Category Archives:CARIBBEAN ROUND UP

Busy-Signal
Mar. 20.

BUSY SIGNAL SPLITS WITH MANAGER AFTER SIX YEARS

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, DANCEHALL, FEATURED ARTIST, MUSIC |
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After more than 6 years of working together, dancehall and reggae artist Glendale Gordon, more popularly known as Busy Signal, has reportedly parted ways with his manager Shane Brown, the record producer and CEO of Juke Boxx Records.

Busy Signal indicated that the parting was amicable, he told reporters, “Yeah, we parting ways in terms of management, and I just want it to be clear that we nuh have no bad vibes. Shane has been excellent over the years, we a link from since about 2007.”

He also said he wanted greater control over his career. According to Busy, he said there was never a contract and he did not opt out of one. (more…)

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machel
Feb. 25.

Machel Montano faces the music today

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, Soca |
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TWO months after he was found guilty of five criminal charges, soca artiste Machel Montano is expected to be sentenced today.

He and songwriter/producer Kernal Roberts are expected to both know their fate when they appear before Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor in the Port of Spain Court this morning.

On December 10 last year, Montano was found guilty by the magistrate of assaulting Brandis Browne, Russell Pollonais, Janelle Lee Chee and Gerard Bowrin, and using obscene language outside the Zen nightclub on the morning of April 26, 2007.

Roberts was found guilty of assaulting Pollonais and Browne. Joel “Zan” Feveck and Rodney “Benjai” LeBlanc had also been charged alongside Montano and Roberts, but they were both found not guilty of charges.

During the trial, which lasted more than five years, Montano, the reigning Power and Groovy Soca Monarch, had given ten days of evidence.

During his testimony, Montano had denied the charges brought against him, stating, instead, he was the one who was attacked by the group and spat at.

The State was represented by attorney George Busby while Dana Seetahal SC and Keith Scotland represented Montano and Roberts, respectively.

The matter is scheduled to be called at 10 a.m.

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dd
Jan. 22.

OMG!!! Another school shooting!!! (confirmed)

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, National News, World News |
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Students at a community college in Houston are taking shelter after reports of a gunman on campus. More than 10,000 students are at the North Harris Campus of Lone Star College, a spokesman said.

Police and emergency responders swarmed an entrance to the campus, aerial video from CNN affiliate KPRC showed.

Medical personnel were seen treating at least two people and moving them to ambulances. Students were jogging away from some buildings, with their hands up in the air, presumably in response to police instruction.

It was not immediately clear whether any arrests had been made or a gunman remained on the loose.

Lone Star College spokesman Jed Young could only confirm that there were reports of a shooter on campus.

The Lone Star College system is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas, according to its website.

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Beltifi-INC2-575x380
Jan. 22.

Meet BelTiFi Inc: Working Towards the Empowerment of Young Haitian Women

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Haiti, World News |
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Above: Some of the bèl timoun of BelTiFi Inc…Diana Prud’homme, Director of Social Media and Interaction, Judith Jacques Director of Communications, Jessie Rigaud, Treasurer; Jihan Antoine President, Carmel Balan, Director of Community Outreach, Vanessa Bellan Director of Marketing, Tai Lucien Director of Fund Development, Farah Louis, Director of Programming.

Are you a Bèl Ti fi? Well, are you? If you are working towards self-empowerment, achieving goals, and helping others in the Haitian community, while working on your own self-development—you indeed are one. And your objectives and mission mirror those of BelTiFi Inc, an organization based in New York whose primary goal is to bring Haitian women together, and encourage dialogue among them in the community. BelTiFi also has had a strong hand in recognizing the merits of major achievers in the community (Edwidge Danticat is among a past honoree). It holds galas and events to help it achieve its goals of strengthening the bonds in the community, and lessening the gap between the Haitian and the American community.

Many regard Bel Tifi Inc as concrete proof that young Haitian women can work together to achieve something monumental. The work is vast, but there are many capable hands at the helm of BelTiFi Inc, to assure that things go smoothly at all times. Board members are among the most educated and brightest the Haitian community has to offer, and are all college-educated and enjoying personal career success as young professionals. There’s Tai Lucien the organization’s Fund Development Chair who works with sponsors and brainstorms with the group regarding fundraising opportunities. When BelTiFi is in need of research, eyes turn to Cassandra Pierre-Louis. Jihan Antoine and Judith Jacques smooth out corporate communications and matters related to the organization’s image. Farah Louis and Jessie Rigaud take care of event programming and financial matters respectively. Diana Prudhomme serves as the organizations Social Media and Interaction Chair and is the meeting point for all communications, and makes certain that the organization’s goals are well-communicated through as many social media platforms as deemed fit. Reaching out to the community as a whole is the responsibility of Carmel Balan, while Vanessa Bellan oversees marketing initiatives.

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Damian-Jr-Gong-Marley-Affairs-of-the-Heart
Jan. 13.

