分类： entertainment

The Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF) is set to return for its 11th edition, promising four days of unparalleled culinary experiences, vibrant entertainment, and a celebration of Jamaican culture. Scheduled for November 13-16, 2025, the festival will once again transform the gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel into a hub of gastronomic delight and cultural immersion. The official launch event, held on Friday night, offered a tantalizing preview of what attendees can expect, featuring music by DJ Franco and an array of delectable treats. Visa, the festival’s platinum partner, continues to support this iconic event, which has grown exponentially over the past decade. Co-Festival Director Nicole Pandohie expressed immense pride in the festival’s evolution, noting its transformation from a local experiment to an internationally recognized culinary showcase. ‘When we started 11 years ago, we wanted to test the waters with food and drink in Jamaica. The response was overwhelming, and now we have international chefs and media eager to participate,’ Pandohie shared. The launch event, despite being interrupted by rain, was a testament to the festival’s enduring appeal. Guests mingled in the gardens, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere and indulging in the culinary offerings. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green praised the JFDF for bridging the gap between local farmers and the culinary industry, highlighting the festival’s role in spotlighting the backbone of Jamaica’s food sector. ‘This festival connects people to the hardworking farmers and fishers who make it all possible,’ Green remarked. The 2025 edition will feature a diverse lineup of events, including Kuyah, a celebration of reimagined Jamaican cuisine; Decade 2.0, featuring the popular Pork Palooza; Meet Street and the Market, showcasing fresh produce and local vendors; and the Boozy Brunch, a fitting conclusion to the festivities. With its unique blend of food, culture, and entertainment, the JFDF continues to solidify its place as a must-attend event on the global culinary calendar.

The 2025 Reggae North Music Awards, held on September 28 at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, witnessed a stellar performance by Ammoye, who clinched two of the most prestigious awards: Entertainer of The Year and Female Vocalist of The Year. Originating from Halse Hall in Clarendon, Jamaica, Ammoye moved to Toronto as a teenager and has since been a multiple nominee for the Juno Award in the Reggae Recording of The Year category. The event also celebrated other luminaries of Canadian reggae, including Manchester-born Exco Levi, who won Album of The Year for his work ‘Born to Be Free,’ and Steele, who was honored as Male Vocalist of The Year. Inoah’s ‘Chosen’ and Blk Orchid’s ‘How Long’ were recognized as Reggae Single of The Year for male and female artists, respectively. This year marked the second edition of the Reggae North Music Awards, founded by Jamaican singer and music producer Tony Anthony in response to the Juno Awards’ initial decision to eliminate the reggae category, which was later reversed. The awards ceremony aims to bolster Canada’s reggae community by acknowledging its own talents. Additional accolades were bestowed upon Eyesus and Phenique as Male and Female DJ of The Year, Trueace and Tiffanie Malvo for their dancehall singles, and Skystar and Kae Music for their contributions to the trap/fusion genre. Neto Youth and Tim Dubb were celebrated as Songwriter and Producer of The Year, respectively, while Inoah took home the Video of The Year award. The event also honored Carl ‘Grandmaster Rosa’ Green and Nana McLean with the Living Legend Award, presented by the Consul General of Jamaica, Kurt Davis. The evening concluded with a performance by Kairo Mclean and a special citation from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown to Reggae North President Mark ‘Tony Anthony’ Bennett.

Renowned DJ and producer Walsh Fire, a key member of the multi-platinum EDM group Major Lazer, has been confirmed as part of the star-studded lineup for the upcoming Xodus Wet Music Festival. Scheduled for this Saturday, the event will take place at the Kingston Waterfront from 4:00 am to 11:00 am, marking the grand opening of Jamaica’s 2026 carnival season.

Pierre Goubault, CEO of Xodus Carnival, expressed his excitement about Walsh Fire’s participation, highlighting his global influence in blending soca, dancehall, reggae, and house music. Goubault promised an unforgettable experience, featuring special remixes, dub plates, and new releases. The festival will also include paint, powder, water, foam, and an electrifying mix of soca music, making it a multi-sensory extravaganza.

Carlos Phillpotts, the festival director, emphasized that Xodus Wet is more than just a music festival—it’s a full-blown sensory escape. This year’s event aims to push boundaries with immersive experiences, top-tier performances, and water-infused vibes. Headliners include Trinidadian soca stars Bunji Garlin and GBM Nutron, alongside a stellar lineup of international and local DJs such as Jus Jay, Major Penny, Nocturnal Sound, Tony X, Zess, Rico the DJ, Franco, and Brush 1.

