分类： entertainment

After decades of dominating the global dancehall scene, the self-proclaimed Queen of Dancehall Spice is back with a scorching new release that’s poised to own summer playlists across every continent. Titled *Volcano*, the high-octane track marks the first official single from the icon’s upcoming studio album, distributed through iconic independent label Easy Star Records.

Far more than a simple seasonal bop, *Volcano* stands as a bold cultural statement — one that channels the unapologetic confidence, magnetic charisma, and larger-than-life stage energy that has defined Spice’s 25-plus year career. Co-produced by Spice herself alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Antaeus, the track strikes a masterful balance between raw, authentic dancehall grit and a polished, globally accessible sound crafted to resonate with audiences far beyond Caribbean borders.

Built around a throbbing, pulsating beat and instantly memorable lyrics — headlined by the viral-ready line “My body hot like volcano” — the song turns the idea of “hot” into a full cultural movement. It celebrates unfiltered self-expression, radical self-confidence, unapologetic fun, and boundary-pushing fashion, all delivered through Spice’s one-of-a-kind vocal delivery that blends playful bravado with infectious, high-energy rhythm. Whether played at Caribbean carnivals, European music festivals, or nightclub sound systems around the world, *Volcano* is engineered to get crowds moving.

In a statement accompanying the track’s release, Spice opened up about the creative vision behind the project: “I wanted the music and the visual to feel explosive, fearless, and authentic to the energy that’s been inside me this entire era.”

Spice’s career has long been defined by breaking barriers and redefining what success looks like for Jamaican women in dancehall. Currently ranked as the second-highest streaming Jamaican female artist in the world, she has built an unparalleled resume of record-breaking milestones: multiple nine-figure streaming hits, regular entries on Billboard music charts, a Grammy nomination, and historic gold and platinum certifications across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. She also earned mainstream mainstream recognition through a starring role on the hit VH1 reality series *Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta*.

Her 2022 release *Mirror 25*, a project celebrating her 25-year legacy in the genre, earned widespread critical acclaim, and she has since continued her global domination with sold-out headline performances, a viral fan-favorite reunion with dancehall legend Vybz Kartel, and a historic, well-received run of sets on the UK festival circuit.

A pioneer for independent Jamaican artists, Spice has repeatedly smashed industry expectations through her own label, Spice Official Entertainment, earning independent chart placements on both Billboard and the UK Official Albums Chart. She made history as the first Jamaican female artist in more than 30 years to earn gold certification in the United States, and her global crossover hit *Go Down Deh* has racked up more than 400 million total streams worldwide. Just recently, she notched another historic win, becoming the first Jamaican female artist to land a lead single with more than 300 million streams on Spotify — a feat that solidifies her standing as one of the most commercially successful and culturally influential figures in modern dancehall.

With *Volcano*, Spice once again proves why she has retained her crown as one of the genre’s most dominant and beloved voices. Loud, unapologetic, and instantly addictive, the scorching new single builds massive anticipation for her forthcoming full-length album, which is expected to drop later this year.

Since bursting onto Jamaica’s live music landscape in 2015, Tower Band has steadily built a reputation as a must-see act, cutting their teeth backing some of the biggest names in reggae and dancehall over the past eight years. Now, the ensemble, celebrated for its high-octane stage presence, dynamic showmanship, and one-of-a-kind take on reimagining dancehall through a full live-band setup, is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated new project, *Dancehall Future*, at the popular Supa Heavy Wednesdays event series on June 3. The launch will take place at Jangas Soundbar and Grill, located in the heart of New Kingston.

In an exclusive interview with Observer Online earlier this week, bandleader and drummer Andre “Kryss Ras” Barnes promised attendees an unforgettable evening of entertainment. “You can expect a night of nonstop energy, live performances, and pure fun,” he said. “It’s going to be a night packed with incredible music, thoughtful lyrics, and guest appearances from some amazing artists. We’re going to bring the house down.”

The 16-track mixtape will see its full official release right on the night of the launch event, and features a stacked lineup of collaborative tracks with some of dancehall’s most prominent current names, including Charly Black, Rytikal, 10Tik and Yaksta. The project is co-produced by Rayon “Prof” Smith and Barnes, with mixing work completed by DJ West of Jamaica’s leading Zip FM radio station.

Smith shared that the tracklist spans a wide range of lyrical themes to resonate with diverse listeners. “The songs on the mixtape cover everything from romantic matters of the heart to uplifting anthems and motivational, inspirational messages that we hope connect with people across generations,” he explained.

*Dancehall Future* is backed by two local Jamaican partners: Winchester Xavier Associates Jamaica Limited and Stage Sound Solution, and will be distributed via Tower Band’s own in-house imprint, Tower Music Group.

For Barnes, what sets Tower Band apart from other contemporary musical acts in the region is its unwavering focus on elevating live dancehall performance, a niche he says the group has carved out uniquely for itself among current generation ensembles. “We are first and foremost a dancehall performing band,” he emphasized. “We’re the only band of our generation that centers dancehall music as our core identity, and our goal is to grow into an undeniable, formidable force that leaves a lasting impact on this generation of fans. We take our craft seriously, and our top priority is making sure every song we create and perform connects deeply with audiences. That’s what we’re all about.”

