This week we interview Menelik Shabazz the creator, director and producer of the documentary film Lovers Rock. The documentary tells the story of how Lovers Rock music defined a generation in the late 70s and 80s hugely impacting on British Pop Culture. The feature length documentary contains interviews, comedy sketches, dance, live performances and archive footage which are used to shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it. Here is our conversation with Menelik Shabazz.
Can you believe the Grammy Awards are almost here? We asked M. Peggy Quattro, Reggae Report founder and publisher, to review the list of nominees from 1985 when the Reggae Grammy award was established through to this year (2011) and give us her picks for "Who Should Have Won the Reggae Grammy? Feel free to comment on the picks.
Ms. Dulcie Sey: "Marriage iz a joke today!"
Halloo all mi wandarful fans! Ow iz unu all doin? Well, Ms. Dulcie iz bizzy ringin in de New Year! Me an Missa Fowler a spen de New Year quiet, 'cause de yung peple dem get a bit rambunkcious dem ya dayz. So, me sen im go store ow much howas ago fi get sum hegg nog. Hall now mi still a wait fi im fi cum back, im mussey gawn to de fowl coop fi get de hegg dem fi mek de hegg nog.
Halloo all mi wandarful fans! Ow iz unu all doin? Well, Ms. Dulcie iz bizzy ringin in de New Year! Me an Missa Fowler a spen de New Year quiet, 'cause de yung peple dem get a bit rambunkcious dem ya dayz. So, me sen im go store ow much howas ago fi get sum hegg nog. Hall now mi still a wait fi im fi cum back, im mussey gawn to de fowl coop fi get de hegg dem fi mek de hegg nog.
Can Legal Wiz team help us get a title, if the lamp program didnt?
My dad tried to get the title through the LAMP program, and it reached a point where it needs a survey done. He secured the services of a surveyor, but apparently was being swindled and terminated the agreement after lengthy delays.
My dad tried to get the title through the LAMP program, and it reached a point where it needs a survey done. He secured the services of a surveyor, but apparently was being swindled and terminated the agreement after lengthy delays.
The equipment/facilities: Our “bird” looked nice and shiny on the outside, but on the inside, it was different. Several sizable cracks easily visible throughout the interior of the shuttle cabins, as well as frayed/torn upholstery (both trips) told an unpleasant tale of less-than-demanding maintenance. Having once worked inside the maintenance department of the “former” national airline (and seen an airplane stripped down to the frame and painstakingly reassembled), it would be nice to see the cabin looking… well, spiffy. Would you re-hire a limo/tour bus company if the test model had stripped upholstery?
Exposing Public Servants
There is a growing wave of disrespect for decent, hard working citizens of America in this country by Public Servants. No one is quite sure how it started or where they got their "power" or "bravado" from, however, if anyone has had to deal with clerks, customer service representatives or anyone who provides a necessary service, this article will ring close to home.
There is a growing wave of disrespect for decent, hard working citizens of America in this country by Public Servants. No one is quite sure how it started or where they got their "power" or "bravado" from, however, if anyone has had to deal with clerks, customer service representatives or anyone who provides a necessary service, this article will ring close to home.
5 New Poems
We added 4 new poems."Mawga Dawgs", "Bongos", "Obama's Cross", "Red Coat Plum". by Margaret Juliet Bailey and "Fulfillment" by K. L. McFarlane.
We added 4 new poems."Mawga Dawgs", "Bongos", "Obama's Cross", "Red Coat Plum". by Margaret Juliet Bailey and "Fulfillment" by K. L. McFarlane.
Sue was moving back to Jamaica. She made this decision when she came back from visiting Rosa in Orlando. She turned down Sidney’s marriage proposal. It was a difficult decision because she would have gotten her green card, but she did not love him.
Jamaica's charm and magnetism has not only been acquired through the Island's beauty and warm people, but through the range and variety of Jamaican Musicians and their music. A visit to Jamaica becomes noteworthy because of its ambience, and the various forms of musical entertainment. Every memory that Tourists may harbor are usually serenaded by Jamaican sounds and rhythms.
Immigration: New Year and New Immigration Amnesty for 2012?
Happy New Year to Everyone. With the start of 2012 everyone is concerned with the status of immigration laws. In 2011 we saw the enactment of some draconian and controversial immigration laws in Arizona, Georgia, and Alabama. We also saw increased activism for immigrants' rights. However, despite the efforts of immigrant activists we have yet to see comprehensive immigration reform from the federal government. So what will happen in 2012? The future of immigration reform is uncertain. However, what remains is that everyone must do everything they can do to maintain or obtain legal status and prepare for immigration reform/amnesty. In this month's article I will briefly address some immigration questions that are asked by prospective clients.
