标签： Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned gospel artist Kevin Downswell has expressed his gratitude and joy after securing six nominations at the prestigious Sterling Gospel Awards. The event, set to take place this Saturday at the Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Portmore, St Catherine, honors excellence in Caribbean gospel music and ministry. Downswell’s nominations span multiple categories, including Male Artiste of the Year, Local Hit Producer of the Year, Local Hit of the Year, Collab of the Year, Most Rated Event of the Year, and Video of the Year.

Patrick Brown’s latest theatrical production, ‘Indecent Proposal,’ is currently captivating audiences at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston. While the play is laced with moments of humor, it delves deeply into the trials faced by single mothers, offering a poignant exploration of their struggles. Sharee Elise, a seasoned actress in Brown’s productions, takes on the role of Sarah, a waitress and mother of two children, who is desperately seeking stability in her life. Her character’s journey is further complicated by the arrival of Lenny, portrayed by Glen Campbell, a suitor who promises her a better life but soon discovers that his honorable intentions are met with unforeseen challenges. For Elise, embodying Sarah has been an enlightening experience. ‘Sarah has given me a unique perspective on the challenges that women in certain situations face,’ she shared with the Jamaica Observer. ‘As a single mother struggling to make ends meet, Sarah’s experiences have shown me how a lack of resources can lead to difficult choices that might otherwise be deemed unacceptable. This role has helped me understand the complexities of decision-making in the face of limited options.’ The cast is rounded out by Courtney Wilson, another regular in Brown’s plays, who plays Rex, Sarah’s ex and one of her delinquent babyfathers. ‘Indecent Proposal’ also highlights the breakdown of the nuclear family in Jamaica, once a cornerstone of the country’s society. ‘Too many households have been left on the backs of women who have to play the role of mother and father,’ Elise remarked. ‘In light of that, something must give, and unfortunately what ‘gives’ is a firm foundation for kids to thrive and grow into well-rounded individuals. Instead, a lot of them become victims of the circumstances of their surroundings.’ Elise, who hails from Falmouth, Trelawny, honed her craft as a member of the Ashe performing arts ensemble for 16 years before transitioning into acting. She has appeared in several of Brown’s plays, including ‘Windscream Posse,’ ‘Right Girl, Wrong Address,’ ‘Matey Chronicles,’ and ‘Duppy Whisperer.’ ‘Indecent Proposal’ premiered in July and is set to conclude its run on October 20.

Dancehall artist DiCelebrityy is riding a wave of success following a significant boost to his career, thanks to a shout-out during Kai Cenat’s ‘Mafiathon 3’ live stream. The shout-out, orchestrated by social media personality Mama Cenat, has catapulted DiCelebrityy’s single ‘Hydraulics’ into the spotlight, resulting in a surge of online searches, Spotify and Apple Music streams, and YouTube engagement. DiCelebrityy expressed his gratitude, stating, ‘I just want to say thank you to Mama Cenat and Kai Cenat for the shout-out because it gave my career and my song a major boost.’ Kai Cenat, the world’s most-subscribed Twitch streamer with 19 million followers, hosted the event, which attracted approximately one million viewers. The exposure has introduced DiCelebrityy to a broader audience, with his song now featured on global Spotify playlists and gaining traction on YouTube, where it has amassed over 57,000 views. DiCelebrityy, born Adrian Anthony Campbell in St Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, aspires to be a global ambassador for Jamaican culture, drawing inspiration from legends like Bob Marley. His recent tracks, including ‘Full Charge,’ ‘White Liver,’ and ‘New Landlord,’ have made waves at events like Reggae Sumfest. Over the past year, DiCelebrityy has collaborated with prominent artists such as Skillibeng, Spice, and Teejay, further solidifying his position in the dancehall scene. He credits Twitch as a powerful platform for music discovery, noting that the live stream helped 500,000 people discover his music. With his career on an upward trajectory, DiCelebrityy is poised to make a lasting impact on the global music stage.