分类： entertainment

The 2025 Sterling Gospel Music Awards, held at Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Portmore, St Catherine, celebrated the finest talents in gospel music, with Kevin Downswell emerging as the standout winner despite his absence. Downswell secured three prestigious awards: Local Hit Producer of the Year, Local Hit of the Year, and Video of the Year. The event, now in its ninth year, also honored other notable artists, including Genesis Praise Squad, which claimed Breakout Sensation of the Year and Group of the Year. Chevelle Franklin, though not present, won Album of the Year for ‘South Wind Vol 1’ and Female Artiste of the Year. Johnmark Wiggan, who entered the ceremony with eight nominations, shared the Collaboration of the Year award with Prince Saj for their song ‘Nuh More Dan Wi.’ Prince Saj also took home Male Artiste of the Year, delivering an emotional acceptance speech that highlighted his journey from hardship to success. Other winners included Sebastian Braham for EP of the Year, Sheena Lyn-Hanson for Virtual Gospel Series of the Year, and DJ Noi for Gospel DJ of the Year. The KFC Big Deal Kingdom Stalwarts Award was posthumously awarded to the family of Bishop Ronald Blair, with other bishops also recognized for their contributions. The evening featured electrifying performances by Johnmark Wiggan, Prince Saj, Jaida Messam, Coopy Bly, and Raheim Betty, leaving the audience inspired and uplifted.

Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley, the acclaimed Grammy-winning artist and producer, has secured his second platinum-certified single, marking his first such achievement in the United Kingdom. The milestone was awarded for his 2005 hit single, ‘Welcome to Jamrock,’ which has now surpassed 600,000 units in combined sales and streaming equivalents. The British Phonographic Industry officially recognized this accomplishment on Friday, October 3. Originally released two decades ago, ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ served as the lead single from Marley’s Grammy-winning album of the same name. The track also earned a Grammy in 2006 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance at the 48th annual Grammy Awards. The song ingeniously samples Ini Kamoze’s 1984 reggae classic ‘World-A-Reggae,’ produced by Sly and Robbie. Upon its release, ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ quickly gained international acclaim, charting at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S., #13 in the UK, #28 in Hungary, #76 in the Netherlands, #12 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks chart, and #18 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. This latest certification adds to Marley’s growing list of accolades, which includes a platinum certification in the U.S. for his 2017 collaboration with Skrillex, ‘Make It Bun Dem.’ Notably, ‘Make It Bun Dem’ was recently certified gold in the UK. Marley’s other UK certifications include ‘Road to Zion’ with Nas (silver, May 2025), the ‘Distant Relatives’ album with Nas (silver, February 2016), and the ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ album (gold, April 2006). The single had previously been certified gold in Brazil and was ranked #270 on Pitchfork Media’s Top 500 Songs of the 2000s. Additionally, ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ has been featured in popular video games such as ‘FIFA 06,’ ‘Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix,’ ‘FIFA 23,’ and ‘The Sims 2: Bon Voyage,’ where it was even recorded in the game’s fictional Simlish language.

Timmy Love, a seasoned musician known for his versatility across various music genres, recently discovered Randy Crawford’s 1983 hit ‘Why’ through a friend’s suggestion. Intrigued by the song’s introspective essence, Love decided to record a reggae rendition, produced by Dwayne Morris. The track was officially released on October 3, marking another milestone in Love’s prolific career.

Reggae artist Nesbeth has once again captured the spotlight with his latest single, ‘Sidechick Save Nuff Relationship,’ a track that has ignited widespread debate among listeners. Released three months ago, the song has grown in popularity, with its provocative lyrics celebrating the role of ‘sidechicks’ in relationships. While some critics argue that the track undermines the value of faithful wives, others commend Nesbeth for acknowledging the often-overlooked contributions of these ‘sneaky links.’

Nesbeth, who describes himself as a realist, explained that the song was inspired by real-life observations. ‘As an artist, I sing about what people live, whisper, and argue about. This one just happens to be a hot-button topic,’ he said. The artist, a faithful husband and now fiancé, clarified that the song is not a reflection of his personal experiences but rather a commentary on societal dynamics. ‘My music isn’t limited to personal experience — it’s about perspective. I sing about life in all its forms,’ he added.

The track has elicited mixed reactions, with some listeners laughing, agreeing, or challenging its message. Nesbeth views this diversity of responses as a sign of success. ‘The song is doing what it should — sparking dialogue,’ he said. Surprisingly, he has received more support from wives than backlash, with some using the song to highlight their own roles in their marriages. ‘If everyone agreed, the song would be ordinary,’ Nesbeth noted.

Regarding his fiancée’s reaction, Nesbeth shared that she is unfazed by the controversy. ‘She does not take the song personally,’ he said. ‘My spouse is always supportive of my music and understands my role as an artist.’

As Nesbeth prepares to release the visuals for the track, he aims to close out 2025 on a high note, promoting other songs that balance social commentary with lighter themes. ‘The visuals will match the energy of the track and keep people talking,’ he said. ‘My catalogue always balances the serious with the light-hearted.’

Dancehall icon Don Yute has joined forces with reggae legend Half Pint to create the Afrobeats-infused track ‘Beautiful Girls,’ which has been dominating the airwaves since its recent release. The single, produced under the Manatee Records-Golden Child Records labels, has garnered significant attention, particularly on platforms like Spotify in Europe and Boomplay in Africa.

Don Yute shared the spontaneous creative process behind the song, recalling how Half Pint effortlessly contributed to the track during a studio session. ‘We just started cooking it up on the spot,’ he said, praising Half Pint’s legendary vocal prowess and adaptability to the uptempo rhythm. The collaboration has been described as a dream come true for Don Yute, who admires Half Pint’s contributions to reggae music.

Plans for a music video are already in motion, with fans eagerly anticipating its release. The track has resonated particularly well with female listeners, who appreciate its unique sound. ‘Beautiful Girls’ is one of the lead singles from Don Yute’s upcoming album, ‘Butterflies and Daisies,’ which will be celebrated with a release party in Miami on October 26. The event promises a nostalgic house party vibe, with the first 50 attendees receiving a free thumb drive of the album.

The album features other tracks such as ‘Live Life,’ ‘Pop It Like a Bottle,’ ‘Diamonds and Pearls,’ and the title track ‘Butterflies and Daisies.’ Don Yute, known for his 1993 hit ‘Loving Excess’ with Wayne Wonder, has solidified his place in dancehall history as a pioneer of the 1990s era. His career has spanned decades, with collaborations with artists like Akon, Pitbull, and Jermaine Dupri, as well as placements in NBA games, movies, and TV series.

Despite his extensive achievements, Don Yute remains passionate about creating music that transcends cultural boundaries. ‘What’s next for me is just to keep dropping different sounds on digital platforms,’ he said, encouraging fans to follow his work across all digital channels.