Entertainment

Jamaican-born actor Sule Thelwell has joined season three of the cast of Netflix original series XO, Kitty.

The revelation was made by Netflix, as the outfit confirmed that production in Seoul, South Korea, was complete.

The Glenmuir High School alum, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Acting (honours) at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London, plays the role of Marius.

“I auditioned for the role, much like many of my contemporaries did, but there’s one particularly funny story that happened during that process. Whilst in the off-season [which is just a term for when you aren’t actively engaged in a project] I was auditioning a lot, and for a variety of different castings, a very good friend and colleague of mine received an audition for this very role. And, as I’m a good actor, I’m a good person to audition with,” Thelwell told the Jamaica Observer during a virtual interview.

“So that was our plan — as we often help each other to tape. I then received the same audition a few days later, and right before helping him tape his, and I said to him: ‘If you get it, it’s because you’re a good actor. If I get it, it’s cause I saw you do it first.’ So said, so done. The entire process started with me getting the initial audition on the 19th of February and, after recalls, producer meetings, and chemistry reads, I was officially cast on April 10th,” Thelwell continued.

XO, Kitty is a romantic comedy spin-off of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before franchise about teen matchmaker Katherine “Kitty” Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) moving to Seoul, South Korea, to attend the same international boarding school as her late mother, her long-distance boyfriend Dae, and experience her own complex romantic dramas at first hand. The series follows Kitty as she navigates high school, love, and her mother’s past while trying to find her own true love.

Thelwell is no stranger to major roles. Since the advent of his conservatoire training, he has been cast in a Disney+/Hulu Original show titled SAINT X. That psychological thriller takes place on a fictional Caribbean island, where he played a young earnest tour guide.

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old explained that he arrived on South Korea on May 5, after concluding two independent projects in Jamaica. He managed to assimilate his character seamlessly.

“Marius is the rock star fourth man. He oozes confidence, and is generally used to life bending a knee to him. He’s the missing piece to Minho, Dae, and Q’s dorm room antics. He’s a filthy-rich high school charmer, whose favourite pastime is partying. He’s often the most stylish in the room, but is definitely the most calculated. When he wants something he gets it and he never loses his cool. But, at his core, he’s only just discovered love, and is chasing it the only way he knows how,” he told the Observer in explaining his character.

Despite a new country, culture, and people, the Jamaican talent touted his talented castmates for an unforgettable experience on set.

“The people make the place, always. I’ve been extremely lucky that both times I’ve been to bat the teams around me have been absolute class acts. My favourite part about this project was engaging with all the people I met. The connections formed have not only been invaluable, but will be real assets to my continued success. The lessons I learned from them will only inform more abundance in my career and life. With every conversation I had the more it was reaffirmed in my mind that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The
XO family made me feel the most valued I’ve ever felt in on project,” he said.

It is no surprise that Thelwell, a creative, has coined his own words of inspiration. This has included original poetry such as We All Win One Day Or Another.

He is currently working on releasing a body of music, following the release of WOMAN DEMON featuring JIA Beatz.

As a student at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts Geneva Ayre was exposed to different types of music, including Nyahbinghi, a sound synonymous with Rastafari.

Emmanuel, the gospel singer’s latest song, has elements of Nyahbinghi rhythms.

She said one of the Bible’s epic tales inspired the decision to incorporate a Rasta vibe.

“When the song was written we began to see the imagery it called for; visions of Moses leading the children of Israel, and God going before them as pillar of cloud by day and a fire by night, ever near, being exactly what we need in every season,” Ayre told the Jamaica Observer.

She continued: “We felt the call for a rhythm that could carry the weight of that story — something percussive and powerful, echoing freedom, militancy, and hope. In Nyahbinghi, we found all of that; a sound that speaks to both the struggles we face and the promises we have in Emmanuel.”

Ayre co-produced the song with her husband Andrew for their Ayre2Ear label.

