分类： entertainment

Four decades after its initial success, UB40’s iconic reggae album ‘Labour of Love’ demonstrates remarkable staying power on music charts worldwide. The British band’s fourth studio recording, originally released in 1983, has re-entered Billboard’s Reggae Albums chart at number nine this week, nearly 40 years after its debut. This chart reappearance follows the album’s peak performance in 2022 when it reached number six—its highest position to date on this particular chart.

The ten-track collection, consisting primarily of covers originally performed by Jamaican artists, includes celebrated renditions of ‘Sweet Sensation’ by The Melodians, Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ Eric Donaldson’s ‘Cherry Oh Baby,’ and Winston Tucker’s ‘Please Don’t Make Me Cry.’ The album’s enduring appeal is further evidenced by its platinum certification status across multiple nations including the United States, New Zealand, Canada, and the Netherlands.

Billboard’s current reggae chart landscape continues to be dominated by Bob Marley and the Wailers’ ‘Legend,’ which maintains its extraordinary reign at number one for an unprecedented 312 non-consecutive weeks. The chart’s upper ranks feature Shaggy’s ‘Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection’ holding steady at number two, followed by Sean Paul’s ‘The Trinity’ and ‘Dutty Rock’ at three and four respectively. Stick Figure claims three consecutive positions with ‘World on Fire,’ ‘Wisdom,’ and ‘Set in Stone’ occupying spots five through seven.

Regional charts show significant activity with Neto Yuth and Anthony B’s ‘So Long’ continuing its leadership on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart. In New York, Sherell Rosegreen’s ‘Come Jesus Come’ retains the top position for a second week, while White Mice’s ‘One Blood’ and Busy Signal’s ‘Conscious Vibes’ show upward movement. South Florida’s reggae chart welcomes a new number one with the Mr Vegas-produced remix of ‘Pitta Patta’ by Ernie Smith and Ed Robinson.

Courtney Wilson, a foundational pillar of Jamaica’s theatrical scene, marks his triumphant return to the stage in Jambiz International’s newest comedic production, ‘Boopsie’s Homecoming’. Having originated his iconic Shaggy character in the company’s ‘Cinderellisha and the DJ Prince’ 24 years ago, Wilson now embodies Larry, the scheming accomplice to his sister Petal in this domestic drama unveiled on Boxing Day at Kingston’s Courtleigh Auditorium.

The narrative centers on Boopsie (portrayed by Glen Campbell), a Jamaican expatriate residing in the United States who has diligently financed the construction of his dream home through years of remittances to his wife. His anticipated homecoming transforms into profound disillusionment upon discovering the funds have mysteriously vanished with minimal construction progress to show.

Though Wilson confesses to never personally participating in such financial deception, he channels profound empathy for Boopsie’s betrayal, drawing upon analogous personal experiences of familial trust violation in business contexts, as revealed in his Jamaica Observer interview.

His extensive collaborative history with Campbell—Jambiz’s perennial lead—and playwright Patrick Brown (company co-founder and principal writer) creates exceptional synergistic dynamics. Wilson attributes their sustained success in productions like ‘Indecent Proposal’, ‘Room 513’, ‘Windscream Posse’, and ‘Lockdown’ to this deeply ingrained professional familiarity, noting their mutual awareness of each other’s artistic strengths and vulnerabilities both onstage and off.

Hailing from West Kingston and raised in the McIntyre Villa community (colloquially termed Dunkirk), Wilson’s artistic journey commenced at Excelsior High School through Jamaica Cultural Development Commission events before formalizing his craft with a performing arts degree from Excelsior Community College.

His uninterrupted tenure with Jambiz since 2002 has provided both artistic refinement and economic stability—a crucial combination for a family man within the acting profession. Wilson emphasizes his enthusiasm for challenging, diverse roles that maintain his creative engagement and financial security.

The production features Daindra Harrison and Renae Williams alternating as the duplicitous Petal, with David Crossgill completing the ensemble as Papa. Performance schedules maintain Wednesday-through-Friday evening showings at 8:00 PM, supplemented by dual Saturday and Sunday performances at 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM.

Jamaica’s premier New Year’s Day celebration, Sunnation’s Sunrise breakfast party, successfully launched 2026 with an extraordinary fusion of luxury entertainment and authentic Caribbean atmosphere at its new Campion College venue. The exclusive all-inclusive event delivered premium experiences as revelers raised champagne glasses skyward in celebratory toasts to the promising year ahead.

New York transplant Ronique Goodhall revealed to media that the Sunrise event has become her essential annual tradition since 2019. ‘The plane ticket is always worth it because there’s no party like a party at home,’ Goodhall expressed, highlighting the event’s exceptional value through gourmet dining experiences and performances by A-list DJs. ‘Sunrise always provides the perfect backdrop for spectacular photos and a food village that satisfies every craving.’

Local attendee Antoine Livingston described the gathering as their designated annual reunion space, emphasizing how the January 1st timing creates ideal conditions for celebrating friendships, new beginnings, and previous accomplishments. ‘We consistently depart with the most incredible euphoria after sharing laughter, dance, and memory-making moments,’ Livingston noted.

The musical atmosphere reached peak intensity through masterful sets by renowned selectors including Bloodline Franco, DJ Tyler, DJ Mac, Ricky Platinum, and DJ Quan. Their curated playlists generated such energetic response that female attendees strategically exchanged heels for comfortable sandals, preparing for extended morning dancing sessions.

