分类： entertainment

KINGSTON, Jamaica — For most people, cheating death is an unthinkable, once-in-a-lifetime event. For rising Jamaican dancehall artist Cartadon, the harrowing experience was not only a brush with mortality — it was a scenario he had foreshadowed in music just 24 hours before gunfire rang out. In a shocking turn of events, the emerging deejay was pronounced clinically dead on arrival at a Kingston hospital after a drive-by attack, only to be successfully resuscitated by medical teams who refused to let him slip away.

Cartadon, a protégé of renowned dancehall star Squash, told reporters he was an unintended victim of the violence that unfolded in Mountain View, one of Kingston’s inner-city neighborhoods. He was among five people standing at the scene when attackers opened fire; two people at the location did not survive their wounds. Cartadon himself suffered three gunshot wounds, and medical staff initially believed he had succumbed to his injuries before a last-ditch effort to revive him succeeded.

What makes the incident all the more chilling is the eerie timing of his latest track ahead of the attack. The day before the shooting, Cartadon dropped a single titled *Protected*, whose lyrics explicitly predicted he would be shot but survive thanks to divine protection.

“It was like living through an action movie mixed with a horror flick,” Cartadon recounted. “I released *Protected* on Friday, and by Saturday I was shot up. In the song I sang that I would be attacked but the Most High would keep me safe. I never imagined it would actually come true — it feels like I spoke this into existence. I’m here now, thanks to God and the doctors who never gave up on me, but it leaves you paranoid, you know?”

Raised in Kingston’s tough, violence-plagued inner streets, Cartadon has long turned to music as an escape from the chaos surrounding him. He says his unwavering focus on building his career has kept him from being pulled into the cycle of negativity that shapes life for many young people in his community.

“Music has been my whole life from day one, it’s my life now, and it will be my life until I take my last breath,” he said. “I’m really excited about where my career is headed right now — I’ve got a solid team behind me and a stack of incredible new tracks ready to drop.”

Now, just weeks after surviving the attack, Cartadon is back in the studio hard at work on new material, collaborating closely with the international production collective Boston Boys Records. He is currently focused on promoting his latest solo single, *Kode*, as he works to build on the buzz that was growing around his name before the shocking shooting.

LOS ANGELES – A shocking new development has emerged in the high-profile murder case against rising R&B artist D4vd, born David Burke: US prosecutors confirmed Thursday that law enforcement recovered a large cache of child pornography on the 21-year-old singer’s mobile phone. Burke is already facing capital murder charges for the brutal killing and dismemberment of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, whose decomposing remains were discovered stashed in the front trunk of his Tesla parked in the Hollywood Hills.

The Jamaican dancehall scene has a fast-growing new talent making waves both at home and across global audiences, and his name is Scalebaby. After a string of well-received solo singles and high-profile collaborative projects with heavyweight dancehall acts including Skillibeng and Prince Swanny, the emerging deejay has lined up a slate of major career moves that are set to cement his place in the competitive global reggae-dancehall industry.

In a recent statement on his upcoming projects, Scalebaby confirmed that he will hit the road as part of an upcoming tour headlined by Skillibeng, the popular “Crocodile Teeth” hitmaker, with the trek set to kick off in just a few weeks. To build hype, expand his global fanbase, and amplify his momentum ahead of the tour, the artist has dropped two brand-new solo tracks – Saratoga and Trouble – both of which have already earned rapid traction among listeners.

The up-and-coming deejay isn’t stopping at two new releases, either. He has already locked in major collaborative recordings with two more top Jamaican artists: dancehall star Skeng and alt-dancehall vocalist Stalk Ashley. Both of these highly anticipated collabs are scheduled to drop in the coming weeks, and Scalebaby is already deep in preparations to film the official music video for his upcoming track with Skeng.

Reflecting on his rapid career growth so far, Scalebaby expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have come his way. “I have been blessed to be given the opportunity to work with some of the most talented artistes and producers in the game,” he shared. “Right now, my goal is to continue growing my brand by continuing to deliver good music. I’m making the most of every opportunity that comes my way, and I’m putting in all the work ahead of this big tour.”

His two latest singles have already become fan favorites: the tracks are now regular rotations at weekly street parties across Jamaica and are spreading rapidly across social media platforms, with early streaming numbers pointing to strong commercial performance. Scalebaby says he is building on the breakthrough success of his earlier collaborations with Skillibeng and Prince Swanny, projects that first introduced his sound to a massive international audience and opened countless new doors for his career.

