分类： entertainment

After weeks of rigorous preparation and community engagement, ten ambitious young Jamaican competitors are gearing up to take the stage this Sunday, June 21, for the highly anticipated Mister and Mister Teen Universe International Jamaica finals, set to be hosted at Kingston’s YMCA Auditorium on Hope Road. This year marks a historic milestone for the Jamaican pageant circuit, as the event will crown the very first titleholder of Mister Universe International Jamaica, building on the strong showing of the island’s 2023 Mister Teen representative.

Geovani Lewin, national coordinator for both competitions, opened up about the demanding journey that has shaped the contestants over the past month. What started as a gradual, development-focused training program has ramped up to an intensive final week of preparation, with organizers pulling out all the stops to ensure every competitor is at peak performance ahead of Sunday’s finale.

“From day one, we centered this competition on personal growth and skill-building, not just beauty or stage presence,” Lewin explained. “After weeks of consistent training, this final push has sharpened everything they’ve learned. Our contestants are mentally and spiritually prepared to showcase all they’ve gained to the Jamaican public, and I’m confident each will bring their best effort to the stage on Sunday night.”

In the lead-up to the coronation, competitors have stepped beyond training rooms to engage with local communities and partner brands, building connections across the island’s creative and business sectors. One of their most high-profile engagements was a pop-up event hosted at the Signature Style Clark’s Originals Store, a key competition partner. Organized in partnership with the upcoming Jamaican International Beauty Expo—set to kick off just one week after the pageant—the event gave attendees an early look at a new Clark’s advertising campaign that featured all ten contestants as featured models.

Before the main Sunday event, pageant fans will get a second chance to meet the competitors on Wednesday, when they take part in a Trendy Couture Fashion Show kicking off at 6 PM at Jammin on The Oasis, located at 5 Oxford Road in New Kingston. Lewin noted that the show breaks new ground for local pageantry, bringing together male and female pageant systems from across the region for a collaborative showcase of Jamaican fashion. After the runway, attendees can enjoy interactive activities designed to help the public connect with contestants on a more personal level ahead of the grand coronation. “This is a fresh, exciting take on a fashion event, and I encourage everyone to grab a ticket and come experience it for themselves,” Lewin added.

The upcoming finals carry extra momentum following Jamaica’s strong performance at the global Mister Teen Universe International pageant last year. Bradley Clarke, the island’s 2023 representative, took home second runner-up at the global competition held in Panama, setting a high bar for this year’s new crop of competitors.

The ten finalists vying for the two national titles represent a diverse cross-section of Jamaican industries and institutions. They include Tajay McDermoth of the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), Leshawn Freckleton of Fit Farm Fitness Club, Rahiem Edwards of Totally Male Club Spa and Salon, Najhae Walters of Culinary Atelier Society, Nickoli Fraser of Rasheda Events and Décor, Jevaughn Reid of Nationwide Express, Xavia Smith of McIntosh Productions, Adonique Cole of Famished Restaurant, Rajae’ Graham of Fern Forest Eco Village, and Ackeem Lyn of Birdshack Fried Chicken.

In today’s hyper-saturated music industry, where chart success is often driven by multi-million dollar marketing campaigns and algorithm-tailored viral pushes, Jamaican dancehall veteran Don Yute is challenging the status quo. His unexpected 2024 hit, a collaborative single with roots reggae icon I-Wayne titled *Upstream*, has climbed streaming and radio rankings entirely through organic fan engagement, proving that meaningful music can still cut through digital noise.

Released under Don Yute’s own Golden Child label, *Upstream* has steadily grown in popularity without a large promotional budget, relying instead on word-of-mouth, listener-driven social media shares, traditional radio support, and organic streaming growth. That kind of grassroots success is increasingly rare in the modern, hyper-competitive global music landscape, where major labels and independent breakout stars alike often invest heavily in targeted advertising to cut through the millions of tracks uploaded to platforms annually.

“In the current dancehall space, so much conversation centers on controversy, shock value, and explicit content. *Upstream* intentionally takes the opposite path,” Don Yute shared in a recent interview in Kingston. The song’s core mission pushes back against the trend of “slackness” — overtly provocative lyrics — that dominates much of contemporary dancehall, encouraging listeners to uphold high moral standards and avoid being pulled into negative energy just because it is popular. “We’re telling people: don’t fall for low-vibration content just because it’s trending. Uplift your mindset to stay focused through all the distractions and challenges of daily life,” he explained.

