分类： entertainment

What began as a passionate endeavor in 2006 has evolved into an iconic Jamaican cultural institution. Tyrone Dixon’s brainchild, Stone’s Ginger Wine Footloose, marks its twentieth anniversary this weekend at Mas Camp, Stadium North, featuring a special performance by dancehall legend Elephant Man.

Dixon recounted the humble origins of the event in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, revealing that the inaugural gathering at the Chinese Benevolent Association attracted merely 300 attendees—a far cry from the thousands who now regularly participate. Through strategic evolution and patron-focused programming, Footloose has cemented its status as Jamaica’s most anticipated retro music celebration.

The event’s longevity stems from Dixon’s commitment to innovation within the retro format. Introducing contemporary artistes to the lineup emerged as a particularly successful strategy, creating bridges between musical generations while maintaining the event’s nostalgic core.

Kedish Suckram, category manager for title sponsor Stone’s Ginger Wine, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between brand and event. This partnership transcends conventional sponsorship, with the beverage becoming intrinsically linked to the Footloose experience. The brand’s tradition-oriented identity aligns perfectly with the event’s nostalgic atmosphere, creating what Suckram describes as ‘a shared legacy’ within Jamaica’s entertainment landscape.

The anniversary celebration promises an immersive journey through two decades of musical excellence. Patrons can anticipate Elephant Man—the acclaimed Energy God—delivering a high-energy performance of his classic hits, ensuring dance floors remain active throughout the night. Exclusive Stone’s Ginger Wine offerings will further enhance the experience, solidifying the brand’s role as the literal ‘spirit’ of the celebration.

Jamaican modeling sensation Sanique Dill has emerged as the prominent face of British designer Margaret Howell’s newly released Spring 2026 collection for her MHL co-ed line. The campaign, recently photographed in London by Jody Rogac, showcases the Waltham Park Road native sporting sophisticated European seasonal ensembles that define Howell’s distinctive aesthetic.

In an exclusive interview with Observer Online from Milan, Dill expressed her enthusiasm about collaborating with the iconic British fashion house. “Working with an established name in British fashion like Ms. Howell has been an extraordinary privilege,” Dill revealed. “Being selected to embody a designer’s creative vision always feels remarkable, particularly when considering the countless talented models available for such opportunities.”

The Spring 2026 collection features utilitarian-inspired pieces including zip-up bomber jackets, scout shorts, striped v-neck slipovers, textured cardigans, and innovative patch pocket skirts. Dill, a 2024 graduate of St Andrew Technical High, particularly appreciated the collection’s design philosophy: “I admire the clean, modern aesthetic that still retains quintessential British character – several pieces are absolutely something I would wear personally.”

Margaret Howell, the 79-year-old design visionary, shared her creative approach with Vogue magazine, describing the collection as “fundamentally about ease and balance.” She elaborated: “I aimed to create relaxed garments with soft tailoring and generous silhouettes. The focus remains on proportion, always maintaining a sense of wearability where pieces harmonize quietly and comfortably.”

Howell’s fashion journey began modestly in 1972 when she started designing and selling shirts from her Blackheath flat in southeast London. Encouraged by orders from retailers in London and the United States, she established her independent boutique with then-husband Paul Renshaw in 1980. The brand has since expanded significantly, with current operations including over 500 employees across 80 international locations including Japan, France, and Italy. The flagship Wigmore Street store opened in 2002, followed by the launch of the MHL diffusion line in 2004.

Dill’s appearance in the Howell campaign continues her remarkable trajectory in high fashion, following recent campaigns for prestigious houses including Valentino, Miu Miu, Fendi, and Anna Sui throughout the past year.

In an industry often dominated by high-energy tracks and urgent beats, Jamaican producers Slyda di Wizard and Romeich Major have taken a deliberate step back to craft something rooted in warmth and connection. Their latest collaborative project, the Love Echoes rhythm, marks their second joint venture in two years and represents a conscious effort to reintroduce balance and positivity into the music scene.

Speaking with the Jamaica Observer, Slyda di Wizard revealed that the rhythm was conceived as an emotional antidote to contemporary musical trends. Rather than pursuing commercial urgency or excess, the duo focused on creating a work that evokes genuine feeling and upliftment. The project stems from their shared conviction that music retains the power to establish mood—specifically one grounded in connection, optimism, and timeless resonance.

