标签： Jamaica

Jamaican singer-songwriter Fiona has demonstrated her commitment to creating enduring musical works through the recent reissue of her romantic EP ‘In The Mood.’ Originally recorded five years ago in collaboration with renowned producer Hopeton Lindo, the six-track project was re-released on January 23rd by Zojak Worldwide, strategically timed three weeks ahead of Valentine’s Day.

Despite the commercial timing, Fiona maintains a philosophical perspective on the holiday of love. ‘Valentine’s Day represents a single day of extravagant gestures toward one’s partner,’ she commented. ‘While it might sound cliché, I genuinely believe every day should embody the spirit of Valentine’s Day.’

The EP showcases Fiona’s artistic versatility, featuring both original compositions and reimagined classics. Her penmanship appears on ‘Love Won’t Let Us Wait,’ while the collection includes distinctive reggae interpretations of Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb’s 1980 smash hit ‘Guilty,’ along with the Grammy-winning ‘You Don’t Have to Be A Star’ originally performed by Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo, and Barbara Mason’s ‘Yes I’m Ready.’

Lindo contributed two original compositions to the project—the title track ‘In The Mood’ and ‘In Your Eyes’—both released through his Irie Pen Records label. These tracks benefited from collaborative production by legendary rhythm duo Sly and Robbie alongside Rorey Baker under the Taxi Records/One Pop Music banner.

Hailing from West Kingston, Fiona brings substantial experience to the project, having pursued her musical career since age 17. While she has established herself as a solo artist, her cover of Adele’s ‘Hello’ remains her most recognized work to date.

Grammy-nominated reggae artist Etana has culminated Jamaica’s Reggae Month with a powerful reinterpretation of Bob Marley’s iconic anthem ‘I Shot The Sheriff.’ Her rendition serves as both a tribute to the genre’s most influential figure and a demonstration of reggae’s continuing global resonance.

As the inaugural Reggae Month Ambassador, Etana dedicated February to promoting Jamaica’s musical heritage through various performances and cultural engagements. Her newly released single emerges as a profound musical homage to Marley’s enduring legacy, whose revolutionary compositions continue to inspire artists and audiences across generations.

Originally composed and recorded by Marley in 1973, ‘I Shot The Sheriff’ gained international recognition through Eric Clapton’s 1974 cover version. Etana’s interpretation revisits the classic with emotional depth, blending her distinctive vocal warmth with contemporary production elements while maintaining reverence for the song’s roots.

Produced through her independent label Freemind Music Records in partnership with Eclectic Productions, the track masterfully balances authentic reggae essence with modern refinement, creating appeal for both traditional reggae enthusiasts and new audiences exploring the genre.

Etana recently performed alongside prominent artists at the One Love Bob Marley Concert on February 6 in Kingston, part of Jamaica’s annual Reggae Month celebrations honoring Marley’s cultural impact.

Regarding the song’s significance, Etana explained: ‘I consistently honor legends like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Dennis Brown in my live performances. This particular song resonates deeply with me—Marley intended it as a metaphor for justice, self-defense, and resisting oppression rather than literal violence. Its message remains profoundly relevant given ongoing global injustices.’

Her interpretation maintains the original narrative intensity while emphasizing themes of justice, survival, and moral conviction that retain contemporary relevance. Etana’s vocal performance seamlessly transitions between vulnerability and strength, reinforcing her status as one of reggae’s most compelling contemporary voices.

As Reggae Month concludes, this release symbolizes both celebration and generational transition—honoring the pioneers who established the genre while showcasing its ongoing evolution through artists like Etana.

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.

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.”