Business interests are expecting this year’s Reggae Sumfest to bring a significant jolt to the Montego Bay economy, which should also extend to the wider Jamaica. It is being seen as a welcome ease to the current economic crunch and a catapult for more growth.

Each year, the world- renowned Festival draws thousands of overseas visitors into the city and its environs, and with this influx, there comes a remarkable upswing in commerce and its related benefits. Visitors have been known to travel from as far as Australia to attend the Festival, spending on Jamaican products liberally as they seek to enjoy every aspect of the Jamaican brand. From as far back as 2003, it was predicted that significant foreign exchange would flow into the island during the time of the festival. This year’s Festival should bring substantial benefits to a wide variety of business interests primarily in the second city, but extending to other areas of the island.

“We expect Reggae Sumfest to be a major contributor to the economic landscape for this year,” states Johnny Gourzong, Executive Director of Summerfest Productions, producers of Reggae Sumfest. “This Festival causes people to not just spend on it, but to spend in preparation for it, and in several other endeavours related to it, and this year should be no different.”

This reality has been duly noted by the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, which has over 200 members ranging from small family-run enterprises, to large scale businesses such as hotels and resorts. They all thrive from the boom in the various forms of trade which are direct spin-offs from the Festival, during a period that has traditionally been considered slow in that part of the island.

Data from the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce also indicate that villas, hotels, and guest houses become fully booked, restaurants, cook shops, and cafes get unprecedented patronage, clothing stores, beauty salons and countless other businesses get the spike in activity before, during, and even after the Festival. In addition, the benefits are not confined to the second city, but spread widely to the major towns across the island. The fashion industry is one example, as the clothing stores, the tailors, dressmakers and those that provide accessories get major orders to fill within the period.

With the line-up this year that includes American R&B star Chris Brown, international superstars Shaggy and Beenie Man, Jah Cure, Etana, Queen Ifrica and Mavado, the package again promises to be an excellent lineup, and the expected benefits to the country should follow.

Reggae Sumfest is the most celebrated and supported Reggae festival in Jamaica, and attracts the world’s leading musicians and performers. In its near 20 year history, the show has boasted a superb entertainment package, loaded with the best performances, food, music, and culture. This year’s Festival runs from July 22-24 at Catherine Hall, St James.

Red Stripe is back as the main sponsor of Reggae Sumfest, after a one-year hiatus. The brand now joins a growing list of sponsors which includes Digicel, Iberostar, JTB, and Wisynco, for the 18th staging of the country’s premier Reggae Festival.

St. Lucia has become the latest Caribbean Community (Caricom) country to place a ban on Jamaican dancehall singer, Vybz Kartel, who had been scheduled to perform here at the end of the month.



A statement from the St Lucian government today noted that in deciding whether or not to grant a work permit to the singer, the government had deliberately refrained from rushing to a judgement by establishing an adhoc committee to discuss the request from the promoters.

It said that the committee was required to look at a number of factors, including a comprehensive research of the history of the artiste, solicit views and opinions of key institutions and organisations in the country and determine the general impact of the artiste’s performance on the population, particularly the youth.


“Having looked carefully at the significant amount of information presented, and considering the views and opinions of the many individuals and institutions as well as available options, the Government of St Lucia through the Ministry of Labour, Information and Broadcasting has decided not to grant a work permits to Mr Adidja Azim Palmer otherwise known as Vybz Kartel for performances at the Hot FM promoted Supreme Weekend show scheduled for April 30 and May 1, 2010.
“In light of the foregoing, and in order to ensure consistency and to avoid discrimination, Government has decided that in going forward, it is essential to establish a permanent committee to review applications for artistes seeking permits to perform in St Lucia,” the statement added.

Read more about it HERE.

Source

I am all for protecting the youth, but I think all this banning is going a little too far. If you blame Vybz Kartel for youth violence then what's to stop beer companies for being blamed for teenage pregnancies? There are surveys done which link underage drinking with increase in sexual behaviour among teens. Who is taking responsibility for that??? Which Caribbean governments are stepping up to the plate and holding people accountable??? What about prominent leaders who are involved in the drug trade??? I am in no way making excuses for Kartel, but artists have a right to creative freedom and expression and I just wonder how much of this is really about protecting our young???

Think about it? How many school age children will go to the event ??? I'm sure some will, but by and large I expect the majority would be working adults. Moreover, these teenagers that the government wants to protect know Kartel's music from Internet downloads, or listening to them on the radio. In Dominica Mavado performed a while back and there was so much hoopla about whether he should be banned or not. He came did his thing, made his money and that was that. There was no major incident, that I am aware of.Young people listen to him, and they listen to other acts including Vegas and Bounty Killer. But they listen to Miley Cyrus too and Rihanna (who sings about suicide and making her "Rude Boy" get it up) and MFR and Triple Kay.

I am saying all this to say basically I feel that who wants to go to Kartel show go and who don't want to go stay home. It's not everything he sings I like, it's not everything he sings I don't like. I mostly listen to clean versions of his songs. I know every one is not me, ray-ray ray-rah-rah-rah, but as an artist too I just have to wonder, how do we weigh who's rights matter more?

The visas of five of Jamaica's top entertainers have been revoked, THE WEEKEND STAR understands. According to information coming from the Fraud Prevention Arm of the United States Embassy in Kingston, the visas of Bounty Killer, Mavado, Beenie Man, Adonia and selector Ricky Trooper are in the process of being cancelled.

When contacted for confirmation last night, Minister of National Security, Senator Dwight Nelson, relayed through his communications department that "he has no such information."

