Review: Kudos….Anancy Festival
The Kingston leg of the inaugural Anancy Festival got underway on Saturday June 11, 2011 at the Tom Redcam Library with BIAJ Publishing Director and author, Kellie Magnus, thanking all who had turned out. She welcomed them to what promised to be an enjoyable and fun-filled afternoon ; and it was! The Festival was appropriately […]
Review: Best of the Best 2011 Miami
This year Best of the Best expanded to a two day affair. Day one featured the best of Hip Hop and R&B, day two was the traditional dancehall stage show. Here is our review of the show. Please view our pictures in our “Best of Jamaica 2011“ photo gallery. Day 1 Line Up Rick Ross […]
11 Questions with Bunny Rugs Clarke from the Third World Band
William “Bunny Rugs” Clarke was born February 6 in Mandeville, Jamaica. After working with small bands, and a short stint with Inner Circle, Bunny Rugs was invited to become lead vocalist/guitarist and songwriter for Third World in the mid-’70s. In the late ’80s, Bunny began a solo career on the side. Rugs, as he is […]
Review: Reggae Film Festival – May 2011
Barbara Blake-Hannah was a guest on the Conduit Show at www.e2onair.com in February 2011 when she mentioned the Reggae Film Festival slated to take place in Jamaica in May. At that time, I made a mental note to attend. Fast forward to May 23 and I’m making my way from Harbour View by minivan, the […]
Interview with Bahrain-born Reggae Artist Elaine Lil’Bit Shepherd
This week we interview Canadian based reggae artist Elaine Lil’Bit Shepherd . Born in Bahrain Lil’Bit was introduced to the Toronto reggae scene in 2009 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She received the Most Promising New Artist Award at the 2010 RMAA’s, and is now the recipient for the most prestigious award in the Canadian Music […]
11 Questions for 2011 With Tessanne Chin
Tessanne Chin is a Kingston-born singer and songwriter who has been performing since the age of six. Her sultry style combines reggae, soul and rock, placing her in a unique category all her own. After moving to England at 12, Tessanne began writing her own songs. Upon returning to Jamaica, she joined several rock bands before finally deciding […]
Lyrics-De Jamaican Way
I have always been amazed at how bold, bright, brazen and bumptious our Jamaican men are when it comes to dropping lyrics. I am convinced that the things that women have to endure from some of these men happen only in Jamaica. Now if you thought I was talking about the regular “browning”, “empress or […]
Remembering David “Smiley Culture” Emanuel
David Emanuel may be a rather non-descript name, but if you have any British connections or affiliations with London’s music scene in the 1980’s the name David Emanuel immediately evokes memories of the cheeky Cockney with the megawatt grin. Smiley Culture, as he was more popularly known, died under tragic and suspicious circumstances on March […]
11 Questions for 2011 With Dawn Penn
Jamaica-born Dawn Penn is a classically trained singer, musician, and actress. As a teen she recorded for Clement Dodd’s Studio One label. Her first single, “No No No,” is recognized as a classic reggae song. The song was re-recorded with Steely & Clevie in 1991 and crossed over into mainstream pop charts. The album No […]
Our Top 50 Picks of Jamaican Ska Songs
During the year leading up to Jamaica’s 50th Independence Day on August 6, 2012, every week we’ll be compiling a list of things celebrating Jamaican foods, music, culture, people and more. We begin with our picks of the Top 50 Ska songs (not in any order). Feel free post your comments with your top Jamaican […]