分类： entertainment

The Rex Nettleford Foundation has announced its selection of Kerry-Ann Henry, principal dancer of Jamaica’s National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), as the distinguished honoree for the 2026 Remembering Rex tribute performance. This significant cultural event, scheduled for Tuesday, February 10 at Kingston’s Little Theatre, will feature collaborative performances by the NDTC and University Singers celebrating the monumental legacy of the late Professor Rex Nettleford.

Professor Nettleford, renowned as a visionary scholar, pioneering choreographer, and cultural activist, co-founded the NDTC and left an indelible mark on Jamaica’s artistic landscape. The annual celebration serves as a vibrant testament to his profound impact on Jamaican cultural identity and nation-building through artistic expression.

Elizabeth Buchanan-Hind, executive director of the Foundation, emphasized the dual significance of the event: “Through an evocative fusion of dance and song, the evening will honor Professor Nettleford’s enduring contributions while recognizing Ms. Henry’s extraordinary artistry and her substantial impact on Jamaica’s cultural development.”

Henry’s remarkable journey began 31 years ago at Rose Gordon Preparatory School in St. Andrew, where her innate talent captured the attention of dance educator Joyce Campbell. Under Professor Nettleford’s expert mentorship, she evolved into an internationally acclaimed performer. Today, as the NDTC’s principal dancer, Henry continues to captivate global audiences with her technically superb and emotionally compelling performances.

The Rex Nettleford Foundation, established on May 28, 2010, perpetuates the professor’s multifaceted legacy through several initiatives: identifying and nurturing students demonstrating exceptional promise in Nettleford’s fields of interest, supporting academic programs aligned with his life’s work, and ensuring the continued relevance of his cultural vision for future generations.

The international reggae scene is witnessing the ascent of a powerful new creative force as Jamaican singer-songwriter Complex Ricki establishes herself with her latest musical offering. On January 30, the reggae-fusion artist unveiled her profoundly introspective single, ‘Signs,’ a track that demonstrates both her artistic maturation and her distinctive capacity to forge meaningful connections with a global listenership.

Further cementing her rising status, Complex Ricki delivered a memorable performance at The Bob Marley Show, held at Kingston’s iconic Tuff Gong Museum on February 6. This appearance positioned her artistry within one of Jamaica’s most hallowed musical environments, linking her contemporary sound to the genre’s rich legacy.

Born Rickolette Simmonds in Kingston, the artist’s creative foundation is deeply informed by her personal journey and a family heritage abundant with musical tradition. Her relocation to Cleveland, Ohio, introduced significant American cultural elements into her worldview, yet she maintained an unshakable connection to her Jamaican roots. This bicultural experience has become the essential catalyst for her unique sonic identity—an innovative fusion that weaves together classic reggae, lovers’ rock, vibrant dancehall, Afro-rhythms, and contemporary production.

Her breakthrough arrived with the viral success of the Afro-dancehall track ‘With Emotions,’ which amassed over a million streams on Spotify and ignited trends on TikTok. The new single, ‘Signs,’ represents an evolutionary step in her career, delving into themes of intuitive awareness, personal introspection, and emotional intelligence with refined lyrical depth.

Beyond her recorded work, Complex Ricki cultivates a robust relationship with her audience through dynamic live performances, strategic media engagements, and active presence across digital channels. Adding another dimension to her portfolio, she is also an accomplished visual artist who regularly paints and has presented her work in several exhibitions, showcasing a multifaceted creative practice that extends well beyond music.

The single ‘Signs’ is currently available for streaming on all major platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.

The small Puerto Rican municipality of Vega Baja erupted in collective pride as its most famous native son, global superstar Bad Bunny, took the stage during the Super Bowl LX halftime show. In the town square, approximately 100 residents gathered with beach chairs and drinks, creating a festive atmosphere that overshadowed the football game itself.

For 75-year-old retired teacher Madeline Miranda, the moment carried special significance—she remembered Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio as her former student long before his astronomical rise to fame. “I danced, I screamed, I swore, and I gave it my all,” Miranda expressed, capturing the emotional intensity shared by attendees spanning multiple generations.

The artist’s performance marked several historic milestones: he became the first Super Bowl headliner to perform entirely in Spanish, just one week after winning the Grammy for Album of the Year with a Spanish-language work. His set design prominently featured cultural symbols including sugar cane fields and his salmon-colored “La Casita,” while his song selection celebrated Puerto Rican identity.

David Fontanez, a 66-year-old retiree, articulated the prevailing sentiment: “I feel so proud that someone from Vega Baja has reached such heights. This shows that our presence is growing stronger in the United States and around the world.”