Bounty Killer and Mavado

Photo source


However, a document obtained by THE WEEKEND STAR stated that: "The Embassy of the United States in Kingston, Jamaica, is in the process of revoking the visas of the following citizens of Jamaica. The people mentioned here currently hold a US visa that we have not yet been able to physically cancel. Do not allow these passengers to board any flights bound for the United States in reliance on this visa."

revoked

The document then names Moses Anthony Davis (Beenie Man) two visas; Garfield Augustus McKoy (Ricky Trooper), two visas; Sheldon Ricardo Aitana Lawrence, (Aidonia); David Brooks (Mavado), two visas; and Rodney Basil Price (Bounty Killer) two visas, as those persons whose visas are in the process of being revoked.

The document also lists the date of birth of each person, their respective passport numbers and visa control numbers.

Click HERE to read more!

If that is true I hope it gets resolved soon as Bounty, Beenie, Mavado and Aidonia all confirmed for Best of the Best this memorial weekend in Miami....


Source

FOLLOWING weeks of intense public debate and front page headlines in Barbados, the Mavado, Vybz Kartel unity concert scheduled for this weekend has been officially cancelled.

Prime Minister David Thompson made the announcement at a press conference held yesterday, exactly two days before the event. Thompson is quoted in the Barbados Advocate as saying: "That quest to do the right thing by Barbadians prompted my request for the meeting with the organisers of the proposed show and I am happy to announce that in deference to the expressed wishes and the anxieties of a very wide cross-section of Barbadians, that the organisers of the Mavado/Vybz Kartel show and Youth Forum have agreed to the revamping of initiatives resulting in the cancellation of this weekend's activities."

The deejays, Kartel (left) and Mavado, have agreed to the demands for clean-up for the benefit of one and all
Photo source


The prime minister said that persons were mainly concerned with the idea of these artistes being portrayed as role models.

"Don't leave here in any doubt; anything that has to be done to protect our children in this country will be done," he stressed.

Interestingly, Vybz Kartel, the Gaza president and Mavado, the Gully god performed in Barbados on separate occasions in October and November of last year, during what was then the height of Gully/Gaza tensions between them and their respective supporters. No attempt was reportedly made then by the government nor the police to prevent those concerts, which progressed incident-free.

There have been suggestions in some quarters that the cancellation stemmed in part from the fact that the promoter, Jack Farrell, is Vincentian and therefore should not have been the one to promote an event of this magnitude in Barbados.

"Mavado and Kartel sharing the same stage at a concert promoting peace and unity is huge by any standards. That is a sell-off event. And you must remember that there is a big reggae show in April, put on by promoters based here in Barbados," a source explained.

The commissioner of police, Darwin Dottin had stated initially that he did not have the manpower to police the show, and would therefore not grant the required permit.

That, however, was subsequently reversed and Farrell, who was named as joint promoter with the government-affiliated Barbados Youth Action Programme, subsequently resumed his planning for the event.

Farrell reportedly stated yesterday that the artistes had been booked to arrive in the island last night, but it was not clear whether or not they had actually left Jamaica for Barbados.

Farrell had said previously that a cancellation of the show would mean a loss of more than $200,000 for his company.

"I have invested a lot of money in this show, I've paid the artistes deposits, paid for advertising the show and paid for airline tickets and hotel accommodation, among other things," Farrell reportedly said.

He said the show would bring needed revenue into the country and enhance business for a number of interests such as boutiques and food vendors.

Source

THE Mavado, Vybz Kartel show will go on. A report carried Sunday in the Barbados Nation newspaper stated that, despite suggestions from the police to cancel the event, the unity concert featuring the two Jamaican dancehall will be held as scheduled on March 27.

The show is being staged by Jack Farrell, who has been named as joint promoter with the government-affiliated Barbados Youth Action Programme.

Vybz Kartel and Mavado performing at West Kingston Jamboree

The Nation's report quoted Farrell as saying that his group had hired "a number of reputable security officers, which include a number of former policemen". The promoters, in reaction to word from Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin that he did not have the manpower to police the show, say they have also secured the services of a security firm to police the event.

According to the Nation, Farrell has called on the police chief to rethink his position of giving the thumbs down to the March 27 event.

"We don't have anything against the police or the commissioner, but we would like him and the force to reconsider their previous position, since the show is intended to be a peace concert promoting positive vibes for the youth," Farrell is quoted as saying, adding that he was still in favour of the police being a part of the security team for the concert.

Farrell last week is reported as saying that a cancellation of the show would mean a loss of more than $200,000 for his company.

He is reported in the Saturday Sun as saying that he couldn't understand why the police "have to come and say at this time they don't have the manpower to police the show. I don't know if there is a prison break that you have to deploy the force to look for them (prisoners)."

"I have invested a lot of money in this show, I've paid the artistes deposits, paid for advertising the show and paid for airline tickets and hotel accommodation, among other things," Farrell reportedly said.

He said the show would bring needed revenue into the country and enhance business for a number of interests such as boutiques and food vendors.

Farrell, according to the report in the Saturday Sun, also spoke of Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin's comments about the controversial Jamaican dancehall artistes' possible negativity on the youth.

"The reason why we had to bring these two men together is because the youth had this thing going too far.

Read more on the Observer's site!

Mavado and Vybz Kartel are making serious moves towards peace... as they say talk is cheap. These guys are definitely putting their words into action. From all reports, the event at Wavz in Negril was incident-free and there was no trash-talking from either side


It was well-supported by patrons who came to see Jamaica's two most popular Dancehall DJs, as well as Brown Sugar, Princess Tia and hometown favourite, Mona Lisa.

The Jagra Vixens were an exciting addition, dancing onstage with most of the night's featured acts.


