February 1, 2010
Stephen Marley grabs another
Reggae Grammy for Mind Control
The
52nd annual staging of the Grammy Awards was yet
another milestone for reggae family, the Marleys, as
brothers
Stephen and Ziggy strolled away with the coveted
gramaphones in the Best Reggae Album and Best
Musical Album
for Children categories, respectively.
Stephen, the younger of the two, was crowned winner
for the acoustic version of his album Mind Control.
He won ahead of another sibling, Julian, who was
also a nominee in that category with his album
Awake. The 'Gargamel', Buju Banton, was also
in that pool of hopefuls with his Rasta Got Soul.
Also nominated in the Best Reggae Album category
were Sean Paul's Imperial Blaze and Gregory Isaacs'
Brand New Me.
The 52nd award was the second solo Grammy for
Stephen who also won the prize in 2008 for the
non-acoustic version of the said album, Mind
Control. The artiste's Grammy tally now stands at
seven having won awards before as part of Ziggy
Marley
and The Melody Makers in 1988, 1989 and 1997. He
also earned awards for his production work on both
of his brother,
Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley's albums, Half-Way Tree
in 2001 and Welcome to Jamrock in 2006.
Ziggy, who is no stranger to the golden gramaphones,
climbed over some five other nominees to grip the
award with his
Family Time album. In a brief comment to this
newspaper, the singer said: "I feel very blessed to
have travelled on this
journey with my family and friends and feel honoured
to have the Grammy Academy recognise Family Time."
In 2007, Ziggy's album Love Is My Religion won a
Grammy for Best Reggae Album at the 49th Annual
Grammy Awards.
In earlier years, Junior Gong walked a similar path
having won Grammy awards in 2001 and 2006 for his
Half-Way Tree and Welcome to Jamrock albums,
respectively.
January
22, 2010 rocksteady
guitarist
Lynn Taitt,
passed away Lynn Taitt, the
guitarist who played with nearly every
reggae legend and the man widely credited with
creating the very first rocksteady bassline, has
died in Canada at the age of 70. A Trinidadian by
birth, Taitt had no problem making Jamaica his home,
where his musical career eventually came into full
bloom. In addition to playing with major ska and
early reggae groups like the Skatalites and the
Sheikhs, he founded his own group, Lynn Taitt and
the Comets, in the mid 1960s.
Though many will certainly remember him for
his uniquely virtuosic guitar style
and
his groundbreaking contribution to
rocksteady, Taitt will perhaps best be known
for
the work he did to help globalize reggae,
and spread it beyond Jamaica's borders.
Taitt died on January 20, 2010 after a long
battle with cancer.
The last major musical project that Lynn
Taitt was involved with was a documentary on
rocksteady music. His departure followed
that of another important contributor, Yabby
You, who died on January 12, 2010.
January
22, 2010 Roots Reggae Vet Yabby You
Dies at 63 The reggae community
has been hit with another tragedy as Vivian Jackson,
better known
as Yabby You, passed away of a head stroke on
Tuesday (january 12, 2010) at the age of 63.
Throughout his illustrious roots career, Jackson
defined himself by his iconoclastic
behavior--and iconic music. While his peers were all
of devout Rastafarian faith,
Yabby accepted the lifestyle, but rejected the
creed, opting instead for a strong Christian
faith that eventually earned him the nickname "Dread
Jesus."
After
struggling with health problems exacerbated by the
dire poverty he mired in throughout his youth, Yabby
eventually came to Kingston where he found reggae.
His first album, 'Conquering Lion,' is widely
regarded as nothing short of a masterpiece,
a dark work that somehow strikes a precarious
balance between traditional reggae tropes and the
artist's own religiosity.
And his 'Jesus Dread (1972-1977)' compendium is now
a must have for any reggae fan's shelf.
Yabby You was, if nothing else, unique.
Unquestionably, he will be missed.
January 9, 2010 Buju Banton denies
US drug charge
Jamaican reggae star Buju
Banton has pleaded not guilty to a drug charge in a
court in Florida.
Banton was arrested in December on a charge of
conspiring to buy more than five kilograms of
cocaine from an undercover
law enforcement officer.
The 36-year-old singer - real name Mark Myrie - did
not seek bail as, if released, he would be held by
US immigration officials.
It is likely Grammy-nominated Myrie will
miss the event on 31 January.
The dancehall singer has been nominated at
the Grammys for his latest album,
Rasta Got
Soul.
Banton was arrested at his home in Tamarac,
Florida in early December.
Authorities say he met with a confidential
informant to discuss the drug purchase.
His lawyer, David Oscar Markus said Banton
is innocent and was set up by "some evil
people trying to take advantage of his
trusting and honest character".
