Veteran Dancehall star, Captain Barkey shot dead (The Examiner)
The Dancehall community is once again reeling as one its members and veteran deejay, Wayne ‘Captain Barkey’ Hamilton, has died.
Captain Barkey, known for being in a highly-acclaimed duo with fellow deejay and long-time friend, Wickerman, was shot and killed outside a Bronx motel in New York on Saturday. Captain Barkey’s female companion, Tracy Bennett was also killed during the incident, according to police.
International Reggae Artist Anthony B Hospitalized (Tropical Fete)
International Reggae Artist Anthony B, collapsed shortly after his performance at a Dallas, Texas night club and is now hospitalized.
“At this time there is no confirmation from the doctors as to the exact diagnosis, but we strongly believe that Anthony B has been overworked and strongly suspect dehydration” says Ronnie Tomlinson, Anthony B’s publicist.
Seven of Dancehall’s brightest stars for Sting 2012 (The Jamaica Star)
Supreme Promotions head honcho, Isaiah Laing, has confirmed seven top acts for his big showdown on boxing day, December 26.
This year’s staging of dancehall’s greatest show over the globe is anticipated to be the most elaborate staging ever. The initial announcement confirmed the hottest commodity, Tommy Lee Sparta, to headline the event. This single entertainer is now the target that several artistes are firing lyrical shots at. A whirlwind of lyrical warfare is adding more heat to the fire expected to blaze at Sting for the ultimate face-off
Get up, stand up: When reggae and politics meet (Haaretz)
“My major feeling at the moment is to apologize for being here,” the elderly man with the pipe said, affectionately scanning the hundreds of listeners – most of them young people – who gathered one August evening beneath a giant tent in the Spanish coastal town of Benicassim. The boiling hot and humid air trembled lightly in a reggae beat. From a distance, muted sounds of Jamaican music accompanied the words of Zygmunt Bauman. The renowned sociologist was born in Poland and settled in England after being expelled from his homeland in one of the waves of anti-Semitism under communism, and after giving Israel a try in the euphoric post-1967 years and deciding that it wasn’t for him.
Wyclef Jean’s Yele Charity Goes Under, Singer Found Using Funds For Personal Expenses
(Urban Islandz)
Wyclef Jean’s Haitian relief charity Yele goes under, leaving behind a mountain of debt and unfinished projects.
The Haitian born hip hop star came under scrutiny in 2010 after reports surfaced alleging that his charity Yele is misusing funds. The Former Fugee singer denied the allegations.
Black Uhuru To Do Broadway Musical (The Jamaica Gleaner)
Grammy Award-winning Black Uhuru is set to perform at the unprecedented ‘Loving The Silent Tears’, Broadway-style musical in Los Angeles, California.
Black Uhuru, led by founder Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson, with Andrew Bees and Kaye Starr will join a prestigious cast which includes two-time Grammy-winning artiste Jon Secada, and Grammy-winning icon Jody Watley.
Tifa “Hold On” A Hit On MTV Base Africa Dancehall chart (Urban Islandz)
Dancehall diva Tifa scores a major hit on the MTV Base Africa Dancehall chart.
The deejay’s single “Hold On” currently holds the number two spot on the chart. The single was released in June on the Poolside Riddim, produced by Washroom Entertainment.
Music is the message for reggae, hip-hop, pop artist Matisyahu (Calgary Herald)
It’s perhaps not the reaction one would expect.
Which should probably make it the expected reaction.
But ask reggae, hip-hop, pop performer Matisyahu about his appearance the previous evening at Dalai Lama’s One World Concert — alongside such artists as David Crosby, Counting Crows, Dave Matthews, Nelly Furtado — and his response is positive but tempered.
JA lauds two soul rebels (The Jamaica Observer)
FOR much of their careers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer unapologetically ‘beat down Babylon’.
Today, their accomplishments will be recognised by the establishment which they often rebelled.
It is a common belief in many African societies that musicians are poor, losers and uneducated. This stereotype is particularly associated with those who are into reggae music. Many people associate reggae with smoking marijuana and other substance abuse.
Although the stereotype might apply to some musicians world over, it is just that: a stereotype. Take the case of a Zimbabwean man who throughout his career has been a barrier breaker. He is not only educated – a Professor of Ethnomusicology at Michigan State University in the United States no less – but is also a devout Christian. This is that man who brought Zimbabwe’s first Grammy Award nomination (Best Reggae Album) in 2010. Ladies and gentlemen, meet King Isaac.