Andrew Ayre, a bassist and co-founder of the Pentateuch band, is also a past student of ‘Edna’. He has produced some of his wife’s previous songs including Tremble, All Away, and King of Glory.

Geneva, who was raised in Portmore, St Catherine, has been a recording artiste for over 20 years and a Christian since she was 14 years old.

The eclectic nature of her music reflects lessons she learned at Edna. There, lecturers encouraged students to embrace all forms of music.

“This release differs from my previous originals in its blend of the contemporary worship sound with the authentic Jamaican influence of Nyahbinghi. It reflects my mandate to promote God-centred worship and serves as a reminder of God’s infallible and faithful nature,” she said.

The countdown is on for Treasure Beach Food, Rum and Reggae Festival, returning to the island’s south coast from November 7 - 9, 2025.

Known for pairing Jamaica’s finest culinary experiences with rich culture and warm community spirit, this year’s staging promises an entertainment line-up featuring some of reggae’s most celebrated artistes.

Following a spectacular début in 2023 that featured performances from Richie Spice, Jesse Royal, and Luciano, the 2025 edition will raise the bar.

Festival-goers can look forward to show-stopping performances from legendary reggae artistes Chris Martin, Agent Sasco, and Capleton alongside a dynamic mix of rising stars to pay homage to Jamaica’s rich reggae culture.

The weekend will feature three days of entertainment for patrons to experience live stage performances under the stars, intimate cultural showcases, and rhythmic beats that embody the true spirit of Treasure Beach.

In addition to the headlining acts, patrons can expect a rotating roster of DJs, drummers, and local talents, ensuring every night delivers a one-of-a-kind celebration of music and culture.

New to this year’s staging is a breakfast party on Saturday, November 8, at Jack Sprat, bringing a fusion of Reggae and EDM.

Featuring DJs Kamal Bankay and DJ Pietro, the event promises to infuse the weekend with a unique, high-energy vibe.

Festival Co-Director Jason Henzell noted, “When conceptualising Treasure Beach Food, Rum & Reggae Festival we knew we wanted reggae to be a key element, and we’re proud to be in a position to deliver on that promise with this year’s iconic line-up.”

Agent Sasco shared what attendees can expect: “I love the concept and texture of the event, and I consider it a very welcome addition to the event landscape in Jamaica, especially being on the south coast... [M]y mission on the night is to bring the reggae, but I will also be bringing some dancehall, so we can call this staging Treasure Beach Food, Rum, Reggae and Dancehall Festival.”

Patrons may also enjoy guided tours of nearby attractions such as Lover’s Leap, Pelican Bar, and Middle Quarters, alongside the food & rum village, cultural experiences, and the unmatched energy of the Treasure Beach community.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall star Moyann has parted ways with her longtime manager and producer, Dj Frass.

According to the artiste's new manager, Protocol Boss, the split was amicable and Moyann is simply expanding her musical wings as she seeks to grow her international fan base.

"Life is a journey and mine has certainly been colourful and fun. Along my journey, I have met and collaborated with many great people but of course, all good things come to an end. This is the start of a new chapter and I must say I am excited to see the outcome because everything looks very promising," Moyann stated.

The Montego Bay native says she wants to grow her fan base internationally and believes that in order to do so, a change in direction is necessary. She is, however, quick to acknowledge the work done by Dj Frass to bring her to this point.

Moyann has since inked a management deal with Canadian-based record label Protocol Entertainment.

Moyann emerged on the scene in 2019 with a breakout single entitled Netflixxx and Chill. Since then, Moyann has released a melting pot of singles such as No Bruk Pocket Man featuring Teejay, No Limit featuring Shenseea, A Nuh My Style Dat, as well as fan favourites such as Meech Out and Pink & Pretty produced by heavy-hitter Rvssian, which is growing in popularity among fans worldwide.

The sing-jay says her biggest objective is to fuse genres and break the rules to create her own distinctive musical style palette.