Many other artists have coalesced to show
support for the music icon, and the latest
one to jump on the Free Buju Bandwagon is
none other than good friend Anthony B. Check
out his single, 'Free the General.'
January 2010
SINGER DAVID ISAACS
DIED AT THE AGE OF 63
Singer David Isaacs,
best known for the 1979 hit song "Just Like The Sea",
has died at the age of 63 on December 21, 2009.
His sister, Beverley Isaacs, told The Gleaner that
she discovered his body early Monday morning on the
floor
of their home in Denham Town, west Kingston.
"I was calling out to him and got no answer. When I
went toward his room
I saw him on the ground," Ms Isaacs said.
She
said Isaacs was the eldest of her mother's 16
children and was born in Denham Town where he got
his start as a singer in the late 1960s. His family
has requested an autopsy to determine the cause of
death.
Typical of Jamaican underground artistes in the
1960s, Isaacs recorded for different producers but
never got his break until he was in his early 30s.
The best known of his songs from that period was A
Place In The Sun which was done for producer Lee
'Scratch' Perry.
A Place In The Sun and a cover of Stranger On The
Shore were among several sides Isaacs cut for
Perry's Upsetter label.
His songs for the eccentric Perry were generally
released in the United Kingdom, where the producer
had a cult following
among Caribbean immigrants and rebellious British
youth.
It would not be until 1979 that Isaacs hit the mark
with Just Like The Sea, a lovers rock number
produced by Witty Reid that made the local charts.
It remains his biggest hit.
Isaacs was also a member of roots-reggae group,
The Itals, which he joined in 1997. He recorded
five solo albums,
the last of which, Happy Ending, was released in
1982.
David Isaacs is the latest death in the local music
community in 2009.
Musicians Egbert Evans, Wycliffe 'Steely' Johnson
and Sonny Bradshaw, have also died.
Beverley Isaacs said her brother is survived by 10
children.
January
2010
REBEL SALUTE 2010
LINE UP announced The official launch of
Pepsi Rebel Salute 2010, held at the Hilton Hotel in
New Kingston, Flames Productions head Tony Rebel
announced the full
line-up for the event's 17th staging. He actually
read the name of every
single person who will perform on Saturday, January
16, at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth.
For 16 years Rebel Salute has
promoted the idea of a healthy lifestyle, addressing
the need for an event which caters to people who are
conscious that their body is their temple, and so
too their minds.
Rebel Salute continues to edify as well as entertain
with a unique blend of generation spanning artistes
that share not only
a love for Reggae music, but also reflect a positive
message of peace, strength in unity and the
principle of love.
Rebel Salute 2010 promises to be a Reggae
connoisseur’s classic.
Rebel Salute 2010 has complied a line up destined
for a spectacular showing. Line Up Include:
Freddie McGregor, Gramps Morgan, Bugle, Singing
Melody, Jah Mason, Richie Spice, Alaine, Leroy
Gibbons
C Sharp, Hezron, Pinchers, Anthony Malvo, I-Octane,
Steel Pulse, Daddy U-Roy, Barrington Levy, Capelton
Tarrus Riley, Queen Ifrica, Admiral Tibet, Etana,
Lady Saw, Jah Cure, Richie Spice, I Wayne, Tyrical,
The Itals,
Sasco/Assassin , Charly Blacks, Stevie Face, Ras
Penco, Brown Shuga, Princess Tiah, Noddy Virtue,
Romain Virgo,
General Trees, Influene, Lraf A Life, Khago, Zaminda,
Junior X, A'Taru, Biggaton, Junior Mervin, Omari,
Teranchila,
Stream Hezron, Lejahni, Peter Metro, Anthony Malvo.
Dec 29,
2009 Reggae
Good, bad and indifferent of 2009 (jamaica
gleaner)
2009
turned out to be a tough year for Jamaica's music
industry. Record sales plummeted with
reggae/dancehall music failing
to produce an album that resonated internationally.
Also, controversy reigned at home with the
Gaza/Gully feud and the fierce debate surrounding
Rompin' Shop, a controversial song by dejays Vbyz
Kartel and Spice.
The year was anything but uneventful. Here are some
of the highlights.
Sleeper hit of
the year:
Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Cherine
Anderson. Produced by Sly and Robbie, this song
reached number 18 on Billboard magazine's pop chart
but got little attention on local radio.
Major
achievement:
It was
announced two weeks ago that singer Jimmy Cliff will
be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame in March. He is only the second reggae act
(after Bob Marley in 1993) to earn such recognition.
Album of the
year:
Montego Bay by Queen Ifrica. Conscious sounds from
the dancehall, Ifrica's second set touched on a
variety of issues, from incest (Daddy) to sexual
intolerance (Keep it To Yourself) and female
independence (Lioness on The Rise).
