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.

Three decades after it first hit commercial airwaves, one of reggae-dancehall’s most enduring hits continues to rack up historic milestones. On June 11, Shaggy’s genre-defining title track *Boombastic* — pulled from his third studio album of the same name — was officially awarded 2x platinum certification by music industry authorities in New Zealand. This distinction marks the track has moved more than 60,000 combined units, counting both traditional sales and streaming equivalent units.

Renowned Jamaican businesswoman Sheila Lee, whose quiet but impactful contributions shaped decades of Caribbean music and cultural events, passed away on June 6 at her home in Florida at the age of 83. The news was confirmed by her daughter Julianne in an interview with Observer Online.

Born Sheila Khouri in Kingston, Jamaica, Lee grew up as the oldest of 10 children in a family of Lebanese heritage with deep roots in Jamaica’s emerging music sector. Her family connection to the industry ran early: her father Michel was a cousin to Ken Khouri, the trailblazing founder of Federal Records who laid the foundational infrastructure for Jamaican popular music. Growing up in Kingston’s tight-knit creative circle, Lee became close with Ronnie Nasralla, a fellow St George’s College graduate and friend of bandleader Byron Lee, which sparked the first meeting between Sheila and Byron. The pair went on to marry 41 years, raising three daughters together before Byron’s death in 2008 at age 73.

Throughout her husband’s decades-long career, Lee worked as a behind-the-scenes driving force across nearly all of his professional ventures. When Byron founded his iconic band The Dragonaires at St George’s College in 1955, Lee stepped into a key supporting role, and during the ska revolution of the early 1960s, she helped popularize the global dance craze by making public appearances alongside the band as their track *Jamaican Ska* climbed the regional charts. She also played a central role in the operations of Dynamic Sounds, the influential recording and distribution company Byron launched in 1964, which hosted countless iconic Jamaican music sessions over decades of operation.

In 1990, when Byron Lee launched Jamaica Carnival, the landmark annual celebration that brought Eastern Caribbean soca culture to Kingston’s streets and drew tens of thousands of attendees each year, Lee was integral to the event’s organization and long-term success. Beyond her work alongside her husband, Lee built a lasting legacy of her own as the founder and operator of Sheila Music, a successful music publishing company that supported Jamaican creators for years.

Lee is survived by her three daughters Judith, Julianne and Danielle, three grandchildren, four brothers, and four sisters. One brother predeceased her. A thanksgiving service to honor her life and legacy is scheduled for June 19 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

On a lively Saturday night at Kingston’s Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, iconic dancehall artist Popcaan transported a sold-out crowd through an intimate, career-spanning journey of faith, growth, and gratitude with his landmark *Nothing Without God – LIVE* production. The venue drew a remarkably diverse cross-section of attendees, ranging from sitting members of Jamaican parliament and leading entertainment industry executives to prominent local business owners, plus passionate music fans traveling from across the island and the global Jamaican diaspora to witness the one-night-only event.

Far from a standard concert, the performance marked a clear new chapter in Popcaan’s decades-long career, showcasing a more reflective, mature artist whose core connection with his fanbase has not dimmed in the years since he first rose to stardom. The night’s energy was built gradually by a stacked lineup of opening acts, each leaning into the event’s overarching theme of inspiration and spiritual conviction. Emerging Jamaican artist Jah Izrael kicked off the proceedings with a rousing, soulful set that laid the groundwork for the evening’s message, followed by vocalist Nordia Mothersille, whose dynamic performance resonated deeply with early arrivers. Next up, Runkus brought his signature high-octane stage presence straight from the recent release of his new album *Super Nova*, pumping up the crowd ahead of the main event. Dancehall favorite Jah Vinci then delivered a powerful, crowd-pleasing set that pushed anticipation for Popcaan to a fever pitch.

One of the most emotionally resonant moments of the entire night came before the headliner even took the stage: Popcaan’s mother, Rhona, stepped to the front of the stage to deliver a heartfelt, sincere prayer that aligned perfectly with the spiritual core of the *Nothing Without God* project. When Popcaan finally emerged, clad in a crisp all-white suit, the packed venue erupted in deafening cheers that lasted for several minutes. Fans sang along word-for-word as the artist, affectionately nicknamed the Unruly Boss, worked through a curated tracklist from his latest album, weaving in stories of his personal journey and artistic evolution that turned a standard concert set into a shared, intimate experience with the crowd. He was joined mid-set by his brother Natebadz and rising artist Imeru Tafari, whose surprise guest spots added an extra layer of warmth and spontaneity to the production.

The momentum kept building through the night, with two more unannounced guest appearances from dancehall stars Govana and Richie Spice, both of whom were met with thunderous applause from the audience. The show reached its climax when Popcaan delivered a moving performance of his brand-new single “Life Still A Gwaan,” before closing out the historic night with a once-in-a-lifetime finale: he invited legendary foundational dancehall artists Pinchers and Nitty Cutchie on stage to join him, capping the evening with a cross-generational celebration of the genre he loves.

Event organizer Unruly Squid emphasized the unique nature of the production in post-show comments, noting, “This was more than a concert; it was a celebration of music, faith, family, and the unbreakable bond Popcaan shares with his fans. To see the fans turn out in full force to support this very personal vision was truly special.” As the final notes of the finale faded, *Nothing Without God – LIVE* cemented Popcaan’s status as one of dancehall’s most enduring and influential voices, proving that more than a decade after he first burst onto the scene, he remains one of the genre’s most respected and beloved figures.