分类： entertainment

Emerging Jamaican vocalist MG Liz has officially launched her musical career with the release of her debut single ‘Love Up,’ marking a significant milestone shared by countless artists. The roots-reggae track, developed in collaboration with seasoned artist Derajah and Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Bruno Dupre, represents the culmination of a year’s creative effort.

In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer, MG Liz described experiencing a whirlwind of emotions surrounding her official entry into the music industry. ‘It’s really something. I’m beyond excited, but I’m also nervous because this takes everything to another level. At the same time, I feel so grateful, there’s just so much happening all at once,’ the artist confessed.

The collaborative single emerged from Derajah’s extensive international connections, leveraging his performance experience throughout Europe and Brazil. This network facilitated the involvement of Dupre, who contributed guitar, bass, drums, and horns to the production, creating a rich musical backdrop for MG Liz’s vocal talents.

Hailing from Kingston and raised in Redwood, St. Catherine, the newcomer cites legendary influences including Marcia Griffiths, Gladys Knight, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Her artistic journey accelerated in early 2025 when she began developing original material with recording aspirations.

MG Liz revealed that approximately 90 percent of her recently recorded work features Derajah as producer, with additional collaborations including a Swedish producer and another American producer. The initial industry response has been notably positive, with professionals showing genuine interest in her distinctive sound and artistic direction.

Jamaican entertainer Turbulence is channeling his energy from international stages into creative pursuits for 2026, following a year of extensive global touring throughout 2025. The artist, who describes his travels as a form of “musical ambassadorship,” visited multiple continents including Africa and the Caribbean, performing in locations from the Bahamas to Guadeloupe.

The upcoming year marks a strategic pivot toward studio production with several new singles already released and additional projects in development. His recent track “Fancy Suit” signals the beginning of what promises to be a prolific period of musical creativity. Fans can anticipate a series of visual accompaniments and a full-length album scheduled for release in the near future.

Turbulence emphasizes the critical balance between performance commitments and creative development, noting that artists must carefully manage both aspects to maintain career sustainability. While preparing for an upcoming European tour, he acknowledges that periods of reduced public visibility often indicate intensified behind-the-scenes creative work.

The artist articulates a philosophical approach to music creation that prioritizes meaningful messaging over commercial success. Drawing inspiration from reggae legends including Beres Hammond, Cocoa Tea, and Sizzla Kalonji, Turbulence emphasizes the importance of creating music with enduring social value. His artistic mission focuses on promoting themes of love, unity, and moral consciousness through lyrics that encourage self-awareness and positive action.

For emerging artists, Turbulence offers counsel rooted in artistic integrity: “Love your craft, respect your craft, and don’t just come hustle. Know that you’re not singing just for yourself, and know whatever you say or sing might haunt you 10 years from now.” This perspective informs his commitment to creating positive content that reflects his values and provides a meaningful legacy for future generations.

Acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo, renowned for his powerful performances in films like ‘Sinners’ and ‘The Harder They Fall,’ is channeling his heritage into a new cinematic venture. Following his recent role in a vampire-themed horror movie, Lindo is now developing a profoundly personal film set within a Jamaican community.

In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Lindo revealed the project’s core themes will explore power dynamics, spirituality, and the transformative, healing power of community bonds. The actor, who was born in the UK to Jamaican parents, expressed a deep, long-standing commitment to bringing this story to the screen, having first become aware of the material in 2015. He formally secured the rights to the project in 2021 and has since been dedicated to assembling the necessary funding.

The narrative centers on a young man grappling with profound loss. As Lindo detailed, ‘The story is about a young man who has lost his mother. His parents are both doctors. We meet him on the day it is discovered that his mother has been tragically killed.’ The plot then advances six years, revealing that neither the young man nor his father have healthily processed their grief. In an attempt to find healing, the son is sent to his maternal homeland in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains.

Lindo confirmed the film will incorporate an element of magical realism, promising a visually and emotionally rich tapestry that blends the real with the mystical. This passion project arrives nearly five decades into his distinguished acting career. Prior to its production, audiences will next see Lindo in the upcoming monster blockbuster ‘Godzilla vs Kong: Supernova,’ slated for a 2027 release.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican cultural landscape is in mourning following the passing of renowned musician Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, celebrated by the nation’s Ministry of Culture as an irreplaceable talent and genuine ‘Reggae Ambassador.’ Minister Olivia Grange, overseeing Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, issued an official statement honoring Coore’s extraordinary contributions to music both locally and internationally.

Coore, who co-founded the legendary Third World Band, was remembered as a pioneering force in reggae music whose influence transcended generations. Minister Grange emphasized the profound sense of loss felt across Jamaica, extending heartfelt condolences to his wife Lisa, children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen, and Ashley, along with his grandchildren and wide circle of friends and collaborators.

The government officially acknowledged the Coore family’s generosity in sharing the musician’s exceptional talents with the world. Grange specifically highlighted Coore’s musical journey, noting his early involvement with the successful group Inner Circle before establishing Third World Band, which produced iconic hits including ‘Now That We Found Love,’ ’96 Degrees in the Shade,’ and the fitting anthem ‘Reggae Ambassador.’

His artistic excellence earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Order of Distinction. While his physical presence will be deeply missed, Minister Grange affirmed that Coore’s enduring legacy would continue to inspire both contemporary and future musicians. The statement concluded with a poignant farewell: ‘Rest well, reggae ambassador.’

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaican music community is in mourning following the sudden passing of legendary musician Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore at age 69. The co-founder and musical director of iconic reggae band Third World died on Sunday, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the nation’s cultural landscape.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness publicly honored Coore’s extraordinary contributions, characterizing him as a monumental figure in Jamaica’s cultural history and a fundamental architect of the country’s global musical identity. Through an official statement on social media platform X, Holness emphasized how Coore’s work with Third World created a distinctive sound that transported Jamaica’s rhythm, spirit, and message to international audiences worldwide.

“His artistic approach combined technical mastery with profound cultural awareness,” Holness noted, “producing music that remains both eternally relevant and distinctly Jamaican in character.”

The Prime Minister further highlighted Coore’s role as a genuine cultural ambassador who represented Jamaica with exceptional dignity, excellence, and national pride. His pioneering contributions to the creative arts, Holness stated, significantly enriched Jamaica’s national identity while inspiring multiple generations of musicians both within the country and across the global music scene.

Recognizing Coore’s previous honor of receiving the Order of Distinction for his cultural contributions, Holness extended official condolences on behalf of the Jamaican government and its citizens. The Prime Minister specifically addressed sympathies to Coore’s wife Lisa, his children, grandchildren, family members, fellow bandmates, and the international community of admirers whose lives were profoundly impacted by his artistic work.

“May his musical legacy endure as a perpetual reminder of our national identity,” Holness concluded, “and demonstrate the unique power of Jamaican creativity to foster global unity through artistic expression.”

ROME — The fashion world mourns the passing of Italian design maestro Valentino Garavani, who died Monday at 93 in his Roman residence surrounded by close companions. His foundation confirmed the news through social media channels, announcing funeral arrangements scheduled for Friday in the Italian capital with public viewings preceding the service.

Known mononymously as Valentino, the visionary designer spent nearly five decades defining luxury aesthetics for generations of style icons. His signature ‘Valentino red’ creations became sartorial symbols for international aristocracy and Hollywood royalty alike—from Jacqueline Kennedy and Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor and contemporary stars like Julia Roberts.

Born May 11, 1932, in Voghera, Lombardy, Valentino developed an early obsession with refined aesthetics. “I have had this illness since childhood,” he told Elle Italia in 2007. “I only like beautiful things.” His journey began at 17 when he departed for Paris to study fashion, immersing himself in the transformative post-war elegance of Christian Dior’s revolutionary designs.

After apprenticeships with Jean Dessès and Guy Laroche, Valentino established his eponymous maison in 1960’s Rome—a city then thriving as ‘Hollywood on the Tiber.’ His 1962 Florence debut collection introduced the world to his now-iconic crimson hue, but his 1964 encounter with Jacqueline Kennedy proved transformative. The future First Lady’s choice of his ivory lace gown for her marriage to Aristotle Onassis catapulted Italian design onto the global stage.

Business partner and former lover Giancarlo Giammetti played a pivotal role in scaling the brand internationally, recalling in the 2008 documentary ‘Valentino: The Last Emperor’ that managing the designer’s genius “required a lot of patience.” Their collaboration built a fashion empire spanning Roman palazzos, Swiss chalets, and a 50-meter yacht—all reflecting Valentino’s philosophy of uncompromising glamour.

The designer’s retirement in January 2008 after his final Paris show marked the end of an era celebrated for sensual, figure-enhancing designs. “I love a woman who eats food, who has a body,” he told The New Yorker in 2005, rejecting extreme thinness in favor of voluptuous femininity. His legacy continues through the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum—the fashion industry’s first digital museum launched in 2011—ensuring future generations can experience his pursuit of beauty through immersive technology.