In her own words, “I create music with love and a mixture of uplifting, sultry and energetic vibe.”

Moyann's verve and bold lyrics are undeniable and is the defining quality that has caused disc jockeys, music insiders and fans across the United States, Caribbean and the United Kingdom market to shortlist her as an artiste on the verge of international stardom.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Thirty-one years ago, Future Troubles emerged on the music scene with a hit song titled Kung Fu. The song, produced by Roof International’s Courtey Cole, went straight to number one on the RJR Top 40 chart.

Today, with a rebranding as Future Fambo, the deejay has solidified his place within the dancehall space with other hits such as Drunken Dance, Drinking Rum and Red Bull (with Beenie Man) and Tonight We Ravin.

On July 27, Future Fambo released the inspirational Amazing God, a song where he gives thanks for the goodness that he has experienced in his life, despite a few obstacles.

Produced by Andrew Powell of Worl Blast Music, the song, according to Future Fambo, was inspired by his mother.

“My mother is who inspired me to do this song. God is very important in my life; he is everything and I continue to thank him for bringing me to this point in life. He has been there for me and done so many things, that I have to show him gratitude,” Future Fambo disclosed.

The deejay says recording inspirational music is not necessarily a new direction for him musically.

“Well, it’s kinda but I will be focusing mostly on better music. Music with a message and music that will resonate,” he shared.

Like several of his musical contemporaries, Future Fambo emerged from a talent competition, where he got his big break.

“Entering that competition at Roof International opened many doors for me and it helped to pave the way to a successful music career. I have no regrets,” he told Observer Online.

Ten years ago, he released an EP titled Get Crunk, which was produced by Grillaras Productions.

In 2016, he released his most recent full-length effort, the 13-track Evolve – The Uprise.

International reggae/dancehall group T.O.K continues to re-stamp their pre-eminence in the industry through live performances and quality releases.

On Saturday, August 30, the quartet thrilled hundreds of adoring fans at Reggae Fest, held at Barclays Centre in New York, USA, with a slew of hits from their extensive catalogue.

For group member Alistaire “Alex” McCalla the set was just as memorable for them as it was for the fans.

“Reggae Fest experience was incredible, to be honest. The vibe, the energy, and the people from all cultures and walks of life all gathered together under one roof in celebration,” he said.

They performed hits such as She’s Hot, Galang Gal, and more.

Adding that a highlight from the show was their rendition of Footprints with a sea of cellphone lights from the audience, Alex explained that the post-performance feedback has been phenomenal.

“I loved the response from the people truly celebrating our return. It’s very encouraging as we, ourselves, show resilience and growth despite our differences as we move towards a common goal. The love we get definitely pushes us on. They believe in us, and we love them for that,” he reasoned.

In terms of consistently curating memorable sets, Roshaun “Bay-C” Clarke provided insight into the group’s ’secret formula’.

“It varies. Sometimes, we just put together a set list and just go on stage with no rehearsals. Then, at times, we create the list; make changes to spice up the show and rehearse days before. It all depends on the magnitude of the event,” he said.

On another hand, T.O.K has been and is still serving up new music. On August 28, the group debuted
No Play That, while September 5 marked the release of True Friends. The former was produced by Black Shadow Records from Gimme Di Light and Press Trigger fame, while the latest track sees production credits from Good Good Productions.

Group member Craig “Craigy T” Thompson explained that True Friends is an ode to solid friendships, like the one shared among them, while No Play That speaks to “man and woman tings”, as described by the entertainer.

He is encouraging supporters to anticipate more exciting projects.

“The kings are more mature, more focused, and more determined to continue satisfying the tribe’s craving for T.O.K music. Stay tuned to our socials for the latest from the greatest,” Craigy T said.

Gospel artiste Johnmark Wiggan leads this year’s Sterling Gospel Music Awards nominations with a total of eight, including Male Artiste of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Local Hit of the Year, and Video of the Year. He is nominated in four categories.