Happy New Year to Everyone. With the start of 2012 everyone is concerned with the status of immigration laws. In 2011 we saw the enactment of some draconian and controversial immigration laws in Arizona, Georgia, and Alabama. We also saw increased activism for immigrants' rights. However, despite the efforts of immigrant activists we have yet to see comprehensive immigration reform from the federal government. So what will happen in 2012? The future of immigration reform is uncertain. However, what remains is that everyone must do everything they can do to maintain or obtain legal status and prepare for immigration reform/amnesty. In this month's article I will briefly address some immigration questions that are asked by prospective clients.
Granny Gheeta's Vision: Preview of Things To Come
My Granny Gheeta was a woman of many talents, however, her most famous contribution to our family was her skillfulness of having visions. During her lifetime, Granny had visions on every subject under the sun. From going to the market, to her female Grandchildren being in the "family way".
My Granny Gheeta was a woman of many talents, however, her most famous contribution to our family was her skillfulness of having visions. During her lifetime, Granny had visions on every subject under the sun. From going to the market, to her female Grandchildren being in the "family way".
We asked our facebook fans to help answer a question submitted to us by email: Help answer a question from traveler going to Jamaica next week: "Heading to Kingston next week Friday for the weekend! Any cool things that are a must to see & do? Where should I go party?"
This week we interview Yola Gray-Baker the Fashion designer and CEO of House of Flayva. House of Flayva is known for their street life designs which, draws from Jamaican culture and the vibrant colors of the Caribbean. Here is our conversation with Yola.
On Friday, December 2nd, 2011 I had the opportunity to sit with the reigning Ms. Jamaica Universe 2011, twenty-five year old Shakira Martin. The Jamaican-born Florida beauty was at the Grand Palms in Pembroke Pines, collecting items for her Toy Drive for children in Jamaica.
We have updated "The Jamaican Alphabet - De Jamaican Halphabet" article. We added video/sound clips to the article. Now you can see and hear each letter the pronunciations. Enjoy!!!
Can my dad get my dead granddad's Jamaican assets after 20 years?
My grandfather has passed away over twenty (20) years ago. Can any Jamaican land/assets in my grandfather’s name be transferred to my father, who is the only child alive, even if there is no will?
My grandfather has passed away over twenty (20) years ago. Can any Jamaican land/assets in my grandfather’s name be transferred to my father, who is the only child alive, even if there is no will?
We are please to announce a new serial "What is for You". This story tells the tale of Nadiya Foster, a Jamaican-born Canadian-bred university student who heads back to Jamaica, the land of her birth, for a one-year exchange program at UWI. During her year away from home, she reconnects with family, makes new friends, enters the St. Andrew social scene, and most importantly, falls in love. “What Is For You” is a love story, about Nadiya and the charming Jamaican medical student, Kevin Crawford, but it is even more so a love story about the island of Jamaica: her culture, her people, her beauty and her history. Topics touched upon include Rastafarianism, the arts in Jamaica, garrison politics, and classism and shadism.
How has Jamaica become the land of Entrepreneurs/CEO'S yet almost 20% of the population live below the poverty line? Who are the 1% in Jamaica? Spend a few minutes surfing the net and you will soon see just how many Jamaicans are self appointed “CEO's and Entrepreneurs”. If we believed every title we'd be led to think we were reading a Zug phone book!
Ms. Dulcie Sey: "Eva ere bout de Third Wurl Blonde?"
Halloo mi precious fans! Ow hall uno folks doin? Me ope sey uno iz all halright. Well, de Halliday season iz halmost pon it way, an hevry badie feelin anxious 'cause de economy is at a standstill. Lorks, mi dears, me no knoe wey fi tell huno, de Politician dem a skylark pon de job. Ongly God cyan elp we. One ting is good dough eh, in dese times peple need plenty counseling an dat's whey Ms. Dulcie come in. Praise God!
Halloo mi precious fans! Ow hall uno folks doin? Me ope sey uno iz all halright. Well, de Halliday season iz halmost pon it way, an hevry badie feelin anxious 'cause de economy is at a standstill. Lorks, mi dears, me no knoe wey fi tell huno, de Politician dem a skylark pon de job. Ongly God cyan elp we. One ting is good dough eh, in dese times peple need plenty counseling an dat's whey Ms. Dulcie come in. Praise God!