Despite some conservative backlash regarding the Spanish-language performance—including criticism from former President Donald Trump—local residents emphasized the importance of cultural representation. The performance resonated beyond Puerto Rico, with online reactions from across the Caribbean and Americas expressing delight at the recognition. Bad Bunny concluded his set by holding up a football inscribed with “We are all America,” delivering a powerful message of inclusion.

The artist’s commitment to his homeland extends beyond symbolic gestures; his wildly successful concert residency in San Juan last year provided significant economic benefits to the island. For 14-year-old Pedro Melendez Barrio, Bad Bunny serves as both inspiration and proof that “if he has achieved all this, I can achieve this too.”

International mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis delivered a transcendent performance at Kingston’s Vera Moody Concert Hall on February 1st, marking both Reggae Month celebrations and a triumphant homecoming to Jamaican stages. The event, presented by Music Unites Jamaica Foundation under the leadership of Rosina Moder and Janine “Jkuhl” Coombs, showcased an unprecedented fusion of operatic excellence and Caribbean musical heritage.

Bryce-Davis commenced with classical staples from her repertoire, including Verdi’s “O Don Fatale” and Bizet’s “Carmen” excerpts, accompanied by Dr. Roger N. Williams on piano. Her performance then evolved into a cultural dialogue through selections from her album “Evolution,” featuring Jamaican-Canadian composer Maria Thompson Corley’s “The Beauty In My Blackness” and Tim Amukele’s a cappella arrangement “Stand the Storm.”

The concert’s first half culminated in a heartfelt collaboration with her mother, Hortensia Bryce, who performed traditional Jamaican folk songs “Run Mongoose” and “Liza” a cappella, followed by a duet rendition of Peter Ashbourne’s “Nobody’s Business.”

Post-intermission, the production expanded into a multidisciplinary spectacle featuring the BEAM Dancers and live band. The program progressed through art songs like “We Wear the Mask” and Andrew Marshall’s Jamaican Patois composition “This Is My Word,” concluding with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

The finale assembled a chamber orchestra for “Black Riders Freedom Song,” followed by an innovative dancehall-opera fusion performance of “End of Days” with Timmoya Lowe, incorporating Afrobeats and house music elements. The event was patronized by Ambassador Audrey Marks and expertly narrated by storyteller Amina Blackwood Meeks, attracting distinguished attendees including musicologist Marjorie Whylie.

The air in the Chanel atelier crackles with creative energy as Creative Director Mathieu Blazy makes a decisive gesture. “We’ll cut right here,” he declares, tracing a line down the center front of the dress with surgical precision. This moment captures the meticulous craftsmanship behind Look 31 for Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2026 Haute Couture collection—a garment that would become a profound personal and sartorial journey for Jamaican model Romae Gordon.

The creation process unfolds as a ballet of expertise, where seasoned craftswomen with decades of experience transform wool and silk into high art. Scissors glide through fabric with instinctive accuracy while pins magically arrange themselves into geometric patterns under skilled hands. This is where fantasy meets technical perfection in the hallowed halls of French fashion.

For Gordon, the experience became deeply personal. Between fittings where Sam Cooke’s ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ provided the soundtrack, she found herself reflecting on recent personal tragedies—the loss of six loved ones throughout 2024-2025. The creative process mirrored her own journey of transformation, with the garment’s evolution representing her personal metamorphosis.

The final creation embodies both strength and delicacy: a groundbreaking little black dress cut mid-thigh, molded to the body beneath a double-breasted crêpe de laine jacket. The only hint of color comes from distinctive green bird buttons that complement the feather-like pleats of organza de soie at the hem, creating an illusion of flight and movement throughout the garment.

Backstage, moments of levity emerged as Jamaican and French sensibilities collided. When head workshop manager Christine Mendy and her colleague Paula Braz offered deadpan French humor about language barriers, the resulting laughter provided necessary relief from the intense pressure of Blazy’s couture debut preparation.

The philosophical dimensions of fashion revealed themselves through conversations with Pierre Olivier Agostini, Chanel’s senior research designer, who discussed the anthropology of clothing—why women choose certain garments and what narratives they convey through their sartorial selections.

On show day at the Grand Palais, the ethereal set featured soft blush-colored weeping willows and mushrooms (declared ‘Champignons de l’amour’ by the French), creating a dreamscape where Mary Costa’s ‘I Wonder’ blended with Nelly Furtado’s ‘Flames to Dust’ and mashups of The Verve and Oasis. The music echoed themes of fantasy, love, tragedy, and redemption that mirrored both the collection and Gordon’s personal journey.

As Gordon made her first international runway appearance in over thirty years, Look 31 represented more than fashion—it embodied transformation, resilience, and the magical convergence of personal history with artistic creation. The garment, accessible and wearable for women of any age, carried layers of meaning that transcended its impeccable craftsmanship, marking both a career milestone and personal redemption for the model who brought it to life.

