分类： entertainment

After facing delays spanning more than seven months due to unpredictable weather threats, one of Jamaica’s most beloved reggae music festivals, Rebel Salute, is set to finally hold its first ever South Florida iteration on April 19. The rescheduled outdoor event will take place at Miramar Regional Park, a spacious open-air venue that already has a reputation for drawing large crowds as the annual host of the Grace Jamaica Jerk Festival, and organizers are now forecasting far more favorable conditions for the one-day gathering.

Headlining the eight-hour performance schedule, which kicks off at 2 p.m., are a lineup of legendary reggae acts including Maxi Priest, Mykal Rose, Louie Culture, LUST, and Chalice. For festival founder Tony Rebel, the anticipation for opening Sunday is nothing but positive, with no last-minute jitters plaguing the organizing team. Speaking to Observer Online, he shared that instead of anxiety, the crew has channeled all energy into meticulous final preparations, dotting every i and crossing every t to deliver a seamless experience for attendees. “The expectation for Sunday is sunshine and bliss. People will come out to the park and we all have a magical moment,” Rebel said.

The South Florida debut marks a major milestone for the 30-year-old festival, which for decades has centered its operations in Jamaica while building a global fanbase drawn to its signature focus on positive, uplifting reggae vibes. “This means a lot for Rebel Salute because it shows how much we stayed in Jamaica and catered to the world with good vibes,” Rebel added.

Miramar was an intentional pick for the festival’s first U.S. South Florida stop, as the city is home to one of the largest Jamaican diaspora communities in the region. Even local government reflects that deep connection: Mayor Wayne Messam was born in Florida to Jamaican immigrant parents, and a majority of the city’s sitting commissioners were born and raised in Jamaica.

Rebel Salute’s path to this debut has not been smooth. The event was first slated for April 2024, before being pushed back to September that year, and then delayed again seven months ago when unstable weather threatened to disrupt the outdoor gathering. That pattern of weather-related disruption mirrors recent challenges the festival has faced at its long-time Jamaica home. Founded in 1994 on January 15 – Tony Rebel’s own birthday – the festival launched at Mandeville’s Fayor’s Entertainment Complex, with the late iconic reggae artist Garnet Silk as its very first headliner. After six years, it relocated to Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth, before moving again to its long-time home at Plantation Cove in St Ann in 2013. Most recently, the 2026 staging of the festival in St Ann was scrapped entirely, after Hurricane Melissa caused widespread devastating damage across the region last October, forcing organizers to cancel the annual domestic event.

Four months after losing her premature newborn daughter Miracle to cardiac arrest, rising Jamaican dancehall performer Kizzy Don has opened up for the first time about her devastating grief, channeling her unprocessed trauma into a raw, emotionally devastating new music video for the single titled *Therapy*. The track, co-crafted with Kizzy Don’s partner and Miracle’s father, fellow dancehall artist Kiprich, lays bare the crippling psychological weight of parental loss that has reshaped every area of her life since the tragedy unfolded in Colombia earlier this year.

The heartbreaking chain of events began when Kizzy Don traveled with Kiprich to a live performance gig in Colombia, where she developed unexpected pregnancy complications that forced Miracle’s premature delivery. The infant was hospitalized in Barranquilla, and passed away from cardiac arrest on January 29, a loss that left Kizzy Don reeling from persistent, overwhelming grief that has not faded in the months that followed.

One of the single’s most haunting lines perfectly distills Kizzy Don’s daily struggle: “What did I do? I am living but I am confused.” In an interview with *Observer Online*, she explained that this verse captures the messy, conflicting mix of guilt, sadness, emptiness and anger that defines the trauma of losing a child. “Those lines are the most powerful for me, because that is my reality,” she said. “I am constantly questioning the situation, what did I do? What did I do for this to happen to me and Kipo.”

Even four months on, unprompted waves of tears overtake her without warning, turning her naturally outgoing, sunny disposition inward and straining her public interactions with fans. “I find myself crying a lot, I feel like I am not ready to engage with them, when I see them, I try to hide,” she shared. “I know they want to talk about it but I am so hurt about it, I don’t how to express myself.”

To work through her trauma, Kizzy Don attends regular therapy sessions, and draws on the quiet resilience modeled by her mother, who taught her to keep moving forward through hardship. She added that Kiprich has been an unwavering source of support, both as a partner in grief and a collaborator on the track. Still, Kizzy Don has tried to hide the depths of her pain from him to let him hold space for her strength: “He is trying to be strong for me so I don’t want to give off that energy, so when I want to cry, I have to go to the bathroom.”

