REGGAE & DANCEHALL NEWS 2010-II
all items of the second trimester of 2010 (April, May & June)
Old News
Portmore Empire deejay Vybz Kartell has been named by Jamaican police as a person of interest. Kartell told the press he would turn himself in today but he is still at large. What he is wanted for is not really clear. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
The domestic violence charge against Bounty Killer (see news entry 2010.04.06) has been dropped, he spent two weeks in jail before his former girlfriend decided to drop the case. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
At least two people died in a stampede caused by an over crowded stadium in Ivory Coast during a peace concert headlined by Alpha Blondy. Please read the full BBC News article here.
Businessman Karl Young died thursday of a lung-related medical condition in Chicago, USA. Young owned Irie FM and created the 24/7 radio station in 1989. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Buju's trial date has been delayed again (first April 19, then June 21) and will now be moved to a date in September despite the defence's objections. Banton was arrested December 10. Please read the full Tampa Bay Online article here.
Voice Mail member O'Neil Edwards never regained consciousness after being shot on May 10th (see news entry 2010.05.11). He died the 27th. Jamaica's dancehall fraternity is in shock. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Bermudan reggae star Collie Buddz married his sweetheart Zarah DeSilva in a beachfront ceremony at the Bermudan Elbow Beach Hotel on Friday, May 21st. Please read the full BDA Sun article here.
A State of Emergency has been called for by Jamaican PM Bruce Golding for parts of Kingston and St. Andrew, which began at 6 pm local time and expected to last for at least a month. Police are trying to get hold of druglord Dudus but locals have put up barricades to prevent an arrest. Dudus is to be extradited to the United States. Please read the full Global Crisis News article here.
Rita Marley's new state-of-the-art recording facility in Aburi (East Ghana) burned down probably because of an electrical failure. Lost in the fire were also several orinal Bob Marley recordings. Please read the full Joy Online article here.
After a quick recovery Mad Cobra is now resting comfortably at his home. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Legendary dancehall artist Mad Cobra was involved in a shooting incident that took place in Spanish Town, Jamaica last tuesday, May 11. He was hit by at least one bullet and rushed to Spanish Town Hospital. Please read the full Over The Limit Entertainment article here.
Pioneering studio engineer Sid Bucknor died last Sunday, May 9 at Prince Charles hospital in London, England. He worked at Studio 1, Channel One and Dynamics just to name a few and he engineered sounds for Bob Marley and a host of other legendary Jamaican names. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
O'Neil Edwards, one of the three members of dancehall harmony group Voice Mail was ambushed at his Kingston home early yesterday morning. He was shot at least five times and one bullet probably entered the back of his head. He was taken to the hospital where he is now battling for his life. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here and the follow up article here.
Roots singer and producer Sugar Minott has been diagnosed with a heart condition named Angina Pectoris. His condition made it impossible for him to headline a Toronto show for which he had to cancel. His daughter Tamar replaced him. Please read the full Jamaica Observer article here.
Mr. Lexx aka Lexxus was robbed last friday, April 30, while getting a his hair done at a barber shop. He was robbed of a 4.500 USD gold chain and his cellie and wrestled with the assailant. Please read the full Jamaica Star article here.
Roots singer Bobby Melody has passed away in Nottingham, England on April 26. He was known as a member of Yabby You's Prophets backing band and as a solo artist. He appeared regularly on the Black Scorpio sound systemn. He had been living in England since the early 1980's. Please read the full Jamaica Gleaner article here.
Jamaican superstar Sizzla was recently rewarded a farm in Chegutu as payment for his performance at Mugabe's 86th birthday party last February. Sizzla is apparently unaffected by new laws which say that new entrants into the agriculture sector have to be black Zimbabweans. Sizzla is curently working together with Mugabe's Zanu-PF party on several projects. Please read the full Scotsman article here, or the full Zim Daily article here.
Last night, Sunday the second of May, the 29th International Reggae And World Music Awards ceremony was held at the York College Performing Arts Center. Winners of multiple awards include Queen Ifrica, Gramps Morgan and Machel Montano. For a complete listing please visit the IRAWMA site here.
Last monday Bounty Killer was arrested at his Jamaican home on a charge of domestic violence. He is already being persecuted on several charges including drug possession, illegal firearm possession and unlawful wounding and assault. Please read the full Toronto Sun article here.
Bounty Killer, Mavado, Beenie Man, Aidonia and Ricky Trooper all had their US visas revoked over what seems to be a political game that could be about gay rights or about the refused extradition of a Jamaican convict to the US. Please read the full Carib World News article here.
Friday afternoon Louie Culture (41) was shot and hit just above his left elbow and in the lower arm. The shooting took place near a tyre shop whose owner was also wounded in the assault. The incident followed another one that involved Louie Culture's car one week before and for which he was heard by the police. For this latest shooting Louie Culture was also arrested and heard but he was discharged quickly. Please read the full Radio Jamaica article here.
