High energy, vibes at UWI Freshers’ Fete
Freshmen at The University of the West Indies were treated to high energy and vibes at the recent staging of UWI Freshers’ Fete, which took place at the Student’s Union on August 29.
From as early as 10:00 pm, students lined up on the outside. Once inside, it was sheer fun.
Charged to deliver explosive musical mayhem were the likes of Kevi The Kinetic with DJ Kre Kre, Jugglin Masters, Jubba and DJ Breeze.
Songs like the blockbuster Shake it to the Max (Fly) remix, Passenger Princess by Valiant, Balance and Tip (remix) by Ayetian, My Woman (My Everything) by Patoranking, Joanna by Afro B, and Elephant Man’s comeback hit Pretty Little Baby kept the vibes flowing.
Dance songs like Elephant Man’s Signal Di Plane, Pon Di River, Pon Di Bank and Ding Dong’s Stir Fry were also well-received.
Archie, a freshman from the United Kingdom and who is studying political science, said he decided to attend the event because he thought the flyer advertising the event looked attractive.
“It looked good on the flyer, and I just wanted to get a full Jamaican experience,” Archie told the Jamaica Observer.
Another Freshman, who identified himself as Kenrick said: “I came out to enjoy my last bit of freedom and to vibe out to the max,” said the biochemistry student.
Gabriella, who is from Clarendon, shared: “I’m just here to have fun and to get wild before the semester.” She is studying for a bachelor of science in nursing.
“It’s orientation week and this is my first opportunity to socialise and to get out there,” said tourism management student Melissa, who hails from St Ann.
Kimberly Simms, PRO for the UWI Guild of Students said Freshers Fete, aimed to bring together students to have fun and to foster good vibes.
“Freshers’ Fete is really the ultimate freshers’ par here on The UWI Mona campus. We have hundreds of students enjoying themselves and we enable that fostering of good vibes and good spirit and, of course, this is all brought to you by the UWI Mona Guild,” Simms told the Observer.
Cultural and entertainment chairperson for the UWI Guild of Students Tajay Gardner says there are several plans for the semester.
“We have a lot of plans to keep the students entertained, because we want to keep this great energy throughout the semester. We have Integration, which is an activation by the Guild of Students, and it’s a space where people can interact and network,” said Gardner.
He continued: “The turnout here tonight is really good, and I wasn’t expecting so many people. It’s really a great start for us.”
Purge All White continues to promote Jamaican culture in Orlando
When Marlon Clarke and his four member team decided to start the Purge All White Day Party in 2016, they envisioned an event that would not only satisfy the musical cravings of Jamaicans within Orlando and surrounding areas but also place emphasis on Jamaican culture and music.
Now, nine years later, Purge All White has emerged as one of the most anticipated events on the entertainment calendar among the Jamaican diaspora in Central Florida.
The most recent staging of Purge All White took place on Sunday, August 31, at the Majestic Event Center, and according to Clarke, the event was another sold-out and entertaining affair.
“We have broken major barriers in Orlando entertainment, hosting one of the biggest, sexiest all white events in the city. We have worked very hard to deliver a top-class event, and we are just happy that the patrons came out to party in fine style. Just hearing how satisfied they are gives us the drive to continue to have this event,” Devon Lakeman, a director for Purge All White told Observer Online on Wednesday.
Originally from St Catherine, Clarke migrated to the United States more than a decade ago.
“When we started this event nine years ago, we only had 200 patrons. Now we have more than 1,200 patrons attending, making it one of the largest Caribbean parties in the city,” Clarke disclosed.
The event is held twice annually.
“Purge All White has evolved over the years, bringing people from different countries, states and cities, who come out to enjoy the ambience that the event provides. The quality of DJs that play at the event, the production and the safety of the patrons are paramount to us in ensuring a solid event,” Lakeman shared.
The selectors and DJs who provided the musical juggling that kept patrons entertained at Sunday’s staging include Tony Matterhorn, Ikel Marvlous and Flabba Dabba (Team Shella), Bishop Escobar and Chef Madness and DJ Fresh.
