REGGAE & DANCEHALL NEWS 2008-IV
all items of the fourth quarter of 2008 (October, November & December)
Old News
Sizzla, who is in Gambia for his first ever African concert, was received by his excellency professor docter Alhaji Yahya Jammeh on his farm in Kanilai on December 20th. Please read the full allAfrica.com article here.
The Director of Blue Mountain Music and formerly of Island Records Dickie Jobson died on Christmas day. He was manager to Bob Marley and the Wailers, Joe Higgs, Jimmy Cliff and Toots Hibbert and even U2. He was probably best known as the writer/director of the 1982 film Countryman. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Dancehall entertainer/dancer David Alexander Smith aka Ice was killed on the 26th. He gained notoriety as the originator of the Gully Creeper dance routine. Please read the full Radiojamaica.com article here.
The single 'No Games' by former producer gone singer Craig 'Serani' Marsh on the Unfinished Business riddim has reached America's Billboard Hot R&B Hip Hop Singles and Tracks chart at number 55. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
All nominations including those in the Reggae category were announced yesterday. The Reggae nominations shortlist is as follows;
Jah Is Real - Burning Spear [Burning Music Production] (his 11th nomination!),
Let's Get Physical - Elephant Man [VP Records/ Bad Boy],
Vibes - Heavy D [Stride/Universal],
Repentance - Lee Perry [Narnack Records],
Intoxication - Shaggy [VP Records] and
Amazing - Sly & Robbie [Fontana International] (their 8th nomination!).
The 51st Annual Grammy Awards show will be held February 8. For more details please visit the Grammy Awards website here.
Beenie Man was detained on the island of Antigua last weekend for working without a permit and for insulting language uttered at a political meeting. He returned to Jamaica on Sunday. Please read the full Radiojamaica.com article here, or read the full Antigua Sun article here.
As they are eager to express themselves and as their musical intentions evolve Gramps is the first Morgan to do a solo project. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Dutch reggae act Fullanny & The House Of Lalibela received a wildcard to participate in the final for the VSBfonds Music Matters Award 2008. The show will be on December 12 in Rotterdam. Please visit the Music Matters website here, or check the flyer here.
As reported earlier Ducth reggae artist Smiley has recorded a song and video with Junior Kelly. Please check the video for "Dem a Wonder" on YouTube here.
Legendary ska and calypso artist Byron Lee died last tuesday of cancer. At age 73 he and the Dragonaires were still performing and recording. Please visit the Byron Lee website here.
Former Wailers promoter Bill Reid who worked with the Wailers from 1998 to 2006 has gone to court claiming the huge sum. Please read the full PilotOnline article here.
Some thirty-six(!) reggae albums have been submitted to a committee that will decide which six albums will form the Grammy shortlist. The shortlist will be presented December 3rd and the award ceremony will be held on Febnruary 8th, 2009. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Bunny Lee and Tommy Cowan have been appointed as Members of the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Officer. Joe Gibbs and Cedella Booker-Marley received the same honours posthumously. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Dutch reggae artist Smiley has recorded a song with Junior Kelly. Smiley, originally from Aruba, has recently travelled to Jamaica to shoot a musicvideo for the song called "Dem a Wonder" over an AlTaFaAn riddim. The song and video will be released within the next three months.
The great singer that gave rocksteady it's name, Alton Ellis OD, also known as Mr Soul of Jamaica died last friday at age 70 of lymphatic cancer after being hospitalized for two weeks at the Hammersmith Hospital in London. He is survived by his wife Judith and some twenty children. Please read the full Press Association article here.
Because Beenie Man was not properly informed on his rights the magistrate dismissed the case. Please read the full CaribWorldNews article here.
