What’s up peeps,  been missing in action for a while but I’m BACK.  Had to tie up a few loose end so I could concentrate on you!!!.

I hope you all were still listening to me on theladydshow.com or dapowerhouseradio.com.

Well here is the news!!!

Bounty Killer case stalled until 2010!

Alliance leader Bounty Killer returned to court on Wednesday when the illegal possession of firearm case against him continued, however, the case stalled when a major witness failed to appear. The next court date is March 24, 2010..

The deejay, whose real name is Rodney Basil Price, is charged with illegal possession of firearm, assault at common law and unlawful wounding. The deejay is also accused of using a firearm to hit a policeman during an altercation in New Kingston in September 2007.

When the case was mentioned last month in the Corporate Area Gun Court, it was postponed because the deejay’s attorney-at-law had been away on business and could not attend. It is alleged that on September 27, 2007, Bounty Killer and a group of men reportedly assaulted the complainant along St Lucia Avenue. It is further alleged that an off-duty policeman left a club and saw a number of vehicles blocking a section of the roadway. Several men, including Bounty Killer, and the late dancer David ‘Ice’ Smith, were allegedly at the scene. Another man, Callis Bowen, said to be an ex-policeman, is also jointly charged with the deejay.

The policeman tried to get the men to move the vehicles but was reportedly assaulted and fired at. A report was made to the New Kingston Police and a file later sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ruled that Price should be charged.

Killer, who has been at the forefront of dancehall for almost two decades, has had a checkered record with the law. He was recently freed of assault charges in a matter where he was accused of assaulting a female when the complainant decided she did not want to pursue the matter.

The deejay was charged with possession of ganja by police in the business and clubbing district of New Kingston last month, just days after he pleaded not guilty to drug charges in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.
Another case relates to traffic violations allegedly committed in late 2008. He was accused by the police of breaking seven red lights, obstructing traffic and refusing to undergo a breathalyser test in an early-morning incident.

Beenie yanked from NZ show following gay pressure

Monday Musings

with Yasmin

Monday, November 16, 2009

Following headlines over the weekend that gay lobby groups in New Zealand were presuring the promoters of music festival, Big Day Out, to pull Beenie Man from the line-up, and subsequent defence of their decision to use him as the only reggae act, the promoters have now backpedalled and have yanked the deejay from the concert.

Beenie Man… yanked from line-up for music festival Big Day Out

Internet reports say that New Zealand MP Kevin Hague was among those objecting to the inclusion of the King of the Dancehall based on his anti-gay lyrics. Hague noted that hate-mongering is not welcome in New Zealand, and reportedly urged the Big Day Out to uninvite Beenie.

“Music is a powerful shaper of culture, values, attitudes and behaviour,” said Hague. “Music that denigrates gay men and lesbians in the most extreme way imaginable sends some very powerful signals both to young gay and lesbian people but also to their peers. It is not true that ’sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me’.

“Hate speech like that of Beenie Man gives permission to prejudice and discrimination and creates it where it didn’t previously exist. It blights and diminishes the lives of all who are exposed to it, most particularly young lesbian and gay people who suffer violence, harassment, lowered self-esteem and all the consequent health and social problems.”

Gay reaction stemmed from a song recorded by the deejay in which he says, “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the gays.”

The promoters had said in a previous release that they were aware of Beenie Man’s controversial past, but he had renounced those feelings and was now promoting “peaceful and humanistic values”.

However, a release posted yesterday said, “The depth of feeling and hurt amongst these groups has convinced us that for us to proceed with his Big Day Out appearances was, and would continue to be, divisive among our audience members and would mar the enjoyment of the event for many.”

Beenie Man, as is the norm, could not be reached for comment.

The sad part about this is that it’s not just Beenie who has lost out, it’s the music. This is a lost opportunity to promote reggae/dancehall in a major way and would no doubt have been a big boost - financially and otherwise - for Beenie Man himself. The fact is that there must have been big demand for this artiste for the promoters to have included him in a line-up with names such as Lily Allen, Muse, Eskimo Joe, The Mars Volta, Calvin Harris, Lisa Mitchell, the Horrors, and others. Between January 15 and 31, the Big Day Out will be held in Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, and according to the concert’s website, many of the venues are already sold out.