The results are in from our 2011 "Best of Jamaica" in Jamaica survey. What is the best Jamaican restaurant in Jamaica? What is the best hotel to have a wedding? What is the best beach in Jamaica? What is the best hotel in Jamaica? What is the best tourist attraction? What is the best patty? This year's the travel category was very competitive and there are quite a few ties. Below are the results of each category for the "Best of Jamaica".
Buju Banton, a popular reggae musician convicted on drug-related charges, continued to fight this conviction, filing an appeal in the United States. He was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm to further a drug-trafficking offense, and use of a telephone to facilitate a drug-trafficking offense.
Jamaica's Cabinet approved the acquisition of the birthplace of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the first national hero of the country. The property in St. Ann's Bay is scheduled for rehabilitation, said Laleta Davis Mattis, executive director of the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.The 124th anniversary of Garvey's birth was celebrated at the site on August 17, 2011.
A number of Caribbean and Jamaican films were introduced at the Caribbean Tales Toronto Film Festival in Canada, showcasing the area's considerable talent over ten days in September. The Jamaican film "Better Mus' Come" written and directed by Storm Saulter led off the prestigious Bahamas International Film Festival. Saulter's first feature film, it was the only Jamaican film at the festival and was called a "new benchmark" for the country's filmmaking. It focuses on the late 1970s in Jamaica and the "political tribalism" of the time.
At the beginning of 2011, Jamaican businesses had an optimistic view of the nation's economic growth, but consumers were more pessimistic about the state of the economy. In the business sector, optimism rose to its highest level since the third quarter of 2007, when the current government took office. During the last quarter of 2010, however, Jamaican consumers were more pessimistic than they were in the third quarter of the year. However, less than one in 20 citizens blamed the government for the poor state of the economy. In contrast, many business leaders felt the government was the reason for the economic downturn.
Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica's Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, supports providing subsidies for vocational and tertiary education to areas with the greatest need. Government-subsidized education and training programs should be focused on the challenges facing the nation as a whole, rather than being perceived as a means for taxpayers to fund all areas of study, said Tufton.
A key incident from 2010 continued to make its impact felt diplomatically in 2011. The attempt of Jamaican soldiers to capture Christopher "Dudus" Coke, local gang leader wanted by the United States as he had been indicted on charges of operating an international drug ring, caused the deaths of 73 individuals in Tivoli Gardens on May 24, 2010.
The economy took center stage for much of 2011 as the entire world faced difficult economic conditions. In January, the Jamaica Stock Exchange was ready to introduce an electronic trading system that allows real-time simultaneous tracking of stocks on the exchanges of Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad and Tobago. Investors in these regions will now be able to buy and sell equities directly, rather going through a settlement bank.
Although American Tyson Gay won the men's 100-meters in Clermont, running the fastest time in the world thus far in 2011, Jamaica's Nickel Ashmeade ran a personal best time of 9.96 seconds, compared to Gay, who ran the distance in 9.79....Jamaican, the three-time champion of the WICB Regionals, struggled with its batting in a match versus Windward Islands. The Jamaicans achieved 177 for six in the first innings in the second round match at Queen's Park stadium. Marlon Samuels led the visitors with 40, while Tamar Lambert, Jamaican captain, had 35. Later, the Jamaicans have been victorious in three of four regional first-class matches with the Windwards....
The life of Mortimer "Tino" Geddes, a veteran journalist, was celebrated at Unity Jamaica Church in Kingston. Leonard Dillon, reggae music pioneer, died of cancer at age 68. Community activist and freedom fighter Dudley Laws died at age 76 after a long battle with kidney disease. Barry Llwellyn, the founder of the Jamaican reggae and rocksteady trio the Heptones, died at the age of 64 of unknown causes at Kingston Public Hospital.....See more Obituaries for 2011
The health and welfare of children in Jamaica was the focus of considerable concern in 2011. According to a 2011 survey from the National Health Council on Drug Abuse, high school students on the island are subject to suicidal thoughts, stress, and risk of being bullied. They drink alcohol and smoke tobacco and report feeling lonely. Many are overweight and unhealthy and do not feel that their parents understand their problems.
In a year when a survey by Johnson Survey Research found that 60 percent of Jamaicans believed the nation would be in better shape today if it had remained under British rule, the resignation of Bruce Golding from his post as Prime Minister and the ascension of Andrew Holness, Minister of Education, to that position was the top story. And capping the story was the victory of the People's National Party (PNP) over the ruling Jamaica Labor Party in December, ousting Holness who had been considered a "shoo-in" and replacing him with Portia Simpson Miller.
The results are in from our 2011 "Best of Jamaica in New York" survey. What is the best Jamaican restaurant in New York? This and many other questions about Jamaican culture in New York are answered in the 2011 "Best of Jamaica in New York" results.