Releasing *Therapy* is itself part of Kizzy Don’s healing journey, a deliberate step toward moving past daily grief for both her own sake and her partnership. “I don’t want to be crying everyday, I don’t want the household to be sad, because one person has to be strong,” she explained. “He is trying to get the fun side out of me, but it’s a struggle for me, but this song itself is a bit of therapy for me.”

The track’s accompanying music video has already earned more than 27,000 views in just a few days since its Friday release, a testament to the raw resonance of Kizzy Don’s story. A prominent social media creator with 179,000 Instagram followers and more than 325,000 TikTok followers, Kizzy Don has stepped back from posting in recent months, admitting “When I open the camera, I don’t know what to say.”

Looking ahead, Kizzy Don and Kiprich plan to try for another child soon, a decision she says is central to her long-term healing. “I am not going to truly heal until I get back another child,” she said. “I feel like a part of me missing still because mi don’t have the baby, so anytime I get back a baby, I feel like I can try to look past things. I just want back a child.”

Fans have flooded the comment sections of the video with messages of solidarity and praise, celebrating the track’s raw emotional honesty. “This song touches the deepest parts of the soul….. it speaks the words many of us struggle to say out loud,” one fan wrote. “Pain, healing, love, and strength all wrapped into one beautiful expression. Music like this reminds us that even when we feel alone, someone out there gets it.” Another commented, “Am I the only one crying? It’s like I can feel the pain somehow,” while dozens more left notes encouraging Kizzy Don to continue her healing journey.

Two years after making her runway debut, Jamaican modeling star Dru Campbell has hit another career milestone, landing her first global fragrance campaign with iconic Spanish luxury fashion brand Loewe. The 19-year-old, who is signed to talent agency SAINT International, is the latest face of Loewe’s Spring 2026 Landscape fragrance collection, marking her third major global advertising campaign following high-profile gigs with Dior and Alexander McQueen in 2024.

Raised in Clarendon’s Belmont District, Campbell opened up about her excitement over the new role in an interview with Observer Online, saying the opportunity to lead a major fragrance campaign as an international model feels like an incredible career achievement. “It feels amazing having my first fragrance campaign as an international model, and it will be good for my career moving forward. I hope it will not be my last,” she shared.

Shot against the dramatic natural backdrop of the Canary Islands back in February, the full campaign blends still photography from lensman Peter Jordanov and moving footage from videographer Marc Dimitrov. The collection’s concept draws on the diverse, rugged terrain of Spain — from rolling fertile plains to jagged mountain ranges and stark mineral landforms — to reflect the distinct botanical roots of the collection’s six individual perfumes. For Campbell’s part, she features as the face of Loewe’s Solo Ella Elixir fragrance, captured in soft, golden light as the sun rises over the horizon.

The rising model recalled the shoot as a joyful, collaborative creative experience, noting her longstanding professional connection to the luxury brand. “It was a super-fun shoot with Marc and Peter. Getting into character to portray the vision they had made for an exciting day,” she said. Campbell has already walked in Loewe’s runway presentations four times during Paris Fashion Week, and counts the brand among her favorite industry partners. “Ashley Brokaw and her casting team have always been supportive and I am grateful for that,” she added.

Founded in 1846 by a collective of Spanish artisans, Loewe has grown into one of the world’s most respected luxury labels, celebrated globally for its premium leather goods, high-end ready-to-wear lines and coveted accessories. This new campaign adds to Campbell’s rapidly growing list of career wins: last year, she co-starred in Dior’s pre-fall 2025 womenswear collection campaign, shot on location in Japan, and also featured in Alexander McQueen’s Autumn/Winter pre-collection campaign.

Currently ranked among the world’s top 50 models by leading industry resource models.com, Campbell’s rapid ascent has drawn widespread praise from her team at SAINT International. Deiwght Peters, CEO of SAINT International who has guided Campbell’s career from its earliest stages, says the new Loewe campaign is a direct result of the young model’s consistent effort and dedication.

“Dru has been an exceptionally driven, focused model since she launched on the Prada runway at Milan Fashion Week only two years ago,” Peters explained. “She’s built a solid reputation in the industry for her disposition, charm, and strong looks. She’s barely touched the tip of the greatness that awaits her.”

