REGGAE & DANCEHALL NEWS 2010-I
all items of the first trimester of 2010 (January, February & March)
Old News
Buju Banton's request to be moved to another facility (see news entry 2010.03.23) has been denied. For more background information please read the full Tampa Bay Online article here.
Some major names in the reggae business have recorded a number of classic Disney movie tunes. What about Gregory Isaacs doing Under The Sea, or Circle Of Life by Matisyahu or Steel Pulse performing The Bare Necessities? For a complete tracklisting of the album please read the full Disney press release at the Earth Times website here.
Because of health problems, Buju Banton's attorney David Markus filed a motion on Monday to have his client moved to another facility. Buju has lost 40 pounds and he was not given his requested ital diet. Please read the full Tampabay.com website here.
Check out the very first Jamaican superhero comic book Dread and Alive. Artist Nicholas Da Silva has situated his comic book world in the time of the Maroons and features dreads, plantations and British rule all around Cockpit Country. Part of the proceeds will flow back to Jamaican projects. Please check the wicked Dread and Alive website here.
Contrary to what was mentioned in here on the 14th the show will go on as planned. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Legendary performer Jimmy Cliff will after Bob Marley become the second reggae star to be inducted into the official Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight by Wyclef Jean. For a list of who else will be inducted for 2010 please check this iVillage article here.
Local officials have denied Mavado and Vybz Kartell permission to perform in Barbados. The Barbados minister of education Ronald Jones reportedly commented that "Even though we share the same Caribbean space, it does not mean we have to welcome everybody. Vybz Kartel and Mavado can stay in Jamaica." He went on to link dancehall music with recent bad behaviour by Barbadians. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Saxophonist Cedric 'Im' Brooks, who was admitted to a New York City hospital in a coma three weeks ago, is recovering but remains in critical condition. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Stephen Marley won his second Grammy award for his first solo project Mind Control. The Acoustic version was awarded yesterday (sunday) evening with a Grammy, making it Stephen's 7th in total (5 awards were for production). Ziggy Marley won his 5th Grammy, this time in the Best Musical Album For Children category for his Family Time album. Please check the complete listing of the Grammy awards here.
Haitian Wyclef Jean and Jamaican Mavado have recorded a combination tune named Hold On and a video for it for Haitian relief. Please read the full MTV.com article here.
Rocksteady inventor Lynn Taitt passed away last Wednesday, January 20th. The born Trinidadian has been credited with many of reggae's and ska's inventions such as guitar 'licks' and doubling of the bassline on a guitar. Lynn Taitt had been living in Canda where he moved to in the mid 1970's. He died in Montreal after a long battle with cancer. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Please see December 17 entry. Nineties deejay Zebra was arrested again for rape of a young girl. He was denied bail when he was in court for a hearing on January 18th. Zebra will remain in custody until March 27th. Zebra's wife who is the girl's mother was also arrested but she was released on bail and will also have to show up in court that same day. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Newcomer Flippa Mafia has been nominated for the EME DJ Of The Year Award. He started to be noticed in the dancehall only in December of 2008 and has already twisted enough heads to receive this prestigeous nomination. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Although reports are sketchy it seems that legendary producer Yabby You died on the night of the 12th/13th of a raptured aneurysm. He was 63 years old. He was also known as the Jesus Dread and as Yabby U. He started out in reggae in 1974 with the launch of his Prophets label. Deatils on where and how he died are currently unavailable. Please read the exclaim.ca article here.
Jah Cure has copped a whopping five nominations for the 2010 Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EME). He is nominated for Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Cultural/Positive Artiste of the Year and for Collaboration of the Year. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Buju has officially denied the drug charges brought against him and he is now being held without bail. Please read the full BBC News article here.
