Protoje performs with Ky-Mani Marley for the first time

$100,000 Olympic Games seats!

(via The Jamaica Observer)

Jamaicans have already started making serious inquiries about securing tickets for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, but the prices for good seats inside the Olympic stadium could dampen their enthusiasm.

The seats, ranging in categories from AA to the lowest E, will cost Jamaicans a high of $100,000 to as little as $2,760 at today's exchange rate.

Rates posted online by the games organisers show that persons wishing to watch the blue riband men's 100-metre final on August 5 from a premium AA category seat will have to fork out £725.

Those seats, however, will only be available on two other dates — August 10 and 11 when the much-anticipated men's and women's sprint relay finals will be held.

Seats in the next category, A, are going for £420 each which, at today's exchange rate, works out to approximately J$57,900. The other seats on the three premium days are priced at £295, £125 and £50.

It appears though that not many Jamaicans are fully aware of the costs, as the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has been receiving numerous queries from individuals and firms about buying tickets.

"The demand is great," JOA executive member Don Anderson told the Sunday Observer. "The demand is greater than we've seen for any other Olympic Games, for obvious reasons."

Anderson's reference was to Jamaica's dominance in the sprint events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in which Usain Bolt shattered both the 100m and 200m records and contributed to Jamaica's 4x100m team breaking the record in that event and winning gold.

Jamaica ended the games with a record six gold, three silver and two bronze medals. The following year, at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany the island's athletes continued their medals plunder taking a record seven gold, four silver and two bronze.

Both performances filled Jamaicans with great pride and set the stage for next year's Olympic Games, scheduled for July 27 - August 12, with track and field fans relishing the sight of Bolt and his Jamaican colleagues again taking on the world's best athletes.

At the time the Sunday Observer spoke with Anderson he had not yet seen the London ticket prices, however he recalled that the most expensive seats in Beijing were in the US$160 range.

Anderson said that the JOA's ticket agent, Cartan Tours — which has been working for the JOA since the Sydney Olympics — will know in another few weeks how many tickets the JOA will receive to onsell to Jamaicans wishing to attend the games.

"Every national Olympic association gets an allotment of tickets," Anderson explained. "We will know by about mid-March what our allocation will be."

He said that representatives of Cartan Tours were in the island about three weeks ago talking with individuals and groups. "People have been suggesting that we try to get all the Jamaicans together in one section of the stadium," said Anderson, who added that each day he receives e-mails from people wanting to know when the tickets will become available.

Jamaica's men's 4x100 metre team proudly display their Olympic Gold medal during the Beijing Games in 2008. From left are Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell.

Buju Banton found guilty in cocaine case

Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton was convicted Tuesday of conspiring to set up a cocaine deal in 2009.

A federal jury returned their verdict after deliberating for 11 hours over two days on the fate of Banton, who won a Grammy last week for best reggae album for his work entitled "Before the Dawn." He was found guilty of three of the four charges he faced.

The 37-year-old Banton remains wildly popular in his native Jamaica, and his trial was packed with supporters that included other well known reggae artists.

The singer, whose given name is Mark Myrie, was on trial on accusations that he conspired with two other men in setting up a drug deal in December of 2009.

Prosecutors argued during trial that Banton portrayed himself as a broker of drug deals in several conversations with a confidential informant. Defense attorneys countered that he was simply a "big talker" trying to impress the informant, but that he wasn't involved in any drug deal.

Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using the wires to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. He was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

Much of the case hinged on meetings and phone calls that were video and audiotaped by the confidential informant, who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration — and who made $50,000 in commission after the bust.

In one video, Banton could be seen tasting cocaine in a Sarasota warehouse on Dec. 8, 2009 — but he was not present during the actual drug deal on Dec. 10 that led two others to be arrested. Those two men later pleaded guilty.

This is Banton's second trial. A jury deadlocked in his first trial last year.

Kartel says his conscious songs are not played

(via The Jamaica Star)

Deejay Vybz Kartel feels that his conscious songs aren't getting enough airplay, similar to his other sometimes more controversial songs.

Speaking to THE WEEKEND STAR recently, the deejay, born Adidja Palmer, commented, "Di media nah gimme nuh credit fi di reality, social conscious songs me do. Dem jus highlight the negative. Me do Mr Babylon addressing the squatter land issue in Trelawny, dem nah play it. Me do From Me Born Me Been Sufferin, dem nah play it. Me do Fallen Angel, dem nah play it. Me do Yeah Though I, dem na play it."

The controversial deejay explained that he doesn't understand why these songs wouldn't get airplay like his songs that are more party, relationship or controversially based.

