



Classsicccccc!!!!

The 29 annual International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) took place last Sunday, May 2 at the York College Performing Arts Centre in Queens, New York.

Alison Hinds performing!

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Here are the list of winners!


1. Entertainer of the Year – Machel Montano

2. Recording Artist of the Year – Queen Ifrika

3. Best Male Vocalist – Tarrus Riley

4. Best Female Vocalist – Alison Hinds

5. Best Song –Wash Away the Tears”- Gramps Morgan

6. Best CD – “Awake”- Julian Marley

7. Best Crossover Song – “Theraphy” – Gramps Morgan

8. Best Gospel Song – “Help” Omari

9. Best Female D.J./Rapper – Queen Ifrica

10. Best Male D.J./Rapper – Elephant Man

11. Best New Entertainer – Gramps Morgan

Gramps Morgan accepting his award!

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12. Best Calyso/Soca Entertainer- Machel Montano

13. Best Reggaeton Ent . – Pit Bull

14. Best Latin Entertainer- Enrique Iglesias

15. Best Compas Ent. – Kryol La

16. Best African Ent. – Samini

17. Best Soukous Ent.- Awilo Longomba

18. Best Hip Hop/R&B Ent.- Jamie Foxx

19. Outstanding Contribution to World Music – Mamadou Diabte

20. Most Outstanding Stage Personality – Beenie Man

21. Best Music Video– “So Fine”- Sean Paul

22. Best Poet- Mutabaruka

23. Most Educational Entertainer – Queen Ifrika

24. Most Outstanding Show Band– Machel Montano & HD

25. Most Consistent Ent. – Freddie McGregor

26. Most Promising Entertainer – Barbee

27. Most Improved Entertainer – Winsome Benjamin

28. Best Instrumentalist –Dean Fraser

29. Best Backing Band – New Kingston

30. Most Popular Selector/Sound – One Love Hi Powa

31. Concert of the Year –- Rebel Salute

32. Promoter of the Year – Sumfest

33. Producer of the Year – Donovan Bennett

34. Songwriter of the Year – Queen Ifrika

Queen Ifrica with four awards...she was nominated for nine!

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35. Award for Spiritual Service Through Music – Capleton

36. Community Service Award – Shaggy & Friends

37. Most Outstanding Dance Group- Dancerz Blvd



SPECIAL AWARDS BELOW:

38. Marcus Garvey Humanitarian Award- (2)
*Wyclef Jean
* Rev Al Sharpton

39. Int’l Reggae & World Music Hall of Fame/Lifetime Inductee-(4)
*Tony Ryan
*Jack Scarpio
*Noel Williams (King Sporty)
*Tony Green



40. Martin’s International/Inter-Culture Award of Honor- Given May 2, 2010 (2)
*India.Arie
* Matisyahu


41. Special Producer’s “Respect” Award
* Rennie Cogle

42. Awards of Appreciation for Contributions to the Music Industry-
*Trevor Forde
* Ron Muchette
*Donovan Longmore
*Ricot Dupuy


We've got some HD quality pics from the show....soon come:-)

Jennifer Lopez covers the June issue of Marie-Claire Magazine. She talks about her ex-es Ben Stiller and Diddy, and responds to reports that her butt is insured.




Click HERE to see more pics

Trina is one of a list of female Black-American entertainers (Eva Marcille, Ciaria, Letoya Luckett, Bryan Michael Cox) who have done Alter Ego photo shoots with famed photog Derek Blanks AKA DBlanks.


Photo source

Click HERE to see more pics from the set.

From Yahoo! News:
A Pakistan-born U.S. citizen accused of driving a bomb-laden SUV into Times Square and parking it on a street lined with restaurants and Broadway theaters was to appear in court Tuesday to face charges that he tried to set off a massive fireball and kill Americans, federal authorities said.


Crime scene investigators examine a Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle that was packed with bomb materials in New York's Times Square, May 1
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The suspect, Faisal Shahzad, was taken into custody late Monday by FBI agents and New York Police Department detectives at Kennedy Airport while trying to board a flight to Dubai, according to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and other officials. He was identified by customs agents and stopped before boarding, Holder said early Tuesday in Washington.

Shahzad is a naturalized U.S. citizen and had recently returned from a five-month trip to Pakistan, where he had a wife, according to law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the investigation into the failed car bombing.

