分类： entertainment

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a striking display of political allegiance, global music icon Nicki Minaj publicly proclaimed herself to be former President Donald Trump’s foremost supporter during a presidential summit event this Wednesday. The Trinidadian-born rapper, born Onika Maraj, joined Trump onstage at the White House gathering focused on financial initiatives.

Trump enthusiastically introduced the performer, hailing her as ‘the greatest and most successful female rapper in history’ and acknowledging her steadfast support. Minaj responded with unequivocal endorsement, stating: ‘I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change.’

The artist demonstrated remarkable resilience against criticism, noting that opposition only strengthens her commitment. ‘The hate or what people have to say? It does not affect me at all; it actually motivates me to support him more,’ Minaj declared as Trump stood approvingly behind her.

Addressing Trump’s supporters directly, Minaj framed the political climate as a battle against perceived injustice, asserting: ‘We’re not gonna let them get away with bullying him and the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work. He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him.’

The rapper’s political alignment marks a significant development in celebrity-political relationships. Having immigrated to the United States at age five, Minaj has built an extraordinary music career while recently expressing conservative leanings through her substantial social media presence.

The British reggae ensemble Aswad has attained a significant milestone as their 1988 rendition of ‘Don’t Turn Around’ received gold certification in New Zealand on January 18. This prestigious recognition commemorates the achievement of digital sales and streaming figures equivalent to 15,000 units, underscoring the track’s enduring popularity more than three decades after its initial release.

Originally composed by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, ‘Don’t Turn Around’ was first recorded by Tina Turner as the B-side to her 1986 single ‘Typical Male.’ The composition has since been reinterpreted by multiple artists throughout the years, with notable versions by Neil Diamond, Ace of Base, and most successfully by Aswad.

Aswad’s interpretation served as the lead single from their twelfth studio album, ‘Distant Thunder,’ and achieved remarkable commercial success upon its 1988 debut. The track dominated charts internationally, securing the number one position on the UK Singles Chart and maintaining the top spot for two consecutive weeks on the New Zealand charts in June 1988. The single further demonstrated its cross-continental appeal by entering the top ten in numerous European markets including Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Denmark, and Belgium. In the United States, the recording reached number 45 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart.

This recent gold certification in New Zealand adds to the song’s previous accolade of silver certification in the United Kingdom, highlighting the continued resonance of Aswad’s reggae-infused interpretation across generations and geographies.

Jamaican fashion representation reached new heights this week as Sanique Dill, a model from the Kingston-based agency SAINT International, graced the runway for the acclaimed VIKTOR & ROLF Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 presentation in Paris. The Wednesday showcase, held in the global fashion capital, featured Dill among an elite selection of models presenting the Dutch design duo’s latest artistic creations. This appearance marks a significant milestone for both the model and the Caribbean fashion industry, demonstrating the continued globalization of haute couture’s traditionally exclusive landscape. Dill’s participation follows her development through SAINT International’s platform, which has consistently propelled Jamaican talent onto international stages. The Spring/Summer 2026 collection itself presented theatrical silhouettes and avant-garde designs that characterize Viktor & Rolf’s signature approach to fashion as wearable art. This runway appearance provides substantial visibility for emerging models from non-traditional fashion markets, potentially signaling increased diversity in high fashion selections moving forward.

Renowned music producer and DJ Richard “Richie D” Martin is expanding his creative portfolio by venturing into concert promotion with the inaugural Love and Reggae event scheduled for Valentine’s Day. The concert will transform the picturesque lawns of Devon House in St. Andrew into a romantic musical haven featuring two of reggae’s most celebrated voices.

Sanchez and Wayne Wonder, both iconic figures in the romantic reggae genre, will headline the event marking their first shared stage performance in over a decade. The concert will showcase Akeem Fennell, the 2024 Digicel Rising Star winner, as the opening act, providing a platform for emerging talent alongside established legends.

Martin revealed to the Jamaica Observer that the concept was originally developed for December 2023 but was strategically repositioned to align with Valentine’s Day. “With two legendary artistes whose music celebrate love and romance, Valentine’s Day became the perfect and most natural choice to bring this vision to life,” Martin explained.

The producer emphasized the significance of the artist selection, noting both his personal relationships with the performers and the historical gap since their last joint appearance. “Both artistes are timeless favourites, especially among female fans, and their catalogues are filled with love anthems. There truly couldn’t be a better pairing to headline a Valentine’s Day celebration,” Martin added.

The event will feature live performances with both artists’ full bands, complemented by DJ Master ROGJ’s selections and hosting by Bambino and Jade. Martin, whose production credits include Lady Saw’s chart-topping single ‘I’ve Got Your Man’ and the influential ‘Faith’ rhythm, aims to create an immersive experience that allows attendees to “escape, reconnect, and fall in love with reggae all over again.”

In a philanthropic gesture, portion of the proceeds will be directed toward Hurricane Melissa relief efforts, adding a charitable dimension to the romantic musical evening.

An unexpected musical partnership between emerging dancehall artist Dolly Don and established reggae star Chuck Fenda has ignited substantial excitement within the music industry. Their collaborative single ‘Weh Me Like,’ recently remixed and leaked on producer Rvssian’s Recovery rhythm, has generated an immediate viral response, particularly among younger digital audiences.

The collaboration originated organically years ago when Fenda contacted Dolly Don regarding a potential musical partnership. ‘Chuck Fenda reached out to me about a riddim he believed would suit my style,’ Dolly Don explained. ‘He came to my home studio, and we created the record spontaneously on the spot.’ The recent decision to remix the track on Rvssian’s popular rhythm transformed the previously recorded material into a contemporary dancehall sensation.