Click HERE to see more!

Seems Kartel and Mavado have recorded a song together which they will perform at Waves in Negril tonight!

The event is presented by Money Cologne Promotions with performances by Mona Liza and Mr. Peck, Music by Lazene @ Waves, Norman Manley Boulevard, Negril, Jamaica


Photo source


Will update with more info on event. Hopefully its fun and incident free!

Mavado has parted ways with VP Records, the label through which he released his debut album "Gangster for Life as well as Mr Brooks...A Better Tomorrow.




His manager Julian Jones-Griffith tweeted the following on his Twitter page yesterday:

“Mavado is no longer signed to VP Records, the deal has been officially terminated. We are currently exploring the many options b4 us “.

My girl Barbi is featured on the hook of Laden's latest track called "Can You Manage It?" It was recorded at Big Ship Studios and released today. Gwann girl song maaaaadddd!!! LOL....listen to it below






Oh yeah and Mavado, Aidonia, chino, Cham, Beenie Man Busy Signal and more are on it click HERE to listen!

As you can see a set of man....I would have liked to hear Denyque on this track...some food for thought guys!

Well, it seems being banned from the US is stop stopping American label DefJam from singing a reportedly 7-figure deal with Belizean rapper Shyne who recently was released from prison. He will supposedly be working from the UK. Seems he also signed a management deal with HipHopSince1978, the same team that manages Lil Wayne, Jeezy and Drake.


Not that you need to be reminded but Shyne went to prison for the whole fracas involving JLo and Diddy in a 199 shooting incident at a nightclub.
Photo source


He recently released a song with DJ Kahled, Mavado and Akon and called "All My Life" on the Bug Riddim. I really don't know what to make of it - he just doesn't sound the same.




Compare to his breakout hit "Bad Boys" with Barrington Levy off his 200 album Shyne. Wicked Chuuuneeee.....bap, bap, bap!!!!!

The Annual Excellence in Music & Entertainment (EME) Awards took place on Thursday, February 4, at the Gardens at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston. It's the brainchild of Hot 102's Richard "Richie B" Burress. Below is the complete list of categories and nominees and winners (highlighted in red) for the 2010 EME Awards (period of assessment – October 01, 2008 – September 30, 2009).

Ayeola and Richie B. the man who started it all!

1) DJ OF THE YEAR (MALE)
(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)
VYBZ KARTEL
BEENIE MAN
BOUNTY KILLER
ELEPHANT MAN
BUSY SIGNAL
DING DONG
FLIPPA MAFIA
KIPRICH


2) DJ OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)
MACKA DIAMOND
STACIOUS
TIFA
LADY SAW
SPICE
LADY G
PAMPUATTAE
LISA HYPE

Baby Tash and Spice at the 2010 EME Awards

3) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (MALE)
(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility)
ROMAINE VIRGO
JAH CURE
TARRUS RILEY
RICHIE SPICE
STEVIE FACE
DAVILLE
HEZRON


4) VOCALIST OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
(for overall impact as a solo vocal performer in the eligibility year)
ETANA
SOPHIA BROWN
CHERINE ANDERSON
ALAINE
TAMI CHYNN
PHYLLISIA
BARBEE

A glowing Cherine Anderson backstage at the 2010 EME awards!

5) PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)
(for overall impact as a record producer in this category in the eligibility year)
TARIQ ‘RUSSIAN JOHNSON - CHIMNEY RECORDS
STEPHEN MCGREGOR - BIG SHIP / DI GENIUS
D. & C. HARRINSINGH, C. MARSH - DASECA
LINTON ‘TJ’ WHITE - TJ RECORDS
AINSLEY MORRIS - NOTNICE / ADDIJAHEIM
JASON HENRIQUES / SHAUN ANDERSON & MATTHEW GRAY - COPPER SHOT
ARIF COOPER - FRESH EAR
UNGA & WELCH - NOTICE


6) PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)
(for overall impact as a record producer in this category in the eligibility year)
KEMAR’DJ Flava’ Mc GREGOR – NO DOUBT RECORDS
DELMAR ‘Della’ DRUMMOND – DANGER ZONE
DONOVAN BENNETT – DON CORLEON LABEL
SLY & ROBBIE – TAXI LABEL
DONOVAN GERMAIN – PENTHOUSE RECORDS
LLOYD JAMES JNR. - JAM II LABEL
STEPHEN McGREGOR – BIG SHIP LABEL


7) BEST NEW ARTIST (MALE)
(award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes his public identity as a recording artist)
G WHIZZ
RAS PENCO
WASP
ROMAINE VIRGO
CHASE CROSS
CHEVAUGHN
MERITAL

G-Whizz with his award for Best New Artist (Male)

8) BEST NEW ARTIST (FEMALE)
(award to an artist whose overall impact during the eligibility year establishes her public identity)
STREAM
GAZA INDU
PHYLLISIA
RAINE SEVILLE
SOPHIA SQUIRE
GAZA KIM
LISA HYPE
TIMEKA MARSHALL

Renato Adams, MC Nuffy, and Lisa Hyper with her Best New Artist (Female) Award

9) DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
(for overall impact as a vocal performer by established duos or groups in the eligibility year)
RDX
LUST
TOK
ANDREW & WADA BLOOD
BONAFIDE
VOICEMAIL
SUGAR ROY & CONRAD CRYSTAL
MERITAL

It's Merital Family ( Merital, Keneil, Corey) and thanks for the DROP!!!!!!