For the emerging artist, Saratoga and Trouble are more than just new tracks – they are proof that he is a serious contender ready to claim a permanent spot at the top of the dancehall scene. “The features with Skillibeng and Prince Swanny opened many doors for me, but Saratoga and Trouble will cement me in the game as a serious contender,” he explained. “I feel very excited about the feedback I am getting about these tracks. I feel like one of them or both will hit the charts very soon because the numbers look really good already, and the fans are saying I have found the sauce. I can’t wait to perform these songs live on tour, but until then, we are just doing the groundwork.”

This isn’t Scalebaby’s first taste of commercial success, either. Prior to his latest string of releases, he earned significant chart traction and a growing global fanbase with tracks including Killa Dem Sick, Bigger, the Skillibeng-assisted Cemetery, and Foreign, his collaborative hit with Prince Swanny. As he puts the final touches on his tour preparations and readies his upcoming collabs for release, all eyes are on the young dancehall talent to see what he delivers next.

Decades before he rose to become one of the most globally influential voices in dancehall music, Bounty Killer — born Rodney Pryce — was just a child growing up in the Seaview Gardens neighborhood of Kingston, Jamaica. The gritty community that shaped his early struggles and forged his inner strength is now set to give the iconic artist the highest local honor a native son can receive.

In a move that closes a meaningful full-circle chapter in Pryce’s life, the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) announced last Tuesday during a regular public meeting that the legendary entertainer will be awarded the prestigious Keys to the City of Kingston. In an additional, deeply personal tribute, the small residential street he walked and played on as a barefoot boy will also be renamed in his honor.

The announcement won unanimous, cross-divisional support from sitting councillors, who highlighted Pryce’s decades-long contributions to Jamaican music, cultural identity, and the development of younger generations of creative talent. Among the supporters were Hazel Anderson, representing the Seaview Gardens Division; Michelle Thomas Nelson of Duhaney Park; Patrick Roberts of Molynes Gardens; Kelvin Hall of Tower Hill; and Andrew Harris of Hughenden. Their collective backing made clear that Pryce’s impact extends far beyond the recording studio, cementing his status as a cultural anchor for the entire Kingston region.

Up-and-coming dancehall artist Razor B, who attended the KSAMC meeting, also shared his tribute, thanking the municipal corporation for recognizing Pryce’s far-reaching impact. Razor B specifically noted how the veteran icon personally shaped his own career and artistic path, a testament to the mentorship Pryce has provided to emerging talent across the industry.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer following the announcement, Pryce opened up about the flood of emotion and reflection the honor sparked, describing a overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude that words can barely capture. For the self-described “King of Kingston”, the recognition is far more than a formal civic gesture — it is a deeply personal milestone rooted in his earliest memories.

“As a child, I would spend all day on that same street, playing games with my friends in torn pants, barefoot, covered in sweat, until the street lights flickered on at night,” Pryce shared. “It’s an incredible feeling to be honored by the same people who knew me when I was just a little boy, who watched me grow into the person I am today. I never in my wildest dreams imagined this day would come.”

Calling the honor a “dream come true”, Pryce emphasized that the recognition from his hometown community means more than any global chart success or international award he has earned over his career. He also extended public thanks to his long-time manager and brother Paul “Bankey G” Giscome, who has stood beside him every step of his decades-long career, noting that Giscome shares in his joy and pride over the achievement.

For reggae fans around the world who have long dreamed of attending Barbados’ iconic annual Reggae Weekend but have been blocked by travel barriers, a new inclusive initiative is turning that dream into a accessible reality. Organizers of the three-day festival, set to run April 24 through 26 at Bridgetown’s historic Kensington Oval, have announced that all performances will be available to international audiences via a pay-per-view live stream, opening one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated cultural events to a global fanbase for the first time.

Priced at just $35 for individual daily passes or $100 for a full three-event season package, the streaming offering is already drawing enthusiastic interest from audiences across the Caribbean, North America, Africa, Europe and beyond, according to event sponsorship manager Michelle Straughn. For the festival, which is entering only its third year of operation, the move to global streaming marks a transformative milestone, evolving what began as a small regional gathering into a fully global entertainment experience.

Straughn emphasized that the expansion delivers far-reaching benefits beyond just extending access to international fans. The global platform delivers much-needed exposure and new career opportunities for more than 10 emerging and established local Barbadian acts set to perform across the weekend’s three stages, helping them connect with international audiences and industry leaders they would otherwise never reach. It also strengthens Barbados’ growing reputation as a premier destination for world-class music events, boosting the island’s cultural profile on the global stage.