The pairing of Don Yute and I-Wayne itself defied industry expectations. Don Yute first rose to international fame during dancehall’s global breakout in the late 1990s and early 2000s, cementing his status as one of the genre’s most recognizable vocalists. I-Wayne, by contrast, built a decades-long career as a “conscious reggae” artist, whose discography centers on spirituality, cultural pride, and incisive social commentary. Their collaboration bridges two distinct strains of Jamaican music, drawing in listeners from both dancehall and roots reggae audiences.

The song’s steady momentum is set to get a major boost in the coming weeks, as I-Wayne wraps up filming on the official music video for *Upstream* in Jamaica. Industry observers and fans alike expect the visual release to expand the track’s reach to new global audiences.

Don Yute’s recent career resurgence extends far beyond *Upstream*. The artist has drawn new attention from younger listeners thanks to a string of high-profile live performances, including a viral surprise set alongside fellow dancehall legends Wayne Wonder and Spragga Benz at Florida’s Overproof event and Journey to Kingston concert series. The appearance introduced his decades-deep catalogue to a generation of younger fans who may have only recently discovered Jamaican popular music. He also just completed a domestic media tour across Jamaica, appearing on leading outlets including Television Jamaica (TVJ) and Fame FM to promote *Upstream* and its upcoming video, strengthening the track’s foothold in the local Jamaican market.

The veteran deejay has also maintained a prolific release schedule in 2024, dropping standouts including *Call Me*, *Live Life*, *Jah Jah World*, *Glitch*, and *Beautiful Girls* — another collaborative track with iconic reggae artist Half Pint. Beyond music, Don Yute is expanding his creative portfolio into film: he is set to appear in the upcoming feature film *Night Shift*, starring rapper and television personality Safaree, directed by Julian Boothe. The project has already drawn early industry attention after coverage on Miami-based entertainment outlet Deco Drive.

For an artist with a 30-plus year career in the notoriously fickle music industry, *Upstream*’s organic success serves as a powerful reminder that longevity and connection depend far less on chasing trends than on staying authentic, adapting to new industry landscapes, and creating work that resonates with core values. With *Upstream* still gaining steam, a new music video on the way, and multiple cross-disciplinary projects in development, Don Yute is making a clear case that experience remains one of the most underrated assets in Jamaican music — and judging by the track’s steady rise, audiences are paying attention.

For 16 consecutive years, the coastal town of Negril has served as the home of Dream Wknd, where thousands of visitors from across the globe have built idyllic summer memories against a backdrop of turquoise waters and infectious Caribbean rhythm. Now, one of Jamaica’s most beloved entertainment events is making a historic pivot: the 2026 staging of Dream Wknd will take over the golden sandy shores of Montego Bay, running from July 30 through August 3.

Widely celebrated as Jamaica’s top destination festival, Dream Wknd has reshaped the Caribbean’s summer entertainment ecosystem over the past 16 years. Each year, it draws tens of thousands of local and international guests for a multi-day celebration packed with world-class DJ sets, live performances, immersive parties, and an unmatched electric energy that can’t be found anywhere else in the region. The 2026 move to Montego Bay, Jamaica’s bustling tourism capital, opens an exciting new chapter for the iconic brand.

This location shift marks one of the most significant milestones in the festival’s 17-year history, and organizers say it sets the foundation for the most ambitious event the festival has ever staged. “Dream Wknd has always centered on evolution, elevation, and curating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our attendees,” explained Scott Dunn, Group Managing Director of Dream Entertainment, the organization behind the festival. “As we mark our 17th year, Montego Bay offers the perfect backdrop for the next phase of the Dream Wknd journey. We’re bringing the same unmatched energy, the same core passion, and an even bolder, bigger vision for 2026.”