Disappointment
of the year:
Sean Paul's Imperial Blaze album sold less than
100,000 units according to Nielsen-SoundScan. Unlike
its predecessors, Dutty Rock and The Trinity,
Imperial Blaze failed to produce a big hit and
floundered.
Dancehall song
of the year:
The
Letter by Merciless. The deejay's heartfelt tale to
his mother about incarceration in a Florida prison,
got the blood of hard-core fans pumping and 'thumbs
up' from conservatives.
Most innovative
project:
Pomedy, Yasus Afari's fresh concept of poetry and
comedy went over well with audiences in
St Elizabeth and Kingston.
Hype of the
year:
Gaza vs Gully starring publicity-hungry deejays Vybz
Kartel and Mavado, and a supporting cast that
included
a gullible media.
Fall from grace:
Roots singer Luciano's reputation as a messenger of
peace took a beating in March when a wanted man,
allegedly linked to the artiste, was killed by
police during a shootout at his St Andrew home. Two
police officers were shot and injured. Luciano has
been charged with harbouring a fugitive.
Tragic figure:
Buju Banton, whose Rasta Got Soul tour of the United
States was hounded by gay advocates, resulting in
multiple show cancellations. On December 10, Banton
was arrested in Florida by Drug Enforcement
Administration officers and charged with attempting
to distribute cocaine.
Dec 14,
2009
Buju Banton
ARRESTED AFTER COCAINE
DEAL
WITH UNDERCOVER COP in Florida
Controversial reggae star BUJU BANTON was
arrested
after attempting to buy
drugs from an undercover police officer,
it has been revealed.
The Grammy-nominated Jamaican star, real
name Mark Anthony Myrie, was taken into
custody in Miami,
Florida on Thursday (10Dec09) after he was
caught with more than five kilograms (11
pounds) of cocaine.
He was charged with conspiracy to possess,
with intent to distribute and faces up to 20
years behind bars if convicted.
Court documents state two others were also
arrested, after contacting a police
informant to enquire about a deal,
reports the Associated Press.
Banton is alleged to have negotiated the
deal and Drug Enforcement Administration
agents claim the star was
spotted inspecting the drugs offered by the
undercover cop.
Dec,
2009 Gregory
ISAACS, Buju BANTON, Marleys, Sean Paul
grab Grammy noms
Nominations for this year’s Reggae Grammy Award have
snubbed rising stars in favour of recognised artistes,
including two Marleys, Buju Banton, Gregory Isaacs and
Sean Paul.
The nominees were unveiled at Club Nokia in Los Angeles
on Wednesday night as part of a prime-time
CBS special. This year’s nominations include:
• Rasta Got Soul,
Buju Banton (Gargamel Music, Inc);
• Mind Control— Acoustic, Stephen Marley (Ghetto
Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic)
“I feel very good about it. This time I have 100 per
cent chance,” Gregory Isaacs told Splash. Isaacs’
manager, Copeland Forbes, added: “I feel very good about
it; we just got back from Brazil and Argentina, and
there was massive crowds of 35,000. He’s very excited
and we are travelling like crazy. Things are looking
great.” The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled to
be held on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles. The album
Mind Control may sound familiar as it won the 2007
Grammy Reggae Award. Stephen Marley has revamped it as
an acoustic album and is now gunning for a second
Grammy. At the same time, the Grammys have ignored
albums by rising stars Tarrus Riley, Mavado, US-based
Easy Star All Stars and Mishka, which all charted
strongly on the Billboards charts.
Roger Steffens, who has chaired the Reggae Grammy
Screening Committee, stated in 2008 that the
Reggae Grammys were not based on merit or sales but name
recognition. He quipped that the Marley
name was so popular that once nominated “they would have
won, of course”.
“I don’t know what the Grammy is based on. I don’t know
how many people voted in the category.
It could be 200 people; it could be all 14,000. They
never told us. It’s not based on merit, it’s not based
on sales. I think it’s probably mostly based on name
recognition or major label behind the artiste. So
please,
I don’t have any power, I don’t even vote to maintain my
neutrality. I hope that is understood and I’ve made that
clear,” Steffens told the Observer in 2008. “I can’t
think of any common denominator among all
the past ... years of winners other than
name-recognition.
I am not saying that they don’t deserve it; don’t make
it look like I’m saying that these people don’t deserve
it. All I’m saying is I don’t see a common denominator
other than name-recognition.”
The grammy awards is set to take place in Los Angeles on
January 31, 2010.