Jamaica’s cultural community gathered in solemn tribute this weekend to honor the monumental legacy of veteran broadcaster Barrington “Barry G” Gordon, whose voice became synonymous with the nation’s musical identity. At a heartfelt thanksgiving service held at Boulevard Baptist Church in St Andrew, Minister of Culture and Entertainment Olivia Grange led the nation in mourning the radio icon, celebrating his profound impact on Jamaican culture through his five-decade broadcasting career.

Minister Grange eulogized Gordon as far more than a broadcaster—characterizing him as a master storyteller who chronicled Jamaica’s cultural evolution through carefully curated music selections. “The music you played bridged gaps, brought people together, and spoke to the heart of Jamaica,” she reflected. “You left an indelible mark on our culture, and we’ll never forget it.” The service, adorned in purple and white decorations, extended for three-and-a-half hours as musical tributes from artists like Nadine Sutherland, Carlene Davis, and Peter Lloyd filled the sanctuary, each acknowledging Gordon’s pivotal role in advancing their careers and promoting Jamaican music globally.

The origin of Gordon’s legendary “The Boogieman” persona was detailed by former Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation colleague Tony Patel. He recounted how a young, ambitious Gordon seized an opportunity to host the Saturday night programme when the regular host became unavailable, revolutionizing radio engagement through innovative listener interaction techniques. “Barry brought a different approach to the programme,” Patel remembered, “communicating with his audience in a different way, having them calling, having them request music, and just doing things that hadn’t been tried before.”

International tributes poured in from across the music world, with renowned disc jockey David Rodigan highlighting Gordon’s “razor-sharp wit and his great sense of humour” as endearing qualities that complemented his exceptional talent. Colleague Heather Cummings poetically defined Gordon’s essence through the eleven letters of his name: “brilliant, authentic, radiant, rhythmic, youthful, genuine, original, resilient, dynamic, outstanding, and nimble.”

The most poignant moments came from Gordon’s personal circle. His widow, Josett Gordon, traced their relationship from their first meeting at a 1987 stage show to his final days, describing him as “a firm foundation through all the storms of my life.” His goddaughter, Jaden Vegas, emotionally credited Gordon for believing in her “when I did not even believe in myself,” highlighting his mentorship that prepared her for the broadcasting industry.

Gordon passed away on October 29, 2025, at Savanna-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland after an extended illness. His remains rested in a golden urn during the service as Jamaica celebrated the life of a man whose voice became the soundtrack of a nation, ensuring that while the broadcaster may be gone, his cultural legacy will resonate through generations.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Professor Laxley W Stephenson, a Jamaican-born growth mindset strategist and humanitarian based in Atlanta, has made a significant intervention in global leadership discourse with his newly released work, ‘The Growth Mindset Blueprint Master Class’. This publication transcends conventional motivational literature by presenting a comprehensive leadership system that addresses the critical implications of stagnation in today’s complex global landscape.

The book’s foundational thesis presents a compelling paradigm: growth represents an essential responsibility rather than a mere option. Through insights derived from his A Collision With Purpose Movement, Stephenson reconceptualizes mindset as the fundamental architecture underlying organizational culture, performance metrics, adaptive capacity, and resilience mechanisms. The work contends that leadership effectiveness stems not merely from strategic planning but from the core belief systems that inform decision-making during challenging circumstances.

Distinguishing itself through practical application, the publication functions as an active operational tool rather than passive reading material. It systematically identifies constraining belief patterns, critically examines leadership behaviors, and establishes rigorous accountability frameworks. While Stephenson’s companion volume, ‘Living the Growth Mindset Blueprint’, extends these principles into daily practice, the foundational text establishes mindset as the decisive factor in institutional achievement or collapse.

The author’s expertise blends academic rigor with hands-on humanitarian leadership experience. As Founder and CEO of Global Humanity Network Inc., Stephenson’s perspectives are informed by extensive field engagement across Jamaica, the Caribbean region, African nations, and global diaspora communities. This empirical grounding provides the publication with exceptional credibility beyond theoretical constructs, connecting directly to contemporary leadership challenges.

Ultimately, the work serves as a confrontational instrument rather than an inspirational one, posing a fundamental question to leaders worldwide: What are the true consequences of resisting change? Stephenson provides Jamaican and international readers with a structured framework for deliberate development, emphasizing that transformation requires disciplined cognition, purposeful action, and sustained accountability rather than mere assumption.

Both ‘The Growth Mindset Blueprint’ and its companion volume are currently available for acquisition through ACollisionWithPurpose.com and Amazon distribution channels.