To support this expanded global footprint, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has partnered with organizers to facilitate coverage from international media outlets based in the United States and across the Caribbean, further amplifying visibility for both the festival and the island as a whole. Even with the new virtual offering, in-person attendance is also tracking at record levels: early ticket sales confirm that fans are traveling to Barbados from as far away as Germany, Ireland, South Africa, and North America, alongside large numbers of visitors from neighboring Caribbean islands.

Straughn noted that the strong in-person turnout underscores the event’s growing positive impact on Barbados’ tourism sector and broader national economy, delivering sustained revenue for local businesses and hospitality providers. The weekend’s lineup features a mix of legendary international reggae acts and standout local talent across three branded stages: the April 24 Mount Gay Legends of Reggae Show & Dance powered by Q100.7 FM, headlined by Barrington Levy, Sister Nancy and Super Cat alongside local favorite Biggie Irie; the April 25 Guinness Showdown powered by 98.1 The One, featuring Capleton, Popcaan and four local up-and-coming acts; and the April 26 Hennessy Reggae in the Gardens powered by Hott 95.3 FM, with performances from Dexta Daps, Fantasia, Kranium and multiple local fan favorites. International fans can purchase streaming access and view full lineup details through the festival’s official website, barbadosreggaeweekend.com, or via ticketing partner ticketlinkz.com.

April 19 marked a milestone for iconic reggae festival Rebel Salute, as the long-running Caribbean music event hosted its first ever South Florida edition at Miramar Regional Park. Despite lingering threats of afternoon showers that threatened to keep attendees away, thousands of passionate reggae fans turned out to celebrate the genre, turning a potentially risky first outing into a resounding success that organizers say paves the way for future annual editions in the region.

The debut was far from a given. Originally scheduled for 2024, the event was twice postponed before locking in its April 2025 date, and organizers faced an additional unexpected hurdle: the new date overlapped with Rhythms Of Africa, a popular cultural event held just blocks away at the Miramar Cultural Center. Adding to the uncertainty, the venue is best known for hosting the annual Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival each November, making it an untested home for a reggae flagship event. Many industry observers had openly questioned whether the festival would draw a meaningful crowd for its first local outing.

Those doubts were quickly erased by the energy of attendees. Festival founder and legendary reggae artist Tony Rebel estimated the crowd reached roughly 7,000 attendees, while independent counts placed the number between 2,500 and 4,000. Regardless of the exact headcount, all stakeholders and attendees agreed that the energy and enthusiasm on the ground far exceeded expectations. In a post-event interview with *Observer Online*, Tony Rebel expressed his satisfaction with the turnout, noting that the successful debut had laid a strong foundation for larger events in coming years.

The day featured a packed lineup of standout performances from some of reggae’s biggest names. Fan favorites including Mikey Spice, LUST, Mykal Rose, Maxi Priest, and iconic Jamaican band Chalice delivered high-energy sets, with headliner Tony Rebel closing out the day to a roaring crowd. Two scheduled acts, Gyptian and Louie Culture, ultimately missed the event, but their absence did little to dampen audience mood.

In a nod to the festival’s cultural impact, Broward County Commissioner Alexandria P Davis, a Jamaican native who has attended Rebel Salute events in Jamaica for decades, presented Tony Rebel with the Key to Broward County during the event. Davis echoed the widespread positive reaction to the festival, noting that bringing the iconic Jamaican event to South Florida gave local audiences the chance to experience a beloved reggae tradition without traveling abroad. She emphasized that the event’s success also strengthens Broward County’s ongoing work to build a culturally inclusive and diverse community, calling the turnout despite the rain an impressive showing for a first-year local outing.

For long-time fans of the festival, the South Florida debut is the latest chapter of a decades-long reggae tradition. Tony Rebel first launched Rebel Salute on January 15, 1994 – his own birthday – at the Fayors Entertainment Centre in Mandeville, Jamaica, with iconic reggae star Garnet Silk headlining the very first show. Over 30 years later, the festival has grown into one of the most respected annual reggae events in the Caribbean, known for its focus on cultural celebration and authentic roots reggae.

Following the successful debut, Tony Rebel says he is already planning to return to Miramar for future editions of the festival. “I’m very encouraged. Will do it again,” he told reporters, capping off a day that defied every pre-event obstacle to cement Rebel Salute’s new place in South Florida’s cultural calendar.