“There was so much high energy from start to finish throughout the duration of the event. We had several local business owners and local politicians in attendance at this staging,” Elrick Cross, another Director, stated, while highlighting the kind of work that goes into putting the event together.
“It’s a lot of hard work, time and effort, sleepless nights and effort to make this event the success that it has become. We are happy that our patrons continue to support us after nine years.”.
The organisers are looking forward to the next staging of Purge All White, which is scheduled for March 8, 2026.
“Our staging in March will continue to build on the Purge all white legacy, creating the momentum for our 10th anniversary in September 2026,” said Clarke.
Tina (Hoodcelebrityy), known for her 2018 breakout hit Walking Trophy — which quickly became an anthem of empowerment for women and a viral success — has just released a dynamic new single titled Boom Boom, this time teaming up with Dominican star Yomel El Meloso.
Boom Boom is an energetic fusion of dembow and dancehall — a bold new direction for Tina, who proudly represents Jamaica and is known for her versatility.
The record showcases her tapping into a Dominican-rooted sound while still keeping her Caribbean essence, adding a fresh flavour that’s already catching fire in clubs from New York to Santo Domingo.
Yomel El Meloso, a rising artiste from the Dominican Republic, brings his signature high-energy flow to the track. He’s currently represented by Manny (High Tolerance), and together with Shaft (KSR) and DJ Louie Styles they made this collaboration come to life.
The record is co-produced by DJ Spider, a renowned soca producer known for major rhythms like
Down Dey, and Leord Produciendo, a key figure in the Dominican dembow scene.
The single is officially distributed by KSR Music Group.
The video was shot and directed by Will Drey and Shaft, bringing vibrant visuals that match the song’s energy.
A release from the team noted: “This is more than just a cross-cultural collab; it’s a moment where Caribbean unity and sonic innovation meet. It’s high-energy, club-ready, and already making waves at parties, dance challenges, and DJ rotations.”
UB40’s reggae cover of Red Red Wine certified 3x platinum
British reggae band UB40 earned a triple platinum certification in the United Kingdom (UK) last week, when the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified its 1983 cover of Red Red Wine for sales and streaming exceeding 1.8 million units.
Red Red Wine was recorded in August 1983 but it wasn't until the following year that the song topped the UK Singles chart and rose to #38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in America.
Virgin Records re-released the song in 1988 and it took the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
Red Red Wine can be found on UB40's Labour of Love album.
There's a Jamaican connection to Red Red Wine. Jamaican singer Tony Tribe recorded a reggae version in 1969, which was produced by Dandy Livingstone. With the help of the UK based Trojan Records, Tony Tribe's version of Red Red Wine peaked at #46 on the UK Singles chart, giving Trojan its first chart hit.
However, a year prior in 1968, Neil Diamond, recorded the original version of Red Red Wine, which is included on his 1968 album Just For You.
Neil Diamond's original version topped out at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The UB40 version was previously certified gold in the United States, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands and Spain, while in New Zealand it was certified seven times platinum.
Teflon Young King hits top 5 with Life Scriptures
Teflon Young King is highly motivated by the enthusiastic fan response to his latest album,
Life Scriptures, a 10-track album that he released in August 22 and which soared into the top five of the US Reggae iTunes chart.
“I would love to just give thanks. I feel truly blessed to see Life Scriptures reaching top 5. The support from the fans and the love worldwide really means everything. This is just the beginning more heights to climb. One Yard!” 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 its 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, 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 US 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 14, one in New York on September 19, and another in California on October 3.
Mariah Carey surges with Sugar Sweet
Sugar Sweet, the second single from Mariah Carey’s forthcoming 16th studio album Here for it All (release date September 26), continues to make its way up multiple Billboard charts.
The song, which features Shenseea and Kehlani, is not doing as well as previous singles from Carey’s catalogue. As a matter of fact, it is yet to crack the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Sugar Sweet improves from #31 to #29 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart in its 4th week, while on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, the song remains at #22 for a second week.