Building anticipation ahead of the event, organizers have already unveiled a star-studded line-up stacked with some of the biggest names in contemporary dancehall. Headliners and featured performers include Alkaline, Tommy Lee Sparta, Shaneil Muir, Govana, Dexta Daps, Armanii, Skeng, Elephant Man, and Jamal, with additional surprise guests and unannounced performers set to be revealed in the coming months to ramp up excitement.

A staple on the global entertainment festival calendar, Dream Wknd has a long track record of selling out all tickets months in advance, and consistently generates viral, trending moments that dominate social media feeds across the Caribbean and North America. It draws a diverse crowd of music fans, party enthusiasts, social media influencers, and international travelers hailing from the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and far beyond.

“This 2026 staging promises the perfect seamless blend of cutting-edge music, laid-back Caribbean lifestyle, world-class fashion, and nonstop entertainment, all framed by Montego Bay’s postcard-perfect coastline, world-famous vibrant nightlife, and the iconic warm hospitality Jamaica is known for,” added Kamal Bankay, Executive Chairman of Dream Entertainment. “We’ve upgraded our production values completely, elevated every attendee experience, and rolled out brand-new event concepts designed to make this transition to Montego Bay go down in the festival’s history books.”

Beyond the entertainment value for attendees, the festival’s relocation to Montego Bay is projected to deliver a major economic boost to the city’s local tourism and entertainment sectors. Industry analysts and local business leaders expect the event to draw thousands of overnight visitors, generating much-needed revenue and stimulation across local supporting industries, including hotels, guesthouses, transportation services, restaurants, tourist attractions, and retail outlets.

To mark the historic 2026 edition, organizers have added several brand-new exclusive experiences to the event’s roster, alongside Dream Wknd’s classic signature events that long-time attendees know and love. The new activations include Bad Beaches SOS, Dream Live, and Foul Play, each offering a unique take on Caribbean festival entertainment for different attendee preferences.

As the official countdown to the 2026 Dream Wknd kicks off, excitement is steadily building among the festival’s loyal long-time attendees, affectionately known as “Dreamers,” and first-time guests alike. All are eager to experience the next evolution of one of the Caribbean’s most iconic and celebrated entertainment brands.

For four consecutive weeks, global rap superstar Drake’s latest studio album *Iceman* has held the top position on the United States’ all-genre Billboard 200 album chart, marking yet another rare moment of recognition for Jamaican music professionals on one of the world’s most prestigious industry rankings.

The chart-topping project carries production credits for two Jamaican creative talents: Montego Bay-based beatmaker Mxssivh, who co-produced the high-profile album cut *Ran to Atlanta* alongside featured artists Future and Molly Santana, and Jamaican-born super producer Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels, a long-time Drake collaborator who crafted the beat for album track *National Treasures*.

While Jamaican music’s influence on global popular culture runs deep, recordings with credited Jamaican participation rarely claim the Billboard 200’s number one spot. To date, only one full-length album led by a Jamaican artist has ever topped the chart: Shaggy’s iconic 2000 release *Hotshot*, which enjoyed an identical four-week run at the peak of the ranking more than two decades ago.

That landmark 2000 project carried credits for a whole host of Jamaican talent, including producers Christopher Birch, Robert Livingston, Dave Kelly, and Tony “CD” Kelly, keyboardist Nigel Staff, and backing vocalists Dorrett Wisdom, Brian Gold and Tony Gold. For Birch, a former member of Shaggy’s touring band who co-produced *Hotshot*’s title track, the experience remains a career-defining blessing.

“It was indeed a blessing. I had been a musician playing and making music for years, so the word got around about my work,” Birch shared in an interview with the *Jamaica Observer*. “It was an amazing feeling at the time. I was on tour when the album hit number one, and the news hit like a ton of bricks. It was just surreal.” Birch would go on to parlay that early success into launching two independent labels, Echo and Birchill Records, with Echo breaking through via the hit *Thrilla* rhythm that spawned multiple chart-topping tracks including Macka Diamond’s breakthrough hit *Done Already*.

In the decades since Shaggy’s historic run, most Jamaican contributions to Billboard 200 number one albums have come via features and production work on projects from major American artists, most notably hitmaking producer and executive DJ Khaled, who has repeatedly centered Jamaican talent on his own chart-topping releases.