Dec,
2009 Top 25 Reggae
albums
of the decade
The top 25
reggae albums for this decade — which ends December —
was dominated by Shaggy but other dancehall artistes
ranked highly, according to a list compiled by Splash.
Topping the list was Shaggy’s 2000 release Hot Shots
which sold over ten million copies and was amongst the
most sucessful albums of the decade. Matisyahu was
second, but he also made the top 25 three times. Shaggy,
Sean Paul, Sizzla, Beenie Man, UB40 and Damian Marley
each made the list twice.
Music rankings are always controversial but Splash
arrived at the findings, not by public opinion, but by
analysing Billboard Reggae Album charts between 2000 to
2009 and
ranked albums in order of weeks charted. Chart longevity
indicated that the albums were not only popular but had
that timeless quality as sales continued well beyond
their release dates. One caveat was that Billboard did
not reflect the Jamaican pop charts, as such some
breakthrough albums did not make the cut, including Vybz
Kartel’s Up 2 Di Time, Baby Cham’s Ghetto Story, Lee
Scratch Perry’s 2002 Grammy winning album Jamaican ET,
Richie Spice’s Spice in Your Life and I-Wayne’s Lava
Ground. Also missing from the top 25 was Kevin Lyttle’s
gold-selling, self-titled album and Elephant Man’s Good
2 Go which
ranked 27 and 28, respectively. The charts still gave
insight into top albums of the decade due to the size of
the North American market and its influence on global
sales.
Ranking includes:
1. Shaggy’s Hotshots (MCA) which completely transcended the
reggae charts and charted 84 weeks on Billboard 200 and
peaked at number 1. It was produced by Jimmy Jam, Tony Kelly,
Terry Lewis, Robert Livingston, Shaggy, Christopher Birch,
Gordon Dukes and Shaun “Sting Int’l” Pizzonia;
2. Matisyahu’s Live at
Stubbs (Sony) which charted for 208 and 26 weeks on Reggae
Albums and Billboard 200, respectively
and was produced by Michael Caplan and Angelo Montrone;
3. Damian Marley’s Half Way Tree (Motown Records) which charted
158 weeks on Reggae Albums, produced by David Cole, Stephen
Marley, Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and Kid Nyce;
4. Mr Lover Lover: The Best
of Shaggy, Part 1 (Virgin) which charted 130 weeks and was
produced by Lynford ‘Fatta’ Marshall, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis,
Robert Livingston, Collin ‘Bulbie’ York, Sting International and
Shaun ‘Sting Int’l’ Pizzonia;
5. Sean Paul’s Dutty Rock (VP) which charted 105 and 85 weeks on
the Reggae Albums and the Billboard 200 respectively;
6. Damian Marley’s Welcome
to Jamrock (Tuff Gong) which charted for 105 and 34 weeks on the
Reggae Albums and the Billboard 200 respectively, produced by
Stephen Marley, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley;
7. Sean Paul’s The Trinity (Atlantic) which charted for 104 and
52 weeks on the Reggae Albums and the Billboard 200,
respectively, and was produced by Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Jeremy
Harding, Marlon Cooke, Jason ‘Jigzagula Jason’ Henriques, Craig
Parks, Donovan ‘Vendetta’ Bennett, Lionel Bermingham, Delano
Thomas, Elijah Wells, Dwayne ‘Supa Dups”’ Chin Quee, Omari
Stines, Michael ‘Factor’ Jarrett;
8. Scrolls of the Prophet:
The Best of Peter Tosh, which charted for 104 weeks and was
produced by Bruce Dickinson, Clement “Coxsone” Dodd, Peter Tosh,
Robbie Shakespeare;
9. Bob Marley’s Gold which charted for 104 weeks it was produced
by by Bob Marley, Steve Smith, Chris Blackwell, Errol Brown,
Ingmar Kiang, Lee Scratch Perry, Alex Sadkin, The Wailers,
Trevor Wyatt;
10. The Very Best of UB40
1980-2000, which charted for 103 weeks, produced by UB40, Ray
Falconer, Howard Gray and Gerry Parchment;
11. Matisyahu’s Youth (Columbia), which charted 96 and 19 weeks
on the Reggae Albums and the Billboard 200 respectively.
It was produced by Bill Laswell and Jimmy Douglass;
12. Beenie Man’s Art and
Life (Virgin), which charted for 84 and 20 weeks on the Reggae
Albums and the Billboard 200, respectively, and was produced by
Tony Kelly, Salaam Remi, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.
