Claudelle Clarke-A Pioneer of Jamaican Gospel Music:Celebrating 41 years of Music.
The past four decades have marked the rise of Christian fundamentalist “The Queen of Reggae Gospel”, Claudelle Clarke. This period manifested the distinctive and pioneering talent encapsulated in Ms. Claudelle Clarke, who hails from the parish of Kingston, Jamaica. Claudelle attributes her musical talent and initial musical socialization to her family, particularly, her parents Linda […]
Five Minutes With: Everton Blender
Touted as being amoung the few artists able to successfully find a cohesive synthesis between the often inimical mediums of Dancehall and Culture Reggae, Everton Blender has not only managed to attain international success in a genre where others have struggled to be heard, but established himself as a pioneer in the quest to introduce Culture Reggae, to the mainstream. With an unprecidented slew […]
Interview with Duane…Rising Star
This month I interview Jamaican-American rising star Duane “D-WAYNE” Howard. Being born with a gift is one thing. Recognizing and utilizing that gift to it’s full potential is another. Born in Brooklyn, New York to Jamaican parents Duane Howard, better known throughout the music fraternity as D-Wayne. SS: How long have you been singing? Honestly, I’ve been […]
‘Rompin Shop’ Created and Manipulated Controversy
Did Vybz Kartel create a controversy to manipulate it, I wonder? The use Ne-Yo’s successful single ‘Miss Independence’ hit rhythm by Dance Hall maestro Vybz Kartel on his ‘Rompin Shop’ track may have been a stroke master of genius from marketing perspective given the reported 250, 000 hits on youtube to date. Kartel primary concern […]
Bob Marley, National Hero? Does Jamaica need another one?
Bob Marley’s birthday was February 6 and February is officially month and in Jamaica, the discussion of making him a national hero is heating up. When in 2000 I, as music editor for the New York paper ‘Caribbean Style’ wrote the original cover story raising the specter of Bob Marley being considered for national hero […]
So You Think You Know Bob Marley? Try Our Bob Marley Trivia Quiz
Do you think you know Bob Marley? Did you know Bob Marley was of mixed race? Do you know Bob Marley father’s name? Do you know Bob Marley mother’s name? Take our trivia quiz and see how well you know Bob Marley. The answers are at the bottom. 1.What Was Bob Marley’s First Recorded Single?? […]
Ladies First: Boogie on Reggae Women
Having fired a proverbial shot across the of reggae music’s bow in 2007 Reggae Female artist continue establishing their dominance in big way for 2008. First off there are so many female entertainers this year, including an ever increasing crop of new artists with songs getting air time, like Tifa, Alibra, Natalie Storm, Pamputtae, Timberlee, […]
Reggae Artist outpricing themselves
As the global economy heads into a tailspin, it is expected that it will have a profound effect on many sectors in Jamaica. I believe that one of the sectors that will be greatly impacted is the music industry. In difficult times music can be a life savior and as the exacerbated events continue in […]
Irie Jamboree 08: A Tribute to Caribbean Athletes
New York City: Irie Jamboree, the largest reggae music festival held Labor Day in Roy Wilkins Park in New York City closed out the summer in spectacular fashion. The 6th staging of Jamboree 2k7 had Mother Nature’s blessing weather-wise; it was a perfect day, a slight breeze and warm temperatures. The show’s line-up was well […]
William Stewart—A Past Member of the Legendary ‘Third World’ Band….The Man, His Passion, and His ‘Solutions In Music.’
Part I~~Willie Stewart…Who is he? Let’s start from the beginning… William Stewart was born in England to Jamaican parents, Herbert Stewart and Evelyn Maude Chung-Taylor. His mother hails from Balaclava, Christiana and his father is from Westmoreland. Willie’s brothers are, Neville Lee, Gene Lee, Paul (Pablo Herbert) Stewart (who died (6) six years ago), and oldest […]