ROME—The global fashion community is in mourning following the announcement from the Valentino Garavani Foundation that the iconic Italian designer passed away at age 93 on Monday. Surrounded by close companions at his Roman residence, the man known mononymously as Valentino leaves behind an unparalleled legacy that shaped haute couture for over six decades.

His departure comes merely months after another Italian fashion titan, Giorgio Armani, passed away, marking a poignant moment for the industry. Tributes poured in immediately from fashion houses, political leaders, and cultural institutions worldwide.

Designer Donatella Versace memorialized him on Instagram as “a true maestro who will forever be remembered for his art,” while Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed him as the “undisputed master of style and elegance and eternal symbol of Italian high fashion.”

Valentino’s influence extended beyond the runway, dressing generations of cultural icons from Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy to contemporary stars like Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow. His signature “Valentino red” gowns became synonymous with luxury and sophistication, while his personal aesthetic—complete with immaculate grooming and beloved pug dogs—embodied the opulence he championed.

The 2008 documentary “The Last Emperor” chronicled his extraordinary career and final collection, cementing his status as a fashion legend. His creative vision transformed the “Made in Italy” label into a global powerhouse, with his 1964 meeting with Jackie Kennedy proving particularly transformative for both his career and American fashion consciousness.

Born in Voghera in 1932, Valentino established his Rome-based fashion house in 1960 after training in Paris. Alongside business partner Giancarlo Giammetti, he built an empire that redefined luxury fashion through successive acquisitions and global expansion.

A public lying in state will be held at his company headquarters near Rome’s Spanish Steps on Wednesday and Thursday, with a funeral scheduled for Friday in the Italian capital.

The collaborative track ‘Toni Ann Singh’ by Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy and Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan has received official gold certification in Canada. Music Canada, the nation’s leading music industry association, granted this prestigious recognition on Monday, acknowledging the song’s commercial performance equivalent to 40,000 units through combined sales and streaming figures.

Released as part of Burna Boy’s critically acclaimed album ‘Love, Damini’ through Atlantic Records, the track pays homage to its namesake – Toni-Ann Singh, the St. Thomas-born former Miss World titleholder. The song demonstrated remarkable chart performance upon its 2022 release, climbing to the #11 position on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Songs chart during its peak popularity period in July 2022.

The parent album ‘Love, Damini’ has achieved substantial international success, featuring 19 tracks including the hit singles ‘Last Last’ and ‘It’s Plenty’. The project reached impressive chart positions globally, securing the #14 spot on the prestigious Billboard 200 albums chart and achieving #2 on Billboard’s World Albums chart. The album entered the top ten in five countries, including the United Kingdom’s official charts.

International certification achievements for ‘Love, Damini’ include an impressive 5x platinum status in Nigeria, platinum certifications in Canada, Denmark and New Zealand, alongside gold recognitions in Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and France. The certified track ‘Toni-Ann Singh’ was produced by Anju Blaxx, contributing to the album’s diverse musical landscape that blends Afrobeats with dancehall influences.

Jamaica’s pageantry scene reaches unprecedented heights as twenty-six contestants prepare to compete for Miss Global Jamaica 2026 this Saturday at the Douglas Orane Auditorium. The national competition coincides with a landmark visit from reigning Miss Global 2025 Nhu Van Nguyen, marking the first official visit by a sitting Miss Global titleholder to the Caribbean nation.

The Vietnamese beauty queen arrives Wednesday accompanied by Jamaica’s own Keri-Ann Greenwood, who achieved remarkable success as both Miss Global Jamaica 2025 and Miss Global 1st Runner-Up. Their joint itinerary includes high-profile diplomatic engagements with government officials and franchise activities that underscore Jamaica’s growing influence within international beauty competitions.

Greenwood expressed profound enthusiasm about hosting her fellow titleholder, stating: ‘Welcoming my sister-queen to Jamaican soil represents more than ceremonial pageantry—it signifies a movement. Our shared commitment extends beyond crowns to creating tangible impact for women locally and globally.’

Jermane Blair, National Director of Miss Global Jamaica, characterized the event as transformational for the nation’s profile. ‘This historic convergence demonstrates how preparation meeting opportunity can reshape international perceptions. Jamaica is no longer merely participating in global pageantry but actively influencing its evolution,’ Blair noted in comments to Observer Online.

The Saturday coronation event at Wolmer’s Boys’ School will not only crown Jamaica’s next representative but also showcase the country’s emerging leadership within the Miss Global Organization framework.