Longtime Antiguan reggae artist Causion has returned to his Caribbean homeland to shoot a new music video for his upcoming single, *Feels Like I’m Dreaming* — a heartfelt track crafted to shine a global spotlight on the beauty and culture of Antigua and Barbuda. Co-written and co-produced alongside Maurice Gregory, who is best known for his work as keyboardist for iconic reggae group Third World, the new track is scheduled for a June release. The upcoming music visual is backed and produced by Elite Island Resorts, a leading firm that markets the twin-island nation’s world-class tourism offerings to travelers around the globe. For Causion, this collaboration marks his fifth project dedicated to boosting the country’s leisure sector — Antigua and Barbuda’s largest source of foreign exchange.

Now based in South Florida after decades of living and working in the United States, Causion, whose legal name is Gregory Bailey, has never strayed far from his roots, making regular return trips to his home country and leaning into his role as a passionate advocate for its growth. Unlike paid promotional campaigns that feel scripted, the artist emphasizes that his work is rooted in unfiltered patriotism, not a paid gig.

“I’m not a spokesperson hired to sell an idea — I’m an Antiguan who genuinely loves his home,” Causion explained in an interview with Observer Online. “Working with Elite Island Resorts has allowed me to do something rare: use music to tell an authentic story about a place, and watch that story reach people across the world who then book a flight and come experience it themselves.” That organic connection, he argues, is far more than traditional marketing: “That’s not marketing. That’s music doing what it’s always done — moving people. And when it moves them all the way to Antigua, that’s deeply satisfying.”

The new single follows four previous successful collaborative projects between Causion and Elite Island Resorts: *Antigua Me Come From*, *Caribbean Vacation*, *Sunny Day*, and *Tropical State of Mind*, all of which have helped draw international attention to the island’s appeal. Early tourism data reflects the growing momentum of Antigua and Barbuda’s travel sector: official figures from the Antigua Tourism Authority show that more than 1.5 million international visitors vacationed in the country in 2025, and first-quarter 2026 numbers continued that upward trend. Authority CEO Colin James reported that the nation welcomed 110,832 stay-over visitors between January and March 2026, marking record-breaking arrival numbers for all three months of the quarter.

While soca remains the most popular musical genre in Antigua, Causion’s sound was shaped by a childhood spent listening to legendary reggae acts including Third World and Culture. That early influence opened professional doors later in his career: he has toured across Europe and the United States alongside Third World, performing alongside collaborator Maurice Gregory. Causion’s contributions to his homeland have not gone unrecognized: he holds the official title of Antigua’s Reggae Ambassador, and in 2024, he was awarded the Commander of The Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage (CH), the country’s fourth-highest national honor for outstanding service.

After nearly a decade prioritizing healthcare work and amplifying Caribbean women in entertainment through a non-profit awards initiative, US-based reggae vocalist Mye Laurell is grabbing attention across Jamaican airwaves with a warm, soulful reimagining of Diana Ross’ 1970s classic hit *It’s My House*. The new release, which puts a distinct reggae spin on the iconic pop-soul track, was crafted by veteran reggae producer Richie Stephens, who first proposed the remake idea and shepherded its release through his independent Pot of Gold record label.

In an interview discussing the project, Laurell – whose legal name is Laurel Nurse – shared that the entire concept stemmed from Stephens’ belief that her unique vocal tone echoes the legendary Motown diva’s signature sound. “Richie was the one who picked this song, not me. He told me my speaking voice reminded him so much of Diana Ross that I had to record it,” Laurell explained. “At first, I wasn’t familiar with the original, so he walked me through every part of the track and told me to trust his direction. That’s exactly what I did.”

The original version of *It’s My House* first appeared on Ross’ 1979 studio album *The Boss*, written and produced by the celebrated American songwriting partnership Ashford & Simpson. Centered on themes of radical independence and personal empowerment, the track resonated with audiences across the globe, earning a modest commercial showing: it climbed to No. 27 on Billboard’s U.S. R&B Singles chart and reached No. 32 on the UK singles chart, cementing its status as a beloved cult classic among soul and pop fans.

For Laurell, the warm reception of her new remake has already exceeded expectations. Beyond her work as a professional recording artist, Laurell maintains a full-time career as a registered nurse, and she is far better known in Jamaican entertainment circles for her philanthropic and advocacy work than her recent music. Even so, she says the public response to her new release has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. “The feedback we’ve gotten from listeners so far has just been phenomenal,” she said.

Laurell’s return to recording comes on the heels of her years-long work leading the Queens Of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies (QORIHC), the awards organization she founded in 2016 to shine a spotlight on women working across all segments of the Caribbean entertainment industry. As the initiative approaches its 10th anniversary in 2026, Laurell and her team are preparing to mark the milestone with a special celebratory QORIHC Ball, scheduled for Sunday, May 31 at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium in St Andrew. The landmark event will be hosted under the patronage of Rose Tavares-Finson, with 2020 Miss Jamaica Universe Miqueal Symone-Williams tapped as the event’s guest speaker.

