Entertainment News

CARRIACOU’S CARNIVAL

Calypso, Queen Show, Soca, Jouvert, fancy mas, Shakespeare mas, fun and frolic is the atmosphere in Carriacou, as the island stages its carnival.

As the hours wind down to the conclusion of the festival, thousands have travelled to be a part of the activities.

Since the village launches in January; semi-final shows, road shows all formed part of the commencement of the festival.

Most recent, on Friday February 17th Skinny Banton was crowned the 2012 Soca Monarch, Killer B placed Second then on Saturday February 18th five beautiful young ladies vied for the title “Ms Carriacou 2012”, 20 year old Jermilia Joseph who represented Belmont, Belle Vue and Harvey Vale was crowned Ms. Carriacou.

Last evening the Calypso competition was held at the Hillsborough playing field, Killer B emerged the winner, he was closely followed by Shanda and Sugar Patch securing the third position.

On Monday morning, thousands gathered on the streets of Hillsborough to partake in the well-known Jouvert, this was followed by parade of the bands from 3pm, and Monday night mas later on this evening.

Last lap on Tuesday will see parade of Shakespeare mas, L’Esterre will stage their jouvert, and then the judging of the People’s Choice Soca Monarch

ROAD MARCH FIGHT

Etana Headlines Strength of A Woman

This past weekend was an exciting one for fans of Etana on the beautiful isle of St. Croix. She headlined the event Strength of a Woman that was hosted by diva, Nicky Z. The show was all about women and they turned out in their numbers to support.

Etana performed twenty of her tracks to the thick, highly energized audience. Overwhelming responses came from the Virgin Islander's for their favorites: People Talk, Dance, Blessing, I Am Not Afraid and Free. Etana introduced her new tracks, Wifey and I Am Strong which were both well received; other acts that performed included Mother Nile and Alaine.

This was Etana's first time performing as a solo act in this territory. She recalls her first trip in 2005. "Funny enough I clearly remembered the hotel we stayed in and that we had to take a small boat there; back then, I was a back ground vocalist for Richie Spice. I say, its funny as I don't usually remember all the details about some of the locations I've toured. You see so many places in such a short time. I truly love the Virgin Islands and was thrilled to be back".

Stephen Marley plays down Grammy win, hopes state of music industry will improve

Internationally acclaimed Reggae superstar, Stephen Marley has a lot or reasons why he should feel happy with his continued success. However, forgive the prominent singer if he's not totally enthused about his most recent achievement.

Last Sunday, Marley won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album during the 54th Annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, California for his album, Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life. This marked the artiste's third career Grammy as a solo artiste and 10th overall, dating back to his days as a member and producer of his older brother's band, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

Despite this unprecedented accomplishment for a Jamaican artiste, Marley claims that he hasn't make a big deal about his latest Grammy achievement; implying during an in-depth interview with TVJ's Entertainment Report that it's just another footnote in his growing legacy.

"Is not someting dat I tink about. Mi no tink bout the Grammys or any awards for that matter… It's not that important to me," he said.

Richie Stephens To Be Honored With 'Lifetime Achievement Award' In New York

New York: Veteran reggae hit maker and "Pot Of Gold" label head Richie Stephens will be honored with a "Lifetime Achievement Award at the third annual Linkage Awards slated to take place on Sunday, March 11 at the Macedonia Center in Mt. Vernon, NY.

The announcement comes less than a month after he was presented with an 'Achievement Award' at the 16th annual Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival in Trelawny for his twenty seven year contribution to the reggae industry.

Stephens has had a whirlwind year since he and Gentleman released "Live Your Life" last summer. The song topped charts in Florida, Atlanta, Canada, Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean and was voted "Song of the Year" on New York's Irie Jam Radio 'Top 100 Songs for 2011,' ahead of Vybz Kartel (Summer Time); Mavado elilah); Popcaan (Ravin); Shabba (None A Dem); Popcaan (Only Man She Want); I-Octane (Ramp Wid ); Laza Morgan featuring Mavado (One by One); Beres Hammond (No Goodbye) and Sean Paul/Alexis Jordan (Got To Love Ya).

"I'm excited about the success that I have enjoyed since the release of 'Live Your Life.' Fans have embraced it all over the world and I am just thankful for the outpouring of love" the singer said..

Popcaan and Busta Rhymes team up for ‘Only Man She Want’ remix

Breakthrough Dancehall superstar, Popcaan continues to build his international status as he's unveiled the official remix of his number one hit, Only Man She Want featuring Jamaican-American hip-hop superstar, Busta Rhymes.

The Portmore Empire deejay, who has enjoyed mass chart success within the last year, released the remix for Only Man She Want on Friday; landing his first major collaboration with a foreign artiste. Busta adds his natural, 'yardie' flare to the single; joining forces with the 'Gaza' deejay nearly a year and a half after recording a yet unreleased track with Popcaan's long-time mentor and internationally-acclaimed superstar, Vybz Kartel.

Busta Rhymes displays a hybrid style of deejaying and rapping during his 12-bar contribution on the record. In Only Man She Want, Busta Rhymes deejays, "Yuh nuh hear how di girl a bellow 'Busta!' yuh nuh hear how she a deaf him? Dem a cry now, from di way how she a lef' him, your shorty want me and you know it and when I’m left alone with her, sir, ending up with her any time she get up on it."

Busta continues his showcase of lyrical dexterity by rapping, "Some think it's inappropriate, baby I must propose it, let us f***, the juices get to spilling like a water faucet in the truck till the sweat will accumulate and drip up off it, laying back the Jimmy, let you kiss up on it."

Kereen Gregory happy to share stage with Carlene Davis

Rising gospel act, Kereen Gregory, aka KG, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to perform alongside one of her favourite female singers, Carlene Davis.

The two are among a set of gospel acts scheduled to thrill fans at a concert entitled Ash Wednesday Praise, scheduled for February 22 in Kitson Town, St Catherine.

KG, who declares that Carlene Davis has been an inspiration to her, also noted that she welcomed the opportunity to get up close with fans in that section of Jamaica.

"Minister Carlene Davis' story is such a wonderful one; how she moved from secular to gospel with such grace and I am particularly impressed with how Sister Carlene handled the testing of her faith in God when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has always been one of my heroes and it is a joy to share stage with such a powerful woman of God," KG said emotionally.

She added that it would be her first time performing in Kitson Town and, as such, "it will definitely be a night to remember".

Dancehall Giants Bounty Killer and Elephant Man's vehicles now up for auction

Some very prized properties, formerly owned by two prominent Dancehall deejays now face the prospect of being auctioned off Highly-valued automobiles, belonging to Alliance leader, Bounty Killer and long-time protégé, Elephant Man are on public auction by the Tax Administration of Jamaica (TAJ).

Bounty Killer's 1998 White Land Cruiser VX and his white 2006 Range Rover Sports HSE as well as Elephant Man's red 2002 Mercedes Benz are being advertised for the second time after previously being put up last March.

All three vehicles were seized by the Inland Revenue Department after both artistes reportedly owed millions in unpaid taxes. Elephant Man had his Kingston home raided last July when law enforcement officials seized his Mercedes Benz.

Two months later, Bounty Killer's two luxury vehicles were captured by tax officials just month after his United States visa had been stripped from him. Law enforcement officials claimed he owed millions of dollars in unpaid taxes as well.

According to TAJ's Latoure Duhaney, both artistes must pay all taxes owed by this Friday should they wish to recover their assets. Else, the auction on their vehicles will commence.