Dancehall anthems from icons Vybz Kartel, Lady Saw, and special guest Aidonia prompted spontaneous partner dancing throughout the venue. Particularly, Popcaan’s ‘Pretty Crew’ ignited enthusiastic reactions as women captured celebratory selfie videos celebrating friendship and beauty.

Between musical engagements, patrons explored the extensive food court featuring succulent ribs, creamy pasta selections, and signature desserts from Devon House Ice Cream. Service staff remained consistently engaged throughout the afternoon as attendees fully utilized the unlimited dining offerings.

The 2026 edition ultimately established Sunnation’s Sunrise Breakfast Party as Jamaica’s definitive New Year’s Day experience, combining gourmet catering, elite musical programming, and authentic cultural celebration in one prestigious package.

Music producer Tony ‘CD’ Kelly’s visionary 2001 ‘Buy Out’ rhythm project has achieved a monumental milestone with Sean Paul’s iconic track ‘Like Glue’ receiving platinum certification in the United Kingdom. The British Phonographic Industry officially certified the song last Friday after it surpassed 600,000 units in combined sales and streams.

The certification marks an extraordinary journey for the rhythm track that Kelly originally created in 1996 but shelved for five years before its eventual release. ‘Like Glue’ emerged as the most successful single from the compilation, reaching #3 on the UK Singles Chart, #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and achieving top-10 status across multiple international markets including Canada, Australia, and several European countries.

Kelly revealed in an exclusive interview that the rhythm’s creation stemmed from his experimental approach with new equipment. ‘I love to experiment and go against the grain,’ Kelly explained. ‘When I get new equipment, I dive into the sounds to see what may stimulate me and give me a vibe.’

The ‘Buy Out’ rhythm spawned numerous hits including TOK’s ‘Money to Burn’, Mr Easy’s ‘She Drives Me Crazy’ (the first song recorded on the beat), Beenie Man’s ‘Miss LAP’, and Notch’s ‘Nuttin Nuh Go Suh’. All tracks were recorded at Kelly’s Lounge studio and released through his K-Licious label.

This platinum certification represents Sean Paul’s tenth in the United Kingdom, solidifying his status as the most certified Jamaican artist in UK history. Kelly attributes the enduring success to the timeless quality of the music, noting that ‘classics are just that, classics’ and that new generations continue discovering the rhythm through social media and its inherent feel-good quality.

In a celebration of youthful elegance and cultural pride, Annorah Brown from Kingston and St Andrew secured the position of second runner-up at the groundbreaking Mini Miss Jamaica Heritage Queen Pageant. The inaugural event unfolded on December 28, 2025, at a vibrant ceremony in Ocho Rios, St Ann, marking a significant new chapter in Jamaica’s pageantry landscape.

Brown’s journey to the national stage was paved by her prior accolade as the Mini Miss Kingston and St Andrew Heritage Queen, a title she earned earlier in the year. According to her supporters, her successful progression was fueled by a combination of her prior experience in competitive pageants and the unwavering encouragement from her directors, family, and friends.

The atmosphere in the venue was electric with anticipation as Brown was announced as one of the top five finalists, triggering an eruption of enthusiastic applause from the audience. While she did not clinch any specific sectional awards during the competition, her placement among the elite finalists highlighted her overall strong performance.

The climax of the evening featured the finalists’ victory walk, culminating in the revelation of the winners. The historic first-ever Mini Miss Jamaica Heritage Queen title was awarded to Athena Whyte of St Mary, with Shayde Anderson of Portland being named the first runner-up. Brown’s achievement as second runner-up is celebrated as a moment of immense pride for the Kingston and St Andrew community. Her performance stands as a powerful testament to her grace, confidence, and the compelling national appeal she displayed on the heritage pageant stage, solidifying her status as a rising star.

After more than six decades in the music industry, Winston Dias continues to create meaningful art, now drawing inspiration from his closest family members. The veteran vocalist recently released a heartfelt cover of “Let’s Keep it That Way” following encouragement from his wife Kathleen and daughter Georgia, who recognized the song’s special resonance with his vocal style and personal story.

Dias recorded the self-produced track at Willie Lindo’s Heavy Beat studio in South Florida, marking his first solo release in several years. The project represents a departure from his recent work as lead singer of the legendary rocksteady harmony trio The Melodians, returning to his roots as a solo performer.

The musical journey to this release spans multiple genres and continents. Dias first established himself in the early 1960s with the ska hit “Cericy Tea” before migrating to Canada in 1968, where he became an integral part of Toronto’s reggae scene for a decade. His career also includes a tenure with the iconic soul group The Drifters before joining The Melodians alongside founder Trevor McNaughton and Taurus Alphonso.

Dias’s connection to “Let’s Keep it That Way” runs deep, having admired the song since its original 1977 recording by American country singer Tanya Tucker. The ballad has since been interpreted by various artists including Mac Davis, Anne Murray, and reggae performer Boris Gardiner, but Dias brings his own distinctive interpretation to the timeless piece.

The newly released recording, distributed by Tad’s International Record, stands as testament to Dias’s enduring musical passion and the supportive creative environment fostered by his family after 55 years of marriage.