The song debuts at #37 on Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay, while it peaked at #8 on Hot R&B Songs a week ago.
Outside of the US, Sugar Sweet rose to #17 in New Zealand while it stalled at #41 on the UK Singles chart.
Incidentally, it was 35 years ago this very week that Mariah’s debut single Vision of Love, completed a 4-week run at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, which was eventually certified platinum in the United States, began a string of hits for Carey throughout the 1990s.
Just in case you didn’t know, Mariah Carey sang background vocals on Brenda K Starr’s 1988 hit ballad
I Still Believe. Starr, who was signed to Columbia Records at the time, introduced Mariah to the label’s boss Tommy Mottola, who later signed her, and became her husband.
And still on the Rhythmic Top 40 Airplay chart, Sean Paul’s Ginger spices things up in the #20 position, while global chart-topper Shake it to the Max (Fly) remix, slides down from #17 to #12. It spent two weeks at #1 on that chart.
Shake it to the Max (Fly) remix, which was certified gold in New Zealand last week for sales and streaming equivalent of 15,000 units, remains at #27 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart. It continues to lead the US Afrobeats Songs chart for an uninterrupted 15th week, while inching down from #28 to #29 on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay.
Over on R&B/Hip Hop Digital Song Sales, the song steps up from #12 to #8, having peaked at #3, and on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, it makes gains moving up from #23 to #21. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song dips from #65 to #72, where it peaked at #44.
Moving now to the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Legend by Bob Marley & the Wailers spreads its dominance to 294 non-consecutive weeks in the #1 spot.
Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy is firm at #2, while Sean Paul’s Dutty Classics Collection re-enters at #3.
World on Fire by Stick Figure is #4, Greatest Hits by UB40 is steady at #5, Dutty Rock by Sean Paul is #6, while
Wisdom and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are #7 and #8.
Collection: 50th State of Mind by Fiji The Artist is at #9 and Welcome to Jamrock by Damian Marley remains at #10.
More Reggae/Funk it Up by Ammoye and Samora remains at #1 on the Rebel Vibez Top 10 Canadian Reggae chart. Pressure by Gisto is #2, while Ready or Not by Jurney Star is #3. Meds by Chizzy Bashment featuring Kris Gee holds the #4 spot and Glen Washington takes the #5 spot.
Left with a Broken Heart by Sampalue spends a second week at the top of the Foundation Radio Network (New York) Reggae chart.
A Woman’s Touch by Richie Stephens darts from #11 to #8, Jamaica Love (Fly Again) by Mojo Morgan makes moves from #13 to #10, while In Our Sight by Skip Marley debuts at #27.
Other new entries are I’ll Make it With Your Love by The Bonner Brothers (28) and Rasta Girl by Jango Thriller at #30.
Veteran singer Rod Spence takes over the #1 spot on the South Florida Reggae chart with Smile, while Cool Me Down by Courtney John steps up from #12 to #9, and Ride Cowboy Ride by Wesrock glides from #14 to #10.
Come Jesus Come by Sherell Rose Green (22), I Don’t Wanna Know by Winchester T (23), and How Dem Fi Fight Reggae Music by Sizzla and Bounty Killer (24) are new entries.
IWaata proves his versatility with Underrated (Playtape)
Dancehall powerhouse IWaata has released his highly anticipated album Underrated (Playtape), a 15-track project that cements his reputation as one of the genre’s most versatile and fearless voices.
Released on August 29, 2025, the album is produced by Troyton Music and Crashweh Play Music, and distributed globally by 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution Inc.
The project demonstrates IWaata’s range — seamlessly balancing street anthems, smooth melodies, and crossover tracks that appeal to both local and international audiences. From the infectious energy of Tuff and Gimmi Likkle, to the reflective depth of Winning and Highly Favored, IWaata blends grit, style, and authenticity in a way that resonates with fans worldwide.
Among the standout tracks is Never Basic, featuring Aidonia, which has already made waves since its release in July with strong airplay and a vibrant music video that highlights the chemistry between the two dancehall titans. Other collaborations include Fresh with Najeeriii, Vibes with the legendary Junior Reid, and Likkle London Remix featuring Wohdee, a track that has been embraced heavily in the UK market.