13. Stephen Marley’s Mind Control (Tuff Gong), which charted for
78 and 6 weeks on the Reggae Albums and Billboard 200,
and was produced by Paul Fakhourie, Stephen Marley, Damian
‘Junior Gong’ Marley and Julian Marley;
14. Collie Buddz self-titled
album (Columbia) which charted for 78 and 3 weeks on the Reggae
Albums and the Billboard 200, respectively, it was produced by
Tony Kelly, Screwface, Stephen McGregor, Curtis Lynch, Jr,
Dwayne “Supa Dups” Quee,
Collie Buddz and M. “Khan” Chin;
15. Ky-Mani Marley’s Radio (AAO Music) which charted for 78
weeks. It was produced by Winston Thomas, Mark Sparks,
Ky Miller, Danny Schofield ‘Styles’, Larry ‘Kalid’ Chu, Jason ‘J
Vibe’ Farmer and Alex ‘Lex’ Francis;
16. The Journey: The Very
Best of Sizzla (Greensleeves), which charted for 76 weeks on the
Reggae Albums chart and was released in 2008;
17. Shaggy’s Lucky Day (MCA), which charted for 69 and 13 weeks
on the Reggae Albums and Billboard 200;
18. Skindred’s Babylon
(RCA), charted for 67 and 3 weeks on the Reggae Albums and the
Billboard 200, respectively. It was produced by Howard Benson,
Jason Bieler, Skindred.
19. UB40 Greatest Hits (Virgin) charted for 61 weeks and was
produced by UB40, Charlie Skarbek, Dan Armstrong,
Ray Falconer, Howard Gray, Gerry Parchment and Danny Canaan;
20. Matisyahu’s No Place to
Be (Epic) charted for 59 weeks and was produced by Bill Laswell,
Robbie and Sly;
21. Mavado’s Gangsta for Life (Hardwax) charted for 58 weeks and
was produced by Johnny Wonder, Bobby ‘Digital’ Dixon,
Dane “Fire Links” Johnson, Michael ‘ZJ Liquid’ Brissett, Delroy
‘Delly Ranx’ Foster;
22. Beenie Man’s Tropical
Storm (Virgin) charted for 56 and 9 weeks on the Reggae Albums
and Billboard 200, respectively.
It was produced by Dave Kelly, Sly Dunbar, Anthony Kelly, Matt
Serletic, Irv Gotti, Stargate, The Neptunes, AC Burrell and
W Passley;
23. Ziggy Marley’s Dragonfly (RCA Victor), charted 55 and 8
weeks on Reggae and Billboard 200, respecitively. It was
produced by Ross Hogarth, Scott Litt and Ziggy Marley;
24. Sizzla’s Da Real Thing
(VP), which included Thank you Mama and other classics, charted
for 51 weeks. It was produced by Bobby Digital and Bobby Dixon;
and
25. Buju Banton’s Friends for Life (Atlantic/VP) charted for 50
and 11 weeks on the Reggae and R&B hip hop charts, produced
by Dalton Browne, Clevie, Sly Dunbar, Donovan Germain, Mark
Myrie, S Stewart, Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Cleevie, Steelie,
Jammy ‘Jam Two’ James, Cool & Dre.
Clevie (left) & Steely
(right)
Sept,
2009
Reggae Legend Wycliffe
"Steely" Johnson
passes Away
Truly
unique, Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson was not only one
of the pioneers of Reggae,
but also a gentleman in every sense of the word, and
he has departed from us today
after three decades of his groundbreaking music
talents with Jamaican and international artists. He
will be sadly missed by all those who knew him,
either personally or through
his music. Steely started his musical journey as the
original keyboard player with the
Roots Radics Band which backed Gregory Isaacs, Bunny
Wailer and numerous artists both on tour and in the
recording studio.
Steely,
along with his musical partner Cleveland “Clevie”
Browne, played on a large number of hit recordings
for various producers in the mid 70s to early 80's.
Their extensive discography includes the ever
popular Dawn Penn's 1992 rendition of
“No, No,No (You Don't Love Me)”. Together as
producers, they have contributed to a gamut of
musicians such as; No Doubt,
Billy Ocean, Back Street Boys, Heavy D & The Boyz,
Buju Banton, Capleton, Maxi Priest, Jimmy Cliff,
Gregory Isaacs, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas,
Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Freddie McGregor,
Dennis Brown, Lady Saw, , Barrington Levy to name a
few. They left an indelible mark by launching
‘Steely & Clevie’ imprint in 1988 and later a
burgeoning record label
called Studio 2000. Their resounding impact can be
found on various international charts including the
coveted Billboard charts.
Steely died Wednesday morning (Sept 1, 2009) of
heart failure , which was brought on by pneumonia he
contracted from
kidney complications. Steely’s death has resonated
throughout the Reggae fraternity worldwide.
