Entertainment in 2019: A overview

The year 2019, which marked the end of the second decade of the 21st century, was a smorgasbord of delight, some more delightful than others.

With the steady rise of social media, it was sometimes hard to separate fact from fallacy, and too often, the music took a back seat to the intriguing lives of those whose job it is to entertain with good songs.

Those with time to idle could spend weeks trying to figure out who was sending out divorce messages in an effort to hype up a new song or if a picture of a female in bed with a woman was a “coming out” or a PR stunt. The clout-chasers grew in numbers, and so, too, the trolls, who multiplied like weed. But in the midst of all this, there were actually many positives within the music business – Koffee’s success, Buju Banton reclaiming his space – and many industry players committing to building the industry “brick pon brick”.

Girl Power

In an interview with The Gleaner, producer Jah Snow Cone noted that if the females got the push, they could do it, and many would agree that they showed their mettle.

From the younger ones like Koffee, Lila Ike, Sevanna, Naomi Cowan, Jaz Elise, and Kim Nain to the more established dancehall acts such as Spice and Shenseea – and Jada Kingdom – this cadre of females held their own, musically. Much more is expected of them in 2020.

Lots of songS but too many with no visas

In a Jamaican music scene with everybody turning their kitchen and bathroom into a studio, there were songs aplenty. But alas, the majority of them seemed not to have a passport, much more a visa, and, therefore, didn’t make a huge impact internationally. Substandard production, lack of good producers, and a dearth of banging dancehall ‘riddims’ were diagnosed as some of the weaknesses by the attendees at a Gleaner Entertainment Forum.

On the positive side, Koffee’s Toast racked up over 100 million views on YouTube, and Tommy Lee Sparta released a classic interestingly titled Blessings. The official audio, released in January, racked up over 20 million views by November. Also of note is the fact that ace producer, Dave Kelly came out of “retirement” to produce Buju’s hit single, Trust.

Kranium’s Nobody Has to Know and Buju Till I’m Laid to Rest were certified gold by the RIAA

Conversations

Important conversations were started, and are ongoing, about the importance of making real dancehall music as opposed to trap dancehall, the Noise Abatement Act and the authority of the police, and Afrobeats versus reggae.

Milestones

Sound system Killamanjarro celebrated 50 years in the music biz with a bashment event.

Founded in the summer of 1969, Killamanjaro is best known for its clashes and a large number of classic reggae dubplates. It is owned by Noel ‘Papa Jaro’ Harper and is named after Mount Kilimanjaro. His son, David, is now at the helm.

VP Records, the Queens, New York, independent company launched in 1979 by Jamaican husband-and-wife team Vincent and Pat Chin, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019. The company observed the milestone with a steady stream of releases, topped by the commemorative Down In Jamaica – 40 Years Of VP Records, released in October.

Nadine Sutherland, the very first winner of the Tastee Talent Contest, also celebrated 40 ­fantastic years.

Fallen Soldiers

We honour the fallen soldiers of 2019: Noel Dexter, renowned musicologist; veteran singer, Bunny Brown; actor and dancehall deejay Louie Rankin; ‘Mr Falsetto’ Pat Kelly; Aston Cooke, playwright and cultural educator; Franklyn ‘Chappy’ St Juste, filmmaker; Glen Simmonds, Atlanta jerk fest founder; Paul Beale, veteran playwright, director and actor; Dorraine Samuels, veteran broadcaster and former beauty queen; and DJ Venom, disc jockey and media personality. May their souls rest in peace.

Vybz Kartel

In 2014, Vybz Kartel was ­sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. His legal team made their appeal in July 2018, but 18 months later, Kartel and his fans are still waiting to hear the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

In December, the court said the wait could be over any day now. Fans are waiting with bated breath for the Worl’ Boss’ possible walk to freedom.

Jamaica is not a real place

Devin di Dakta wore a wig, and Eek-A-Mouse, out of nowhere, decided to take up a rainbow cause and apologised to the gay community. Social media had a few new sensations in the form of Mackerel and Candy Bady, and, perhaps, dancer Bully Beef could be thrown into the mix. Ladasha Francis, better known as Mackerel, went viral after posting a video glorifying her questionable ability to “tek weh people man”. It resonated, and Mackerel is still enjoying the “15 minutes” that some had wrongfully predicted.

In April 2019, this goodaz released her Tek Weh People Man single, and she is now a certified artiste. This is how she summed up her year: “I achieved a lot in 2019, I had ups and down. It wasn’t an easy year, but I manage to overcome my obstacles. I enjoy every moment of 2019 … my fans, my haters, my motivators, my friends, I love u all.”

What more can we say?