He added, "Me put the same lyrical effort inna dem jus as how me put it in Cakesoap and Benz, so me nuh know. Me even do the video Yeah Though I and dem nah even play it pon TV. I want to know why they aren't getting played. Because I can't fathom why."

According to Kartel, his recent conscious songs were released towards the end of last year and earlier this year. The deejay recently returned from Trinidad with Portmore Empire members Popcaan and Sheba, which he says was a success. He is currently promoting the release of his latest products Gaza dog tags, belt buckles and T-shirts which are currently available on the market. He will be releasing his 'Addi's' sneakers soon.

RDX releases new 'Movements' video - New album due this summer

(via The Jamaica Star)

Multiple award-winning Jamaican dancehall duo RDX recently released the video for their latest single, 'Movements'.

Scenes of the video were shot in sections of Kingston and at the Aphrodisiac nightclub in Portmore, St Catherine, under the direction of noted film-maker and director Rick Elgood.

In an issued release, the members of RDX, Renigade and Delomar promised their fans an exciting and fun-filled video saying, "We put a lot into this video and we're confident that the fans are going to love this one."

This is the third time that the duo has worked with Elgood. He directed their Dancers Anthem and Bend Over music videos in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The song Movements was produced by Equiknoxx. It has been enjoying steady rotation on local radio and in the dance halls. The video features cameo appearances from a number of dancers, including Bermuda Kid, Dance Xpressionz, Famous Face, the Cullo Squad and Chekkers Dancers.

Additionally, RDX is preparing to release the follow-up album to their 2008 Universal Japan effort To the World.

"Our second album is coming out in the summer and it's going to be on Jamdown," said Renigade.

Among the latest singles from RDX are Girl Turn Around (Ballaz Productions); Bike Back (Twelve9 Records); Hold and Squeeze (Black Sheep); Who Deh Deh (Apt 19 Music); and You and Me (Equiknoxx).

The video for Movements alsopremiered on TVJ's 'Entertainment Report' recently.

Buju Banton Wins Grammy; Goes On Trial For Drug Charges

(viaAllHipHop.com)

Buju Banton's retrial for federal drug trafficking charges started today, as jury selection began in Tampa, Florida this morning, just one day after the Reggae singer one a Grammy Award for his album Before The Dawn.

Buju is facing life in prison, after undercover detectives allegedly caught him on tape attempting to purchase five kilos of cocaine in December of 2009.

Twelve jurors were selected today (February 14th) and opening statements are slated to being later this afternoon in a Tampa courtroom.

Buju said he was extremely proud to win his first ever Grammy Award, since he spent most of 2010 behind bars, lacking the ability to promote the critically acclaimed
Before The Dawn, which features songs like "Innocent," "Battered & Bruised," "Struggle Together" "In The Air" and others.

"Winning this Grammy is an honor because it truly shows that my music has transcended a lot of borders and people are now paying attention to what I'm saying in-depth," Buju Banton said. "Music is an art form that cannot be denied by any living soul. Music is life. Many thanks to the Recording Academy for recognizing my work."

Buju Banton already went on trial for the charges in September of 2010, but a mistrial was declared after the jury became deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous verdict.

If Buju Banton is convicted of drug trafficking, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Bob Marley’s Birthday Celebrated By Musicians Around the World in Viral Video

In celebration of what would have been Bob Marley’s 66th birthday, band and foundation Playing for Change has teamed up with Marley’s estate to release a video that will premiere today on the musician’s Facebook Page.

The video — which will be featured on Playing For Change – Songs Around The World, Vol. 2 CD and DVD due out in May — contains a performance from The Wailers’s final European tour, as well as a click track utilizing Marley’s vocals. Marley’s son, Stephen, is also in the video. Keep an eye on Marley’s Facebook Page for its debut.

“This is the third Bob Marley song that we have done,” says Playing For Change founder Mark Johnson. The release of this particular video just happens to coincide with Marley’s birthday (February 6).

“Bob Marley is one of the greatest musicians in the world and has the great ability to inspire people in every race, culture and economic status. [The song is a] great way to inspire people to come together,” he says.

If you’re not familiar with Playing For Change, it’s a band and foundation created by Mark Johnson, who spent four years traveling and filming musicians from around the world (local and street musicians alike).

In 2008, he released a cover of the song “Stand By Me.” That video has garnered close to 30 million YouTube views, and it helped lead to a PBS documentary and CD series. The Playing For Change band was also born (and will soon be playing at Jazz Fest in New Orleans), as well as The Playing For Change Foundation, which seeks to support music education.

The Marley video is a little different than previous Playing For Change pieces; instead of just using local musicians and established (living) artists to recreate the jam, Johnson incorporated a performance from Marley’s final tour, which set the tone and tempo for the rest of the performers — including Marley’s son.

This video, like all of Playing For Change’s previous work, was filmed outdoors to echo the experience of seeing a particularly effective street performer. “You can walk by someone and they can change your life,” Johnson says.

The disc containing this song will be released in May 2011, and, like all other albums, the proceeds will go toward building music schools in places like Mali, Rwanda and South Africa.

Playing For Change makes an effort — especially with this album — to go into poorer communities in order to find performers, which serves a dual purpose: 1) To show the world the beauty and talent inherent in even the poorest of areas; and 2) To forge communities where music schools can later be built.

Johnson says that the foundation is also working on a video program (still in its infancy) that connects the schools, so kids can share in music-making, and those who donate to those schools can see the fruits of their charity.

Reggae Artist, J.O.E, Dies From A Brain Aneurysm

(via The Jamaica Star)

Another entertainer has passed. J.O.E., formerly Lil Joe, died yesterday morning and has left friends, family and well-wishers in a state of mourning.

His friend of many years, Gavin Blair, member of Equiknoxx Music, said J.O.E., whose real name is Alty George Nunes, died this morning after being rushed to the hospital. He said the 25-year-old artiste had a brain aneurysm, which is a cerebrovascular disorder in which weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein causes a localized dilation or ballooning of the blood vessel.

"I really don't know what happened. They took him to the hospital this morning (Monday) and he didn't make it. It's really sad, I don't know what else to say. I've known him practically all my life. We went to the same high school. He's been one of my best friends," said Blair, his voice falling at intervals.

He is puzzled by the death, as J.O.E. performed at a show in Bull Bay the night before he died.

"He did a show last night (Sunday) in Bull Bay and he was in top form. He was perfect. He was fine so I don't understand how this," Blair told THE STAR.

He also explained that J.O.E. was doing well after being admitted in the University Hospital of the West Indies last year for three weeks because a blood vessel burst in his brain. His survival was described as a miracle, as persons with that condition would normally die or go into a vegetative state.

J.O.E. is the son of former NDTC dancer and choreographer Patricia Ricketts and brother of Digicel's sponsorships and events manager Tahnida Nunes. He had songs like Hey Yo, Crazy and Struggles. In 2005, he placed third in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's Popular Song competition.

The news of his death has also hit hard for his other close friends like Tifa. The usually bubbly entertainer was at a total loss for words and even apologised for not being able to say much.

"Mi still inna disbelief. Mi nuh have nutten fi seh 'cause mi still nuh believe, sorry," Tifa said in a somber tone.

Ward 21's Suku was also surprised by the news of a friend he has known for about five years.

"Mi deh out pon di road but from mi hear the news mi just come in. It kinda mash up mi day. Mi feel a way bout it. Mi know seh him did sick some time ago but him did look healthy," he said.

As news of his death spread, people expressed their grief on social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.

"R.I.P Lil Joe. Bredda fi life, condolences to da family, enoxx stay strong," Aidonia tweeted.

There were also tweets from other members of the entertainment fraternity like Wada Blood, Johnny Wonder, T'Nez, Crumbs from Liv Up Records, Bridgez, Wayne Marshall, Ishawna, Delly Ranx, Stampede, ZJ Wah Wa and Quizz.

Mavado a "Tump" the girls dem in 2011

Mavado has blessed the new year with an infectious new song, "Tump". Produced by veteran producer Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor, "Tump" is destined to be a club anthem for some time to come.

Jamaican women arrested in Trinidad for lewd dancing

Seven Jamaican women are now behind bars after they were charged for lewd and suggestive dancing in Trinidad recently.

They appeared in the Chaguanas Magistrate earlier this week alongside six other women from Dominican Republic, Peru and Colombia.

According to a report in the Trinidad Express, published on Wednesday, the women fined TT$250 (J$3,300) each and in default of payment will spend one week in prison. They were given one week to pay the fine.

The article further stated that "their attorney Joseph Honore told Third Court Magistrate Avason Quinlan that the women arrived in this country (Trinidad) two months ago and 'linked up' with the Tribe mas camp to learn the art of wire bending with the intention of returning to Jamaica to open their own mas band."

Reports are that the women were arrested Saturday morning during a raid at the Santa Maria Hotel at Chase Village, Chaguanas. It is said that a sergeant and two constables were on enquiries at the hotel, dressed in plain clothes, when the women were seen on stage dancing in a sexual and suggestive manner. They were arrested and taken to the Chaguanas Police Station and charged.

The women's lawyer, Honore, told the court that the women admitted that they were dancing suggestively but denied that they were naked on stage.