Aug, 2009
Reggae Tribute to
Michael Jackson
by Luciano
Earlier
this summer the world was taken aback by the sudden
and tragic death of
legendary artist and performer, Michael Jackson. In
the past month, as everyone has
slowly recovered from the shock of his death,
Michael Jackson fans have been searching
for and creating ways to honor his memory and keep
his music alive for the next generation. It seems
that many artists in the reggae world have sought to
give Michael Jackson’s songs new meaning and depth,
while honoring the late King of Pop.
Among Michael Jackson tribute covers there are
Tarrus Riley’s “Human Nature” and Shinehead’s
“Billie Jean” as well as Luciano’s “We are the
World.”
“We
are the World,” one of Michael Jackson’s more
meaningful songs that he wrote along with Lionel
Richie for the USA for Africa Foundation, has been
reborn as a reggae tribute to Michael Jackson by
renowned reggae artist, Luciano. The “We are
the World” reggae cover is being released by Dmusic
Productions and LionI Recordings and has already
begun to cause a stir
on YouTube. Fans have left comments saying that this
version is “Better than the original!”
Michael Jackson’s lyrics easily lend themselves to
the humanitarian message of reggae songs, and the
smooth, Jamaican style
of Luciano’s music seems to take the song even
further into its original role of benefiting those
in need. DMusic and LionI records will be releasing
a t-shirt dedicated to Michael Jackson, and with the
purchase of a t-shirt customers will be able to
receive two MP3 versions of the song. A portion of
the proceeds will also be going to charity in honor
of the late King of Pop.
Purchase the track at http://bestreggae.com
April
3 ,
2009
LUCKY DUBE
South African reggae star's killers
get life
JOHANNESBURG—A judge sentenced three men convicted
of murdering an internationally known South African
reggae
star in a botched carjacking to life in prison
Thursday.
Lucky Dube's 2007 killing drew worldwide attention
to crime in South Africa, which has one of the
world's highest murder rates. The 43-year-old singer
was gunned down in his car in front of his children
in suburban Johannesburg.
"The accused showed no mercy for the deceased,"
Judge Seun Moshidi said.
"It is difficult for the
court to extend any mercy today."
Sifiso Mhlanga,
Mbuti Mabe and Julius Gxowa were convicted Tuesday
in Dube's death. Hours before the verdict was
announced, Mabe and Mhlanga assaulted police
officers in a foiled bid to escape from the court.
Thokozani Dube, who was in the car when his father
was shot, broke into tears as the sentences were
announced and was comforted by his mother. "I'm
satisfied. ... I have closure," he later said
outside the courtroom.
Dube's family members and their supporters gathered
outside the courthouse and sang South Africa's
national anthem.
"I'm happy with the ruling even though it will never
bring him back," said Thuthukani Cele, a keyboardist
who had worked with Dube for 24 years. He vowed to
keep Dube's spirit alive, saying: "We owe it to
Lucky and the world. ... We just wanted to finish
this before we open a new chapter." Dube, who
launched his career in the 1980s with criticism of
the apartheid regime,
went on to become a huge international star.
April 3,
2009
UPDATE
Luciano:
'Man was not hired to protect me'
REGGAE
singer Jepther McLymont, better known as Luciano
yesterday denied that slain fugitive, Andrew Senior,
alias 'Shooty
Shooty' and 'Conqueror', was his close associate who
was hired to protect him.
The singer, flanked by his lawyers, Delano Franklyn
and Hugh Wilson, was speaking at a press conference
at the Hilton Kingston
Hotel yesterday.
"I have never in all my years in the music
fraternity, knowingly harboured anyone involved in
or wanted by the security forces
for crimes committed in or out of Jamaica," the
singer read from a prepared text which was later
distributed to the press.
Senior was fatally shot by members of the security
forces during a two-hour gunfight at the singer's
home/studio at Westminister Crescent in Kingston
last week Monday.
Yesterday Luciano said he was unaware that Senior
was considered by the police as a fugitive who was
armed and dangerous and had learnt a vital lesson.
"At no point did I know that anyone visiting my
home/studio had with him or her, an illegal firearm
or ammunition.
I have always had an open door policy to people,
whether I know them or not. Based on my experience,
the danger of this open door policy has not escaped
my attention," Luciano said.
According to the singer, the incident has had a
traumatising effect on his family, especially his
children who were forced to take
cover as the gunman and members of the security
forces engaged in battle.
The woman and children were let out of the house
unharmed but the singer refuted reports that the
gunman used one of his
children as a human shield. "There is no truth to
that but the children were scared. They are lucky
all the same and I give
thanks they were not hurt. The last few days have
been extremely difficult and challenging for my
family and me, especially my children," Luciano told
reporters.
