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LONDON — The global reggae community is mourning the loss of one of its trailblazing contributors, Rupie Edwards, the Jamaican-born singer and producer whose 1975 hit *Irie Feelings (Skanga)* broke into the upper echelons of the British national music charts. Edwards was laid to rest on Thursday, April 2, at a ceremony in Beckton, East London.

Details surrounding Edwards’ passing remain limited, according to his close friend of more than five decades, fellow reggae artist Dennis Alcapone, who first confirmed the musician’s death. No information about surviving immediate family members has been released to the public as of yet.

Edwards’ decades-long career in music began in the early 1960s, when he launched his professional journey as a solo vocalist in his native Jamaica. After cutting his teeth as a solo performer, he went on to record with two prominent Jamaican harmony groups, The Ambassadors and The Virtues, honing his craft and building connections across the island’s thriving music scene. Toward the end of the 1960s, he expanded his professional scope into music production, setting up his base of operations along Kingston’s iconic Orange Street, a hub for Jamaican music production at the time.

Edwards launched his own label, Success Records, which went on to host recording sessions for some of reggae’s biggest names, including The Heptones, Gregory Isaacs and Johnny Clarke. His first major commercial success came in 1972, when deejay Shorty’s track *President Mash up The Resident*, produced by Edwards, became a runaway hit. Two years later, Edwards notched another career win with Johnny Clarke’s *Everyday Wondering*, a track that would lay the groundwork for his most iconic release.

In 1975, Edwards built on the popularity of *Everyday Wondering* by adding his own signature toasting vocals over the track’s instrumental, creating the upbeat, infectious *Irie Feelings (Skanga)*. Distributed across the United Kingdom by leading reggae label Trojan Records, the track resonated deeply with British audiences, ultimately climbing into the Top 10 of the British national charts. It remains one of the few reggae tracks by a Jamaican artist to earn a Top 10 position on the chart in that era.

While Edwards never repeated the mainstream commercial success of *Irie Feelings (Skanga)*, he remained an active and influential figure in the music industry for decades. By the 1990s, he had shifted his creative focus primarily to producing gospel music, while also working with independent labels including Trojan Records and Trybute to reissue his extensive back catalogue, introducing his early work to new generations of reggae fans.

The news of his passing closes the book on a career that helped shape the sound and global spread of reggae music, leaving a lasting legacy for artists and fans alike. Reporting for this story was contributed by Howard Campbell.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Twenty years after breaking into the global reggae music industry and cementing his legacy with the iconic One Day rhythm, acclaimed Jamaican music producer Seanizzle is marking a fresh career milestone. His latest collaborative production, *The Little Things*, performed by rising singer D’Yani, has claimed the number one spot on both the US iTunes Reggae singles chart and the platform’s reggae music video chart, a win announced last Friday.

In an exclusive conversation with Jamaica Observer Online on Saturday, the hit-making producer opened up about his reaction to the track’s unexpected early success, describing his gratitude as too deep for words. For Seanizzle, D’Yani, and the entire creative team behind the single, *The Little Things* carries far more weight than a standard commercial release. The track was crafted in the wake of Hurricane Melissa last year, born from the raw personal experiences and genuine emotions of communities affected by the disaster, giving the project an authenticity that has resonated deeply with listeners.

This collaboration marks the second creative partnership between Seanizzle and D’Yani, and the producer said the experience of working together has been overwhelmingly positive. What sets D’Yani apart from many emerging artists, Seanizzle noted, is his clear artistic identity and unwavering commitment to his craft. That self-assurance created a relaxed, seamless creative energy in the recording studio, letting natural inspiration drive every step of the track’s production.

While *The Little Things* is currently being released as a standalone single, Seanizzle confirmed that it will also be featured as a key track on an upcoming full-length project scheduled to drop in the near future.

Seanizzle first rose to prominence two decades ago, when his breakout One Day rhythm turned him into a household name in reggae circles. The iconic production spawned a string of enduring hits, including the title track, ZJ Liquid’s fan-favorite *Wifey*, and *Swaggeritic* from Mr G, solidifying his reputation as one of reggae’s most innovative producers.

MANHATTAN, New York — A 54-year-old Jamaican medical professional has broken age barriers in the global pageant circuit, securing a top spot at one of the world’s most unique competitions for accomplished women. Last Saturday night, Dr. Sandra Swaby, who previously reached the top five in the 2024 Miss Universe Jamaica pageant, was named first runner-up at the Queen of the World Pageant, held at New York’s Symphony Space Jay Sharpe Theatre.