The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan was handling the case and said Shahzad would appear in court Tuesday, but the charges were not made public. FBI agents searched the home at a known address for Shahzad in Bridgeport, Conn., early Tuesday, said agent Kimberly Mertz, who wouldn't answer questions about the search.

Authorities removed filled plastic bags from the house overnight in a mixed-race, working-class neighborhood of multi-family homes in Connecticut's largest city. A bomb squad came and went without entering as local police and FBI agents gathered in the cordoned-off street.

Click HERE to read more.

The search for the next face of SHABEAU Magazine and Spokes model for the Caribbean Channel (formerly Caribvision) has hit Dominica. Eight beauties have been chosen and have competed in various challenges over the last five weeks, leading to the final show on May 15th at Krazy Koconuts. The winner will travel to Barbados to compete against other regional hopefuls at the Hilton hotel on June 27th. Apart from being spokesperson for SHABEAU Magazine and the Caribbean Channel, the winner will win a modeling contract with Trump Model Management and travel to fashion shows within the region and South America!

After an island-wide search of girls ranging in age 16 to 24, it all comes down to these final 8 contestants:

Ayana Bruno

Gholda James

Paloma Mark

Roanne Jno. Baptiste

Sharma St. Hilaire

Shivaughn Johnson

Vanessa White

Vinel Felix

The ladies have taken part in the first four of five challenges: Beauty Shot Challenge (won by Shivaighn Johnson), Swimwear Challenge (won by Golda James), Interview Challenge and Runway Challenge and Ad Campaign for LIME. The Face of SHABEAU has been won by contestants throughout the region such as St. Vincent's Odini Sitherland (2008 Female), Grenada's Randall Doland (2008 Male) and from Trinidad Michelle Kurbanali who won in 2007. Let's hope we can add Dominica to the list come June 27th!!!

SHABEAU is the no.2 Caribbean published Magazine highlighting Fashion, Entertainment, Lifestyle and all things Caribbean. All of the finalists wore swimsuits from the ItsyBitsy Swimwear line, owned by Face of Shabeau Creative Director Mikieda Franklin. The finalists’ hairstyles were created by Nadia McDowell of Panache Beauty Salon; makeup done by Jael Joseph of the Glam; and overall styling by Mikieda Franklin, Nadia McDowell and Kamala Jno Baptiste-Aaron. Photograpers for all the photo are Simon Walsh and Arun “Izzy” Madisetti of Images Dominica.

SHABEAU Magazine online
Face of SHABEAU on Facebook
THE CARIBBEAN CHANNEL

Trina's new album Amazin' drops tomorrow!



You can preview and purchase on iTunes

Don't forget to visit her online at Trinarockstarr.com

Check out Naomi Campbell at this year's Met Gala. Escorted by her handsome boyfriend Valdimir she is so rocking this Dolce and Gabanna gown!


Photo source

Click HERE to see who else was there!

Astunning, soon-to-be-40-years-old (she turns 40 May 22nd), Naomi Campbell was the guest on Oprah show today. She spoke on several issues including, keeping fit, her famous temper, and her life in Russia. Viewers got a peek in her Russian closet (she has a London and NY closet) and also saw her achieve a lifelong dream of learning ballet.


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Both Naomi's mother and boyfriend Vladimir were in the audience. He has been separated from his wife for over ten years and according to Naomi she the wife and the daughter are friends. Oprah was like "Ya'll don't get divorces in Russia?" that was some funny ish. Her boyfriend is a great influence on her fitness and approach to eating. When she was shown in the gym she said she was on the 6th day of the mastercleanse diet. She's done it for 18 days straight and tries to do it three times a year. I've done it once before for 9 days and this year I've done it for a week. It works, while you on it anyways...lol.

Naomi gets teary eyed on the show

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Naomi Campbell and Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Show May 3rd 2010.

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Oprah asked her about her fits of anger:

Oprah:Are you just a petulant diva, and if you don't get things your own way you feel you have the right to throw things?

Naomi: I think it comes from a deeper place than that with me. It comes from another type of emotional disorder, because it's not just, 'I don't get what I want. I throw,'" says Campbell. "It comes from, I think, an abandonment issue, and it comes from also just trying to build up a family around me that's not my immediate family. And if I feel a mistrust, then I really just...all my cards go down.

Oprah: Whether it's a cab driver or somebody on a plane or your own housekeeper and you don't get immediately what you want, you said you see red.

Naomi: Yes.

Oprah: And then what?