Phillpotts described the festival as a fusion of music, culture, and freedom, urging attendees to bring their coolers, crew, and enthusiasm for an unforgettable experience. Sponsors like Wata, KFC, and Chas E Ramson will enhance the event with their offerings. With fog cannons, drones, and new activations from title sponsor Campari, Goubault confidently declared this festival as the most epic event of the decade.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Odiyo, the Caribbean’s trailblazing digital audiobook platform, has struck a landmark deal to acquire audio rights to five distinguished titles from the renowned independent publisher Akashic Books. This collaboration will breathe new life into works by some of the most influential voices in Caribbean and diaspora literature, including two novels by the late Jamaican literary icon Anthony Winkler. The selected titles are: *The Tower of the Antilles* by Achy Obejas, *My Own Dear People* by Dwight Thompson, *God Carlos* by Anthony Winkler, *The Family Mansion* by Anthony Winkler, and *Watch Out for Falling Iguanas* by Edwidge Danticat. Johnny Temple, CEO of Akashic Books, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, ‘We are thrilled to see these extraordinary works find new life in audio through Odiyo. The Caribbean’s literary tradition is rich, diverse, and deserving of wider access. Odiyo’s commitment to amplifying regional voices makes them the perfect partner for these titles.’ Anthony Winkler, celebrated for his globally acclaimed novel *The Lunatic*, remains a cherished figure in Jamaican literature. This agreement ensures that *God Carlos* and *The Family Mansion* will be available in audio for the first time, preserving Winkler’s signature wit, historical depth, and uniquely Jamaican narrative style for future generations. Lesley-Ann Wanliss, Odiyo’s head of acquisitions, emphasized the cultural significance of the deal, noting, ‘These are important works, not just for their literary merit, but for the way they capture and preserve the Caribbean’s voice and history. This partnership began through our shared mission with Akashic Books to make underrepresented stories accessible to more listeners. For Odiyo users, it means the ability to experience these narratives in an intimate and dynamic way, whether they’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them in a new format.’ This acquisition underscores Odiyo’s ongoing efforts to expand its curated collection of Caribbean literature in audio form, solidifying its position as a global advocate for regional storytelling.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a tribute to the late Peggy Blades, a revered matriarch of the Blades family and former director of Mussons Jamaica Limited, a groundbreaking national art prize has been unveiled. The $1.5 million Peggy Blades Art Prize, announced by the Musson Foundation, is set to become an annual initiative aimed at nurturing young Jamaican artists, educators, and school art programmes. The inaugural award ceremony will take place on October 2, 2025, during the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Art Competition and Awards at the Confucius Institute on the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus. This initiative seeks to bolster creativity and enhance art education across the island by integrating the prize into the JCDC’s national Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition. The award will feature multiple categories, recognizing top-performing student artists, educators, and school art departments. Additionally, it will fund workshops and teaching resources to establish sustainable art programmes in schools. Peggy Blades, remembered for her quiet philanthropy and passion for the arts and education, left a lasting legacy of social impact. Her daughter, Susan Scott, an artist herself, emphasized the personal significance of the award, stating, ‘Through the Peggy Blades Art Prize, we are honouring a woman whose warmth, generosity, and love of Jamaica touched everyone she met. Our hope is that every child who takes part feels encouraged to explore their creativity, because that spark of imagination can change a life.’

The University of the West Indies (UWI) in Kingston, Jamaica, has ushered in the new academic year with a fresh twist on its beloved weekly event, Integration Thursdays. Organized by the UWI Guild of Students, this year’s edition features a five-week talent competition titled ‘King & Queen of Integration,’ designed to spotlight the artistic abilities of students while fostering campus engagement. The event kicked off on September 24 at the Students’ Union and will culminate in a grand finale with cash prizes and other rewards for the winners.

Tajay Gardner, a member of the UWI Guild Cultural and Entertainment Affairs Committee (CEAC), emphasized the initiative’s dual purpose. ‘The Kings and Queens of Integration provides a platform for student artists to refine their craft while enhancing student participation,’ Gardner explained to Observer Online. The competition will consist of five elimination rounds, with two participants eliminated each week. The final two contenders will face off in the grand finale, where winners will be determined by audience reactions and a panel of judges.

The opening night showcased nine talented performers, offering a glimpse of the creativity to come. Among them was Jalon ‘Splxntak’ Lambert, a Humanities and Education student from Taylor Hall, who expressed his enthusiasm for the competition. ‘This is our time to shine. I’ve been writing music and poetry since high school, and I’m ready to show the world what I can do,’ Lambert shared. Similarly, Zineil ‘Flowmatic’ Blackwood, a Literature and Publishing student from Preston Hall, sees the event as an opportunity to hone his skills. ‘I’m here to develop my artistry, vocals, and lyrical abilities,’ he stated.

The competition also features Jada-Lee Dawkins, the sole female participant and a Social Sciences student with aspirations of becoming an R&B singer. ‘This platform offers the exposure I need to pursue my dreams,’ she said. Other participants, like Peter Jaun ‘Kod3’ Palmer and Kaheil ‘KJ’ Brown, view the event as a stepping stone to improve their craft and build a foundation for their artistic careers. ‘I’ve always been passionate about music, and this competition is the perfect vehicle to grow and learn,’ Brown added.

With its blend of talent, creativity, and community spirit, the ‘King & Queen of Integration’ series promises to be a highlight of UWI’s academic calendar, offering students a chance to shine while enriching campus culture.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jaygo, the Antiguan reggae artiste and recent law school graduate, has seamlessly blended his dual passions for music and law, creating a unique narrative that reflects his deep connection to Caribbean culture. Born Jamal Gordon, Jaygo pursued legal studies at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, where he immersed himself in the island’s vibrant culture while excelling academically.

Grammy-winning artist Mariah Carey has announced that she is currently in the process of creating a music video for her hit single, ‘Sugar Sweet,’ which features collaborations with Kehlani and Jamaican dancehall sensation Shenseea. During a recent appearance on the podcast ‘Baby, This is Keke Palmer,’ Carey shared insights into the creative process and the challenges of coordinating schedules for the project.

Carey expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, ‘It was good, I mean we’re still trying to get all together in one place at the right time…We’re all trying to come together and make it work, but we got them on the records.’ She further revealed, ‘We’re making a little video,’ hinting at the upcoming visual treat for fans.

The release of Carey’s latest album, ‘Here For It All,’ sparked some controversy when rumors circulated that Shenseea and Kehlani had been quietly removed from the ‘Sugar Sweet’ track. Fans speculated about the reasons behind the alleged change, leading to widespread discussion. However, it has since been clarified that the collaboration remains intact on the digital versions of the album. Carey did release a solo version of ‘Sugar Sweet’ on the physical album, but the original track featuring the guest artists is still available for streaming and download.