分类： entertainment

Jamaican gospel artist and ordained minister Kevin Downswell has characterized the upcoming year as a period for crafting new beginnings and expanding his spiritual outreach. In a recent exclusive interview, the acclaimed musician revealed how 2025 represents a transformative phase in his multifaceted ministry.

Downswell’s reflections come amid a remarkable year of achievements, most notably the spectacular success of his devotional book ‘Midnight to Victory.’ The 90-day spiritual guide rapidly ascended to bestseller status on Amazon, marking a significant expansion of his ministry beyond musical expression. ‘This represents ministry beyond the music,’ Downswell emphasized. ‘Witnessing how many lives it has already touched will forever remain a highlight of this year.’

The recognition of his contributions extended beyond literary accomplishments when, in October, Downswell was conferred with Jamaica’s prestigious Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) during the National Honours and Awards ceremony.

This weekend, the artist will bring his inspirational message to Sunrise, Florida, where he is scheduled to perform at the One Love Jamaica Rebuild Concert. The charitable event, hosted at the Faith Centre, will direct all proceeds toward hurricane relief efforts. Downswell expressed wholehearted commitment to the cause, stating: ‘Any opportunity to serve and bring hope to people who are hurting, I’m all in. When I learned about this initiative, my immediate response was: let’s make it happen.’

Concert attendees can anticipate an uplifting spiritual experience designed to fortify faith and celebrate Jamaican resilience. ‘I want people to leave feeling uplifted, lighter, and reminded that victory remains ahead through Christ’s love,’ Downswell shared regarding his planned performance.

Looking toward future creative endeavors, the minister confirmed new musical projects are currently in development. ‘God has been placing fresh sounds and messages on my heart,’ he disclosed. ‘We’re working toward releasing new work that speaks directly to our current season.’

His recent collaborative single ‘Bless Me,’ featuring PantaSon, has already made significant impact within the gospel community. Inspired by the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with God, the track has become an anthem since its release two months ago. The recording achieved an unprecedented milestone by featuring what Downswell described as ‘one of the biggest open verses,’ with nearly every gospel artist across Jamaica and the Caribbean contributing verses—a collaborative achievement never before witnessed in the regional gospel music scene.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A prominent government official has put forward a formal proposal to establish permanent tributes honoring the late reggae icon Jimmy Cliff. Senator Charles Sinclair, during a parliamentary session in the Upper House on Friday, advocated for commemorative initiatives that would preserve the musical legend’s cultural legacy.

The senator specifically recommended erecting a bronze statue at the entrance to Jimmy Cliff Boulevard, which also serves as the gateway to Harmony Park in St. James. Additionally, Senator Sinclair proposed transforming Cliff’s former residence in Somerton into a museum through collaboration between government authorities and the musician’s family. This would serve as an enduring memorial celebrating his life and artistic contributions.

Senator Sinclair, who previously served as mayor of Montego Bay and represents the Flanker Division in St. James North West, emphasized the importance of ensuring Cliff’s work maintains its cultural resonance. He highlighted how the musician’s anthems—including ‘Many Rivers to Cross,’ ‘The Harder They Come,’ and ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’—continue to inspire perseverance and resilience among Jamaicans.

The senator noted that Cliff’s international success significantly enhanced Jamaica’s global cultural standing, embodying the national spirit captured in the phrase ‘We little but we tallawah’ (small but mighty). Sinclair concluded that Cliff’s journey from humble beginnings to international stardom serves as an inspirational blueprint for young Jamaicans, demonstrating that ‘every ghetto youth is and can be a star.’

Grammy-winning dancehall icon Shaggy is poised to release his fourteenth studio album, titled ‘Lottery’, in March. This highly anticipated project marks his first full-length release since the 2022 album ‘Come Fly With Me’. Industry sources confirm the album will feature an impressive roster of collaborations with prominent American artists, including R&B sensation Jeremih, pop and soul artist Robin Thicke, and acclaimed neo-soul singer Anthony Hamilton.

The album’s promotional campaign is already underway with the release of two advance singles. ‘Til A Mawning’, a collaboration with legendary artist Sting, previously gained traction by charting on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart. The more recent single, ‘Boom Body’ featuring Akon and Aidonia, has been officially serviced to US Rhythmic radio stations, generating significant buzz ahead of the album’s launch.