“Reggae music plays a very integral role in who we are as a people, yet it is produced less each year,” Slyda noted. “Romeich and I felt it would be great to bring back that feel-good vibe and hear some of those melodies from artistes we’ve come to love based on their vocal abilities.”

The rhythm features an impressive lineup of artists including Dexta Daps, Ce’Cile, Chris Martin, Richie Spice, Jah Elise, Rally Banks, Lavisch, Denyque, Blakkman, Tanzie, and Konshens. Early reception has been highly encouraging, with fans actively reposting content, tagging their favorite artists, and sharing videos of their preferred tracks.

Romeich Major emphasized reggae’s unique capacity to transcend generations and outlast other regional genres. “Reggae promotes good vibes, love, awareness, positivity, and engagement with current affairs,” he stated. “Nothing beats a solid reggae beat that brings all of that together.” He expressed hope that the project would inspire more producers to invest intentionally in reggae-centered productions this year.

Looking forward, both producers are optimistic about the international potential of Love Echoes. Slyda di Wizard aspires for the rhythm to achieve global reach, securing placements on reggae charts worldwide. Such recognition would not only validate their artistic intent but also reaffirm reggae’s enduring relevance on the international stage.

Kingston prepares to transform into a dynamic culinary epicenter as the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (JFDF) returns from March 5-8, 2026. This year’s edition moves beyond mere celebration to present a sophisticated dialogue on Caribbean cuisine’s evolution, featuring internationally acclaimed chefs who are redefining traditional flavors through technical precision and global influences.

The festival’s dual culinary showcases—KUYAH and DECADE 2.0—offer distinct approaches to culinary innovation. KUYAH, hosted at the waterfront Festival Marketplace, challenges chefs to reinterpret familiar Jamaican ingredients with heightened technical execution and deliberate presentation. Joining this year’s lineup is Chef Scotley Innis, the Jamaican-born culinary master behind Continent Atlanta and Continent Brooklyn, known for his appearances on Hell’s Kitchen and Food Network. Sponsored by Scotnabank, Innis brings his signature approach of refining Caribbean flavors through restraint and precision—techniques evident in his meticulously balanced jerk preparations and thoughtfully composed oxtail dishes.

DECADE 2.0 takes a more expansive approach on Friday night at Sabina Park, creating an all-inclusive culinary showcase that traces Caribbean cuisine’s evolution over the past decade. Sponsored by Visa, this event features Trinbagonian Chef Brigette Joseph, whose background in diplomatic dining and large-scale culinary productions informs her sophisticated layering of Caribbean ingredients with global techniques. Also returning is Patrick Simpson of The Simpson Brooklyn, continuing his collaboration with Walkerswood to demonstrate how local flavors travel, absorb international influences, and return home transformed yet recognizable.

Festival Director Alicia Bogues emphasizes the intentional inclusion of international talent: ‘We invite global chefs not due to any shortage of local expertise—Jamaica possesses exceptional culinary artistry—but to foster meaningful exchange. This creates dialogue that allows Jamaicans to experience diverse techniques while visiting chefs engage with the depth of our food culture.’

The festival continues to feature Jamaica’s most respected culinary voices, including Michelle and Suzanne Rousseau, Alexa Von Strolley, Oji Jaja, and Brian Lumley, whose pioneering work has shaped modern Jamaican cuisine and created space for experimental new talent.

For four days in March, Kingston becomes a destination where Jamaican food simultaneously comforts and surprises—a tension that maintains culinary relevance and excitement in the ever-evolving global food landscape.

The city of Miramar is set to host a vibrant celebration of faith and music with the third annual Praise On The Green Gospel Extravaganza on February 27th. The event, a highlight of South Florida’s Reggae Month, will transform the Miramar Town Center into a dynamic worship experience.

This year’s lineup promises a powerful fusion of traditional gospel with contemporary urban rhythms. Headlining artists include the renowned Minister Marion Hall (formerly known as dancehall superstar Lady Saw), Otis Kemp, and Reverend Mark Brown. A significant addition to this year’s program is the debut of a full choir, enhancing the musical spectacle.