Industry response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing surprise at Chuck Fenda’s participation in a pure dancehall project given his established Rastafarian principles and previous musical direction. The veteran artist acknowledged the unexpected attention, stating: ‘My phone has been constantly ringing with industry players verifying my involvement. People genuinely appreciate the song’s creativity, fresh sound, and clever lyrics that have been absent from dancehall recently.’

Dolly Don expressed particular excitement about recognition from established industry figures. Prominent influencers including Pink Panther and Foota Hype have shared and reviewed the track on their platforms, significantly amplifying its reach. ‘Seeing legends share your work and endorse your music is truly amazing,’ she commented, describing the experience as potentially ‘life-changing.’

The overwhelming online response, comprising hundreds of shares and enthusiastic listener engagement, has accelerated plans for a music video. Pre-production and creative planning are currently underway, with potential filming locations including Miami, Atlanta, or Jamaica pending final approvals.

This collaboration continues Chuck Fenda’s history of successful partnerships with female artists, reminiscent of his 2007 hit ‘Are You Coming Over Tonight’ with Cherine Anderson and more recent work with dancehall artist Jada Kingdom.

The single’s future commercial release currently depends on obtaining formal approval from producer Rvssian. Dolly Don confirmed that discussions are ongoing through marketing and PR teams to secure necessary clearances and bring the officially approved track to market.

Jamaican reggae sensation Lila Ike is poised for a groundbreaking moment at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards this Sunday, where she will not only compete as a first-time nominee but also grace the stage as a performer at the prestigious event’s opening ceremony. The Manchester-born artist announced her dual participation through social media on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in her rapidly ascending career.

Ike’s nomination in the Best Reggae Album category for her critically acclaimed debut project ‘Treasure Self Love’ places her among an elite group of Jamaican artists including Vybz Kartel, Jesse Royal, Keznamdi, and Mortimer. Notably, she stands as the sole female contender in this year’s category, potentially following in the footsteps of Koffee, who remains the only woman to have ever won the Best Reggae Album trophy.

The album itself represents a collaborative masterpiece, featuring contributions from Grammy-winning R&B superstar H.E.R., renowned rapper Joey Badass, and her mentor Protoje—a Grammy-nominated reggae artist in his own right. This musical convergence has positioned ‘Treasure Self Love’ as both a commercial success and critical darling within the international music scene.

Reflecting on her journey, Ike shared an emotional tribute to her younger self: “I remember the little girl who loved singing and decided she wanted to be an artiste. Attending the GRAMMYs was a very big dream of hers. Now, not only do I get to walk the red carpet as a nominee, but I’m also honoured to be performing at the opening ceremony.”

The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, where music’s biggest stars will gather to celebrate artistic excellence across genres. Ike’s participation represents not just personal achievement but a significant moment for female representation within the reggae industry.

LONDON, United Kingdom — The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) unveiled its highly anticipated shortlist, revealing a commanding lead for two distinct cinematic works. The unconventional thriller ‘One Battle After Another’ and the musical horror period piece ‘Sinners’ emerged as the frontrunners, setting the stage for a dramatic awards season climax.

‘One Battle After Another,’ a film that navigates the turbulent landscape of radical violence, immigration enforcement, and white supremacist ideologies, secured an impressive 14 nominations. This total includes a coveted spot in the Best Film category, cementing its status as a critical favorite. The film’s gritty narrative and provocative themes have resonated strongly with the academy’s voting members.

Trailing closely is ‘Sinners,’ a vampire tale interwoven with a haunting musical score, which garnered 13 BAFTA nominations and will also compete for the top prize of Best Film. This recognition comes on the heels of its historic achievement at the Academy Awards, where it shattered records by securing 16 Oscar nominations just days prior.

The announcement positions the upcoming BAFTA ceremony, scheduled for next month, as a crucial indicator for the subsequent Oscars in mid-March. The strong showing for both films at the UK’s premier film awards suggests a highly competitive international awards landscape, with these two works poised for a potential sweep of major accolades.

The global fashion scene is currently illuminated by the remarkable achievements of two Jamaican models from SAINT International, who are making significant strides on prestigious international platforms.

Dru Campbell, having recently completed a powerful appearance at Paris’s co-ed collections during the Fall/Winter Men’s 2026 Ready-to-Wear show season, further solidified her status by walking in Dior’s Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2026 show this Sunday. Her presence at such exclusive events highlights her growing influence within haute couture circles.

Simultaneously, fellow SAINT International star Jessie Craig is capturing attention in New York’s luxury market. The Spanish Town native, rapidly ascending as a fashion industry darling, has been announced as the new face for Agmes, a celebrated fine jewelry brand based in New York. Founded a decade ago by Morgan Lang, Agmes has selected Craig to front their latest campaign celebrating the brand’s 10th anniversary.

The newly released editorial features Craig showcasing pieces from Agmes’ Echo Collection, including the elegant Fredrika bracelet paired with the brand’s signature small Celia hoops. The collection emphasizes sustainable luxury, featuring pieces like the Nadia pendant crafted from recycled precious metals and the statement-making Jean cuffs released for the anniversary celebration. Each piece, from the sterling silver Frederika necklace to the distinctive Hilda earrings, is presented with Craig’s distinctive elegance, reflecting both the model’s rising star power and Agmes’ commitment to artistic design and environmental consciousness.