Beenie Blocked by Gays from Australia gig

Gay rights groups are moving to block Beenie Man’s inclusion on an annual Big Day Out events in Australia and New Zealand.

A release from Peter Thatchell of the Outrage! group claims that: “Beenie Man, one of Jamaica’s leading reggae stars, has had hit tunes which incite the murder of lesbians and gay men.

In his hit tune Damn, Beenie Man sings: “I’m dreaming of a new Jamaica, come to execute all the queers.” Another of his hit tunes, Bad Man Chi Chi Man (Bad Man Queer Man), instructs listeners to kill gay DJs and boasts that people would gladly go to jail for killing a queer:
“If yuh nuh chi chi (queer) man wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!) / If yuh nuh lesbian wave yuh right hand and (NO!!!) / Some bwoy will go a jail fi kill man tun bad man chi chi man!!! / Tell mi, sumfest it should a be a showdown / Yuh seem to run off a stage like a clown (Kill Dem DJ!!!)”.

Chi Chi Man is a very offensive Jamaican patois homophobic slang insult, equivalent to the insulting words queer, poof and faggot, the release said.

Despite this evidence, Big Day Out organisers in Melbourne are considering going ahead with Beenie Man’s concert in the city.

The article went on to say that Big Day Out organiser Susan Forrester has contacted Peter Tatchell of the gay rights group OutRage! in London, who is the International Coordinator of the Stop Murder Music campaign. Her contact details are (03) 9820 4677 and susan@bigdayout.com

Mr Tatchell has replied to her, calling on Big Day Out to cancel Beenie Man’s concert. He wrote to Ms Forrester as follows:

“Beenie Man is clearly unrepentant. He has never apologised for urging the killing of gay people. In fact, he put out a statement saying ‘I no apologise’. You would not consider hosting Beenie Man if he was a white racist singer who had called for the murder of black people. You would dump him. Why the double standards?” queried Mr Tatchell, who is Melbourne-born but London based since 1971.

Beenie Man is also being considered as a guest performer at Auckland’s Big Day Out, according to its promoter Campbell Smith.

Jahvinci STILL a member of the Portmore Empire - Kartel says

Contrary to reports surfacing on the Internet and in the streets of the Corporate Area, Jahvinci is still a member of the Portmore Empire and will honour all contractual arrangements made for him to perform overseas and locally.

“Yea, man,” Adidja Palmer, the head of the Portmore Empire, told one876entertainment yesterday when asked if the Watch Yu Friends singer was still a member of dancehall’s hottest music outfit. “Jah is still a member of the Empire.”

Last week, reports surfaced that Jahvinci, who scored a number one single with Watch Yu Friends, had been beaten up by enforcers affiliated to the Empire group. The rumours were further fuelled when the singer did not perform at the last two legs of the RE High School tour, and missed the Millennium Countdown 9 show in The Bahamas. However, Jahvinci has repeatedly shot down rumours that the incident happened.

Lots of flossing for Flippa this holiday season

Monday, November 16, 2009

Deejay Flippa Mafia, having enjoyed a good run this year, is preparing for a busy end-of- year and is all set to close 2009 in style.

Flippa Mafia

The deejay was exciting at the recent Barefoot Beach concert in Montego Bay, headlined by American rapper Soulja Boy, and is anticipating great upcoming performances.

“It’s just lots of crazy work . flossing like a king and keeping the fans happy,” Flippa said.

Now that his single, Foundation Over Hype, is making strides on the Hype chart and seems set to score him his second number one for the year, the Flossing King is not about to drop the baton. He dismissed the feud with flamboyant deejay Elephant Man as nothing to hype about and instead says he is focused on his career.

“I will be performing at Club Amazura in Queens on November 26, Canada on the 28th and a treat in Trench Town on December 12. The proceeds from this will be for the education of the youths,” explained the deejay, whose money-throwing gimmicks during his performances earned him welcome attention.

The deejay will have his first performace in England December 17-19 and says he is “eager to touch Europe”.

