Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) -- Dolly Parton's sister on Tuesday asked fans to pray for the American country singer, who has postponed several concerts due to health issues.

Parton, 79, last week delayed her upcoming Las Vegas gigs due to unspecified "health challenges," and disclosed that she was set to undergo multiple medical procedures.

"Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly. Many of you know she hasn't been feeling her best lately," wrote Freida Parton on her Facebook page.

"I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been lead to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me."

Dolly Parton had been set to perform six nights of sold-out shows in December at Caesars Palace.

The "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" singer scrapped those dates last week because her current health meant she would not "be able to rehearse and put together the show that you want to see."

Parton told her millions of followers that she was not ending her glittering career just yet, and said new dates were set for next September.

Parton became a major star in the 1970s, with singles including "Coat of Many Colors," and followed up with smash hits like "I Will Always Love You," famously covered by Whitney Houston, and "9 to 5."

She is due to receive an honorary Oscar next month, but Hollywood trade publication Variety said Parton is no longer expected to attend the Los Angeles ceremony.

Her sister Freida ended her plea for prayers Tuesday with an upbeat note.

"She's strong, she's loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she's going to be just fine," she wrote.

"Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!"

The screening of Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story lit up the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) last week, drawing a full house and an electric atmosphere as audiences gathered to celebrate the life and music of the dancehall pioneer.

The evening began on a high note when Sister Nancy herself called in to greet the audience, sending waves of delight through the cinema. Her message of gratitude and love set the perfect tone for what would unfold on screen.

The well-attended event, which was held at Woodbrook Place in Port of Spain, had a celebratory feel, with filmmakers, cultural workers, and fans alike eager to experience a story long overdue for the spotlight. The documentary did not disappoint.

Jamaican filmmaker Saeed Thomas said he felt a deep sense of pride watching Sister Nancy’s journey come alive on screen.

“I was very proud as a Jamaican who knows about our rich history in music,” he said. “Seeing that reflected on screen was moving. More films about our legacy in music should be made, because all of these artistes and musicians play a very important part in not only exporting our culture but also impacting us as Jamaicans and how we relate to ourselves.”

The film also deepened his appreciation of Nancy’s groundbreaking role. “It never occurred to me that she was one of the first women to be a pioneer for ‘toasting’ or DJing in the dancehall. It gave us a better understanding of where she came from, how she perfected her art, and how impactful she was for even the women dancehall artists now.”

Trinidad and Tobago filmmaker Cathy-Mae Sitaram echoed the praise, calling the production “very well supported, very well edited, and very well produced.”

She described the film as “incredibly creative” in the way the director (Alison Duke) interwove narratives, interviews, and editing into a vibrant whole.

“To make a documentary that really grips you, you have to be very creative,” Sitaram said. “The director was able to weave everything together to make very dynamic moments for the audience. Sometimes documentaries can feel a little long, but this one was dynamic with the music and the editing. That’s what she did, and it worked.”

Sitaram also highlighted the powerful pairing of subjects and storyteller.

“Sister Nancy is ebullient and very powerful. But the producer and the director are powerful in themselves. That juxtaposition made for a very dynamic film,” she said.

Haitian-Canadian filmmaker Henri Pardo was struck by Sister Nancy’s enduring strength and independence. “What stood out to me most was the power of a woman that goes on and on and on and does what she wants,” he said. “To follow her through so many years, decades of performing, of living in the moment, of respecting who she is and her wishes, it was inspiring.”

He also praised the documentary’s immersive camerawork: “One of the things I really enjoyed camera-wise was just watching her move on the streets of Jamaica, in a room, always active and strong. The way they followed her was great. It wasn’t static; it wasn’t just observing her. It was really with her. I loved it.”

Alison Duke, the film’s director, says her decision to create a documentary on Sister Nancy was rooted in inspiration, admiration, and a desire to represent an older performer – still doing her thing – on screen. She admitted that she was at a crossroads in her career when the idea for the film took shape.

“Sometimes you question yourself whether you should keep going, whether you should retire, whether your last film is your final film,” she told the audience. “Seeing Sister Nancy on stage, being an older artiste who is unapologetically herself, strong, and just keeps on going no matter what because she loves what she does, inspired me to keep going.”