Khaled’s 2016 number one album *Major Key* included the Mavado track *Progress*, co-produced by Tawanna Jones, CEO of Jamaica’s Mineral Boss Records, alongside her husband Cleon. Jones says that opportunity transformed her label’s standing in the global dancehall industry.

“Being a part of a great music project that went to number one was more than just making music. It helped me to create a legacy,” Jones explained. “It was definitely a game-changer, and it brought credibility, industry recognition, and opened doors for us that had been out of reach. The attention that we got attracted new artistes to our label, other producers began to reach out as well as investors and business opportunities, while proving that Mineral Boss Records can compete on a larger scale.”

That pattern repeated across Khaled’s subsequent chart-topping projects: his 2017 number one *Grateful* included a feature from Jamaican reggae icon Sizzla and production credit for Troyton Music on a Mavado cut; 2021’s *Khaled Khaled* featured a collaborative track from dancehall legends Buju Banton, Capleton, and Bounty Killer; and 2022’s gold-certified *God Did* included another team-up between the same four Jamaican stars, with engineering credit for Jamaica’s Panta Son.

Beyond DJ Khaled’s projects, Drake has a long history of centering Jamaican talent on his own multiple Billboard 200 number one albums, with Boi-1da appearing on nearly every major Drake release dating back to 2010’s *Thank Me Later*, including *Take Care*, *Nothing Was the Same*, *Scorpion*, *Her Loss*, *If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late*, *What a Time to Be Alive*, *Care Package*, and *For All the Dogs*. Other Jamaican contributors across Drake’s chart-topping catalog include Beres Hammond, who received a vocal sample credit on 2017’s *More Life*; Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, Beenie Man, Popcaan, Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-Quee, Mavado, Serani, and the Daseca Productions duo on 2016’s *Views*.

Boi-1da has also earned credits on other major number one albums outside of Drake’s discography, including Rihanna’s 2016 *Anti* and two Eminem releases: 2010’s *Recovery* and 2018’s *Kamikaze* – with Chin-Quee also producing a track on Eminem’s *Recovery*. Even global pop icon Beyoncé has tapped Jamaican creative talent for her chart-topping projects: 2011’s *4* credits Vybz Kartel as a co-writer after sampling his Major Lazer hit *Pon De Floor* for Beyoncé’s hit *Run The World (Girls)*, while 2022’s *Renaissance* carried credits for Kingston-born artist BEAM, veteran performer Grace Jones, Boi-1da, and engineer Delroy “Phatta” Pottinger.

For Jamaican music professionals, each new credit on a Billboard 200 number one album not only cements the island’s outsize influence on global popular music, but also opens new doors for the next generation of Jamaican creative talent to reach international audiences.

Two of Jamaica’s most celebrated recording artists, Zagga and Tarrus Riley, have unveiled the official music video for their much-hyped collaborative track *I’m Alright* — a fan-favorite cut from Zagga’s latest full-length album, *Piece of Paradise*. The project leans hard into core themes of unshakable positivity, steady perseverance, and unwavering inner strength, crafting an uplifting narrative that encourages listeners to push through life’s hurdles while holding fast to faith, gratitude, and resilient spirit.

The accompanying visual brings the song’s heartfelt message to vivid life, pairing authentic storytelling and bright, energetic cinematography with the palpable, organic chemistry that exists between the two Jamaican musicians. Speaking on the new release, Zagga shared that the final product aligns perfectly with the team’s original creative vision. “Everybody had an input so it’s personal for everyone. As usual collaborating with Tarrus Riley is always seamless because that’s my fam in real life. I genuinely hope everybody get to watch and enjoy the vibes,” he explained.

Genre-bending at its core, the collaboration merges Zagga’s signature high-octane dancehall dynamism with Tarrus Riley’s soul-soaked reggae roots. The resulting track is a powerhouse anthem that strikes a deep chord with audiences navigating routine hardships, reminding them that hope and optimism remain accessible choices even in hard times. Even before the video’s debut, *I’m Alright* had already built a loyal global fanbase, holding strong as a widely shared reminder that strength and hopefulness can outlast even the toughest moments. With the launch of the official visual, the track’s encouraging message gets a powerful new layer, marking another key milestone in the successful rollout of Zagga’s *Piece of Paradise* album.