He returns to the island for GT Taylor’s Christmas Extravaganza on December 25 and Supreme Promotions’ Sting, the greatest one-night show on earth, on Boxing Day at Jamworld.

source: jamaicaobserver.com, one876entertainment.com,

Twin of Twins Arrested On Suspicion Of Fraud

Twin of Twins may get a taste of their own “Trials & Crosses” as they were yesterday arrested on suspicion of fraud by the Half Way Tree Police.

The dancehall artistes/comedians are accused of taking $50,000 from an upcoming act who they promised would travel to the United States along with them to perform.

OutAroad.com gets to understand that the incident took place about February of this year and was reported to the police after the complainant had been denied of a reimbursement on several occasions.

The brothers are still in custody hoping to post station bail.

“Mi Vehicle Cyan Dearer Than Mi House” Says Flippa Mafia

One876 understands that deejay Deva Brat was in a serious car accident two days ago which totalled the vehicle he was travelling in. The deejay is reportedly shaken upwith relatively minor injuries , however, two other men were injured in the car accident, one of them critically.

“Deva Brat was on his way back to Portmore after a show in Manchester when the car got out of control and crashed. One of them is in critical condition at the KPH, word is that he is still in a coma, but Deva is alright, he was driving the car,” the source said.

Deva Brat rose to fame after a much-publicised onstage fight at a Stone Love anniversary show with deejay Munga and he was on the verge of breaking through when scored a top ten hit with Bundle a Gyal, however, he was soon incarcerated on a carnal abuse charge which kept him in lock up for several months. After his release, he severed ties with the Portmore Empire and its controversial and charismatic leader, Vybz Kartel and even voiced diss songs to which Kartel never responded. Since that time, Deva Brat has struggled to find a follow up hit, and now reportedly lives in Montego Bay, St. James. One876 wishes him a speedy recovery.

Anthony B Flattens Sierra Nevada Music Festival

Deejay Anthony B created a bit of music history last week with another one of his marquis performances. This time, he was in the continent of South America where he pulled out a strong crowd of reggae enthusiasts in the country of Columbia.

“It was a really great show, the people came out and the promoters were so pleased that they immediately rebooked me for a show in
December,” he said.

Anthony B said that Columbia is opening up as a market for reggae and dancehall and listed a number of artistes including Kartel and Kip
Rich who had singles that were quite popular in the country.

“They are really into reggae over there, but not many artistes get to play down there, it is really a great untapped market,” he said.

Known for singles such as Plant Di Corn and Fire Pon Rome, Anthony B is one of only a small handful of reggae acts to have performed in
Columbia. The island of Jamaica, with its close geographic proximity to the Caribbean and Latin America, has not only received influences
from these cultures, but has also been influential on molding and forming an integral part of Spanish-speaking nations such as Columbia
and Mexico.

Anthony B is at the forefront of a new movement bringing reggae and Rastafarianism to the South America continent.

Over the weekend, he performed at the Sierra Nevada Music Festival in Mendocino in California where over 20,000 fans got to see him at his
charismatic best.

“I worked for about an hour and a half and the crowd really responded well. My set was right after Junior Reid, and mi demolish the place,
flattened it. The festival was a three-day festival and it was really great. I will be heading to Vermont next
and then to do two shows in Canada,” he said.

Anthony B will return to the island on June 29, after which he will leave for a three week tour of Europe beginning on July 1.

Anthony B has a new release called Pony featuring Jive recording artiste Libby Frank on the Down Sound Records label.
“When I get back, I will be going all out to promote this song because I believe it has the potential to cross over,” he said.

Blakka Ellis makes final comic stand in New York

NEW YORK, NY - Jamaican comedian Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis is set to bring the curtains down on his comedic career in New York after more than two decades.

Ellis. no longer enjoys the stand-up art and wants to make time for the fulfilling work of writing, directing and producing

One of the Caribbean’s most well-known comedic entertainers, Ellis who now resides in Canada recently disclosed that he no longer enjoys the stand-up art and wants to make time for the fulfilling work of writing, directing and producing. Speaking from his home in Canada Ellis said in his ‘retirement’ years, he will put more effort into organising the Association of Comedic Entertainers and facilitate workshops for upcoming comics. Ellis indicated that he will also be working alongside Ity and Fancy Cat as a writer/consultant and will be involved in producing comedy shows, a release stated.

