分类： entertainment

Jamaican music legend Johnny Clarke, whose dynamic uptempo style propelled him to reggae stardom in the 1970s, will be honored with the inaugural Bunny Lee Lifetime Achievement Award during Reggae Weekend festivities from February 20-22. The celebration, organized by the family of legendary producer Bunny Lee, recognizes Clarke’s monumental contributions to the genre during his prolific collaboration with Lee five decades ago.

The award ceremony will take place on February 20 at the Bunny Lee Museum in Duhaney Park, St. Andrew, marking a poignant tribute to the producer who passed away in October 2020 at age 79. Bunny Lee Jr. emphasized the significance of honoring Clarke as the first recipient, noting that the singer was instrumental in shaping the distinctive sound that made his father famous.

‘Johnny Clarke stood among the premier artists who collaborated with Bunny Lee to elevate reggae into a dominant global force,’ stated Lee Jr. ‘Their 1970s partnership yielded timeless Jamaican classics including None Shall Escape The Judgement and Rock With Me Baby, which garnered widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.’

Clarke’s remarkable journey saw him transition from working at Grace, Kennedy Ltd. in 1974 to reggae superstardom following his breakthrough hit None Shall Escape The Judgement—a track originally performed by Earl Sixteen. The unassuming artist, who was also Lee’s brother-in-law, further solidified his legacy with influential tracks like Move Outa Babylon and African Roots under Lee’s Striker label.

The award presentation launches three days of musical celebrations across Kingston. The weekend includes Saturday’s relaunch of Augustus Pablo’s historic Rockers International record store on Orange Street, an event at Randy’s Museum in downtown Kingston, and Sunday’s Legacy Sunday featuring Kingston Rhythm at Waterfront, a dance event at Victoria Pier, and Closing Dub at the Dub Club.

The Bunny Lee Museum, which opened one year ago in the producer’s former recording studio, houses an extensive collection of memorabilia including Lee’s flamboyant stage outfits, murals of iconic producers Clement Dodd, Prince Buster and Duke Reid, and instruments used by the pioneering musicians who developed the distinctive Greenwich Farm sound.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s political leadership and music royalty gathered today to honor the life and legacy of Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, the visionary co-founder of pioneering reggae band Third World, in a solemn state-attended funeral service. The ceremony, currently underway, brings together the nation’s most influential figures from both government and entertainment spheres in a powerful demonstration of cross-sector respect for the late musician.

Among the distinguished attendees are dancehall superstar Sean Paul, Culture Minister Olivia Grange, Finance Minister Fayval Williams, Opposition Leader Mark Golding, and Grammy-winning artists Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and Maxi Priest. This convergence of political and cultural leadership underscores Coore’s monumental status as one of Jamaica’s most revered musical architects.

The music world was stunned on January 18 when news broke of the iconic guitarist’s sudden passing, triggering an outpouring of tributes from government officials and entertainment professionals alike. Coore’s musical journey began with Inner Circle before he embarked on his revolutionary path by establishing Third World with keyboardist Ibo Cooper.

Third World’s groundbreaking artistry transformed the global music landscape through their innovative fusion of reggae with soul, funk, pop, and rock elements. This distinctive sound catapulted Jamaican music to international prominence, with timeless hits including ‘Now That We’ve Found Love,’ ’96 Degrees in the Shade,’ and ‘Try Jah Love’ securing their position as one of Jamaica’s most enduring and successful musical exports.

Celebrated for his exceptional instrumental mastery, compositional genius, and profound musical intellect, Coore received Jamaica’s Order of Distinction in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the nation’s cultural and creative heritage. He is survived by his wife Lisa, children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, grandchildren, extended family, bandmates, colleagues, and a global community of devoted admirers.

LONDON, United Kingdom – London Fashion Week commenced on Thursday under extraordinary circumstances as King Charles III made an unexpected appearance just hours following the dramatic arrest of his brother, Prince Andrew. The monarch’s surprise visit to British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker’s showcase provided a striking counterpoint to the day’s sensational headlines regarding Andrew’s detainment on allegations of misconduct in public office related to his associations with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Despite a shouted question about his brother from the crowd, which the king appeared not to acknowledge, Charles maintained his composure while engaging with fashion industry leaders. Seated prominently in the front row between British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir and renowned designer Stella McCartney, the monarch presented an image of normalcy amidst the unfolding royal scandal. Dressed impeccably in a tailored grey suit, Charles later presented McCartney with a ceremonial scarf after touring various designer exhibitions.