Luciano adds that he will continue to cooperate with
the police. The veteran entertainer also stressed
that despite the situation, he has been advised by
his lawyers that he will be able to fulfill his
contractual show arrangements locally and
internationally.
In closing, Luciano further states that he will
prove his innocence.
April,
2009
BUJU BANTON'S
highly anticipated roots reggae album,
"Rasta Got Soul"
SOON TO BE RELEASED
Gargamel Music, Inc. is pleased to announce the
North American release date for Jamaican music icon
Buju Banton's highly anticipated roots reggae album,
Rasta Got Soul. Recorded over a seven year period at
Buju's own Gargamel Music studio, the long-awaited
project is finally set for physical and digital
release in the United States and Canada on April 21,
2009.
Coincidentally, the date marks the 43rd anniversary
of the late Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie's
historic visit to Jamaica in 1966. His most
musically audacious work to date, Rasta Got Soul
unites Buju Banton's characteristic vocals and
consistently positive messages, grounded in the
tenets of Rastafari , with organic reggae rhythms
carefully crafted by a select aggregation
of the island's finest musicians. "Roots is the
foundation," explains Buju, who became a dancehall
superstar in the '90s by riding the latest
synthesized beats.
"The computer stuff gets monotonous; every third
production you can hear some similarity, as opposed
to when you listen to something live there is always
something different," he says.
The "magic moments, magical heights" Buju alludes to
on the album's early single "Magic City" are amply
scattered throughout Rasta Got Soul's 15 tracks. The
new single "A Little Bit Of Sorry" is a lively ska
ditty complete with fast- paced keys and
spine-tingling harmonies. Joyous horns celebrate the
message of self-determination on "I Rise."
Thick, steady grooves underscore the power of
positive thought on "Optimistic Soul." The song
"Bedtime Story" featuring
Wyclef Jean presents a poignant commentary on the
war in Iraq and its impact on the lives of young
children.
The way Buju describes it: "Rasta Got Soul features
nothing but soul shifting, uplifting reggae, to
inspire, to thrill, to light an inner fire, to be
glorified and rejuvenated; I just want to recreate
that vibe when reggae music would speak to
everyone."
March 31, 2009
UPDATE: Luciano
charged
with harbouring fugitive
AFTER
spending the weekend behind bars, Reggae singer
Luciano was yesterday charged with harbouring a
fugitive by detectives from the St Andrew Central
Police Division. "He spent the weekend in jail and
was charged a short while ago,"
head of the division, Superintendent Terrence Bent
told the Observer last evening. Luciano, real name
Jepther McLymont, was arrested on Friday when he
turned up at the Half-Way-Tree police station with
his attorney Delano Franklyn. After a question
and answer session, the artiste was thrown behind
bars and was only charged after Franklyn filed a
writ of habeus corpus before Resident Magistrate
Glen Brown in the Corporate Area Resident
Magistrate's Court yesterday. Brown ordered the cops
to charge or release the artiste. The singer will
answer to the charge in court on April 9.
Luciano was arrested after cops went to his
Westminister Crescent, St Andrew home and studio
last Monday in search
of fugitive Andrew Senior, also known as 'Shooty
Shooty' or 'Conqueror'. Police say they were greeted
with gunfire and during
a two-hour stand-off, three cops were shot and
seriously injured before managing to fatally wound
the fugitive. A 9mm pistol was seized. The three
cops are still hospitalised but are listed in stable
condition. One was shot in the face while the others
were shot in the groin and leg.
Luciano faces up to six months in prison for the
offence.
March, 2009
CHRIS BLACKWELL
CELEBRATES
50 Years ISLAND RECORDS
ISLAND
RECORDS, the powerful independent company founded in
Kingston in 1959, marks its 50th anniversary this
year. A statement from founder Chris Blackwell says
a week-long celebration scheduled for England in May
will mark the occasion. "It has been an honour and a
privilege to work with some of the greatest musical
artistes of all time," said Blackwell in a
statement. "It was always my intention at Island to
make records that stood the test of time, and I'm
proud that Island is still a potent force in music
50 years since that first release". Some of
Island's classic albums are to be reissued this
year; there will also be a series of compilations
and box sets.
March, 2009
NINJA MAN
CHARGED WITH
CONSPIRACY TO MURDER
Police
in Jamaica have charged dancehall rapper Ninja Man
with conspiracy to murder in the killing of a
20-year-old
man.Police said in a statement on Saturday that the
entertainer will appear in court next week. The
suspect's attorney could not be reached. Ninja Man's
real name is Desmond Ballentine.
He has been a top name in Jamaican dancehall music
for nearly two decades and is known for songs
including
Murder Dem and Border Clash.