10) BIGGEST COMEBACK ARTIST
(award to an artist whose release(s) in the eligilibility year marked his/her ‘return’ to the charts after a long break)
CHUCKLE BERRY
ANTHONY RED ROZE
LLOYD LOVINDEER
RUFFIAN
SPANNER BANNER
MIKEYLOUS


11) SONG OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)
(award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)
COMPLETELY-VYBZ KARTEL
MOCKING BIRD-MAVADO
I AM BLESSED-MR. VEGAS
MIND PON MI MONEY-VYBZ KARTEL
LIFE--G WHIZZ
FROM MAWNING-CHINO
HOLIDAY-DING DONG
GOOD GIRL, GONE BAD-TARRUS RILEY/KONSHENS

It's a holidaaa-yay-yay-yay-yay-he-yay!!!!! Ding-Dong is all smiles after winning two awards at the 2010 EME awards.


12) SONG OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)

(award to the artist and producer who score the biggest charting song in this category during the eligibility year)
SO IN LOVE - HEZRON

CALL ON ME – JAH CURE/PHYLLISIA
A THOUSAND MILES AWAY – RAS PENCO
CAAN SLEEP – ROMAINE VIRGO
MAMA YOU ALONE – I-OCTANE
LIONESS ON THE RISE – QUEEN IFRICA
TELL IT LIKE IT IS – STEVIE FACE
ONE MORE NIGHT – BUSY SIGNAL


13) ALBUM OF THE YEAR
(award to artist(s) and producer(s) if different from artist(s) whose album had biggest impact in this category in the eligibility year)
UNIVERSAL CURE - Jah Cure
RASTA GOT SOUL - Buju Banton
MR BROOKS – A BETTER TOMORROW - Mavado
CONTAGIOUS - Tarrus Riley
MONTEGO BAY - Queen Ifrica
2 SIDES OF MY HEART - Gramps Morgan
MADE IN JAMAICA - Courtney "Yogi" John
IMPERIAL BLAZE - Sean Paul

Gramps Morgan who won Album of the Year and Ayeola

14) RECORDING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(award to the artist with the most charting hits in the eligibility year)
VYBZ KARTEL
MAVADO
ELEPHANT MAN
DING DONG
KONSHENS
QUEEN IFRICA
JAH CURE
TARRUS RILEY


15) CULTURAL /POSITIVE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(award to artist with the best/biggest cultural/positive recording(s) in the eligibility year)
TARRUS RILEY
QUEEN IFRICA
RICHIE SPICE
JAH CURE
I – OCTANE
KONSHENS
LUTAN FYAH


16) BREAKTHRU ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(award to artist whose work attracted local and international attention, and who is seen as poised as a leader for the next generation of reggae/ dance hall stars)
CHINO
CHARLEY BLACK
BLACK RYNO
JAHVINCI
DING DONG
FLEXX
BRAMMA
TYRICAL

Chino and Ja'Vinci who tied for Breakthru Artist of the Year!

17) SONG WRITER/ LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
(award to artist whose writing skills on all ‘charting’ songs were of a consistently high standard )
VYBZ KARTEL
BUSY SIGNAL
MAVADO
KONSHENS
ASSASSIN
QUEEN IFRICA
WAYNE MARSHALL
DEMARCO

18) SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (MALE)
(award to the artist with the biggest overall impact in this category in the eligilibility year)
NESBETH
MAVADO
MR VEGAS
CHARLEY BLACK
I – OCTANE
CHINO
SERANI
KONSHENS


19) SINGJAY OF THE YEAR (FEMALE)
(award to the artist with the biggest overall impact in this category in the eligibility year)
CE'CILE
D’ANGEL
QUEEN IFRICA
TANYA STEVENS
BLACK QUEEN
RUFFIAN
ISHAWNA


20) COLLABO OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)
(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)
COMPLETELY – VYBZ KARTEL & INDU
THINK BOUT MI – MACKA & UNICORN
UGLY SO – KIPRICH & BLACKER
GOOD GIRL, GONE BAD – TARRUS RILEY & KONSHENS
DIP AGAIN – ELEPHANT MAN & DING DONG
HOLIDAY - DING DONG & CHEVAUGHN
VERSITILITY – VYBZ KARTEL & INDU
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY – VOICEMAIL & BUSY SIGNAL


21) COLLABO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)
(for a collaborative vocal performance by artists who do not normally perform together)
CALL ON ME – JAH CURE Feat PHYLLISIA
DUMPLING SHOP – LLOYD LOVINDEER & MAMA TIA
PRESSURING THE POOR – SPRING-1 & RAS SHILOH
YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING – NODDY VIRTUE & JODIAN PANTRY
KING AND QUEEN – RICHIE SPICE & ALISON HINDS
FOREVERMORE – TARRUS RILEY/ ALAINE
TRY JAH LOVE – JOSIE MEL & SMOKEY BENZ
JAH JAH SEE DEM A COME – SUGAR ROY & CONRAD CRYSTAL


22) RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)
(award to the producer of the reggae rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)
CHANGES – DON CORLEON RECORDS
AUTOMATIC – PENTHOUSE RECORDS
SWEETNESS - MAC D RECORDS
GOOD LOVE – JAM 2 RECORDS
SWEET RIDDIM – NO DOUBT RECORDS
KARMA - ARROWS RECORDING


23) RHYTHM OF THE YEAR (DANCE HALL)
(award to the producer/ label of the dance hall rhythm with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)
SET ME FREE - HEART OF LOVE PRODUCTION
MOVIE STAR - CHIMNEY RECORDS
STREET TEAM - FIRE LINKS MUSIC
GOOD LIFE - LIV UP RECORDS
NATIONAL PRIDE - FRESH EAR PRODUCTIONS
TRIPLE BOUNCE - CR0203 RECORDS
FITNESS - DI GENIUS MUSIC
GO GO CLUB – CHIMNEY RECORDS