Naomi: Then I don't see.

Oprah: You just act.

Naomi: I act out.

After having an outburst, Naomi says she immediately regrets her actions.

"I feel remorseful. I feel ashamed. I feel for them," she says. "[I think,] 'What have I done to them?' If I've hurt them."

At the end of their talk, O had her sign the "No Phone Throwing" pledge as well as the "No Phone Zone" pledge.

Check out video clips on Oprah.com by clicking below:

Supermodel Naomi Campbell: The Career, the Controversy and Her New Love
Naomi Campbell's Career and Controversies
Naomi Fulfills a Lifelong Dream
From Russia with Love
After the Show

Hey guys, hope you have been keeping up with our Stars on the Rise Feature. Now, for those up to date, you will note that so far the interviews have been with persons in the music business, singers actually. So, here's a nice change. Featuring Leah Marvile...tan-ta-da-daaaaaaa. LOL.
She is truly the embodiment of hard worker ya'll but don't feel sorry. She is having mad fun. She is an international model, Miss Barbados World 2009 and host on the BETJ Caribbean lifestyle show SPLASH!!! Let's get her take on her climb to success.





1. What does success mean to you?
I’ve always defined my success as stepping beyond my comfort zone and ignoring my inhibitions to order to achieve my full potential. In Barbados we grow up conditioned with career dreams of becoming lawyers, doctors and professionals. In fact, the mold once defined me as i have a bachelor's of law degree. Having a career as a television host or model are not avenues that have been traditionally available to Barbadians. As such every step I take that pushes the envelop, and further secures my place as a television host, model or personality. I feel as if i am a pioneer amongst my peers, that is success to me.


2. What do you want to achieve in your field?
My ultimate career goal is to become an actress. I want to become a household name beyond my shores. Charlize Theron is recognized as the most successful South African actress, Sheryl Lee-Ralph as the most successful Jamaican and in time Leah Marville, I hope will be recognized as the most successful from Barbados.


3. What is the greatest sacrifice you have made so far in your career?
My greatest sacrifice is being absent from family and friends. I tend to miss all those quality moments, birthday's, Mother's Day...I have even missed Christmas and New Years. My assignments keep me so busy throughout the year, and spending months away from home has become a mundane occurrence. As an international model I am signed to several markets: China, Athens, London, Germany, Jamaica and South Africa. And even on my short visits home, I am busy with my Charity and filming duties for my local television show Passport 246. My charity The Love Campaign, has mushroomed into one of the largest charities in Barbados. Its planning and execution demand more attention than I could have have ever imagined. But it is something I am truly proud of, and as I grow, it will grow with me. Recently I opened my owned company Marville Management which has demanded even more attention, further alienating me from my family and friends. I have come to refer to sleep as a concept as I don't get any. They say, if you wanna see the rainbow, you must endure the rain...my rainbows coming!


4. Though you already have a loyal following, do you ever fear that you won’t make it big?
I have had the thought before, but it is usually a fleeting one. My vision as to a career direction is so clear and vivid in my mind; I see, live and feel it within me...its exist almost like a vicarious existence. I am so blinded by my goals that I don’t think of any other possibility. At this stage I am tunnel visioned and my target is attainable. I do recognize the challenges, and foresee a great many of them ahead of me, but I certainly have no fear about the journey. My hope is that when the opportunity presents itself, I just hope I'm ready to seize the day. Carpe diem!.


5.What makes you stand out in your field?
I believe in dynamism. I'm already outside the box with the millions of peoples how dared to step out. So my approach now is that of a forward thinker. I'd like to think I'm prepared, and ready for whatever ever you throw at me. I'd like to become a memory. In no other industry is the saying, 'it's not who you know but who knows you', more true than the entertainment industry. When I was crowned the Sexiest Woman Alive by Global Beauties, I didn't even know I was in a competition and that fans across the world were voting. The sexiest woman is chosen from all the Misses that entered the 5 major world pageants: Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss Earth, Miss Tourism and Miss International. The point is they knew me and were observing. The aim therefore is to ensure that your name, your words, your image, resonate in the minds of people. And even still that's only half the battle, the other half, is being very good at what you do.