The album release was celebrated in Brooklyn, New York, with a high-energy party hosted by DJ Norie of
Power 105.1, followed by a string of North American bookings for the entertainer.
On the same day, IWaata also premiered the official video for Star Life, a fan-favourite track dedicated to treating women to the finer things in life.
He also made an appearance on the red carpet at the Caribbean Music Awards in New York signalling the momentum behind his career, with Underrated (Playtape) now positioned as a definitive body of work that reinforces his rising global profile.
“I’ve always been told I’m underrated, but this album is proof of my versatility and the fact that good music speaks for itself,” IWaata said of the release. “I wanted every track to show a different side of me — from the streets to the ladies, from the fun vibes to the real-life experiences. This project is me, unfiltered.”
With its mix of collaborations, street credibility, and mainstream-ready hits, Underrated (Playtape) is more than just an album — it’s a declaration that IWaata is an undeniable force shaping the future of dancehall.
The album is available now on all major digital platforms.
Ground broken for new music museum
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange broke ground for the construction of a new, purpose-built Jamaica Music Museum on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
The future home is the corner of East and Tower streets in downtown Kingston.
Grange, who launched the project and brought it into operation in 2009, said the new facility would be “a living, monumental edifice that will reflect the past, present, and future” of Jamaica’s music.
She said the new Jamaica Music Museum home will be a “state-of-the-art building that will showcase a more expanded collection, a museum that resonates with pulsating performances and Jamaican cultural expressions”.
The Jamaica Music Museum began in the corridors of the Institute of Jamaica and is now housed in the Tower Street gallery.
The minister said she hoped the new facility would “inspire both present and future generations to continue imagining, innovating, and creating as we embark on building our museum and continue this melodious journey”.
Also on Sunday morning, Minister Grange officially opened two new exhibitions at the Institute of Jamaica — The African to Jamaican: Music and Creolized Black Culture and the Natural History Museum’s permanent exhibition gallery outfitted with captivating examples of Jamaican biodiversity.
Also addressing the ground-breaking event were executive director of the Institute of Jamaica Michele Creed Nelson and the director/curator of the Jamaica Music Museum Herbie Miller.
Lila Iké gets personal on Treasure Self Love
Singer and songwriter Lila Iké is quick to admit that it was a difficult process, selecting the final 11 tracks that comprise her début album Treasure Self Love.
The set was released on August 22 via Wurl Ike Records/In.Digg.Nation Collective/Ineffable Records.
It arrived five years after the Christiana, Manchester-grown artiste dropped her debut EP The ExPerience in 2020.
“It was really hard, we started out with 13 songs and I never necessarily wanted to take this long to put out this album, but I kinda changed labels and you done know the label situation can get a little bit tricky sometimes. So, I really wanted to put it out when I had control over the music; the quality of the music is crucial. And it was a lot of work; sleepless nights, listening to the rhythms and writing the songs,” the artiste explained in an interview with the Jamaica Observer backstage at the grand finals of PAN 2025 event on Sunday at Jamaica College.
She continued: “We all know what self-love means; it’s really like tapping into self, and for this album I decided to go deeper. I was pretty vulnerable, and I spoke about a lot of things that I wanted to highlight.”
Treasure Self Love features production by local and overseas producers, including Winta James, Protoje, and producers from Florida and Los Angeles.
Said Lila Ike: “People know me for singing songs that highlight social commentary, but this album was more about me. I wanted to speak about my own personal struggles to kinda just ‘humanise’ myself. When you treasure something you handle it with care, and I feel like the collaborations range from Jamaica to dancehall to reggae to hip hop and R&B.
American R&B singer and musician H.E.R., Joey Bada$$, Protoje, Maverick Sabre, and Masicka are featured on
Treasure Self Love.
During her performance at CB PAN 2025 Grand Finals, Lila Iké delivered a creditable showing, which saw members of the audience singing along to songs like Romantic, Second Chance, