分类： entertainment

The Lost In Time festival in St Andrew’s Hope Gardens witnessed an emotional homecoming on Sunday as international reggae superstar Chronixx returned to a Jamaican stage after a six-year absence. The highly anticipated performance transformed into a celebratory spectacle with thousands of fans capturing every moment on their phones.

Festival organizer and fellow artist Protoje introduced the performer using his given name, Jamar, to an eager audience. The stage featured an enormous Rastafarian flag backdrop, symbolizing Chronixx’s deep spiritual convictions that have consistently informed his music.

Beginning at approximately 8:30 PM, the performance became an immersive musical journey through the artist’s acclaimed catalog. Chronixx delivered powerful renditions of fan favorites including ‘Family First’ and ‘Spanish Town Rockin,’ while paying special tribute to late Jamaican music legends Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare for their monumental contributions to the island’s sound.

The evening encountered a brief technical interruption around 9:15 PM when the stage went dark for approximately fifteen minutes. Demonstrating remarkable patience and devotion, the audience spontaneously created a cappella versions of ‘Skankin’ Sweet’ and ‘Majesty,’ moving the visibly emotional artist who jokingly remarked he owed his impromptu ‘choir’ payment.

Following the technical resolution, Chronixx and Protoje burst back onto the stage with energetic collaboration ‘Who Knows.’ The performance continued with soulful selections from Chronixx’s latest album ‘Exile,’ including a heartfelt acoustic rendition of ‘Hurricane’ featuring the artist on guitar.

Beyond musical performance, Chronixx used the platform to advocate for sustainable living practices, encouraging plant-based nutrition and agricultural self-sufficiency. He explained to attendees: ‘We promote real living because within our culture, many things we glorify aren’t truly beneficial. We must celebrate what genuinely serves our wellbeing.’

Though unable to perform all requested songs due to his extensive discography, Chronixx concluded with the patriotic anthem ‘Smile Jamaica’ after offering three heartfelt ‘thank yous’ to his homeland. Protoje returned to express gratitude for the overwhelming support, acknowledging his sister’s role in organizing the successful event.

The festival’s second day featured notable performances from Grammy-nominated Jesse Royal, who shared the stage with his daughter Korus and her friend Nyah in a charming cameo, along with Jah9, Naomi Cowan, Royal Blu, and Dahvid Slur. Earlier performer D’Yani engaged the audience with romantic serenades, distributing roses to delighted female attendees.

The two-day Lost In Time festival successfully delivered diverse musical experiences across multiple stages, reaffirming Jamaica’s enduring position as reggae’s spiritual home.

In a landmark strategic shift aimed at bolstering Jamaica’s competitive prowess on the international beauty stage, the organizers of Miss Universe Jamaica have announced a complete structural overhaul of their national selection process. Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, the official franchise holder, has eliminated the regional preliminary system that has characterized previous competitions, replacing it with an innovative parish-based recruitment framework.

This transformative approach represents the initial phase of a comprehensive reimagining of Jamaica’s premier beauty pageant franchise. The new parish-level model is designed to foster more inclusive national representation and implement a more sophisticated talent identification mechanism. By activating all fourteen parishes across the island, the organization intends to systematically discover, nurture, and prepare exceptional delegates capable of bringing the Miss Universe crown to Jamaica.

Mark McDermoth, President of Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, explained the strategic rationale behind this structural transformation in an exclusive interview. ‘Our decision to implement parish competitions stems from our commitment to strengthening and deepening the recruitment program. We are leaving no stone unturned in our search to identify that special delegate with the potential to claim the Miss Universe crown,’ McDermoth emphasized.

The organization has appointed parish directors who will oversee local pageants based on their demonstrated affiliation with the Miss Universe brand, comprehensive understanding of pageant systems, and unique awareness of their respective parish markets. The appointed directors include Shane Alric Morgan (Kingston & St Andrew), Janique McKenzie (St Catherine), Trilissa Walker (Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth), Hannah Sheree Morris (Westmoreland and Hanover), Delrose Behadure, Francois Medley and Kyle Nunes (St James and Trelawny), Sara Jade Kow (St Ann and St Mary), Shanique Rogers (Portland), and Erica Beckford (St Thomas).