24) REGGAE // DANCE HALL COMPILATION OF THE YEAR – VARIOUS ARTISTES
(award to the distributor // licensor of the reggae/ dance hall compilation with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)
THE HIT LIST – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ TADS
REGGAE GOLD 2009 – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ VP
THE ULTIMATE REGGAE/DANCEHALL X-PERIENCE – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ TADS
NATIONAL PRIDE – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ TADS
GOOD LIFE RIDDIM – VARIOUS ARTISTES/ LIV UP
GREATEST REGGAE ONE DROP ANTHEMS (2009) –VARIOUS ARTISTES/ GREENSLEEVES
STRICTLY THE BEST VOL. 40/ 41- VARIOUS ARTISTES/ VP


25) MOST IMPROVED ARTIST
(award to a ‘next generation’ artist whose career improves most dramatically in all areas over the eligibility year)
CHINO
BLACK RYNO
JAHVINCHI
WASP
TIFA
ROMAINE VIRGO
KHAGO
FLEXX
Tifa looked great at the 2010 EME Awards. Here she is with her award for Most Improved Artist.

Flexx tied with Tifa for Most Improved Artist.

26) GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(award to the gospel artist with the biggest impact in this category in the eligibility year)
GODDY GODDY
PRODIGAL SON
DJ NICHOLAS
OMARI
JUDITH GAYLE
RYAN MARK
CARLENE DAVIS
CHEVELLE FRANKLYN


27) INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
(award to the artist scoring the biggest charting International Hit during the eligibility year)
SEAN KINGSTON - (hit song) - FIRE BURNING
MAVADO - (hit song) I’M SO SPECIAL
SEAN PAUL - (hit song) SO FINE
SERANI - (hit song) NO GAMES
VYBZ KARTEL/ SPICE - (hit song) ROMPING SHOP
CHERINE ANDERSON - (hit song) SAY HEY (I LOVE YOU) with Michael Franti & Spearhead


28) BEST ROOTS PLAY
(award to the theatrical production with the biggest impact in the eligibility year)
BASHMENT GRANNY
BASHMENT GRANNY 2
DIANA
THE XTORTIONISTZ
ME AND MI CHUPSIE



PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS

29) VIDEO OF THE YEAR (REGGAE)
"Feels So Good"- Barbee
Dirs. Ras Tingle and Rupert Campbell

Barbee and her mother Rose!

30) VIDEO OF THE YEAR (DANCEHALL)
"Dance The Night Away"-Voicemail and Busy Signal
Dirs. Jeremy Whittaker
Prods. Melissa Llewellyn and Conroy Forte

Voicemail in the building. They are posing with their Video of The Year Award

31) PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Bounty Killer at Reggae Sumfest 2009


32) BEST DRESSED ARTIST – Male/ Female
Ce'Cile

Love Ce'cile...always a stunning beauty. Makeup was on point. She's very friendly too.

32) SHOW OF THE YEAR
Shaggy and Friends

Kingy accepts the award for Show of the Year on behalf of Shaggy and Friends

33) DANCHALL TRENDSETTER OF THE YEAR

34) BEST ORIGINAL DANCE MOVE OF THE YEAR ???
Skip To Ma Lue- Ding Dong and Ravers Clavers

Ding Dong and Ravers Clavers at the 2010 EME Awards

HONOR AWARDS


35) ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR AWARDEES:
(Jamaican Artist (s) of International Acclaim who’s led his/her life by example and have brought their offspring into the world of Reggae)

TOOTS HIBBERT

DENROY MORGAN

Dennroy Morgan (awesome speech) and Toots Hibbert (still an amazing voice)

36) INTERNATIONAL FRIEND OF REGGAE AWARDEE(S)
( International. Super Star(s) will receive this Awards for his/her support of Reggae Music)
INDIA ARIE

India Arie sang I am Ready for Love (Cherine I saw you singing along ) ..AAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhmmmmmazinggggggg performance. Love you girl, and your mama too she's so sweet:-)

If you want to see more pics (Richie Spice on stage, Nicky B, Chris Martin, Jenny Jenny and more) you will have to join The Lime's Facebook page....k.

Aight well lata and till the next event...

Oh and EME's ya'll were so wrong for giving that lady a BMW----brochure...it was so wrong but oh so funny.

So since I have arrived in Jamaica, I have been religiously listening to ZIP FM (except of Fridays when I listen to Arif Cooper on FAME FM every Friday from 5-6 when he plays soca) and one of my top rated DJs is ZJ Liquid (love you ZJ Rush, ZJ Sparks, and ZJ Fat Cat you Cats House sessions go hard too) Now every day he is on air from 2-6 and Wednesdays are especially a favorite for me as Liquid introduces audiences to all the new hit tunes.

Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor of Big Ship Records

Well here is a new one for ya!

It's called Cyaan Friend Again and it's by Stephen Di Genius McGregor, who sings on and produced the song. It's a diss to Vybz Kartel. Why??? Well apparently Kartel wanted the Outbreak Riddim for Gaza and obviously that did not happen as Busy Signal, Mavado, Assassin, Laden and Bramma are on it. So then Kartel diss him on the Israel Riddim with his tune "Rifle Shot" which is a diss to both Mavado's song "War Is In Di Air" (pre-peace concert of course) and Big Ship too. So now Stephen come with "Cyaan Friend Me" in reponse to Kartel.

Uugh can we just make good music already????? No wonder Mr. Vegas was venting over the state of the Jamaican music industry on his Twitter page @MrVegasMusic. But that is a whole other post....

