Jamaica mourns the loss of Jimmy Cliff, a towering figure in the nation’s music and film industry, who passed away at the age of 81. Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, a close associate of Cliff, paid tribute to the legendary artist, describing him as a creative genius whose work aimed to inspire and empower people. Cliff, born James Chambers, was a multifaceted talent whose career spanned genres like ska, rocksteady, and reggae, leaving an indelible mark on Jamaican culture. Patterson, who shared a personal connection with Cliff through their alma mater, Somerton Elementary School in St. James, highlighted the artist’s enduring legacy. Cliff was honored with Jamaica’s prestigious Order of Merit (OM) in 2003, a testament to his contributions to the arts. His role in the 1972 cult classic film *The Harder They Come* not only elevated his career but also cemented the movie as a cornerstone of Jamaica’s cinematic history. Over his illustrious career, Cliff released 11 albums, including *Hard Road* (1967), *Wonderful World, Beautiful People* (1970), and *The Harder They Come* (1972), each showcasing his versatility and artistic brilliance. His passing marks the end of an era for Jamaican music and film, but his legacy continues to inspire generations.
标签： Jamaica
牙买加
-
Gold in France for Rvssian’s Santa
Jamaican music producer and recording artist Rvssian has achieved yet another milestone with his 2024 hit collaboration, ‘Santa,’ featuring Rauw Alejandro and Nigerian singer Ayra Starr. The track has recently been certified gold in France, marking sales and streaming equivalent to over 100,000 units. This accolade adds to the song’s impressive list of certifications, including 3x platinum in Mexico (490,000 units), 5x platinum in Spain (300,000 units), and 16x platinum in the Latin United States (over 960,000 units).
In an earlier interview with Observer Online, Rvssian expressed his gratitude for the song’s commercial success, stating, ‘This really means a lot; it’s just another form of accreditation towards our achievements.’ The song has also made significant strides on various international charts, including Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Panama, Spain, and Switzerland. Additionally, it has performed well on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs, Latin Rhythm Airplay, and Latin Airplay charts.
‘Santa’ is featured on Rauw Alejandro’s sixth studio album, ‘Cosa Nuestra: Capitulo O,’ which was released in September 2023. The song’s continued success underscores its global appeal and the collaborative efforts of Rvssian, Rauw Alejandro, and Ayra Starr.
-
Fire station for a home
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that wreaked havoc across western Jamaica, approximately 15 firefighters found themselves without homes, turning their fire stations into temporary shelters. Jamaica Fire Brigade Commissioner Stewart Beckford revealed that 193 firefighters were impacted by the disaster, with 25 experiencing total destruction of their homes and 168 facing significant damage. Many of these first responders were still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Beryl when Melissa struck, compounding their struggles.
-
Eze treble fuels Arsenal’s derby rout of Spurs
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze delivered a masterclass performance, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to a resounding 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby. The match, held at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, saw Arsenal extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to six points, further solidifying their title aspirations.
-
TOUGH, BUT RIGHT CALL
The Vitality Netball Roses Horizon Series, a high-profile international netball competition between England and Jamaica, has faced a significant setback with the cancellation of its Jamaican leg due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The decision, though disappointing, was deemed necessary to prioritize the recovery efforts of the affected communities. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on October 28, disrupted extensive planning and sponsor engagements, prompting stakeholders to focus on relief initiatives.
Karen Baugh, President of Netball Jamaica (NJ), expressed her regret over the cancellation but emphasized the importance of supporting hurricane recovery. ‘We were working very hard on putting on a great show, but we must come back stronger next year,’ Baugh stated. The series, designed to provide consistent, high-intensity competition for both teams, will now proceed with only the England leg, scheduled for December 13 and 14 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
In a show of solidarity, England Netball announced that £1 from every ticket sold for the London matches will be donated to World Central Kitchen (WCK), NJ’s charity partner, which is providing meals to Jamaican families affected by the hurricane. Fans are also encouraged to make optional donations at checkout.
Eboni Usoro-Brown, President of England Netball, highlighted the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations, stating, ‘The Sunshine Girls are more than opponents; they have shaped some of the most defining moments in our sport.’ She expressed pride in England Netball’s support for Jamaica during this challenging time and pledged to ensure the Sunshine Girls feel respected and supported in London.
The Jamaican team, already facing selection challenges due to the unavailability of key players, remains determined to perform at their best. ‘We are going out there to give it our best shot,’ Baugh affirmed, despite the absence of regular captain Jhaniele Fowler-Reid and other prominent players.
The cancellation underscores the broader impact of natural disasters on sports and community life, while the collaborative response highlights the resilience and unity within the netball community.