In 1999, Ballentine was sentenced to a year in
prison in
1999 for illegal possession of a weapon
and ammunition.
March, 2009
LUCIANO UPDATE
RELEASED
FROM POLICE CUSTODY
Luciano
has been released from police custody after hours
of questioning. The Jah Messenger reggae singer was
taken into police custody Wednesday following a
shootout at one
of his premises at West Minister Road in St. Andrew
involving the police and a gunman.
Three police officers were shot and wounded. The
gunman was fatally shot and an illegal gun was
recovered.
Music News understands that Luciano was not at his
premises during the time of the shootout.
March, 2009
ZIGGY MARLEY
TO RELEASE FAMILY TIME
REGGAE ALBUM
Toots
Hibberts, Paul Simon, Jack Johnson and Willie Nelson
are some of the friends featured on Ziggy Marley's
first children's reggae album to be released on May
5 by Tuff Gong Worldwide. Entitled Family Time, the
album will also feature Rita Marley (Ziggy's
mother), Cedella Marley (sister), Judah Marley
(daughter), Elizabeth Mitchell, Laurie Berkner,
Paula Fuga and two stories narrated by Jamie Lee
Curtis. Marley produced the album along with
legendary producer Don Was.
March, 2009
DEADLY SHOOT- OUT
AT LUCIANO'S HOME
Conscious reggae singer Luciano is in police custody
for questioning following a shootout at one of his
premises at West Minister
Road in St. Andrew. Luciano, who was not on
location during the shootout this morning (25/03/09)
with the police and a gunman, is currently being
questioned by the St. Andrew North Police.
Superintendent Andrew Morris says the shooting ended
at 7:30am where three police officers were shot and
wounded. One is
said to be in serious condition, while the others
are in stable condition. The gunman was fatally
shot. An illegal gun was recovered in the incident.
Reports are that sometime after 5 this morning,
police from St. Andrew North were on a special
operation along West Minister
Road when they were shot at by a gunman at the
premises.
A strong police presence is reportedly still at the
location.
March, 2009
TRIAL
LUCKY DUBE'S MURDER
CONTINUES
Mbuti
Mabe, Julius Gxowa and Mhlanga, all in their
thirties, are on trial for allegedly killing Dube
outside his brother's house in Rosettenville, south
of Johannesburg,
on October 18 2007.
The men face a charge of murder, two charges of
aggravated robbery, one count of attempted
aggravated robbery, and two counts of illegal
possession of a firearm and ammunition. The trial
continues.
Click here for Reggaeholland's
tribute page to Lucky Dube
Feb, 2009
BURNING SPEAR
WINS
REGGAE GRAMMY AWARD
Reggae
music icon Winston 'Burning Spear' Rodney (O.D.) has
won his second career Best Reggae Album Grammy for
his all-new 2008 studio CD release, Jah Is Real. The
51st Annual Grammy Awards were held Sunday, February
8th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles,
California, and broadcast on CBS TV Network in US
and to a worldwide audience. Burning Spear is a
previous Grammy winner for his 1999 Calling
Rastafari album and has received a record 11
nominations for releases over his career to date.
Jan, 2009 16th REBEL
SALUTE 2009
SET TO HAPPEN
ON January 17
Cultural
dancehall deejay Tony Rebel’s annual Rebel Salute stage
show is on once again, and is set to happen on Saturday,
January 17, 2009 at the Port Kaiser Sports Club in St.
Elizabeth. Notably, it happens on the weekend before the
historic inauguration of Barack Obama as the first black
American president of the U.S., and Tony Rebel has
dedicated this show to him.Rebel
Salute 2009’s theme is
“Yes We Can”, a line taken from Obama’s campaign slogan
during the lead up to the U.S. elections and will
feature a blend of veteran and current artistes
including Beenie Man (Ras Moses), Tarrus Riley, Queen
Ifrica, I-Wayne, I-Octane, Konshens, Rootz Underground,
John Holt, Leroy Sibbles, Luciano, Mykal Rose, Wailing
Souls and many others.
Jan, 2009 Bob Marley's
mentor
VINCENT 'Tata' FORD
passes away
Vincent
Ford, the songwriter credited with composing the
Bob Marley reggae classic No Woman, No Cry has died in
Jamaica. He was 68. Ford lost both his legs to diabetes
and died in hospital from complications caused by the
disease, said a spokesman for the Bob Marley Foundation.
His smash hit appeared on Marley's 1974 Natty Dread
album.
It was inspired by the Trench Town ghetto in
Kingston where both men lived in the 1960s.
Some claim Marley wrote it himself but gave Ford the
credit to help his friend support himself with the
royalties.
Ford is also credited with three songs on Marley's 1976
album Rastaman Vibration.