Click HERE to listen to "Cyaan Friend Again."

So the fueding between Mavado and former Alliance member Vybz Kartel has seemingly ended with a show of unity at the West Kingston Jamboree. This is a long time coming as several community leaders and members of the general public have been calling for an end to the beef and the division it has caused. I for one am happy that it is done. Can you imagine going to an event and depending on the location or the DJ Mavado songs of Kartel songs are prohibited??? I like them both so this is good news for me personally. The duo met this morning with Prime Minister Bruce Golding, along with three Government Ministers – Daryl Vaz (Information Minister), Andrew Holness (Education Minister) and Dwight Nelson (National Security Minister) – and political ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair.

They discussed a number of matters relating to the Gully/Gaza saga and Jamaica’s music industry, but most importantly, both artistes verbally agreed to stop performing and recording lyrics that insult each other. They also agreed that they would not ‘clash’ at this year’s Sting stage show. Both artistes will also collaborate in organizing a peace concert, graffiti paint out day, children’s Christmas treat, unity t-shirts and a song/recording. We'll keep you posted as this develops.

L-R: Bishop Herro Blair, Dwight Nelson, Andrew Holness, Daryl Vaz, Mavado, Vybz Kartel
Photo source

I know that this is a great move on the part of these two artists but I am wont to believe that finances also played a significant role. These guys are getting bad press, shows are being cancelled left and right, permits for events are denied or revoked. In short it is affecting their pockets. I think it was a definite lesson learned for both of them especially this weekend. Mavado was scheduled to have a grand birthday celebration in St. ann when out of the blue I'm hearing on Zip that it has been relocated to The Building in New Kingston. The same night at Usain Bolt Super Party, I am getting reports that Kartel was not allowed to perform. What is that coincidence? No sah. That is a strong-handed move from the government. I think they got the message. Hope it sticks.

Monday Morning bright and early, at the West Kingston Jamboree David Constantine Brooks AKA Mavado, calls his arch rival Adijah Palmer AKA Addi The Teacher AKA Vybz Kartel on stage in a definitely momentous show of peace, hopefully ending the much publicized musical feud which has captivated followers of Dancehall music especially Jamaicans who are divided between Gully (Mavado's Crew) and Gaza (Kartel's Crew) and their claim to domination of the current Dancehall music landscape.

Vybz Kartel says he loves Mavado like a brother --at West Kingston Jamboree (Live Up Records pic)

Photo source

According to reports, the truce was facilitated by Carlos “Dudus” Coke and their respective crews. Mavado’s manager Julian Jones-Griffith tweeted “Big up d President, a him mek it apn. ( That’s a good look) crowd loved it also 20k stron”. This is not the first time that they have had a truce . That particular event took place in Feb. 2007. In 2006 Vybz left Alliance of which both him and Mavado were members and proteges of Bounty Killer. Prompting the diss songs between the two. Due to the ensuing violence that occured between supporters of Mavado and those of Vybz Kartel, the truce was called.

The crowd loves Kartel (LiveUp records Pic)

Photo source

Obviously it did not last and many cite the artists' performance at Sting 2008 as the ultimate show of rivalry between the two. They basically battled each other on stage leaving the decision as to who was the best to the fans. Seeing as each have very passionate followers of course the debate cannot be settled. Since then the dispute has spilled over from the stage, to the dancehall and now to local schools where vendors are selling buttons and other paraphernalia depictic photos and graphic lyrics from both artists. These items were seized by police but not before making headlines in loca news where school administrators, parents, police, and even other personalities in entertainment and just fed up with the effects of this beef.

Both artistes at the time, denied any involvement in the distribution of the items. But they cannot (and even if they have publicly done so like Kartel did) deny that the images and messages that their music spew has a direct and oftentimes negative impact on youth. I must commend Vybz Kartel though of late he has released some songs that are more positive and encorageing like "School Anthem" his collaboration with Gaza Kim and Ja Vinci.

Shaking hands in a show of Unity

Photo source

Kartel and 'Vado appeasing the fans!

Photo source


There has been talks of hopes of a collaboration for some time now. Most recent was Mavado's inviting Kartel to his birthday party on Dec . 5th (Mavados birthday is actually Nov. 30th). that night Kartel was scheduled to perform at Usain Bolt's Super Party.


Peep the video of the West Kingston Jamboree below:

Usain Bolt and Mavado will both host star-studded parties on December 5th.

The world’s fastest and his management team have announced that they will host a two day series of activities ending with a one-of-a-kind SuperParty, on December 5, 2009 at Richmond Estate in St Ann.
“We want to achieve several objectives”, said Norman Peart, Usain’s Manager, “Of course we want to celebrate Usain’s phenomenal 2009 achievements with his friends, family and fans, and we felt that nothing would better represent Usain but a party where he could mingle and have fun with everyone. However our aim in producing this SuperParty goes beyond celebrating Bolts accomplishments, as we now move to a phase where the world sees Usain St Leo Bolt, passionately and responsibly inviting people to visit, party and do business with Jamaica

Featured artists include Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel , and Marcia Griffiths.

Producer and artist The Dream will perform at Bolt's Super Party.

Of course celebrity atheletes will be in the house, including American sprinter Wallace Spearmon, Bolt’s friendly rival in the 200 metres; Bahamian Debbie Ferguson McKenzie and Trinidadian Richard Thompson.

ZJ Liquid will be in the house, ya zit ya zit (lol) as well as Jazzy T, Coppershot, Stone Love and DJ Usain (he DJ's ????) sounds like it will be a reall nice event.

Now on the same night at temple Halll Estate in St. Andrew, Mavado's Jagra Real Mccoy birthday bash will be in full swing. Oh he has a hot RnB artist too mind you. Bobby Valentino ("slow down/ i just wanna get to know you"-that song will never go out of style EVER!) will perform. They worked on a remix of Bobby's Billboard smash "Hands on Me" together earlier this year, as well as collaborating on other yet-to-be released projects. This will be the first time Mavado and Bobby Valentino perform together.

Mavado and Bobby V.

Other artists/ sounds confirmed for the event are Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Flexxx, Chase Cross, Munga, Demarco, Vegas, Stacious, Spice, Lady Saw, the Gully Squad, Stone Love, Swatch, Sky Juice and Boom Boom.

Mavado celebrateing at Club Opium on October 25th 2009

Mavado has already celebrated this year in Hollywood Fl at Club Opium at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, he will have a party in Montego Bay on Nov. 28th with the final and major celebration on December 5th.

Mavado (David Constantine Brooks) was born November 30th 1981. Usain St. Leo Bolt was born August 21st, 1986.

He talks about his collaborations with Wyclef and Alicia Keys. He said he was advised to not even mention the name of the song,.....so fans just have to wait to find out what it's all about. also talks about his more recent woman beating man songs....see other members of Allicance and the 'First Lady' .....click below to check it out.

Aight, so I went to Altantic with my friends on Sunday and the vibe was nice.


Now this was at SugarMan's Beach and this is 'Gaza' territory so-to-speak or so I was told rather. The party was organized by and was promoting Vybz' Rum Street Vybz

This was prominently displyed, there was one with the model's face cut out so patrons (ladies I hope) could pose with Vybz

The drink mixes were off the chain, and there were enough things going on to keep patrons occupied-body painting, mechanical bull riding, Street Vybz and Suppligen,Street Vybz and Red Bull, sand, swings, ocean, jerk chicken, and more Vybz rum to wash it down. Sounds like a nice time right? Well it basically was but something occurred which just prompted me to write this post.

Nuff mixes-- they were named after Vybz Kartel songs.

Like I said--there was lots to do..

Aight so this DJ named Ice from Zip FM, played a Mavado dubplate. Now 75% of the music was Vybz Kartel and Portmore Empire etc, no one minded of course cause they were all fans, ya feel me. Well after a couple seconds of the tune (sorry I forgot which one-too much Vybz in mi system maybe) music stop and he start talking about how he play all music and basically that he not gonna be bias ray, ray, ray, rah, rah, rah. The thing that impressed me was that the host of the event (or maybe it was another DJ) said nah man it's your turn..come back and play. Which he did do-sans any Mavado.

Ok. I said all this to ask: Should Ice have played Mavado, knowing the current beef, and even if he dispelled that, knowing that this was a Vybz Kartel event? Or is it petty of those close to the DJ area to comment to the point where the DJ stops playing. It's just music right???

I want to add to that no one in the crowd booed or complained or anything so I assumrf DJ Ice heard complaints close to him. Some sites state his was paged. His first song was Alison Hinds and Machel so you know I loved him instantly... by the time things wound down...it got a bid dry as some newer songs I didnt really know were playing...

I had a good time for the most part and watching some people ride the bull was umm interesting...lol...Click HERE for all the action...

ya and I had to add her pic...best swimsuit in the house..classy and oh so sexy. Luv it!

Big up to Anyweh.com for the pics!!!

So there's this site called Tales From A Groupie and it pretty much speaks for itself. So this girl/woman/groupie/what-have-you is giving the nitty gritty on her bedroom experience with Mavado........

Photo by Roy Sweetland

Mavado came to Jacksonville 3/19/09 at a club called Plush. Since I've been knowing his uncle since '07 I knew I would get backstage pazzes. Well, he gave me 3 tickets and I invited one of my girls to come along so we went and bought outfits etc. So I called his uncle to touch base, while he is talking to me I noticed I didn't have his full attention, I heard a bunch of men in the background so I automatically assumed it was mavado and his entourage, his uncle told me he would call me back but I sweet talked him saying I missed him and I needed to see him and how I was stressed and needed some ganja to smoke(basically anything to get over there) he finally gave in and told me to come over to get my "package." Me and my girl got dolled up I'm talking straight diva status so we get to the house and he let us in but he wouldn't let us any further then the den. So I'm sweet talking and "choked" needless to say I got in the back to use the "bathroom." Once I walked through it was so loud and so much smoke, I saw Mavado but he didn't see me, I stayed in the bathroom did a good look over in the mirror and applied more perfume took a deep breath and walked out, his song "Real Killer" was playing so I started dancing and singing the song, almost all eyes were on me I waved and said how's everyone doing mavado looked at me and said "blessed" how he was looking me up and down I could tell he was f*cking me with his eyes, by then another song started and I did a little dutty whine and this lil thing I do with my ass. I saw his uncle coming so I gave him a seductive look and left meeting his uncle right at the door, his uncle gave me my package and I left. After a couple of spliffs and a bottle of hennessy me and my girl was ready to go to the concert, I called the uncle and told him I was in the parking lot. He told me and my friend to come straight up front in which we did and got in, he gave me 3 backstage pazzes and I gave him one back along with the extra ticket. At this time an opening act was on stage, me and my girl went backstage to chill for a few,the hennessy had me so bold, I went right over and sat next to Mavado's cousin chase cross an up and coming reggae artist. So me and my friend were talking to him at this time Mavado makes references to my breast and pum pum in his native patois language I laughed and responded. I could tell he iwas impressed by my speaking and understanding what he was saying, I asked for a picture with him giving some dude my phone for the camera. Mavado grabbed my phone and called his phone to get my number and said I'll see you after the show. After some grinding and blatant flirting I knew I wasn't going to make it to work the next morning. The show went really well I danced with his uncle and left immediately after trying to prepare for my booty call because I was sweated out. About 3:30 a.m. I got a call from anonymous number, I answered and he told me he was at the hyatt and to call when I'm outside and he will send someone to get me. When I got there he was chilling in some shorts and a green yellow and red netted like wife beater, he said something quickly to his boy and then he invited me to a spliff I smoked and drank some more, he turned on some music and told me to whine and take off my clothes, while I'm dancing and taking off my clothes he turned on a lamp and off the lights, he grabbed my wrist and got the spliff he stayed behind me grinding and whine to my riddim, out of no where he got aggressive and pushed me against the back of the sofa he smacked my ass and began to pull down my thong,