Sebastian Braham and Prince Saj are runners-up with four nominations each, while Kevin Downswell and Petra Kaye tie with three nominations each.

Rhoda Isabella, Ryan Mark, Orville Sutherland, Levy’s Heritage, Chevelle Franklyn, LeoNell Teape, Jucal Dyer, Mical Forsythe, Sara Ann Edwards Miller, Ava Gay Blair Black, DJ Rebirth, Gilead Collective, and Genesis Praise Squad, all received two nominations each.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer on Friday, founder and director of Sterling Gospel Music Awards Basillia Barnaby-Cuff said this year’s nominees reflect a diverse blend of talent.

“We’re really excited at Sterling to see this [diversity]. It’s such a positive reflection of the Jamaican gospel music industry, and it shows that the wheels of the industry continue to move forward and thrive,” said Barnaby-Cuff.

The first staging of the event was held in 2017 at Heritage Hall in Mandeville, Manchester. Over the years, the event has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the local gospel music calendar.

This year’s staging has been set for Saturday, October 4 at Emmanuel Apostolic Church, Braeton Parkway, Portmore, St Catherine.

The programme’s host will be Mical Forsythe from NCU FM.

Organisers told the Observer that the audience can look out forward to an even more glamorous Sterling experience.

“Expect a red carpet like never before, complete with a glam cam and a few surprises,” said Barnaby-Cuff. “We’re also introducing the Elite Food Lounge, specially curated for guests who have been requesting a food experience at the show.”

“Every year we aim to make Sterling smoother and more memorable than the last, and 2025 will be no different,” she continued.

Gospel ensemble Gilead Collective is nominated for Group of the Year and Breakout Sensation of the Year. Group member Ramario Ricketts said he was humbled by the nominations.

“We are truly... grateful for the way God’s favour has been evident in this ministry. People are being drawn to the message of Jesus Christ through the ministry, and our mission remains to share His love and the gospel through our gifts and talents. Gilead is a place of healing through music, and... God has given us to point people to Jesus,” Ricketts told the Observer.

LeoNell Teape, who secured nominations in the categories Album of the Year (for his project
Step Out) and Collaboration of the Year (for
March On featuring Coopy Bly), told the Observer that a lot of work went into creating the project.

“Step Out originated through biblical inspiration, revelation, and personal experiences based on my faith walk with Christ... For this project, myself and the audioTeape team decided to do a live album, which is not quite the norm for a reggae, dancehall gospel artist. We employed the artistry of quality musicians, such as my Jamaican music director Gregory Palmer and his band, and my road music director Timothy “Solo” Solomon and his band to manoeuvre the live music,” said Teape.

He continued: “Fellow renowned artistes joined in to help make the project a success, including DJ Nicholas, who collaborated on two songs, the legendary Prodigal Son, Emrand Henry from St Lucia, Jasmine Karima from USA, and my bigger brother Verdeain Teape, who is also a songwriter and BGV for the project.”

Multi-nominee Sebastian Braham said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated in four categories for the awards! ...Being acknowledged for my work is always rewarding, and I’m overjoyed by this news...”

His EP Fight This Battle For Me is nominated for EP of the Year.

“This EP was a true labour of love... After a 13-year hiatus from recording it took immense dedication, countless late nights, and extensive travel to make it happen. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with the talented Kamar ‘Danx’ Forrest and an exceptional team of musicians and vocalists who helped bring this vision to reality. All glory to God for seeing me through it all,” said Braham.

Also in the running for EP of the Year is I Did it Anyway by Minister Blessed.

“While I have lived overseas for the last 8 years, I have made it a point of duty to consistently release music in the local space and stay connected with my Jamaican audiences and peers. I intentionally launched my EP physically in Jamaica last summer as I felt the impact in reconnecting with the fans would be greater than simply releasing it online,” said Minister Blessed, who secured his second nomination, having been on the ballot in 2020 for Video of the Year.