Known for her extensive work in social justice films, Duke said she wanted to shift gears with this project. “At this point in time, I really wanted to make a film that was fun and uplifting. That’s actually harder to do, but I felt it was important,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Mariel Brown, TTFF festival director, said the lively turnout and audience response reflected the festival’s mission. She also reflected on the challenges and triumphs of bringing this year’s festival to life after its absence in 2024.

“There have been several times over the past 10 months that I’ve asked myself, okay, what have I done?” she admitted. “But when we received well over 400 submissions from filmmakers in the Caribbean and around the world, and 72 from Trinidad and Tobago alone, I knew with absolute certainty that there was a need for the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.”

She noted that nearly 300 volunteers answered the call to support the event, underscoring the festival’s enduring importance to the cultural landscape.
“People missed it and worried when it was not here. Filmmakers at home, across the Caribbean and in the diaspora, as well as our audiences recognise the vital role TTFF plays in exhibiting our Caribbean stories for ourselves.”

Since he got involved in music production 17 years ago, Marlon Wright has worked mainly with artistes insiders consider underground. That has never been a concern, as most of them share his vision.

Wright, an air traffic controller by profession, is head of Cyber Leaf Entertainment which he started in 2008. His current projects are with veteran poet Richie Innocent and singer Jahdeed Rawbawn.

Born in Kingston and raised in Westmoreland, Wright co-produced The Passover, Richie Innocent’s latest song. He has a similar role for Jahdeed Rawbawn’s debut EP which is scheduled for release in early 2026.

“We are interested in collaborating with artistes who not only bring talent but also a message that can resonate and uplift communities. At Cyber Leaf, we’re less concerned with fame and more focused on substance,” said Wright. “Artistes who are willing to speak truth, mentor others and remain humble are the ones we want to work with.”

Over the years, he has produced songs by roots artistes such as Iya Ingi and Derajah. In recent years, Wright has linked with the New York-based Richie Innocent, who has been recording for the past 30 years.

The Passover, released in August, is their most ambitious project to date. Early this year, he met Jahdeed Rawbawn, who like Richie Innocent, is a St Elizabeth native.

“Working alongside Richie for over a decade, and now mentoring Jahdeed, keeps reminding me that this work is bigger than any one of us,” said Wright. “Even when the industry doesn’t give back what you put in, the real reward comes from knowing you’ve touched a life, inspired a youth or created a legacy that will outlast you. For me, that’s worth everything.”

— Howard Campbell

The Xodus Carnival Wet Music Festival served up a colourful splash for hundreds of patrons on Saturday morning at Port Spectrum, downtown Kingston.

When the band — which prides itself as being the biggest in Jamaica — advertised a start time at 4:00 am many wondered if revellers would be present that early. But present they were!

Thanks to strategically placed signs along the route to direct them to the venue, men and women donned in Xodus-branded pieces, coupled with waterproof phone cases, showed out with their coolers to enjoy the festivities.

The festival ran on schedule, with each DJ playing in complementary sequence so that patrons could experience soca music from yesteryear to present day. From Jus Jay, Zess, Major Penny, Rico The DJ, Nocturnal Sound, Bloodline Franco & Brush1 The Road Marshal, Tony X, and Fatalic to Walshy Fire from Major Lazer Sound System, the water, paint, powder, and foam created the perfect stomping ground for dancing as the morning sun peeped out.

Soon, there was no regard for hairdos, shoes and clothing brands, with patrons wet and covered in colour from head to toe.

Among the lot were soca lovers from overseas who were seen to be having the time of their lives.

“I’m actually visiting Jamaica to celebrate my birthday, and my friends and I decided to come… it’s my first time at a water party, and it’s going really well. I’d definitely do this again,” one patron from Canada told the
Jamaica Observer.

Another, who was bursting with joy, fought to get his words out.

“I’m from Trinidad, so you know we know what a good fete is. I have no complaints! The energy, the vibes, the food, the drinks, and time with my friends is everything. I’m always team Xodus when I’m in Jamaica for Carnival,” he said in a hoarse voice.

Patrons enjoyed reasonably priced options from Janga’s Sound Bar & Grill as well as complimentary meals from KFC, and breakfast items from Elle & Vire, Hungry Jack, and Foska Oats.

The penultimate portion of the festival saw high-energy performances by GBM Nutron and Bunji Garlin. The latter brought out cameo guest DJ Bravo, who performed his popular single Champion.

Reggae’s newest star Xhae (pronounced Zay) has stepped onto the international music scene with the release of her viral single Bidi Bidi (Boy Next Door).

She adds her own provocative spin to the Anything for You rhythm, made popular in the mid-90s by Canadian artiste Snow and Nadine Sutherland.

A performance of the song recently went viral on social media from a post by DJ AG Online, a massive channel with 1.7 million subscribers on TikTok.

With an illustrious musical heritage, Shadae “Xhae” Johnson is carrying on an impressive family legacy in reggae music. As the granddaughter of Duckie Simpson of Black Uhuru and daughter of popular Jamaican singer Mikey Spice, she has spent countless hours in the studio crafting her artistry.

As a standout member of her choir at Oberlin High School, there was no doubt that she would evolve into a recording artiste.

This is the début release for Xhae with NY-based DubShot Records, the label responsible for the distribution of artists like Inner Circle, Bunny Wailer, Ky-Mani Marley, and more.

“Bidi Bidi was inspired by an uncontrollable melody at a moment I couldn’t find the words best to describe the energy I was feeling. But it was definitely a feel of music taking over and makes you feel free and expressive and I wanted my consumers to feel the exact same and as if they are in a world where it’s safe to get lost in just that melody,” she said.

With a unique fusion of styles, her sound is rooted in storytelling and emotion, blending a variety of influences into soul-stirring melodies and compelling lyrics. With an undeniable talent, a legacy of greatness, and an unwavering passion for music, Xhae captured the attention of DubShot Records and is poised to leave a mark on the international music scene.

The playful and flirtatious song was co-written with fellow emerging star Matthew Malcolm over the classic
Grafton Brew rhythm, also known as the Anything for You rhythm, originally produced by Herby Azor and redone for this release by Jermaine Brinsley Forde, son of ASWAD’s Brinsley Forde.

Bidi Bidi (Boy Next Door) is available on all streaming platforms.

Following a brief hiatus, the Johnny Live Comedy Bar Special is set to make its grand return to the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College on Sunday, October 19.

The event promises an evening of belly-busting laughter as some of Jamaica’s top comedians are slated to take centre stage.

Among the featured acts are Dahlia Harris, Leighton Smith, and Fancy Cat. The dynamic trio is expected to thrill the audience with their trademark wit, social commentary, and storytelling.

According to a release from the Johnny Live Comedy Bar team, the show could not be more timely as people grapple with some negative events. The team shared that, as Jamaicans find themselves in need of “emotional reprieve”, the comedy show will offer “more than entertainment — it will create a space for release”.

“For creator and host Christopher ‘Johnny’ Daley, the show is a personal mission as much as it is a professional one,” the release read. “Fresh off his recent appearance at CARIFESTA in Barbados, where he represented Jamaica, Daley sees the October event as an extension of his advocacy for comedy’s power to uplift.”

“Comedy is more than just jokes and punchlines,” he said. “It’s a lifeline for people who need to breathe, connect, and feel joy again. We laugh to survive, but we also laugh to heal.”

Along with local favourites, the event will also boast the likes of African-Canadian star Frankie “TRIXX” Agyemang. According to organisers, Agyemang’s “no-holds-barred comedic style and cross-cultural punchlines have earned him international acclaim”.

“TRIXX has cemented his place as a comedic force, with career highlights including winning the prestigious Boston Comedy Festival and the World Series of Comedy, headlining sold-out theatre shows, and being featured on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network,” the team said.

The show will also serve as a benefit for the Children First agency. The non-profit organisation is a leading youth development agency based in Spanish Town, St Catherine, that is dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk young people through education, training, and mentorship.

Claudette Richardson-Pious, executive director of Children First, said: “[W]e see every day how a little hope can change a young person’s path,” she said. “We are honoured to be part of this special evening, where laughter becomes a force for good. Every ticket sold will help keep a dream alive.”

— Shereita Grizzle

Determined to broaden his audience, Michael Dawkins went for a different direction on his second EP. Having recorded lovers rock and roots-reggae songs for most of his career, the singer worked with new producers to achieve that goal.

His EP, Long For Brighter Views, was initially released in April by Orchard, a subsidiary of Sony Music. After a falling-out over distribution, he switched to DistroKid which re-released a remastered version of the five-song project one month later.

“I am expanding my fan base to a larger and wider demographic, so I added pop, Afro Beat and R&B with reggae elements to create a different sound,” Dawkins told Observer Online.

He recruited Gita Puspita, a rising producer from Indonesia, to help guide on that sojourn. She played most of the instruments on the EP, with support from David Downie of Hilltop Studio in Brooklyn, New York who played bass and drums.

The title track, Celebrate, Feelings of The Heart, You Are So Fine and Africa Rise are the songs on the EP.

"Everything came out well, there were some glitches with Orchard but so far, Long For Brighter Views (Remastered) has generated more than 1,000,000 streams,” said Dawkins.

Born in Kingston, Dawkins has been recording music since the 1980s. His previous songs include Don’t Give me No Crack and a cover of Bread’s Baby I’m A Want You.

In addition to his EPs, Dawkins has recorded two albums.

Howard Campbell

GRAMMY-WINNING recording artiste and producer Damian “Jr Gong” Marley has earned his second platinum-certified single (his first in the United Kingdom) with his 2005 hit single
Welcome to Jamrock.

On Friday October 3, the British Phonographic Industry issued the platinum certification commemorating 600,000 units in sales and streaming equivalent.

Released 20 years ago, Welcome to Jamrock was the lead single from Marley’s Grammy-winning album of the same name.

The single also won a Grammy at the 48th annual Grammy Awards in 2006 for Best Urban/Alternative Performance.

The Welcome to Jamrock single samples Ini Kamoze’s 1984 hit song World-A-Reggae, which was produced by Sly and Robbie. It was an instant hit, soaring to #55 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America, #13 in the United Kingdom, #28 in Hungary, #76 in Netherlands, #12 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks chart, and #18 on Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart.

Marley’s previous platinum certification came in August 2017 when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) issued the commemoration for the Skrillex collaboration
Make It Bun Dem.

Incidentally, Make It Bun Dem was certified gold in the UK a week ago. Marley’s other Brit certifications include
Road to Zion with Nas (silver in May 2025), Distant Relatives album with Nas (silver in February 2016), and the
Welcome to Jamrock album (gold in April 2006).

The Welcome to Jamrock single was previously certified gold in Brazil. The song was listed at #270 on Pitchfork Media’s Top 500 songs of the 2000s. It is featured in FIFA 06, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix, FIFA 23, and The Sims 2: Bon Voyage, where it is recorded in the game’s fictional Simlish language.

Although he was not in attendance, gospel minister and recording artiste Kevin Downswell emerged the big winner at the 2025 Sterling Gospel Music Awards.

The 9th staging of the event took place last Saturday evening at Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Portmore, St Catherine.

Downswell’s wins were Local Hit Producer of the Year, Local Hit of the Year, and Video of the Year.

Genesis Praise Squad took home the Breakout Sensation of the Year and Group of the Year honours, while an absent Chevelle Franklin won for Album of the Year (South Wind Vol 1) and Female Artiste of the Year.

Johnmark Wiggan, who went into the awards with a staggering eight nominations, shared the Collaboration of the Year award for Nuh More Dan Wi, a song he did with Prince Saj.

Prince Saj also won the award for Male Artiste of the Year. His near-tearful acceptance speech chronicled his humble and challenging beginnings.

“Dem say mi have a lot of lyrics, but right now mi have none. First of all, let me thank Christ. I’m coming from a place of homelessness, a place of abandonment and abuse in every way you can think of. I’ve been sending myself to school from I was 13 years old and it was rough. My mom, big har up, because we are building back our relationship”, said Prince Saj, who also indicated that his mother became a born again Christian after she learnt that he had given his life to Christ.

