Nothing about Leonard Cohen’s 1984 classic Hallelujah speaks to Christmas; however, Jamaican singer and songwriter Khalia said it became a popular tune for the holiday season in the United Kingdom, where she was raised for the major part of her...
The 200.6 kilometres that separate Kingston from Hanover was far from being a deterrent to Nadienne Crossman, the principal of Mount Peto Primary School. “Some persons would say the drive is long, but it’s the least I could do,” she said as she...
Leading a career in the fashion industry, Miqueal-Symone Williams has been in the eyes of the public for a few years. From magazines to international runways, her experiences in the spotlight have helped reinforce the values her parents instilled...
Turning out authentic jerk for the past two and a half years, PeppaThyme has managed to take its customers on a palate-pleasing journey even during a pandemic when Jamaicans are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. It hasn’t been without...
He sings that he could “talk himself into sacred places”, and in fact, this silver-tongued devil of a musician, who goes by the name Masego, did just that with the collaboration with dancehall pop princess Shenseea, spitting lyrics as smoothly as...
Dancehall entertainer Tommy Lee Sparta looks set to spend Christmas behind bars, after being charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition yesterday. The artiste, given name Leroy Russell, was charged in relation to a police operation...
Double the talent equals double the success for Richard Nattoo, one of 40 selected awardees for the CATAPULT Consultancy Voucher Programme and a recipient of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Awards for Excellence in the category of Arts and...
Glacia Robinson is the latest musical minister to be given a honorary degree. Music producer and co-founder of the Glory Music record label, Tommy Cowan, has a Doctor of Divinity from the Trinity Theological Seminary of South Florida, while gospel...
Caribshopper is providing a new and improved solution for Caribbean merchants – and homesick shoppers who long to indulge in their favourite treats – just in time for the holidays. Not only will they have the ability to shop for Caribbean goods...
This songbird flew her way into the hearts of Jamaicans more than a decade ago and is still on a picturesque flight to spread messages of love through her music globally. Multi-genre vocalist Tessanne Chin actually says if she were to have a...
There has been mixed dialogue surrounding the reggae revival scene, with some detractors describing it as a step away from the traditional roots reggae instead of an actual rebirth, because of its fusion of the heavy drum patterns of dancehall with...
When it comes to male artistes pushing the envelope, Munga Honorable is easily in the top five. The trailblazing entertainer is prominently stamped into Jamaica’s reggae and dancehall culture as the man who boldly says, “You can’t break my...
While Mariah Carey’s quarter-century-old, holiday staple All I Want For Christmas Is You consistently tops Billboard’s Holiday 100 Chart and sits in a familiar position atop the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Top 25...
In a music industry beset with the challenges posed by the global coronavirus pandemic, the entertainment agency responsible for popular events Zimi Seh Brunch and Zimi Seh Riva has moved into music. “The moment the first case of the novel...
Female dancehall artistes are easing their way into Afrobeats. Among those who have tried their hands and voices in the West African genre are Macka Diamond, Jada Kingdom, Shenseea, Pamputtae and Curvy Diva, among others, and it’s more than just a...
Lesley Hayles is opening a new chapter as a music industry professional by venturing into production. Known in music and social media circles as Lesley Odyssey, the daughter of Bunny Hayles, founder of popular sound system Bass Odyssey, comes from...
Earl ‘Paul’ Douglas, one of the first instrumentalists added to The Maytals, describe the Grammy nomination or best reggae album as “surreal”, even as he still grapples with the loss of a colleague and friend, Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert. Toots and...
“I’m so tired and hungry,” said Runkus, ready to start mischief. He lets out a laugh, and apologises for the sound of breadfruit hitting the oil in a frying pan. “It has been another long weekend, day and night in studio until 2 a.m. in the morning...
“When you’re a single mother, things automatically change up,” says Eveana Henry, known professionally by the moniker Pamputtae. The dancehall diva tells The Gleaner she has been on a journey of “self-love” and with that, has put a lot of energy in...
The events of 2020 have underscored the ever-present necessity of Life Yard’s mission for the past six years – connecting the youth within the inner city with opportunities to transform their lives through the arts and agriculture. Located smack in...
The second Phillip Fung’s website loads, the eyes are greeted with a colourful palette of the artist’s paintings, inspiring the release of endorphins that immediately provoke a smile. Telling Phil, as he prefers to be called, that this is the...
It’s always been the arts for Kemaul Martin, known professionally as Yaksta. From writing short verses, sculpting and painting to graphic and clothing design, he has tested the creative waters before committing to a career in music. The recording...
The live-streaming of performances is not a new concept, but until now, the practice has not been a significant alternative to the live show economy in Jamaica and the wider, global entertainment industry. Several key players in the music and...
If music is a universal language, then reggae is widely spoken. The genre has proven itself useful to Waldiney Silva, known professionally as DJ Waldiney. He is the radio personality and disc jockey who pledged to assist 1970s reggae songbird...
Though joking when he compared music to a mistress, some elements hold true in the comparison. The industry, reggae soul singer Cezar told The Gleaner in a recent interview, is very demanding for an artiste. “It requires a lot of attention, and it...