Organizer Delroy Escoffrey, a foundational figure since the event’s inception, describes the Extravaganza as a ‘big gospel party.’ He emphasizes the growing popularity of the event, attributing its success to artists who expertly blend dancehall and hip-hop influences with their gospel message, creating a unique and engaging worship atmosphere.

The choice of Miramar as the host city is strategic, reflecting its substantial Jamaican community and deep-rooted connection to Caribbean culture. The event is primarily promoted by the legendary Inner Circle band, further cementing its credibility within the regional music scene.

Minister Hall brings a compelling narrative of transformation, having dominated the dancehall genre for decades before her public conversion to Christianity ten years ago. Otis Kemp, a Florida native with Bahamian heritage, draws inspiration from both his gospel roots and hip-hop icons like Flo Rida and Rick Ross, resulting in a sound that resonates with a younger, diverse audience.

Belgian music enthusiast Maarten Hostyn is channeling two decades of passion for Jamaican sound systems into a new venture: promoting his first major festival on the island. The Ostend native, who operates the East End Rock sound system, will present the Reggae Garden Cultural Festival on February 27th at Kingston Reggae Garden in Golden Spring, St. Andrew.

Hostyn’s transition from performer to promoter represents a significant milestone in his decade-long engagement with Jamaica’s music scene. “I had it in mind for a few years but I wanted the right people behind it,” Hostyn explained to Observer Online. “With people like Ahpuku and Jah Over Evil we had the right team to organise this event.”

The festival lineup showcases both established and emerging talent, featuring dub specialist Clive “Dubking” Jeffrey, roots singer Micah Shamaiah, and rising artists including T’Jean, Zhayna, Jah Vezl, Zaudib and Ahpuku. The involvement of Jah Over The Evil—a collective instrumental in launching neo-roots stars like Chronixx from Vineyard Town—adds substantial credibility to the event.

Despite this being his Jamaican promotional debut, the 45-year-old Hostyn brings considerable experience from producing live events in his hometown of Ostend, where he has featured renowned acts including Fantan Mojah, Richie Spice and Bitty McLean.

Founded twenty years ago, East End Rock has become a fixture at major European reggae events including Belgium’s Reggae Geel, Spain’s Rototom Sunsplash, and London’s Notting Hill Carnival. In Jamaica, the sound system has graced stages at Dancehall Fridays and Reggae wi Sey.

Hostyn’s philosophy emphasizes musical diversity and emotional connection over crowd size: “We play everything from classic reggae to Skillibeng, we bring the full package of Jamaican music. It can be 10 or 50 people in the venue I don’t care, as long as I can bring a vibe and make people happy.”

CHICAGO – A groundbreaking orchestral and dance production honoring an ancient African warrior queen is set for its global debut in March 2026. Acclaimed composer and cultural activist Shirley Thompson will present ‘Seventh Sense: Incidents in the Life of Queen Amanirenas for Orchestra & Dance’ as the centerpiece of International Women’s Day celebrations.

The Chicago Sinfonietta has commissioned this innovative work for its ‘Still I Rise’ celebration series. Thompson’s composition chronicles the extraordinary legacy of Queen Amanirenas of Kush, the formidable leader who successfully defended her kingdom against Roman expansion through military prowess and diplomatic acumen.

Under the baton of Music Director Mei-Ann Chen, the Chicago Sinfonietta will collaborate with the Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre to bring this multidisciplinary performance to life. The production merges symphonic instrumentation with contemporary dance, creating a powerful narrative experience that transcends traditional opera boundaries.

Thompson, who holds the distinction of being the first composer of African descent to receive an OBE and to create music for a British royal coronation (King Charles III’s 2023 ceremony), continues her ‘Heroines of Opera’ series with this work. The series specifically highlights historically significant women of African heritage whose stories have been largely overlooked.

Previous installations in Thompson’s acclaimed series include ‘Sacred Mountain: Incidents of the Life of Queen Nanny of the Maroons,’ ‘Dido Elizabeth Belle,’ ‘Women of the Windrush,’ and ‘The Woman Who Refused to Dance.’

The world premiere performances are scheduled for March 6, 2026, at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville, Illinois, followed by a March 7 performance at the Harris Theatre in downtown Chicago. Both evening performances will begin at 7:00 PM.