6. What is the best piece of advice you have been given and who was it from?
A friend of mine always says “Don’t wait for the world to call your name, shout it for everyone to hear”. It is a saying that has stuck with me since. I am subtly aggressive (lol) and a go getter. I'm not going sit and wait for the opportunity just to present itself, if I can, I'm going to make it happen. Everything I have learned has prepared me for now, my friends advice reinforces everything if ever just that. In support of this advice, I have adopted two others: 'it's your attitude that determines your altitude', and 'don't worry about tomorrow, its already today in Australia'.


7. What advice do you have for anyone trying to make it in your field?
Half of the battle is going to be up to you, the individual. You ought always to be prepared, be professional, set goals with the intention and perseverance to execute them. One ought always to reinvent oneself, and welcome competition as an opportunity for growth. Your personality is a unique gift, embrace it, share it. Its 'you' that will also set 'you' apart from others. Be driven but always have fun and enjoy the ride!

Click HERE to see Leah's responses to our 20 Questions!

Look at those bright smiles!

Ky-Mani and Rohan Marley at Barnes and Noble The grove LA. There were there for Ky-Mani's book signing. (Photo courtesy Jackie Smith)
Photo source


Click HERE to see more stars out and about and On The Scene!

Question #1: Who is Vera Baker?
Supposed mistress of Barack Obama. She is a political fundraiser from San Francisco.



Question #2: Why is she in Martinique?
Some say exile till the Obama-affair news cools off. OR maybe its just business. Her company Cape Caribbean LLC does have an office there.

We'll see how this develops.....

On Friday the official handing over ceremony of Usain Bolt’s Reugopol track by BSW Regupol Sports Floors took place at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus . The track is almost an exact replica of the one on which he broke the 100 meter record in Berlin last year and similar also to the 2008 Olympic track in Bejing where he catapulted to super stardom.

Usain making his entrace to the ceremony.

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UWI Principal Prof. Gordon Shirley holding a piece of the track donated by Ulf Poeppe of BSW.
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The blue and white eight-lane track is located to the north of the university's other main sporting facilities, namely, its four football fields, the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Ground, three tennis courts, a swimming pool and an indoor court. The university intends to create a Sporting Centre of Excellence, similar to that of the Australian Sports Academy.
The next phase of planned developments include a 6,000-seat mini-stadium with lighting, a football academy - in partnership with the Jamaica Football Federation - and a Caribbean Institute of Sports Medicine.

Ulf Poeppe, Prof. Gordon Shirley, Minister Babsy Grange and Usain take front row on stage.

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Usain Bolt and yours truly:-)

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Minister of Sports, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who along with Bolt, UWI principal, Professor Gordon Shirley. Shirley, DSW’s Ulf Poeppe, IAAF regional representative, Neville 'Teddy' McCook, UWI director of sports, Grace Jackson, and Bolt's coach, Glen Mills were all on hand for the official ribbon cutting. Many notables in the sports world were present including FIFA reps, Adidas Reps, Puma, Courtney Walsh, Racers Track team members were present as well.

Minister Grange, Prof. Shirley and Usain Bolt along with Racers Track Members in the inaugural run!
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I must mention Captain Horace Burrell (Head of Jamaica's Football Federation) who arrived via helicopter in the middle of Professor Shirley's speech. That was entertaining to say the least. Usain's Coach gave a very entertaining speech. It was full of gratitude and sincerity but most of all light-hearted and filled with humour. One thing that was missing from the festivities, was recognition was not paid to the UWI Students who have been living next door to this construction zone. As a resident on Rex Nettleford Hall, it has not been easy dealing with all the dust, so a show of appreciation would have gone a long way. We do see the big picture though, and I am sure most if not all UWI students are happy for this addition.

Atlanta Carnival is around the corner. Allu ready?????

This week actress/reality tv star LisaRaye stopped by the Vibe and Uptown offices during her "Day in the Life" in New York City. Holding no punches, the former first Lady of Turks & Caicos went in on why her marriage failed, why she decided to do a reality TV show and being a gold digger.




On her marriage to Premier Misick:

Maybe I didn’t give my relationship the time to get close. I let a lot pf people into the relationship. I didn’t make time to be a wife.

On why she decided to do reality tv:

When I first decided to do a reality tv I needed money. It was a business decision.

On being precevied as a "gold digger":

People think that I’m a gold digger. I’m digging for platinum. I can’t do nothing with a Burger King man unless he own about 20 or 30 of them."
Read the rest of the interveiw HERE.

You can see Part 1 and Part 2 of her VIBE interview by clicking on them....


She was also on Wendy Williams talking about why she wears white and her new project with Queen Latifah's production company.