The event highlighted London’s enduring role as an incubator for emerging talent, exemplified by designers like 27-year-old Joshua Ewusie of the brand ‘E.W.Usie.’ The Ghanaian-British creator, who received support through the King’s Foundation after graduating from Central Saint Martins, represents the next generation of fashion innovators nurtured within London’s creative ecosystem.

Coker’s presentation featured sophisticated unisex designs inspired by diverse identities, emphasizing craftsmanship and sustainability—themes strongly supported by the royal visitor. Organizers noted the king’s presence significantly reinforced ‘British fashion’s place on the world stage.’

Concurrent with the royal visit, the fashion community paid tribute to Paul Costelloe, the Irish-American designer who had been a fixture at London Fashion Week since its 1984 inception before passing away in November at age 80. His legacy continues under the creative direction of his son William.

While London has ceded some ground to Paris and Milan in recent years, it maintains its distinctive position as a breeding ground for innovation through initiatives like the British Fashion Council’s NewGen program. This season’s schedule features returning established names including Harris Reed and Richard Quinn, with Burberry set to conclude the event on Monday evening. Several labels favored by Princess Catherine, including Emilia Wickstead, Edeline Lee and Erdem, will further contribute to the week’s royal connections.

Notably absent is Jonathan Anderson, the Northern Irish designer whose JW Anderson shows had become highlights of recent seasons, as he focuses on his responsibilities as creative director at Dior.

FLORIDA, United States — Emerging Jamaican artist Brownskin Rae is carving her distinctive niche in the music industry while honoring the profound artistic legacy left by her late father, Cornel Marshall—a pioneering drummer of the legendary reggae ensemble Third World. In recent exclusive revelations, the singer-songwriter detailed how her father’s mentorship continues to shape her artistic journey despite his passing.

Rachel Marshall, professionally known as Brownskin Rae, attributes her professional discipline and performance ethos to invaluable lessons imparted by her father. ‘His fundamental teachings emphasized the necessity of formalizing all agreements in writing and mastering rhythmic precision,’ she recalled. Marshall exposed her to diverse musical influences, from multi-instrumental versatility to crowd engagement techniques during live performances. Though not an instrumentalist herself, Brownskin Rae channels this inspiration into songwriting and dynamic stage presence.

Growing up within the music ecosystem provided unique professional advantages. ‘I gained firsthand exposure to various artists, instrumentalists, and vocalists,’ she explained. Observing her father’s band setups—from equipment configuration to the intangible camaraderie among musicians—offered an immersive education in music production dynamics.

Cornel Marshall’s illustrious career included tenures with seminal groups Tomorrow’s Children and Zap Pow, alongside his foundational role in Third World’s formation in 1973. His later involvement with the Twelve Tribes of Israel band further solidified his reggae legacy.

Now residing in Florida, Brownskin Rae balances multiple professions as a certified real estate broker and technical programs manager while advancing her music career. Her latest single ‘Take Over,’ released January 2nd, emerges from contextual creativity amid disaster. ‘After experiencing a devastating hurricane, I sought to counter collective depression through romantic storytelling—a musical distraction from surrounding madness,’ she revealed of the track’s inspiration.

The St. Andrew’s High School for Girls alumna emphasizes authenticity and lyrical craftsmanship as her primary artistic contributions. ‘My penmanship and genuine content define my musical identity,’ she asserted, signaling a conscious evolution beyond her inherited musical heritage while respecting its foundational influence.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—In an innovative fusion of music and cinema, dancehall artist Govana has partnered with creative production label The Now or Never Club (TNOC) to launch ‘The Bobby Lane Project: Season 1,’ a groundbreaking cinematic short film that transcends traditional dancehall formats. This collaborative venture represents a significant evolution in how musical narratives are constructed and presented within the genre.

Executive produced under TNOC’s banner by founder Rogen ‘Ruppi’ Walker, the project marks the inaugural formal collaboration between Govana and the production house for a juggling riddim compilation. This creative endeavor builds upon years of previous artistic partnership between the two entities.

Walker elaborated on their creative synergy: ‘Our collaborative history runs deep. Govana represents both a close friend and long-term creative partner. This initiative, however, marks the first instance where he formally approached us for executive production responsibilities. We meticulously developed the concept through incremental progression, and I truly value his support in my expansion from directing into producing roles.’