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There's one of Common too. Damn he so fine. Serena you lucky eh....

I read the comments. It was funny that some people did not know who Mavado was-somebody wrote "Fuck is Mavado..? A new dance craze..?" Of course you had the usual stereotyping"Oooh island guys do it better" and what not (no comment! lol)

On the real tho...I wouldn't mind a story about Assasin. He's got a hot body. Lips that are just so divine and nuff attitude....Busy Signal is on my (reading) list. Maxwell maybe. In the soca arena maybe Benjai or Machel (I bet he's a fureak!)

The third staging of Best of The Best seemed on most accounts to be a success, though the rain did put a damper on press access to the stage. Organizers did apologize for that stating citing safety precautions. I can understand that, would not want to be electrocuted in the middle of the hottest Memorial Day weekend jam in Miami.

From the official press release:

The artist rundown was a secret for fans, and the show kicked off with Miami-based hip-hop artists Shifta, Camar and Atiba, before the advertised roster took effect with Ras Penco and Christopher Martin serenading the afternoon crowd. Dancehall diva Spice brought her hit "Romping Shop" and killed the BOTB stage, the first time performing for such a massive audience. Then The Stones featuring Ricky Blaze with their hits from the New York corridor added some flare with their funky clothing and electro-dancehall sound. Kip Rich and Flippa Mafia rounded things out before the reggae segment. Cocoa Tea took the reigns first, singing his hit "Barack Obama," as the skies opened up over the park. Then Capleton brought the fire, literally shaking the stage with his high-flying antics that left the crowd and rappers watching backstage in awe.

The much-anticipated hip-hop segment soared as the sporadic rain showers cleared up, with "We the Best" DJ Khaled and T-Pain first hitting the stage. It was a flawless track-set that saw a steady flow of artists every five minutes. Joining Khaled and Pain were Rick Ross, his new dancehall artist Magazeen, Ace Hood, and in the biggest surprise of the night, Sean "Diddy" Combs joined Ross on stage, taking off his white Kangol bucket hat and pointing at the crowd, receiving the biggest forward of the night then departing just as suddenly as he appeared. It was not the end of the segment however, as #1 Billboard artist Flo Rida also made a surprise appearance, joined by his Poe Boy label mate Brisco. Then rap star Jeezy delivered his hits including the chart-topper, "My President's Black," to wrap the smash segment. "I'm glad to be here, I love reggae," stated Jeezy. "The vibe is right, with the roots and culture. One day I'll get into the sound because it's a strong sound...very interesting."

The momentum of the night continued with the slamming soca sounds of Trinidad songstress Destra Garcia, the only soca act but all that was needed to get the crowd on their feet and rags in the air. Then the self-proclaimed "King of the Dancehall" Beenie Man stormed the stage and mashed it up with his live-band set. The "Energy God" Elephant Man followed him for an abbreviated set as Beenie's Ruff Kut band had to make way for the Alliance's Anger Management band, which closed the show. Following Ele was Tony Matterhorn on tracks for the quick band change, then Serani, followed by Mavado and Bounty Killer, as all three dancehall megastars shared the stage to close Best of the Best 2009.

Off-stage highlights included Beenie Man on stage watching the hip-hop segment as the rappers greeted him on stage, the hip-hop stars including Rick Ross who went over to hail Capleton, Busta Rhymes who hung out back stage eating and chatting with his new collaborator Beenie, Flo Rida who walked into the park with his Poe Boy entourage and found his own way backstage, Bounty who wanted to storm the stage while Beenie was on (Beenie was scheduled to close the show but came on early so that he would have enough time to perform his entire set), and Elephant Man who showed up on his own and slipped his way backstage undetected in his pirate costume, complete with hook on hand and parrot on shoulder. But perhaps the biggest stars were the cars backstage. T-Pain arrived in a red Rolls-Royce Phantom, Khaled in a powder blue Rolls, Ross in a navy blue Masserrati, Diddy in a larger-than-life tour bus, while Busta and Wayne Wonder kept it cool in black Escalades.

Here are some pics from the event!

Capleton caught in mid-air
-Photo by Brittany Somerset-

Coco Tea salutes backstage
-Photo by Brittany Somerset-

Jabba emeecing the show and dancehall diva Spice
-Photo by Brittany Somerset-

Sean "Diddy" Combs vibes with Rick Ross on stage
-Photo byWayne Lawrence-

Fan favorite Beenie Man enjoys himself.
-Photo by Wayne Lawrence-

Ele does some press
-Photo by Roy Sweetland-

Ace Hood, DJ Khaled & T-Pain storm the stage
-Photo by Roy Sweetland-

Mavado ends the night on a high note
-Photo by Roy Sweetland-




Bounty Killa closes the show
-Photo by Roy Sweetland-



T-Pain joins Rick Ross to perform his hit "The Boss"
-Photo by Roy Sweetland-