Laurell emphasized that QORIHC fills a critical gap in the Jamaican entertainment ecosystem, working to elevate women who often go unrecognized for their behind-the-scenes and on-stage contributions. “QORIHC’s core mission is to boost the social morale of women across Jamaica,” she explained. “We publicly and proudly celebrate the tireless work that women do in every corner of the local entertainment industry, work that so often goes unacknowledged.”

Music has been a lifelong passion for Laurell, who launched her recording career after relocating to the United States, scoring early success with a string of popular reggae radio singles. One of her earliest breakout hits was a widely praised cover of Gregory Isaacs’ legendary reggae track *Night Nurse*, and she earned a major career honor in 2007 and 2008 when she took home the New Jersey Reggae Award for Best Female Singer. She eventually stepped back from full-time recording to focus on her healthcare career and build the QORIHC initiative from the ground up.

Her comeback to active recording was sparked by a standout performance at the 2024 QORIHC Awards ceremony, where she opened the show alongside fellow reggae artist Gem Myers performing a rendition of Whitney Houston’s *Greatest Love of All*. “After that performance, Gem told me I had her full blessing to get back to singing and pick up the path I left off, while still growing QORIHC,” she said. After spending almost 10 years building the awards organization, Laurell says the moment felt right to step back into the spotlight and pursue her own creative goals again. “Now I’m back in music full force, and that’s how this remake of *It’s My House* came to be,” she added.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s leading cultural institution, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), has launched the call for submissions for its 2026 Creative Writing Competition and Exhibition, with the official entry period set to kick off on June 1. Ahead of the entry opening, a series of preparatory workshops covering all major creative genres — including stage plays, poetry, short fiction, full-length novels, personal essays, and screenplays — will get underway on May 30, designed to accommodate participants through both in-person and digital attendance options.

Aisha Parker, Speech and Literary Arts Development Specialist at the JCDC, emphasized that the competition is intentionally structured to be inclusive, welcoming creators from every experience level and background. “We are opening the door to all writers — established creators who have been honing their craft for years, aspiring storytellers who have always dreamed of sharing their work, students, teachers, and anyone who has ever wanted to explore the creative talent hiding within them,” Parker said in an official statement.

One of the most notable updates to the 2026 iteration of the competition is a policy change expanding submission allowances for the screenplay category. “In previous years, participants were only permitted to submit one screenplay for consideration. This year, we made the decision to remove that arbitrary limit. If you are a working screenwriter with multiple completed projects you are proud of, we are happy to accept every eligible piece you want to share,” Parker explained.

The pre-competition workshops will be led by a roster of acclaimed industry professionals and experienced writers, each heading sessions aligned with their area of expertise. Trisan Brown will lead essay-focused training, while Kwame Macpherson will guide short story participants. Poetry sessions will be helmed by Alexis Samuels, novel development training will be led by Lisa Tomlinson, stage play workshops will be handled by Basil Dawkins, and screenwriting instruction will be led by Sherando Ferrell.

Parker highlighted that the flexible hybrid workshop format is designed to remove barriers to participation for all interested creators. All sessions will be streamed digitally via the Zoom video conferencing platform, with a limited number of workshop locations also offering in-person seating. “For creators who thrive on in-person connection and face-to-face feedback, they can join us in person. For those who cannot travel to a workshop location, they can simply log into Zoom from home and take part just the same,” she said, adding that the accessible format makes it easy for new creators to learn, grow their skills, and connect with the JCDC’s cultural programming.

Entry to the competition is completely free of charge for all participants, with multiple submission pathways available. Creators can submit their work digitally through the official JCDC website at jcdc.gov.jm, or drop off physical submissions at any JCDC parish office across the country. The JCDC also allows third-party submissions, meaning teachers, parents, friends, or community leaders can submit work on behalf of emerging creators who may need support navigating the entry process.

“A teacher might have a classroom full of talented young writers who love creating stories, and they can submit those entries on their students’ behalf. Our entry form is designed to clearly note when a submission is entered by a third party, so there is no confusion about authorship,” Parker explained. “It doesn’t just stop at teachers, either — if you know a gifted writer at your church, in your neighborhood, or at a community group, you can reach out to them and offer to submit their work for consideration.”

In a move to strengthen ties with Jamaican creators living outside the country, the 2026 competition is also open to members of the global Jamaican diaspora. “Since all submissions can be made digitally, there is no requirement for participants to be physically present in Jamaica to enter. If you are a Jamaican creator living abroad, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to engage with local cultural programming and share your work with our community,” Parker noted.

The entry window will close on June 30, giving creators one full month to submit their work after the entry period opens. For full guidelines, eligibility details, and updates on workshop schedules, interested individuals can visit the JCDC’s official website or reach out to their nearest local JCDC parish office.