Blakka will share the stage with the likes of Jamaican comedy duo Ity & Fancy Cat from Jamaica and Susan Kennedy from Trinidad & Tobago for the farewell comedy weekend. The New York tour kicks off on Friday, July 31 at 8:30 pm and runs through to Sunday, August 2 at 6:00 pm. Showtime on Saturday is 8:00 pm.

The larger-than-life comedian got his unexpected start on the stand-up stage in 1985 as part of the duo Bello and Blakka with Winston Bell and since that time, Blakka has been entertaining audiences throughout the Caribbean, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Among the highlights in the comedian’s career is performing with the great Jamaican folklorist Louise Bennett-Coverley. For Ellis, though, the most memorable moment of his career was the first time he performed with Bell to a packed stadium of more than 15,000 persons in Trinidad. Other stand-outs include performing at the Apollo Theatre in New York and doing a television special for Channel 4 in London.

Ity & Fancy Cat to perform at the farewell comedy weekend.

According to the producers, Horace and Victoria Mitchell, “We see this as an opportunity for patrons to enjoy a weekend of wholesome family entertainment and unlimited laughter. It is even more significant as Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis will use this as the event to take his final bow on the New York comedy stage.”

The comedy weekend will serve a benefit for the New York-based Jamaican charity Children of Jamaica Outreach, committed to assist in making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children in Jamaica as well as the United States.

Jah Cure to close Int’l Night I

In an effort to make Reggae Sumfest 2009 ‘another one to remember’, reggae act, Jah Cure, has been chosen to close international night I of the festival on Friday July 24.

A Montegonian by birth, Jah Cure has a strong following in the second city and is well loved by international fans, thus it is more than fitting for him to not only perform on the first International Night - but to be the first Montegonian to ever close a night on Reggae Sumfest. He will, however, not br intimidated with a slew of hits in his arsenal including the touching love song Longing For as well as others such as Sticky. Jah Cure will also enthral his fans with a catalogue of fresh songs from his new album The Universal Cure, which was released in April of this year.

According to the organisers, Jah Cure got preference to close the show as a local act, on a night that has an excellent line-up of international artistes, which includes diva Keri Hilson, crooner Ne-Yo as well as hot new singer Jazmin Sullivan.

Jah Cure’s album, Universal Cure has been receiving positive reviews worldwide. The first single from the album Call On Me featuring Phyllisia Ross has climbed local and international charts and is making its rounds on radio stations.

The world’s greatest showcase of reggae music, Reggae Sumfest, will take place from July 19-25 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Starting with a beach party on Sunday July 19 and the ensuing three days of epic live performances (starting with Dancehall Night on Thursday July 23, International Night I on Friday July 24, and International Night II on Saturday July 25) that make up the annual event, will captivate the thousands of tourists and Jamaicans alike who make the trek each year to this, the Mecca of reggae music festivals.

Artistes, be careful what you say! - Children easily influenced by slangs, lyrics

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter
Elephant Man - File

When new slangs are created in dancehall music, children are the first to catch on to them, thereby influencing the way they speak.

‘Slang specialist’ Elephant Man said he is aware that he influences children with the many slangs that he has created and made popular.

“Anything weh mi seh de kids dem go wid it. Di kids are one of di first set that hang on to it (slangs). When yuh hear di kids with it, yuh know seh de slang shot,” Elephant Man told THE STAR.

Children are often heard using some of the slangs Ele uses, like ‘mucho’, ‘tranquelo’, ’shizzle’, ‘mi linky’ and ‘caliente’. However, he maintained that the children used these to greet each other.

In addition, he said slang was very popular in garrison areas.

informal cases

As for the use of words like ‘two’ and ‘come’, Elephant Man said he encourages children to say ‘two’, as they cannot count without using it. Nonetheless, he believes nothing is wrong with them replacing ‘two’ with ‘few’ in informal cases.

Renigade from the duo RDX said there are three languages in Jamaica: patois, English and dancehall. Words like ‘two’ and ‘come’, are usually inappropriate in the dancehall context.

He further stated that children were easily influenced by the dancehall, both positively and negatively.

“Although our music is not necessarily done for kids, it still reaches them. So we (artistes) need to be careful what we say, while maintaining the entertainment value,” Renigade told THE STAR.