Each featured artist brings substantial credentials to the project. Anthony Hamilton is celebrated for his 2004 double platinum hit ‘Charlene’, while Jeremih is widely recognized for his top-five Billboard Hot 100 success ‘Birthday Sex’. Robin Thicke, whose career was shaped by his entertainment industry lineage, contributes his signature style exemplified by hits such as ‘Lost Without You’ and the chart-topping phenomenon ‘Blurred Lines’ featuring TI and Pharrell.

Emerging dancehall sensation Pablo YG has joined creative forces with London-based rapper and actor UglyAndz for a compelling new collaborative single titled ‘Tek A Shot.’ The track, scheduled for release through VP Records on November 28th, represents a strategic musical departure that blends contemporary dancehall rhythms with subtle R&B influences.

Produced through the collaborative efforts of Tevin ‘YGF’ Richards and Danville ‘Phantom Beatz’ McNeal, the composition showcases a more melodic and measured approach to modern dancehall. The recording session took place in London earlier this year, coinciding with Pablo YG’s inaugural UK performance, marking a significant milestone in the young artist’s international career trajectory.

At just 21 years old, the Ocho Rios-native artist has rapidly ascended to become one of dancehall’s most promising talents. His career gained substantial momentum following a breakthrough performance at Sting 2022 and the subsequent success of his hit single ‘Rich N Richer.’ Pablo YG’s artistic credibility has been reinforced through endorsements from industry heavyweights including Kai Cenat and legendary artist Buju Banton, alongside collaborations with established acts such as Skillibeng, Valiant, and Kranium.

His professional portfolio includes notable appearances at premier events including Reggae Sumfest, a feature in the Supreme x Clarks fashion campaign, and two prestigious International Reggae And World Music Awards (IRAWMA) in 2024 for Best Teen Entertainer and Most Promising Entertainer. Additionally, his participation in the ‘4 Shooters Only From the Block’ series established a viewership record as the most-watched Jamaican installment to date.

UglyAndz brings his multifaceted talents from North West London, where he has developed a parallel career as an actor, content creator, and musician. The artist gained international recognition through his portrayal of ‘Twosie’ in Netflix’s globally top-ranked series ‘Supacell,’ while simultaneously maintaining a successful music career highlighted by his hit ‘Yo Bunny,’ which has exceeded 100 million streams on Spotify.

The inaugural edition of the Saturday Night Live concert series launched triumphantly at Sky Ultra Lounge in St Andrew on November 29, headlined by a masterful performance from reggae icon Marcia Griffiths. Dressed resplendently in white, the 76-year-old songstress commanded the stage with an hour-long set that seamlessly blended classic hits with profound audience engagement.

Griffiths commenced her performance by inviting attendees closer to the stage, opening with a nostalgic trip through The Wailers’ catalog with renditions of ‘Put It On,’ ‘Duppy Conqueror,’ and ‘Mellow Mood.’ She transitioned effortlessly into what she termed the ‘national anthem’ – ‘Dreamland,’ a seminal recording from her work with producer Sonia Pottinger.

The musical journey continued with a string of her signature tracks including ‘I Shall Sing,’ ‘Fire Burning,’ and ‘Land of Love.’ Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Griffiths delivered a soul-stirring interpretation of Nancy Wilson’s ‘(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am’ that garnered overwhelming audience applause. A highlight emerged with her cover of Christine McVie’s ‘Everywhere,’ the track that introduced her to a new generation of dancehall enthusiasts in the 1990s.

In a poignant tribute to her musical roots, Griffiths dedicated the final segment of her performance to Bob Marley, honoring ‘the brother who took reggae to the four corners of the world.’ She delivered powerful renditions of ‘Buffalo Soldier,’ ‘Iron Lion Zion,’ and a Nyahbinghi-inspired ‘Redemption Song,’ concluding her set with the Bunny Wailer-penned ‘Electric Boogie’ – her most commercially successful hit.

The evening culminated with a heartfelt birthday celebration as organizers presented Griffiths with a cake commemorating her 76th birthday, which she had celebrated on November 23.

Supporting acts Space Kat and Lloyd Parks with We The People Band delivered commendable opening performances, with the latter serving as the backing band for all artists. Event promoter Roderick Graham expressed immense satisfaction with the debut event, noting: ‘We implemented an extensive setup to create a beautiful ambiance. The overwhelming positive feedback and expressed satisfaction from attendees perfectly aligned with our initial vision.’

The concert series continues with its second installment scheduled for December 27 at the same venue.