For more than 30 years, the theatre and acting have been the truest passions of comedian Stede Flash, more commonly known as ‘Jooky Jam’. However, with the changing entertainment industry, Flash has had to find creative ways to keep doing what he...
Newly engaged, reggae artiste Nesbeth is happy to have found the strength to overcome his grief following the death of his wife eight years ago. Annmarie Elliot-Nesbeth died in 2016 from health complications due to cancer and the singer-songwriter...
One of the most anticipated aspects of any carnival experience is the theme. A make-or-break decision for any carnival band, the theme sets the tone for events, brand partnerships, costumes, and so much more. It is with this in mind that GenXS...
Reggae icon and social activist Winston Hubert McIntosh, more commonly known as Peter Tosh, is often remembered for his controversial interviews and unmovable stance on topics he was passionate about. However, according to reggae music historian...
This year’s third-place finisher in the ‘Digicel Rising Stars’ competition, Ashanique Watson, has always had inklings about being a singer/performer. But it was putting her talents to the test week after week while keeping the audience (and judges...
Popular gospel singer Ryan Mark has been part of the music fraternity for over 20 years, building a name for himself that many have come to associate with not only great music, but also relatable Christian messaging for strength and encouragement....
As Season 20 of the popular competition, Digicel Rising Stars, continues to march on, the quality of the talent in this year’s cohort cannot be denied. However, it’s going to take more than raw talent to win them the top prize. Our news team...
From 1994 until 2015, Jamaicans of all ages welcomed a colourful set of characters who brought drama, love, deception, and politics into their homes on Sunday nights. During this time, these characters – portrayed by the cast of CVM TV’s Royal Palm...
Miss Universe Jamaica organisers Karl Williams and Mark McDermoth have been involved in the running of the annual event for over 11 years, and have helped several women carry out projects and visions that have benefitted the island in more ways...
In 2023, the Miss Universe organisation sent shock waves around the world when it announced that it was easing its age-limit restrictions, giving a wider range of women the opportunity to compete. Among this cohort is 59-year-old Elaine Allen-Landy...
Thirty-four beautiful and talented women of all shapes, ages and sizes were sashed in preparation for the Miss Universe Jamaica Grand Coronation set for July – the largest number of contestants in the event’s history. According to the event’s...
Deidrian Downer, the recently crowned Miss Universe Jamaica Central, says she was always a shy and reserved girl. In fact, if it weren’t for her new-found title, Downer says she would have never even had the confidence to answer questions from The...
In the early 2000s, only a handful of entertainers could confidently say they had the music industry wrapped around their fingers. And, standing above them all with mic in hand and a soulful tune on her lips was Alaine Laughton. Alaine first rose...
Effective April 1, entertainers from around the world will have to pay more than double in visa fees after the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) instituted a 250 per cent increase for global musicians hoping to perform in...
Historically speaking, dragons are renowned for their beauty and mystical qualities that have made them not only feared, but admired by cultures across the world. With that in mind, it is no wonder that GenXS Carnival has chosen these legendary...
Across the Caribbean, there are breakout artistes and entertainers who have surpassed expectations and waved their country’s flags proudly for audiences around the world. And, it is among this elite class that KES ranks. First formed as a...
Following what many are calling a transcendent experience at I Love Soca, Yard Mas Carnival is looking to keep the fire blazing with more signature events aimed at catering to the different “segments” of Jamaica’s multifaceted carnival audience....
Carnival season is in full swing, and revellers all across Jamaica and the diaspora are either in a jubilant mood, or about to be, as the big three carnival bands – Xodus and Bacchanal, Yard Mas and GenXs – continue to roll out their events leading...
Reggae icon Winston ‘Burning Spear’ Rodney is singing songs of praises following his recent win at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) show last Friday. The 79-year-old singer, best known for hit songs like Christopher Columbus...
As he prepares to grace the Reggae Sumfest stage for his second time ever, rising reggae star Ras-I is hoping members of the audience will be as ready as he is to have a good time. In a conversation with The Gleaner, the Somewhere Wonderful...
For his over 50 years of service to the performing arts, King of Jamaican Comedy, Oliver Samuels, will be honoured with a Living Legend award today at his stomping ground, Little Theatre, in St Andrew. The veteran actor grinned from cheek to cheek...
When Miss Jamaica World Shanique Singh arrived in New Dehli, India, for the start of the 71st Miss World festival, only one thing was on her mind – making Jamaica proud. The festival, which serves as the longest-running international pageant,...
On Wednesday, February 14 –Valentine’s Day – the Black Angel Foundation handed out five music scholarships valued over $1.2 million to students in need. While many would call the gesture noteworthy, for the foundation, their annual music...
On February 21, the highly anticipated Island Music Conference (IMC) returns to Jamaica’s shores to provide a wealth of knowledge and exclusive access to industry professionals for the second year in a row, with the help of Tastee Limited. The...
As patrons gear up for an explosion of roots and reggae culture at Rebel Salute this weekend, first-time performer Dmitri ‘Kxng Izem’ Cummings is encouraging Jamaicans to ‘cherish’ the annual show for all it represents. “Rebel Salute is the only...