In the same breath, Renigade said some people went over the top when they refused to use certain words.

“Some people ridiculous with it when dem a seh ‘three-day’ instead a ‘today’, but some of it make sense,” said Renigade.

Although not yet a father, he said that he tells children around him that it is important to count correctly.

respect

Overmars of the Ravers Clavers.

As a dancer and an artiste, Overmars said he is someone who children, especially in his community, respect and try to emulate.

“In my community, you have kids weh look up to we as dancers. When we come up with a slang, they gravitate to it. As dem see me, yuh will hear dem a seh ‘Overmars above a dem’,” Overmars told THE STAR, indicating that his newest slang was ‘above a dem’.

“Inna yuhself, yuh feel good seh de kids a look up to we, but we keep it pon a clean level that dem can use it.”

Children’s ability to switch from dancehall slangs to standard English, Overmars said, is dependent on their schooling

and upbringing.

In the meantime, Elephant Man says another of his songs, Ungrateful Soup, which is also a slang, has been creating waves since its release. The song was recorded on Mr G’s Paranoid rhythm and a video for it was shot recently.

“My newest slang on the road is ‘ungrateful soup’. When yuh have some friend weh start player hate yuh, tell dem seh dem a drink de soup, the ungrateful soup,” Elephant Man said.

Foxy Brown: Prison Is The Worst

Foxy Brown has blasted reports she was given preferential treatment during her stint behind bars - insisting her time in prison was “the worst period in my life”.

The star was jailed for 12 months in September 2007 for violating her probation, stemming from a fight with two manicurists in a New York nail salon. She was released in April last year.

She sparked reports she received preferential treatment from prison officers at Rikers Island jail after thanking them for supporting her during her sentence, but she has now spoken out to deny she was treated differently to other inmates at the prison.

Brown tells the New York Post, “It was incarceration, not vacation. I only wore the designer clothing I was allowed to have. There were certain gang colours my sneakers couldn’t be… I didn’t have any special visitation rights.”

Ludacris Launching Premium Cognac Range

Hip-hop star Ludacris is following in the footsteps of rap moguls Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Jay-Z and Dr. Dre by launching his own range of liquor.

The Area Codes hitmaker has unveiled plans for Conjure, a custom line of Cognac aimed at the urban audience, in association with Kim Hartmann, the owner of the Birkedal Hartmann Cognac brand.

It (taste-testing) was great. It gave me a new appreciation for CognacLudacris

The announcement came at the wine and spirits trade show Vinexpo, whichis currently being held in Bordeaux, France.

Ludacris, real name Christopher Bridges, wants to make sure he’s involved in every step of the alcohol-making process and has already been on a brandy-tasting trip to sample the different varieties available.

He says, “It’s not just me attaching my name to it. Whenever I involve myself in a business, I submerge myself in it. “I wanted to learn as much as possible. It (taste-testing) was great. It gave me a new appreciation for Cognac”.

Conjure will launch in Norway next month (Jul09) and is expected to hitthe U.S. market in the autumn. Diddy and Jay-Z are both involved in the development of premium vodka brands Ciroc and Armadale respectively, while Dre is working on his Aftermath Cognac drink and a range of sparkling vodka.

Missy Elliott Planning Biopic

Rapper Missy Elliott is preparing to open up about her traumatic past on the big screen - the hip-hop star is planning a biopic about her rise to fame.

The Lose Control hitmaker, real name Melissa Arnette, has seen worldwide success since kicking off her music career in the 1990s.

But her younger years were not without controversy - she was repeatedly raped by an older cousin from the age of eight and saw her mother being abused by her father, who pulled a gun on the pair on one occasion.

It’s happening; I’ve just got to find a great writer because I wouldn’t want my story watered down. I went through a lot, and I accomplished a lot, and I want people to know how it all went down

And after nearly two decades in show business, during which she became the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum, Elliott is preparing to tell her life story in a forthcoming film.

She tells America’s Elle magazine, “It’s happening; I’ve just got to find a great writer because I wouldn’t want my story watered down. I went through a lot, and I accomplished a lot, and I want people to know how it all went down”.

source:  jamaicastar.com, jamaicaobserver.com, riddimjamaica.com, one876entertainment.com, outaroad.com, femalefirstuk.,