The project’s conceptual foundation emerged directly from Govana’s single ‘Top Lawyer,’ with its lyrical content providing the narrative framework. Walker explained the developmental process: ‘The song’s lyrics essentially dictated the storyline. When Chronic Law recognized and embraced our vision, we expanded the narrative to incorporate his track and video. This sequential development continued with Skeng and Skippa, ultimately culminating in our decision to create a comprehensive short film that fully realized our creative ambitions.’

Govana emphasized the intentional departure from conventional formats: ‘Having collaborated with Ruppi on numerous video productions throughout my career, he naturally became my primary choice for this project. Our previous juggling compilation featured 90% of its videos under his direction. We initially planned to release my single conventionally before conceptualizing the juggling approach. Ultimately, we pursued an atypical release strategy reminiscent of our Convo Series—creating a cinematic framework capable of incorporating multiple tracks and artists.’

The project fundamentally repositions dancehall music from mere auditory backdrop to active narrative vehicle, utilizing musical elements to drive emotional and social storytelling. The film presents authentic lived experiences without artificial glorification, creating synergistic harmony between visual and auditory components.

Govana articulated the project’s aspirational impact: ‘We hope audiences embrace openness and creativity. Our fundamental objective was differentiation—inspiring fans, emerging artists, and directors to pursue innovation rather than imitation. They should feel empowered to revolutionize their artistic craft.’

The partnership exemplifies a shared creative architecture where both artist and director assume producer responsibilities. Walker noted: ‘Govana and I have maintained exceptionally creative collaborations from the 1Matik Riddim to the Convo Series. Since this represented our first co-produced juggling project, we prioritized impact. His deep involvement in creative processes while granting artistic freedom constitutes an ideal collaborative dynamic.’

Audience response has proven immediately positive, with Walker observing: ‘Reception has been overwhelmingly favorable, with particular appreciation for creative innovation. Many have requested additional content, even suggesting Netflix adaptation potential. Despite seven months of intensive labor, the positive reception makes the effort worthwhile. Many creative visions never achieve realization, so this outcome proves particularly gratifying.’

Govana echoed these sentiments: ‘Response has been exceptionally positive, with creativity receiving particular recognition. I’m grateful that artistic differentiation remains noticeable and appreciate the supporting artists who contributed to this project.’

With mounting demands for continuation, Walker confirms: ‘I’m enthusiastic about developing part two, particularly given audience demand.’ This project establishes new creative precedents for dancehall’s potential integration with cinematic storytelling.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The international dancehall scene has been set ablaze with the Valentine’s Day release of “Sunday,” a sizzling new collaborative single from global superstar Popcaan and rising dancehall artist Moyann. Produced by Anju Blaxx, the track made its debut on Popcaan’s official Vevo channel, immediately capturing audience attention and climbing music charts.

The single achieved a significant milestone by securing the number one position on the iTunes Reggae Singles Chart, generating substantial buzz among music critics regarding its potential for mainstream crossover success. Both artists have embarked on an extensive promotional campaign for the track while maintaining their busy schedules of local and international performances.

Moyann, who operates from Montego Bay, has been strategically expanding her artistic brand through recent tours with prominent artists like Massicka. Her career momentum continues to build following the successful release of her recent EP, with reports indicating another new music project already in development. The artist has established an impressive collaborative history, having previously worked with dancehall heavyweights including Shenseea, Teejay, Tommylee Sparta, Malie Donn, and Chronic Law.

Beyond her collaborative work, Moyann has developed a distinctive solo catalog featuring notable tracks such as “A Nuh My Style,” “Net Flixxx N Chill,” “Meech Out,” and “Fren Dem Good.” The newly released “Sunday” is now available across all major digital music platforms, where it continues to dominate the reggae charts following its Valentine’s Day premiere.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Behind dancehall’s vibrant soundscape stands YowLevite, a producer whose modest personality contrasts sharply with his monumental contributions to the genre. The University of the West Indies graduate, born Keron Young, has quietly assembled an impressive portfolio featuring collaborations with both Jamaican icons and international superstars.

Despite having worked with legendary artists including Vybz Kartel, Spice, Popcaan, Dexta Daps, Beenie Man, and Busta Rhymes, along with emerging talents like Teejay, Chronic Law, Jada Kingdom, and American rapper Lola Brooke, YowLevite has maintained a characteristically low profile. Now, the accomplished music creator believes the time has come to step forward and receive recognition for his substantial body of work.