The collaborative musical sensation ‘Shake It To The Max (Fly) Remix’ has achieved a significant industry milestone, securing gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) exactly one year following its digital release in the United States. This certification, officially granted on February 23, recognizes the track’s commercial success in surpassing 500,000 equivalent units sold through combined sales and streaming performance.

Featuring the combined talents of Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, and Shenseea, the transnational hit has demonstrated remarkable chart performance across multiple markets. The track previously dominated Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay chart while simultaneously climbing various other Billboard and European music rankings.

In exclusive commentary with the Jamaica Observer, producer and co-creator Silent Addy revealed the strategic conception behind the viral phenomenon. ‘Our objective was to create an infectious club anthem with strong social media potential, complete with an accompanying dance routine,’ explained Addy, who produced the track alongside Disco Neil. The creative process began at Miami’s Bashment Sound Studio during sessions with Moliy, whose distinctive vocal tone and style perfectly complemented the production.

The track’s journey to virality began with strategic teasers on TikTok, where it rapidly gained traction throughout the 2024 holiday season. Its organic popularity reached critical mass during Addy’s holiday visit to Jamaica, where the song received consistent play at local events. This exposure ultimately facilitated collaborations with dancehall stars Skillibeng and Shenseea through established industry connections.

This American certification adds to the track’s growing international accolades, having previously earned gold status in New Zealand (15,000 units), the United Kingdom (400,000 units), and Greece (one million streams). The remix has further achieved platinum certification in France, recognizing equivalent sales of 200,000 units in the French market.

Cassandra Campbell, TikTok’s Brand Manager for Beauty and Personal Care, is championing the Island Music Conference (IMC) as an indispensable event for creatives and industry stakeholders seeking to master monetization strategies and forge powerful professional connections. In an exclusive statement to the Jamaica Observer, Campbell emphasized the conference’s unique value proposition, describing it as an intimate environment where industry leaders converge for transformative dialogue.

Campbell, drawing from her extensive background at major tech platforms including Meta, Instagram, and Facebook, highlighted the unpredictable nature of viral success. ‘You just never know what’s gonna be the thing that sends you viral,’ she remarked, positioning IMC as a breeding ground for the ideas that catalyze such breakthrough moments. Beyond the serious business discussions, she also touted the unparalleled access to top-tier artists, exclusive concerts, and immersive activities that define the IMC experience.

Scheduled for February 25-28, 2026, at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, the conference will feature Campbell on a pivotal panel titled ‘Streaming Math: How To Actually Make Money On DSPs’ on February 26th. She will be joined by a roster of digital music heavyweights, including Tuma Basa (YouTube), Tanya Lawson (AudioMack), Yomi Desalu (Apple Music), and Victor Conradsson (Believe), with moderation by JR Watkins.

The event’s significance is further amplified by a keynote address from Dr. Moses Michael Levi Barrow, the renowned artist and statesman known as Shyne. His presentation, ‘From Stage To State’, is slated for Thursday afternoon.

Aligned with its 2026 theme, ‘Music Is the Unifying Force’, IMC extends its impact through a strategic partnership with Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport. This collaboration will manifest in the fifth edition of the Jamaica Creative Expo on February 25th. Under the sub-theme ‘Careers in Music, Media, Publishing’, the expo is engineered to provide high school seniors, tertiary students, and at-risk youth with a comprehensive, industry-led immersion into viable creative careers.

Portfolio Minister Olivia Grange articulated the expo’s mission as a critical intervention to position Jamaica’s creative sectors as ‘viable, scalable, and globally competitive career pathways.’ This initiative is particularly focused on bridging opportunity gaps for students from vulnerable communities, offering them direct engagement with international professionals and practical education on intellectual property, publishing rights, and financial literacy.

Complementing this, IMC’s Global Radio & International Media Zone, hosted by an array of international DJs and tastemakers, will demystify the global journey of Jamaican music, offering insights into professionalism, cultural representation, and international market demands. The conference boasts an impressive lineup of additional speakers, including figures from BET UK, Cherry Tree Music Group, and Geojam Studios, ensuring a rich tapestry of perspectives on artistry, business, and technology.