In an interview with Observer Online on Sunday, a buoyant Swaby reflected on her journey to the international stage, which brought together more than 25 delegates from across the globe. The veteran cosmetic surgeon, who specializes in anti-aging medicine, explained that encouragement from online pageant communities pushed her to register for the competition. For Swaby, competing was never just about winning a crown—it was a mission to redefine beauty standards for women over 50.

“I wanted to prove to women my age that they were born to be the beauty that they want to be. It’s not cliche to be glam in their 50’s,” she shared.

Unlike traditional pageants that often prioritize youth and single status, the Queen of the World competition is designed specifically for established women: it welcomes competitors who are married, mothers, full-time working professionals, and proven leaders in their fields. Swaby fits this mold perfectly: she has been married to her second husband for six years, and the couple share four daughters, while maintaining a thriving career in cosmetic medicine.

Looking back at her months of preparation, Swaby emphasized that the hardest work happened off the stage, not in a gym or rehearsal studio. For her, the most critical preparation was mental. Instead of fixating on outperforming her fellow competitors, she centered her mindset on two goals: amplifying Jamaica’s global profile and connecting with her authentic self to share her unique story with the world.

“The mental preparation was about connecting with me and showing people who I am as a woman. I had to tap into my inner light so it could shine on the outside,” she explained.

Beyond her overall first runner-up placement, Swaby walked away with three additional honors to recognize her performance and character: the People’s Choice Award, the Ambassador’s Award for Public Speaking, and the title of Miss Congeniality. The 2024 Queen of the World crown went to the Italian delegate, with the representative from the United States rounding out the competition’s top three.

In reflecting on the lessons she gained from the experience, Swaby issued a rallying cry for women who hold back from pursuing their goals because of age or societal expectations. “Just be you, just go for it, just step into the ring with your gloves on and go for it,” she said.

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA – As Vacae Weekend 2026 builds toward its highly anticipated grand finale, the iconic beachside event Pic-Nic Beach Club delivered an unforgettable day of music, culture, and celebration Saturday at St. Ann’s breathtaking Plantation Cove. Drawing a stylish, energy-charged crowd from across the island and beyond, this year’s iteration of the signature lifestyle event cemented its reputation as one of the most beloved stops on the Vacae Weekend lineup, wrapping up with a standout performance from fast-rising dancehall star Armanii that left attendees buzzing.

True to the event’s long-standing aesthetic, Pic-Nic transformed the sweeping cove into a glowing ocean of pink, with immersive, carefully curated decor turning the tropical coastline into one of the weekend’s most visually stunning installations. Hours before the headliner took the stage, thousands of partygoers began filing into the venue, their excitement palpable in the warm Caribbean air. Attendees enjoyed premium beverage offerings from Appleton Estate, a diverse spread of local and international cuisines from dozens of curated food vendors, and nonstop high-energy sets from some of Jamaica’s most in-demand DJs, including Fyahman, Chromatic, and Kryptic, who kept the crowd moving from the first opening note.

The energy hit its peak when Armanii stepped into the spotlight, immediately locking in a connection with the audience that held through his entire set. The dancehall standout ran through a stacked setlist of his most popular hits, with many of his tracks striking a particular chord with the large contingent of female attendees who turned out to see him perform. By the end of his performance, the entire venue was singing along to every lyric, cementing the set as the highlight of the day.

In a post-performance interview, Armanii praised the unwavering energy of the crowd, noting that the turnout from his female fans elevated the entire experience. “The vibes from the crowd were amazing,” he said. “From the moment I stepped on stage, the energy was there. The ladies showed up and showed out, and that made the performance even better.”

Organisers say the overwhelmingly positive response to this year’s Pic-Nic confirms the event’s critical role in the broader Vacae Weekend lineup, which has turned Ocho Rios into the epicentre of Jamaican Easter entertainment. Pic-Nic organiser Franz Kentish highlighted that the event has always prioritized holistic experience over just music, and this year’s iteration delivered on that promise more than ever before. “Pic-Nic is all about the experience — the visuals, the energy, the crowd — and this year we really saw that come together,” Kentish said.

With Pic-Nic wrapped, Vacae Weekend 2026 is set to continue with three more highly anticipated signature events: the exclusive Estate All White Soiree, the bold nightlife experience Risqué, and the weekend’s grand closing act, the Sandz Caribbean Music Festival. Festival organizers have hinted that upcoming events will bring even more surprise guests and iconic performances to Ocho Rios, as the week-long celebration of Caribbean music and culture continues.