JR Gong Marley, Busy Signal and RnB Singer Miguel Set To Headline Biggest Show of St. Maarten Carnival 2013

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, DANCEHALL, MUSIC, Soca |
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Veteran promoter Clarence Derby and CD Entertainment has secured the reggae night for Carnival 2013 and will stage what Derby has dubbed, even at this early stage, the biggest show of St. Maarten Carnival 2013. Derby, known for his record breaking Carnival concerts, will have as headliner Grammy Award winning reggae artist Damian Marley of the famed Marley family and looks to continue his well-established reputation as St. Maarten’s premier concert promoter.

Complimenting Marley as part of the reggae night lineup will be rising R&B singer Miguel and popular dancehall artist Busy Signal. The latter is very popular in the club and dancehall scenes whose music is described as “must dance” must, meaning you can’t stay still once Busy hits the stage.

Miguel, is an American recording artist, songwriter and producer. Signed to Jive Records in 2007, Miguel released his debut album, All I Want Is You, in November 2010. The album became a sleeper hit and helped Miguel garner commercial standing. After Jive’s dissolution in 2011, he moved to RCA Records and released his second album Kaleidoscope Dream in 2012 to critical acclaim.

Miguel identifies himself as part of the new wave of R&B artists that include Frank Ocean, the Weekend, and Elle Varner. About.com editor Mark Edward Nero characterizes his music as “eclectic, artsy R&B-pop”.

Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley is a three-time Grammy Award winning Jamaican reggae artist. Damian, the youngest son of Bob Marley, has described his music as “dancehall and reggae.” “I’ve noticed people trying to separate the two of them. It’s Jamaican culture in general. I don’t try to classify or separate,” he is known for saying.

As for Derby, he said he has been out of Carnival for various reasons over the past few years but is looking forward to participating in Carnival 2013 with a high caliber, high quality show.

“When I do shows I deliver to the people of St. Maarten and to visitors a quality event that they’ve come to expect. Concert promotion is not easy, and it’s not inexpensive but I’ve always believed that with understanding and cooperation from the Carnival committee we could do great things for Carnival. I am looking forward being a part of this year’s festivities,” Derby said.

President of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF)Mike Granger said the foundation is extremely happy to have one of its most veteran and respected promoters back in the fold. “We are especially happy that Clarence can announce his artists this early. It is something we’ve been urging promoters to do for years,” Granger said.

“It helps everyone prepare including persons from abroad who are looking to plan to come for Carnival. It also gives SCDF the opportunity to cross-promote the concerts early and build anticipation for Carnival. In the end, Carnival in general benefits. Clarence has a reputation of high caliber shows and we expect no different for Carnival 2013,” Granger added

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Jan. 08.

Official Video – Kerwin DuBois [Wettin]

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Soca, VIDEO |
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Kerwin DuBois WETTIN video
Kerwin DuBois recently released the official music video for his 2013 Soca hit, “Wettin.”

Shot in the beautiful island of St. Maarten, Kerwin appears in a docu-type video during his visit to the “friendly island” island for his Tempo Turns 7 anniversary performance.

Check out cameos by Alison Hinds, Doug E. Fresh and New York-based DJ, Frankie from Spoil Brattz in the driver’s seat for Kerwin DuBois’ “Wettin” video below:

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Jan. 07.

After guilty verdict Machel Montano must quit or be fired as TT’s Goodwill Ambassador

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, MUSIC, Soca |
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OCA superstar Machel Montano must quit his post of TT’s Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) or be fired from that post, because of his conviction by the courts on charges of assault and using obscene language.

This is the call being made by president of the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) Julien Mervyn Dedier. In a one-page letter dated January 1, addressed to UN Women Caribbean Sub-Regional Programme Director Roberta Clarke, in Barbados.

The letter stated: “Machel’s action is not in keeping with the United Nations’ theme on the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls.”

“Machel’s action and convictions, is enough for him to be removed as Goodwill UN Ambassador,” the letter added. Sentencing against Montano and Roberts is expected to be handed down on January 17.

John Hubertson of the UN’s public information department said that the secretariat office does not appoint Goodwill Ambassadors and it is up to UN agencies to appoint respective ambassadors.

Hubertson noted that the office had not yet received any correspondence regarding Montano. He was unable to find Montano’s name on the list of goodwill ambassadors worldwide and questioned whether the soca artiste’s title of UN Goodwill Ambassador was accurate.

MEANWHILE: Machel’s attorney Dana Seetahal, SC, stated yesterday that the Soca star has never been a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations (UN). As such, she added that there is no post for the soca superstar to quit.

“There is nothing for him to quit. Also, he has never held himself out to be TT’s Goodwill Ambassador to the UN. Obviously this person (Dedier) is ill informed whoever he is,” Seetahal said.

Montano, the reigning Power Soca Monarch and Road March King, was found guilty by Port-of-Spain Magistrate Maureen Baboolal-Gafoor last month on four charges. The charges stemmed from a fracas outside the Zen nightclub, in Port-of-Spain, in April 2007. Three of the charges were for assaulting patrons Gerard Bowrin, Brandis Browne, Janelle Lee Chee and Russell Pollonais. The fourth charge against Montano was for using obscene language during the same incident.