-
Fitz-Henley and Tavares-Finson return to St Elizabeth with building supplies, urge multi-stakeholder effort
Government Senators Abka Fitz-Henley and Christian Tavares-Finson have emphasized the critical role of private stakeholders in aiding the state’s efforts to provide secure shelter for Jamaicans displaced by Hurricane Melissa. The senators made this appeal during their recent visit to several communities in St. Elizabeth, where they distributed essential building supplies, including cement, tarpaulin, zinc, nails, and water, all sourced from private contributions. These supplies were delivered to residents in Black River, Springvale, and Middle Quarters, areas severely impacted by the hurricane.
-
Althea and Donna’s Uptown Top Ranking hits gold in the UK
Nearly five decades after their iconic song ‘Uptown Top Ranking’ took the music world by storm, Althea and Donna, the Jamaican reggae duo, reveal they have yet to receive any royalty payments. Released in 1977 and produced by Joe Gibbs, the track became a global sensation, topping the UK pop charts in early 1978 and achieving gold certification in 2005 for sales and streaming equivalent to over 400,000 units. Despite its enduring popularity, the duo claims they have never been financially compensated for their work. Currently, they are engaged in litigation, represented by the same legal team that handled Max Romeo’s estate. Althea shared their struggles, recalling how their initial lawyers were allegedly bought out by the record company, leaving them in a ‘losing battle.’ Donna echoed her sentiments, emphasizing their decision to move on with their lives despite the lack of financial gain. The recent gold certification has brought a sense of pride to the now 60-something artists, who expressed surprise and joy at the song’s lasting impact. Althea described the track as ‘almost a phenomenon,’ while Donna reflected on the honor of being part of such a cultural milestone. Recorded at Gibbs’ studio in St. Andrew, the song was born from a casual beach outing with friends, with Jacob Miller predicting its success. The duo’s unexpected rise to fame included performances on BBC’s ‘Top of the Pops’ and chart-topping success across Europe. While their children take pride in their legacy, Althea and Donna admit they would approach the music industry differently if given another chance, emphasizing the importance of proper contracts and business knowledge. Today, Althea resides in Atlanta, and Donna lives in Florida, reflecting on a career marked by both triumph and unresolved challenges.
-
Patterson urges G20 leaders to prioritise climate justice
Former Jamaican Prime Minister PJ Patterson has urged global leaders at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to prioritize climate justice as they address the pressing challenges faced by the world’s poorest nations. Patterson’s appeal comes in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, which has left hundreds homeless, destroyed critical infrastructure, and severely affected key industries like tourism and agriculture. The Category 5 hurricane, which struck Jamaica’s southwestern coast on October 28, has been linked to 45 deaths and caused an estimated $8.8 billion in damages, equivalent to 41% of Jamaica’s GDP. The World Bank has labeled Melissa as the costliest hurricane in the country’s history.
-
50 children kidnapped from Nigerian school have escaped—Christian group
In a glimmer of hope amidst a harrowing crisis, fifty of the over 300 children abducted from St Mary’s co-education school in Niger state, Nigeria, have managed to escape their captors, according to a statement released by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday. The children, aged between eight and 18, fled between Friday and Saturday and have since been reunited with their families. This development follows a brazen attack by gunmen on Friday, who stormed the school and kidnapped 303 students and 12 teachers in one of the largest mass abductions in the country’s history. The incident has exacerbated growing security concerns in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, prompting widespread school closures. Earlier in the week, a similar attack occurred in Kebbi state, where 25 girls were abducted from a secondary school. Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, CAN chairman in Niger State, expressed cautious relief but urged continued prayers for the safe return of the remaining victims. The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the abduction.
-
Brazil ‘very concerned’ about US naval build-up near Venezuela
Johannesburg, South Africa (AFP) – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva voiced deep concern on Sunday regarding the United States’ escalating military presence near Venezuela, emphasizing the potential for conflict. Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg following the G20 summit, Lula revealed his intention to address the issue directly with US President Donald Trump. “I am very troubled by the military assets the United States has deployed in the Caribbean Sea. This situation worries me, and I plan to discuss it with President Trump,” Lula stated. He further cautioned against the dangers of military escalation, drawing parallels to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. “Once a shot is fired, it becomes difficult to predict the outcome,” he warned. The US has recently positioned an aircraft carrier strike group, additional naval warships, and stealth aircraft in the vicinity of Venezuela. On Friday, the US issued a warning to civilian aircraft operating in Venezuelan airspace, urging them to “exercise caution.” Since September, US forces have targeted over 20 vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific, resulting in more than 80 fatalities. US officials claim these operations were aimed at drug traffickers but have yet to provide substantiating evidence. The Trump administration has accused Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro of leading a “terrorist” drug cartel and has not dismissed the possibility of deploying US troops. Lula, highlighting Brazil’s shared border with Venezuela, stressed the importance of seeking a diplomatic resolution before tensions escalate further. Notably, Trump opted not to attend the G20 summit in South Africa, citing a misalignment between the summit’s focus on global trade and climate change and US policies.