Renowned fusion reggae artist Stacey Mirander recently stepped back into the halls of her Jamaican alma mater, Clarendon College, taking on a heartfelt new role as guest speaker for the institution’s celebratory Easter Brunch welcoming its incoming cohort of first-form students. The memorable occasion, designed to ease the transition for new learners and build school morale, was carefully curated with elegant decor, thoughtfully plated meals, and an indulgent spread of homemade desserts. Dressed in their most polished formal attire — with several students showcasing self-crafted outfits that highlighted their creativity — the first-formers embraced the stately, celebratory tone of the afternoon.

Beyond sharing words of wisdom with the incoming class, Mirander treated the audience to a live musical performance, opening with two of her original compositions: *People Don’t Care* and *Have A Little Faith*. Both tracks carry deeply resonant lyrical themes centered on resilience, unwavering self-belief, and intentional purpose, messages crafted specifically to resonate with the young students navigating a new educational chapter. She then capped off her set with an impromptu, crowd-pleasing collaboration on Bob Marley’s iconic *Three Little Birds*, joining forces with Clarendon College’s talented student-led school band that had the entire venue singing along.

For the artist, the homecoming triggered a flood of warm nostalgia, as she saw her own younger self reflected in the shy, curious expressions of the new first-formers. “It was like I never left,” Mirander shared, recalling her own first day on campus decades earlier. “I remembered walking up to Stuart Hall for the first time, how massive it felt, how small and out of place I was, surrounded by strangers I’d never met. Looking at these new students, that same quiet, pensive, uncertain energy was right there — it pulled me right back to that moment.”

This appearance is far from Mirander’s first engagement with her alma mater. As a proud graduate, she has maintained deep ties to the Clarendon College community, regularly supporting student and staff initiatives ranging from annual Teacher Appreciation Day events to back-to-school outreach programs for low-income students. Her consistent involvement stems from a long-held commitment to youth mentorship and local community development.

Notably, this marked Mirander’s first live performance on Jamaican soil, an experience she described as warm and effortless, with a gentle breeze drifting through the event space and a relaxed, joyful vibe filling the room. She opened her interaction with the new students by breaking the ice, asking casual questions about their first impressions to put them at ease, and watched quickly as nervous smiles gave way to open, enthusiastic interaction before she began her performance.

The event drew a roster of distinguished guests, including fellow alumna Dr. Melissa Marballie of The Family Wound Care, who donated custom prizes for student engagement activities, and prominent community philanthropist Dr. Joseph Wilson, a long-time supporter of local youth education initiatives. Mirander extended public gratitude to Clarendon College Principal David Wilson, event organizer Shirleen Jackson, school music teacher Wenbert Thomas, the student band, and the entire campus body for their work bringing the day together.

She praised Jackson’s vision for the event, noting it was created specifically to give incoming students a morale boost and a reminder that their future holds exciting possibilities. “It was a gesture to give the students something to look forward to,” Mirander explained, adding that the energy and engagement from the cohort made the day a clear success. The artist also commended Clarendon College’s ongoing commitment to holistic student development, prioritizing events that nurture excellence, creativity, and collective community spirit alongside academic learning. “We need more events like these,” she emphasized.

One of the Caribbean’s most iconic cultural music events, Jamaica’s legendary Reggae Sumfest, has opened physical ticket sales for its 2026 iteration, marking the festival’s first-ever staging in the parish of St Ann. Organisers made the official announcement via a press release issued Friday, calling on excited fans to lock in their spots early for what is shaping up to be a landmark gathering for reggae and dancehall music lovers worldwide.

Three tiers of tickets are currently available for purchase through authorised in-person outlets across Jamaica for A Taste of Reggae Sumfest 2026, tailored to fit different fan preferences and budgets. General Admission is priced at JMD $9,500, while mid-tier VIP access costs JMD $17,500, and top-tier VVIP packages are listed at JMD $32,000. Authorised physical sales points span the island, including multiple Fontana Pharmacy locations in Montego Bay, Barbican, Waterloo, Tropical Plaza, Sovereign Centre, Sovereign Village Portmore, Mandeville, and Ocho Rios, as well as Montego Bay’s popular Pier 1 and El Paso venues.

Organisers have emphasised a strict no-gate-sales policy for the event, stressing that all attendees must secure their passes in advance through official channels to guarantee entry. A limited-edition UVIP package, which includes four entry tickets plus premium bottle service on an exclusive elevated viewing deck, will be released for sale in the near future. While a small number of private cabana experiences were offered to fans early, these premium offerings have already sold out entirely, a sign of the massive hype surrounding this year’s event.

This 2026 festival will make history as the first edition of Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica’s foremost annual music celebration, to be hosted at St Ann’s renowned Plantation Cove, a scenic iconic venue expected to amplify the festival’s vibrant energy and deliver world-class entertainment to attendees.