Regarding the current titleholder, McDermoth provided an update on Miss Universe Jamaica 2025 Gabrielle Henry’s recovery following her fall during preliminary events at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand. ‘Gabrielle is recuperating with her medical team and family, though she is not yet ready for active duties. In the interim, first runner-up Troy Ann Anderson has been executing responsibilities,’ McDermoth confirmed, adding that the organization continues to wish Henry a speedy recovery.

Under the revamped structure, thirteen parish titleholders will automatically advance to the national finals scheduled for August 23 at the AC Hotel Kingston. Additional candidates will have a final opportunity to secure placement through the official Miss Universe Jamaica 2026 eliminations on July 5, where a limited number of ‘golden tickets’ will be awarded. The organization plans to maintain approximately 30 contestants for this year’s competition, a number specifically tailored to accommodate new beauty, fashion, and wellness challenges integrated into this year’s program.

McDermoth hinted at further innovations, noting, ‘We have additional initiatives slated for the Miss Universe Jamaica brand, which we will unveil through a phased program.’ This structural transformation represents the most significant change to Jamaica’s pageantry landscape in recent years, potentially setting a new standard for national beauty competitions worldwide.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — A sensational new collaboration between acclaimed dancehall producer Week.day and rising vocal talent Imotionz is rapidly capturing international attention. Their latest single, ‘Pretty,’ has ignited a viral firestorm across digital platforms just four days after its debut.

Hailing from the shared community of Linstead in St. Catherine, the creative partnership has yielded yet another hit. The track is built upon Week.day’s infectious ‘Moonlight’ rhythm, with its official visual component expertly crafted by Timevisualz.

In an exclusive discussion, Week.day expressed profound satisfaction witnessing the audience’s enthusiastic reception. ‘Observing the fans’ diverse reactions and their inventive content creations is incredibly rewarding. It reaffirms the connection our music establishes,’ the producer revealed.

This release continues a proven collaborative history between the two artists. Their previous joint effort, ‘Regrets,’ has already surpassed 300,000 streams, demonstrating their consistent ability to resonate with listeners. Week.day specifically highlighted Imotionz’s artistic dedication and natural ability, noting their sessions are marked by exceptional professionalism and creative synergy.

Beyond this breakthrough single, Week.day is developing an ambitious new juggling project featuring several industry-leading performers. When questioned about his sustained success, the producer attributed his achievements to an unwavering devotion to his craft. ‘My driving force is the profound affection I hold for music itself. I maintain relentless effort, focused on building a legacy that will endure through my body of work,’ he concluded.

As dusk settled over Hope Gardens, the second annual Lost In Time Festival commenced its two-day musical journey, transforming the venue into a realm where temporal constraints yielded to reggae’s enchanting rhythms. The sold-out Saturday opening night witnessed an extraordinary convergence of musical excellence, where patrons immersed themselves in an experience that transcended conventional timekeeping.

The evening’s musical odyssey commenced with captivating performances by Joby Jay and Tessanne Chin, whose powerful vocals established an energetic foundation for the night. Their opening sets generated palpable excitement among attendees, creating a reciprocal energy exchange between artists and audience that would characterize the entire event.

Grammy-nominated artist Mortimer elevated the evening’s intensity with a commanding performance that showcased his artistic maturity. His seamless navigation through his greatest hits culminated in the explosive performance of ‘Lightning,’ which electrified the atmosphere with visceral intensity.

The festival’s curation brilliance manifested through the contrasting yet complementary sets of veteran lyricist Tanya Stephens and emerging powerhouse Lila Iké. Stephens demonstrated masterful catalog command, orchestrating massive singalongs with classics including ‘It’s A Pity,’ ‘Bum Wuk,’ and ‘These Streets,’ transporting attendees through reggae’s rich heritage.

Iké, fresh from her Grammy Awards appearance, confirmed her ascending status with a performance marked by exceptional vocal expressiveness and emotional depth. Her set spanned from ‘Scatter’ to ‘Thy Will,’ including a heartfelt tribute to reggae pioneers Cocoa Tea and Third World. Demonstrating remarkable versatility, she delivered an impressive guitar solo during ‘Wanted’ before transitioning to her romantic repertoire including ‘I Spy’ and ‘Fry Plantain.’ The artist concluded by acknowledging festival creator Protoje’s vision in creating authentic reggae experiences.

The night culminated in an unprecedented gathering of reggae royalty as Protoje transformed his closing set into a historic musical summit. Surprise appearances by Alaine, Romain Virgo, Koffee, and Marley brothers Damian and Stephen generated seismic audience reactions. The Marleys’ collaborative performance of ‘The Mission’ followed by Jr Gong’s renditions of ‘Blessed’ and the iconic ‘Welcome To Jamrock’ created an explosive finale that united generations of reggae enthusiasts.

Past midnight, the festival affirmed its reputation as a temporal transcendence where reggae’s unifying power dissolved boundaries between artists, eras, and audiences, creating an unforgettable celebration of musical legacy and innovation.

Barbadian beauty icon Rihanna has officially ended the global search for the perfect cool-toned brown lip with her latest Fenty Beauty release. The newly launched Rose Amber Collection features three coordinated products designed to recreate the viral lip combination that captivated fashion audiences during Paris Fashion Week.

The signature look originated when celebrity makeup artist Hector Espinal (@artbyhector) first unveiled the style on Rihanna for her appearance at the Dior Spring/Summer 2026 showcase in January. The sophisticated taupe lip combination immediately generated widespread social media buzz, with beauty enthusiasts worldwide eager to replicate the aesthetic.

Fenty Beauty’s solution arrives as a meticulously crafted trio: the Trace’d Out Lip Liner in Rose Amber for precise definition and subtle overlining, the creamy Gloss Bomb Stix in matching Rose Amber for dimensional color payoff, and the iconic Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer for added high-shine finish. Each product is formulated to blend seamlessly together, creating a long-wear, multi-dimensional lip effect that maintains the signature Fenty Beauty commitment to inclusive shade ranges.

The collection leverages Rihanna’s personal beauty preferences while demonstrating her brand’s innovative approach to product development. By releasing the exact products used to create the viral moment, Fenty Beauty capitalizes on organic market demand while providing consumers with professional-grade tools to achieve the coveted look.

The complete Rose Amber lip collection is now available for purchase exclusively through fentybeauty.com, marking another strategic launch from one of the beauty industry’s most influential figures.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Amid escalating global tensions, Jamaican reggae performer Ras Zukes has articulated a powerful conviction in music’s capacity to mediate international conflicts. In a recent exclusive dialogue with Observer Online, the artist elaborated on his perspective regarding artistic expression as an instrument for global harmony.

Drawing parallels with historical milestones, Ras Zukes referenced reggae’s influential role during South Africa’s Apartheid era and the dissolution of the Berlin Wall. He emphasized the timeless resonance of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ and other conscious compositions, noting that ‘music possesses the transcendent ability to heal the human spirit across all racial, cultural, and ideological divides.’

The musician cited the United Nations Charter—specifically Article 2(4), which prohibits acts of aggression against territorial sovereignty—to underscore the necessity of diplomatic engagement over military action. He expressed concern that armed conflicts not only jeopardize international stability but also represent breaches of established global legal frameworks.

When questioned about what message he would convey to world leaders presently engaged in warfare, Ras Zukes stated he would advocate for peaceful dialogue and mutual compromise. His recommended auditory prescription would be Bob Marley’s seminal track ‘War,’ a composition derived from a speech by Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, which critiques systemic injustice and calls for universal equality.

Hailing originally from Duncans in Trelawny, Ras Zukes later resided in Papine, Kingston, and Barrett Town, St. James. His artistic journey began from modest origins, enriched by mentorship from iconic figures within Jamaica’s music industry. Early exposure to dancehall events in the Corporate Area revealed a preponderance of explicit lyrics, which steered him toward creating music with affirmative themes instead.

Inspired by pioneering dancehall and reggae artists like Major Mackerel, Tiger, Brigadier Jerry, Sister Nancy, and Capleton—who populated his Kingston community during his youth—Ras Zukes committed to producing uplifting music from a young age. His primary school years already showcased a propensity for writing inspirational songs, a practice he continues to uphold in his professional career.

His most recent musical offering, ‘Island Paradise,’ released under Trainline Records, extends his commitment to spreading positivity through artistic channels. Ras Zukes remains dedicated to leveraging his creative gifts for the collective elevation and moral enlightenment of society.