分类： entertainment

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.

After more than 20 years shaping the global dancehall landscape, veteran deejay Spragga Benz retains the same electric enthusiasm for music that drove him at the start of his career, remaining deeply connected to the culture that turned him into a household name across the Caribbean and beyond. Whether he is dissecting the work of today’s rising dancehall stars, penning new original material, or debating shifting production trends in the genre, his commitment to dancehall’s evolution has never wavered.

Currently, the artist’s full attention is turned toward an ambitious new project: a full remix album of his recent studio release *Endeavors*, which pairs his original tracks with guest verses from a lineup of artists he personally admires. In a recent interview, Spragga Benz shared details of the collaborative project, naming established heavyweights including Agent Sasco, Grammy winner Sean Paul, Stonebwoy, Bugle, and I Wayne as already confirmed contributors, adding that he is also working to bring veteran reggae vocalist JC Lodge onto the project. “This next release is all about working with people I truly respect,” he explained.

This focus on cross-generational collaboration aligns with Spragga Benz’s broader perspective on today’s dancehall industry, where conversations about generational rifts often dominate public discourse. Positioning himself as a bridge between older and newer cohorts of artists, he says he has built mutual respect across age groups by leaning into openness rather than conflict. “I see myself as the in-between generation – I have love and respect for every artist out there,” he noted. “I don’t go out looking to disrespect anyone, and I walk away from tension when I can. I have no issues with the young artists coming up, and I hope they feel the same about me. Everything is good, and I’m ready to make music with any of them anytime.”

That open-minded approach has allowed him to keep close tabs on the new wave of talent redefining dancehall, and he has not been shy about highlighting the young artists that have caught his eye. One emerging act that stands out for him is breakout star Skeng, whose magnetic stage presence and unorthodox style he says elevates him beyond traditional deejaying. “I love Skeng’s energy – what he’s doing is totally different,” Spragga Benz explained. “I don’t know if he’s realized it yet, but he’s not just a deejay, he’s a rock star. In this new generation of artists, he’s in a class all his own.”

Other rising acts earning the veteran’s stamp of approval include Masicka, Jashii, and Bittah So Sicka, an up-and-coming artist from his own Red Square crew who he says has massive untapped potential.

Despite embracing the genre’s evolving sound and new generation of creators, Spragga Benz says the core of his passion for music has not changed in 20-plus years. To this day, he says, inspiration strikes immediately when he hears a beat that stands out from the crowd. “I love music, and I will always get excited over a great rhythm,” he shared. “Every time I hear a beat I like, that has a different groove or feels new to me, I immediately want to write a song. Whether I end up releasing it or not, I still create something – this is my work and it’s my hobby.”

One contemporary production trend that has piqued his interest lately is the wave of Hill and Gully Ride-inspired rhythms that have grown massively popular in modern dancehall. “I love the Hill an’ Gully sound – I would absolutely destroy that rhythm,” he said, joking that he has already been pressing producer Stephen McGregor to send him a version of the beat to work on. “It has the same raw energy as the classic Powercut rhythm, which fits right in with my era.”

Even as he welcomes new sounds, however, Spragga Benz did share one observation about a core element of dancehall culture he believes has faded over time: the traditional juggling rhythm format that allowed dozens of artists to layer their own unique perspectives and stories onto a single shared production. Today, he says, most productions are built for solo artists rather than collective juggling projects. “I prefer juggling rhythms because they let everyone get involved and tell their own story,” he explained. That said, he did critique a common trend he has observed in modern juggling projects: too many artists fixating on the same narrow topics, turning the format into a competition of who can repeat the same theme better. “I just want to see more creativity in the topics artists are exploring,” he added.

For Spragga Benz, the career mission he set out with decades ago remains unchanged: keep creating, keep evolving, and keep contributing to the growth of dancehall culture, whether that means collaborating with respected peers or lifting up the next generation of stars set to carry the genre forward.

A fresh collaborative effort is bringing a new dancehall sound to summer playlists, as seasoned music producer Realjedii has joined forces with established dancehall recording artist Frassman Brilliant to drop a fiery new lead single titled *Defiance*, the flagship track for Realjedii’s forthcoming third compilation project. In a recent interview with Observer Online, the producer opened up about the natural origins of the partnership, explaining that the pair already shares long-standing creative chemistry, and that the track came together seamlessly after weeks of casual conversation and a simple instrumental exchange. *Defiance* officially made its debut to digital streaming platforms on May 29 via Realjedii’s own label imprint Jedii Musiq, with global distribution handled by industry player ONErpm. Fans can also look forward to a fully produced official music video, scheduled to premiere just two days after the single’s release on May 31. What was initially framed as a full compilation album has shifted in development, Realjedii revealed, with the project currently taking shape as a tight six-track extended play (EP). The producer added that the final tracklist has not been locked in permanently, as he remains open to adding well-fitting new contributions, preferring to keep his compilation projects curated rather than overcrowded with excess material. “I don’t usually like to flood my jugglings with too many songs,” he explained of his intentional, quality-over-quantity curation approach. Beyond the lead single from Frassman Brilliant, the upcoming EP will also shine a spotlight on rising independent musical talent from across the globe, including Germany-based emerging artists Inti Ayvar Waltz and Dahdidah. Waltz’s contribution to the project, a track titled *Live Your Life*, is slated to get an official solo release in June, building hype ahead of the full EP drop. Highlighting the intentional creative direction behind this release, Realjedii noted that centering emerging artists is a deliberate strategic shift from his earlier compilation projects, which featured far fewer up-and-coming acts. Even with the focus on new talent, the producer tapped Frassman Brilliant, a recognizable and respected name in the global dancehall space, to lead the project with *Defiance*, balancing fresh new voices with the draw of an established fan favorite. This is far from the first time the two creatives have worked together: Realjedii boasts an already established discography of previous popular projects, including the well-received *Balla Riddim* and *Jama-piano* collections, and he and Brilliant have collaborated on multiple earlier tracks including *Balla* and *African Beauty*, with several unreleased collaborations already waiting in the wings. Frassman Brilliant echoed the pair’s long-standing professional bond, noting that Realjedii has been a core member of his support team since the earliest days of his career. For the dancehall artist, *Defiance* is more than just a new single – it is a deeply personal track that reflects his core identity and approach to life. “Defiance is just who I am and will always be, so I am just speaking from a real place as far as the song is concerned,” Brilliant shared. For Realjedii, the timing of the release is intentional: the producer says he aimed to drop the project ahead of the summer season to deliver fresh, upbeat tracks perfect for warm-weather vibes, while continuing to grow his own expansive musical catalogue. “I am always working on building my musical catalogue,” he added.