“I’ve always prioritized letting my work speak for itself because I’m focused on building a legacy that will endure beyond my lifetime,” YowLevite revealed. “When people discover the artists I’ve collaborated with, they’re often astonished. The respect that follows comes from genuine accomplishment rather than manufactured hype.”

The producer made a courageous leap from corporate executive stability to pursue his musical passion, a decision he considers undoubtedly worthwhile. “The journey has presented challenges but proved immensely rewarding,” YowLevite reflected. “Music has granted me opportunities to travel internationally, connect with diverse cultures, forge meaningful relationships, and experience tremendous personal and professional growth.”

YowLevite’s distinguished catalog places him among dancehall’s most accomplished producers, though he emphasizes that his focus remains on musical excellence rather than self-promotion. His journey exemplifies how artistic dedication and professional craftsmanship can build a lasting legacy in the competitive music industry.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—The University of the West Indies will host an exceptional educational opportunity for aspiring music professionals on Wednesday, March 12, featuring two-time Grammy-nominated reggae phenomenon Jesse Royal as keynote panelist. The complimentary seminar, titled Essential Notes–The Seminar, will convene at 6:00 pm in Lecture Theatre N1, offering unprecedented access to industry expertise.

Royal will be joined by an elite assembly of music industry pioneers including Gary Burke, prominent European music executive; Natalie Prosper, Grammy and Oscar Award-winning music executive; and A.S. Morris, professionally recognized as Notnice, a Grammy-winning producer. This distinguished panel represents decades of collective experience across international music markets.

The initiative is the brainchild of Demonie Wilson, known professionally as Squidell, an accomplished artist manager, A&R representative, and published author. Wilson has designed the program to bridge critical knowledge gaps within Jamaica’s vibrant creative ecosystem.

Essential Notes represents a strategic investment in cultural infrastructure, focusing on the intersection of artistic expression and commercial sustainability. The program aims to empower students and emerging creatives with practical frameworks for navigating the complex dynamics of the global music industry while preserving cultural authenticity.

Jesse Royal, celebrated for his socially conscious lyricism and philanthropic initiatives, emphasized the seminar’s vital role in nurturing Jamaica’s abundant talent pool. “Initiatives that actively stimulate the business dimension of our creative sector deserve wholehearted embrace,” Royal stated. “While Jamaica overflowswith raw talent, we must concurrently develop structures that cultivate emerging artists and generate new opportunities within this fertile creative landscape.”

Wilson highlighted the fundamental principle of accessibility governing the initiative: “At its core, Essential Notes is about democratizing access—access to expertise, lived experience, and transparent dialogue about industry realities. By maintaining free admission and featuring influential voices like Jesse Royal, we ensure that knowledge transfer occurs directly between established industry architects and the next generation of cultural innovators.”

The seminar will incorporate interactive discussions, reflective exercises, and actionable guidance for artists and music professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of both the artistic and commercial dimensions of the music industry.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A groundbreaking national initiative is poised to transform Jamaica’s cultural landscape with the establishment of the Phoenix Awards. This first-of-its-kind ceremony, scheduled for March 30 at the Phillip Sherlock Creative Arts Centre, will honor professionals across the entire spectrum of creative industries through an unprecedented 48 award categories.

Conceived by playwright David Tulloch, the awards represent a comprehensive celebration of Jamaica’s artistic community, recognizing not only performers but the complete ecosystem behind cultural productions. The extensive categories span traditional disciplines like acting, poetry, dance, and music while also acknowledging often-overlooked contributors including writers, producers, production teams, and even concessionaires who enhance the audience experience.

Tulloch emphasized the organic evolution of what began as a local project into a national movement. ‘The transition to a national platform emerged through extensive dialogue with industry colleagues who expressed a powerful desire for unity within our cultural community,’ Tulloch explained. ‘I consistently heard professionals calling for an inclusive event that would properly recognize the full breadth and depth of our creative sector.’

The development process became a collaborative effort, with Tulloch bringing diverse stakeholders together to create a platform that balances comprehensive representation with public re-engagement in cultural activities. This community-driven approach distinguishes the Phoenix Awards from traditional recognition programs by breaking down silos between artistic disciplines and emphasizing their interconnected roles in storytelling and cultural preservation.

The addition of unconventional categories—such as best concessionaires—reflects the awards’ innovative philosophy that cultural experiences extend beyond the stage or screen to encompass all elements that contribute to audience enjoyment and participation.