Also charged with offences out of the same incident were Kernel Roberts, the son of legendary Calypso icon Lord Kitchener, Joel “Zan” Feveck, a member of Montano HD Family, and Rodney “Benjai” LeBlanc. Roberts was also found guilty on two charges of assault while LeBlanc and Feveck were found not guilty.

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Jan. 04.

Asfa Hits Number One

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, DANCEHALL, FEATURED ARTIST, MUSIC |
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Rising singer Asfa closed 2012 in fine style by taking over the number one position on the Jamaica Top 25 Reggae Chart. After nineteen weeks on the survey the artists debut single Not The Life has finally hit the peak signaling the arrival of a brand new star in the making.

The very focussed Asfa a product of the Dread Heights community is fast becoming a name to be noticed as the song is also present on the New York Top 30 at number 8 and the Holland Reggae Top 20 at number 2. Reggaediscography a website in Italy has described him as one of the finds of 2012 and similar praises are being sung by many in all quarters of the music industry.

 

The momentum gained by these turn of events according to sources close to the artists will carry the artist into the new year with a brand new single Vanity set for release and an album Journeying is being readied to come to the market by summer 2013 on his own imprint Jecoliah Entertainment Production. An EP titled Take A Look will however,  precede the albums release as a teaser as early as this month. In an online blog Asfa commenting on his achievement remarked “this is a great day in my life”.

 

Not The Life was produced by the artist along with Roger Grant and Patrick Dunn  of the production house 619 Entertainment and is also found on the bestselling compilation Question Riddim being distributed by VP Records. The artist in a special message thanks all radio jocks , journalist and onliine sites who have contributed to his rise thus far and promises to not disappoint the people who are showing interest in his growing career.

 

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monica_black-thumb-473x473-5155
Jan. 01.

R&B singer Monica and saxophonist Arturo Tappin added to Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Celebrity, EVENTS |
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Grammy-Award winning R&B singer Monica and Barbadian saxophonistArturo Tappin has just been added to the annual Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival taking place from January 24-26.

These newest additions will join the phenomenal headlining acts named so far for 2013 — John Legend, Michael Bolton and Mary J Blige.

A statement from promoters TurnKey Promotions said the 2013 event will see “more jazz back into it.”

Monica was among the flood of teen soul singers who sprung up in the United States during the early 1990s. One of her early hits was Just One of Those Days, from the album Miss Thang. Her famous hits include Don’t Take It Personal (Just One of Dem Days), Before You Walk Out Of My Life, The Boy Is Mine and Angel of Mine.

Monica’s seventh studio album New Life was released on April 6, 2012. New Life debuted at number four on the USBillboard200, and at number two on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

Monica is a mother of three and has also expanded her titles to include entrepreneur and actress, with her Regions of Rock clothing line and television hit series Still Standing.

Tappin also came to prominence in the 1990s, making a name on the growing Caribbean jazz festival circuit. He has toured and recorded with big-name performers like Roberta Flack, Monty Alexander and Luther Vandross.

Jamaica’s Jazz and Blues performer from this year’s festival included Celine Dion, Cee-Lo Green, Nicole Henry, Heads of State (featuring Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant), Jully Black, Earl Klugh, The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Destra, and Tessanne Chin and Tami Chynn.

Walter Elmore, producer of the festival, encourages persons to take advantage of the online ticket system. “Tickets are available now online, and we encourage persons to avoid the rush and get their tickets early. You can even give family and friends the gift of an incredible musical experience as a Christmas gift,” he said.

Patrons can now purchase their tickets at www.ja

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Dec. 28.

Jamaica’s Naughtiest Girl

By DaveG4Genius | Posted in CARIBBEAN NEWS, CARIBBEAN ROUND UP, Contest, DANCEHALL, MUSIC |
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The search is on to findJamaica’s Naughtiest Girl. Dancehall Dynamic Duo RDX will be launching a campaign to find the islands naughtiest girl which will play a lead role in their upcoming video for single titled “Naughty Girl” and will also be given a consolation cash prize.

The duo who is on the hunt to find Jamaica’s Naughtiest Girl will invite females to a closed audition. Females who dare to challenge themselves and embrace the hedonistic side of them will be judged by the duo and other professionals. Contestants will be require to present themselves in a sexy, seductive or as one who can fulfill any man wildest dreams. Females will be required to use props such as costumes, sex toys, personal videos etc. to demonstrate that they are indeed naughty enough to play the lead role in the upcoming video.

Whilst the concept of the video-shoot hasn’t been fully finalized, the duo has made it clear that the video will be a project that will not just give the world something to talk about but also a stance against society’s hypocrisy as we need to just respect females who dare to publicly be spontaneous, creative as they try all kinds of Karma Sutra & wild sexual act(s) to keep and please their respective partners.

Even though critics and various cross section may be rattled by such a notion, RDX is resolute to expressing their creative freedom and making art whilst entertaining.

Please note this campaign is open to Females 18 years or older. Further details will be announced shortly