He also spoke about the deteriorated relationship he had with his father and how they managed to mend things before he passed away.

“I struggled to trust people when I came into the gospel music fraternity, but I met lovely brothers in Christ, like Johnmark Wiggan. Thank you all for supporting every one of us. We are not praying to win awards, but it’s good to win awards,” he said to rousing applause from the audience.

Other winners were Sebastian Braham, whose EP Fight This Battle For Me won EP of the year, Sheena Power Talk by Sheena Lyn-Hanson for Virtual Gospel Series of the Year, Sherwin Gardner for Caribbean Artiste of the Year, Ava Gay Blair-Black for Gospel Personality of the Year, Audience of One by Crosslinks Productions for Most Rated Event of the Year, Jamerican Gospel Show by Danville Howell for Online Radio Programme of the Year, and The Gospel Beat JA by Neison Williams on Gospel JA for Most Rated Radio Programme.

In a somewhat surprising win, DJ Noi took home the Gospel DJ of the Year trophy.

“God is good. Tonight I wanna say, first and foremost, a God do this. Thank you to Sterling Awards for recognising not just myself but all DJs and all the nominees. Big up, DJ Chinny, DJ Reburth, and all other DJs. Thank you for voting for me. See you at the next event”, said DJ Noi in his acceptance speech.

The KFC Big Deal Kingdom Stalwarts Award was presented to the family of the late Bishop Ronald Blair. Other recipients were bishops Everton Thomas, Rohan Edwards, Delford Davis, and Herro Blair.

Said Blair during his acceptance speech: “This moment causes all of us to reflect, not only on ourselves, but on the faithfulness of God over the many years. We have walked through the seasons of overflow, yet through it all the Lord has sustained and provided for us. I’m grateful for the communities that allowed us to serve their areas. This award belongs to them as much as it belongs to us. Thank you for this great honour.”

There were several spirited performances with Johnmark Wiggan and Prince Saj, 2024 Jamaica Gospel Star winner Jaida Messam, Coopy Bly from Uganda, and Raheim Betty, the 2025 Jamaica Gospel Star winner leading the charge.

Veteran dancehall artiste Future Fambo reportedly had a mild heart attack on Sunday in New York which triggered a response from FDNY ambulance personnel.

He posted a 28-second video of himself on Instagram where he was lying on a sofa clad in only his underpants, hooked up to wires while FDNY medical personnel worked feverishly to stabilise his vitals.

The deejay, who has been diagnosed with diabetes, said he had complained of "washing with cold sweat" after eating cornmeal porridge, and his friend called an ambulance to assist.

"I hadn't eaten for two days because I had been travelling from Sacramento on Thursday and I delayed five hours in Vegas, so I didn't get to New York until early in the morning, so I didn't eat," the artiste, whose real name is Warren Gladstone Williams, told Observer Online.

He added: "So when I drank the porridge, cold sweat start wash me, vision blurry, and yu caan help yourself, so my friend called the ambulance so the medical personnel coulda assess me."

Future Fambo, who is now recovering at home, said the ordeal was a big scare but assured his fans and friends that he was "alright now".

"They said to come to the hospital, but I told them no. It look like mi blood sugar drop and when I eat the cornmeal porridge with the milk, it overload my system. Mi feel a cramp inna mi hand, dem say mi arthritis up but mi blood pressure good," Fambo said.

He said he received calls from his dancehall colleagues such as Sean Paul, Flexx and Mavado who were concerned about him.

The Rum and Red Bull singer said that he is considering becoming a Christian in January next year.

"Mi ah gi dem a last run and leave this life behind. Mi tired of the hypocrisy, the lying, the clout-chasing, it is mind-boggling sometimes," he said.

Recently, Future Fambo released a gospel-influenced single, Amazing Song on the World Blast Records.

"My song was not for clout so it come in like mi caan sing it and nah live the life. You know say is half an hour mi pray to the Lord fah before this heart attack happen, is a good thing too, because yu have to talk to Him before," Fambo said.