Much of the pre-event buzz stems from the announcement of the long-awaited Gully/Gaza showcase, a momentous cultural occasion rooted in decades of dancehall history. Headlined by genre-defining artists Vybz Kartel and Mavado, the showcase is framed as a powerful celebration of unity, legacy, and the unrivaled energy of Jamaican dancehall, expected to draw fans from across the globe to Plantation Cove.

Alongside ticket sales updates, organisers have laid out timelines for official accreditation. Media professionals seeking press access can submit their accreditation applications between April 17 and April 27, 2026. For local and regional food vendors hoping to participate in the festival’s culinary offering, accreditation applications open on April 20 and close on April 30. Organisers noted they are working to curate a diverse, high-quality spread of food that highlights the rich, distinct flavors of Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine to complement the festival’s musical programming, encouraging interested vendors to submit their applications early.

Fans can complete online ticket purchases and access all accreditation application forms through the official Reggae Sumfest website, reggaesumfest.com.

Jamaican dancehall artist Chronic Law, born Ackeme Jermaine Campbell, is preparing for a major career comeback after enduring 73 days of detention in a United States immigration facility earlier this year, turning one of the darkest chapters of his life into raw, purpose-driven creative work.

The artist was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida on January 12, 2026, a development that sent immediate shockwaves through both the Caribbean music community and the global dancehall industry. For weeks after his detainment, rampant speculation spread across fan groups and industry circles, with many questioning the undisclosed circumstances that led to his arrest. That uncertainty shifted dramatically on March 26, when Chronic Law was released from custody without any formal charges filed against him.

Instead of being pulled into public controversy or feeding the swirling speculation around his detainment, the artist has channeled the emotional, psychological, and spiritual weight of his experience into a new eight-track extended play (EP) titled I.C.E (Inside Cold & Empty), shaped by core themes of survival, unshakable faith, and deep personal introspection. Emerging from the ordeal with a renewed sense of artistic purpose, Chronic Law has centered the project on documenting his firsthand experience rather than dwelling on what happened.

The project is a collaborative production with Grammy-winning producer NotNice, the head of Notnice Records, who opened up about the unusual, high-stakes creation process that unfolded while Chronic Law was still in detention. According to NotNice, the foundational work for the EP was completed before the artist ever regained his freedom.

“From a production standpoint, the EP was already done before Chronic Law got out. While he was being detained, he and Bashy would connect on the phone every single day. Bashy would play the rhythm tracks over the line, and Chronic Law would write his lyrics right there from the detention center. All the beats were selected, and every song was fully written before he was released,” NotNice explained. “I originally came on to the project just to refine the existing beats and add my signature touch. But I ended up reworking some entire tracks, rebuilding beats from scratch, adding additional production layers to every track, and handling the final mixing and mastering for the full project.”

I.C.E (Inside Cold & Empty) is a joint venture between Notnice Records, Collect Di Bread Entertainment, and 1Law, a strategic alignment between the labels designed to amplify both the sonic quality of the record and the depth of the personal narrative at its core. The full EP is scheduled for global release on April 24, 2026, with the lead single *Like Samson* set to drop a week earlier on April 17 via independent music distribution platform ONErpm. The upcoming release marks a defining turning point in Chronic Law’s career, forcing the artist into a level of vulnerability that has reshaped his creative output.

Known for his deeply thoughtful lyrics and grounded, street-rooted storytelling that has earned him a loyal global fanbase, Chronic Law says the new project is a natural evolution of his signature style, born from a traumatic experience that pushed him to new creative depths. In comments about the work, he opened up about how the 73-day detention tested his faith and changed his perspective permanently.

“Going through that 73-day detention made me even more aware, and at times, more guarded. Everybody had their own opinions and drew their own conclusions about what happened, but for me — someone who truly believes in God and believes fully in myself — it became a real test of my character and my faith,” Chronic Law said. “Through it all, I know God was by my side. I had to lean on Him completely, because without that faith things could’ve gone a completely different direction. Since being released, my relationship with God has grown so much deeper; I find myself having real, personal conversations with Him, venting more, just connecting on a whole different level than I ever did before.”

The artist added that the EP carries a clear, uplifting message for listeners facing their own struggles: “I.C.E (Inside Cold & Empty) was written to show people that no matter the situation, the obstacles, or the fight you’re facing, you have to stay solid. You can’t lose faith. Believe in Christ, stand firm, and fight for your rights.”