Some of the nominations in the 2025 Sterling Gospel Music Awards are:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

His Goodness - Carey Sayles

Step Out - LeoNell Teape

Milestone - Ryan Mark

Let Kingdom Come - David Sutton

South Wind Vol 1 - Chevelle Franklyn

Journey - Junior Tucker

EP OF THE YEAR

I Did It Anyway - Minister Blessed

Obedience - CAG (Clayon)

Fight This Battle For Me - Sebastian Braham

In Christ - Perry Cummings

Slingshot — Canute Neil Ellis

MALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

JohnMark Wiggan

Prince Saj

Kevin Downswell

Sebastian Braham

FEMALE ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

Petra Kaye

Audia Spencer-Brown

Chevelle Franklyn

Rhoda Isabella

GROUP OF THE YEAR

Levy’s Heritage

Unity Singers

Genesis Praise Squad

H.U.M.B.L.E.

Gilead Collective

BREAKOUT SENSATION OF THE YEAR

Gilead Collective

Trezegaye

Minister D Brown

Genesis Praise Squad

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR

Nuh More Dan Wi - Johnmark Wiggan & Prince Saj

Champion - Johnmark Wiggan & Kevin Downswell

Yes He Did - Sebastian Braham ft Petra Kaye

Jesus Is The Rock - Ryan Mark ft Johnmark Wiggan

March on - LeoNell Teape ft Coopy Bly

LOCAL HIT OF THE YEAR

My Year - Kevin Downswell

Nuh more dan Wi - Johnmark Wiggan & Prince Saj

Do It Again - Petra Kaye

Fight This Battle For Me - Sebastian Braham

Confidence - Johnmark Wiggan

The Recipe - Levy’s Heritage

Jehovah You Reign - Rhoda Isabella

Caribbean Medley – Roxanne Robinson

Ten A Dem – Orville Sutherland

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Nuh more dan wi - Johnmark Wiggan & Prince Saj

My Year - Kevin Downswell

Ten a Dem - Orville Sutherland

Confidence - Johnmark Wiggan

Teflon Young King is highly motivated by the enthusiastic fan response to his latest album, Life Scriptures, a ten-track album that he released on August 22 and which soared into the top five of the United States (US) Reggae iTunes chart.

“I would love to just give thanks. I feel truly blessed to see Life Scriptures reaching top five! The support from the fans and the love worldwide really means everything. This is just the beginning, more heights to climb. One Yard! Yard A Love Records salute," Teflon Young King said.

Life Scriptures is now streaming across all major platforms, ensuring that fans worldwide can experience the full spectrum of Teflon’s artistry.  The album offers a compelling mix of inspirational tracks in keeping with the album’s themes of perseverance, faith and hope. Uplifting anthems like Dreams and Never Surrender reflect both personal growth and social awareness.

Another standout single is Wah Gwan, a collaborative track with reggae mainstay Pressure Busspipe, which is accompanied by a visually compelling video.

He has high hopes for the project.

"I have five collabs on the album which has gone over 25,000 streams already, so I am excited about the prospects.

“The response has been great, the album a gwaan good in countries like the US, UK (United Kingdom), Japan and all over Europe. My top streaming areas are New York and California," he said.

Teflon Young King has been hosting a series of release parties in major cities all over the United States to generate momentum for the album. He hosted one part in Fort Charlotte recently. He has upcoming dates for parties in Washington DC on September 14th, one in New York on September 19th and another in California on October 3rd.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Gospel superstar Kevin Downswell is pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response to his Afro-gospel single, Bless Me which has been blowing up radio and social media over the past week.

The Stronger singer said the song was inspired by his own spiritual studies and endless search for greater comprehension and meaning of God's divine purpose.

"I got this rhythm right around the time I was studying Jacob in the Bible. And the minute the first beat dropped, the words flowed like a river…It came out of that Jacob-like cry: ‘I won’t let you go until you bless me’. It’s not just a lyric, it’s a posture. It’s the raw, desperate, but faith-filled prayer that many of us pray in our lowest hours — and I wanted to capture that honesty and turn it into worship and melody," Downswell said earnestly.

"We’ve all been there actually. We’ve all been there, wrestling, stretched, but reluctant to let go, because we know giving up is not an option," he said.

The rhythm was produced by Taj-vaughn “PantaSon” Johnson, a well-known dancehall figure. It is an unusual pairing, given that both hail from vastly different worlds.

"Honestly, it was refreshing. PantaSon is known for his versatility in the secular space, but what struck me most was his respect and reverence for the process and his openness to what God was doing through the music. He didn’t just bring the beat— he brought creativity, excellence and a willingness to lean into the heart of the message. Working with him reminded me that God can use anyone, anywhere, to accomplish his sound on the Earth," he said.

The gospel powerhouse first performed the song live last Sunday during his set at PAN 2025, a day before it became available to the public. He has a blizzard of shows over the next couple of months as he expands his overseas ministry.

"We have some stops in the US (United States), Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and the Caribbean for the rest of the year. My heart’s been tugging at me for the UK (United Kingdom) as well, and I’m praying that we are able to connect with the right people there to make a tour happen early 2026. Every stage is another chance to declare victory and hope, and Christ’s goodness," he said.

Downswell is really pleased with the response to his book, Midnight to Victory: 90-Day Devotional, which became a number one Amazon Bestseller in the spiritual growth category.

"It’s going better than I could have imagined. The book going to number one was such a humbling moment. Since launch, we’ve already moved over hundreds of units across eBook and paperback globally, and it continues to reach people daily. For me, the real victory is not just in sales but in the testimonies I’m hearing — people saying the devotionals are carrying them through their own midnights. That’s the true success. I am so grateful," he said.

Downswell, who is popularly known for his hit singles You Make Me Stronger, Carry Me, and If It’s Not You, is overjoyed to see how God has rewarded his faithfulness.

“The fact that it was so hard writing the book, made it even way more satisfying, because finishing the book was the toughest thing ever, but then sitting by and watching God do weh him a do, words can’t describe,” Downswell explained.

"I am very thankful for the doors he is opening. Something tells me that he hasn’t scratched the surface as yet in regard to my global impact, and I remain faithful and focused as he fulfils his heart in and through me," he said.

— Claude Mills

One of the goals E-Dee set for 2025 was to broaden his sound to reach a bigger audience. His first steps to achieve that comes with Grateful, his third EP which was released on August 21 by Clarendon Records.

The project contains five songs including Water Run which came out in March.

"In 2025, I’m focused on elevating my sound and reaching a wider audience. I want to push the boundaries of dancehall by blending it with new influences while staying true to its roots. Whether it’s dropping a major project, collaborating with international artists, or performing on bigger stages, my goal is to make a lasting impact and bring fresh energy to the genre,” said E-Dee.

On Beautiful Woman, another song from Grateful, he collaborates with Ginjah. For Dem Not Like We, E-Dee teams with Jah Malo, a former member of Capleton’s camp, while he is solo on Zum Zum Zum, produced by QMillion, who has produced the majority of the Los Angeles-based artiste’s songs.

Working primarily with the Grammy-winning QMillion, the Clarendon-born E-Dee has also recorded three albums.

Grateful came out two weeks after Temperature Rising, the movie in which E-Dee co-stars. Released on Tubi, it is directed by Oba Aswad and stars Paula Jai Parker and Omar Gooding.

E-Dee plays Jacques, whom he describes as, “Your typical powerful Jamaican Don.”

His previous movies include the autobiographical Out The Gate and Mother In Law which stars Vivica A Fox.

- Howard Campbell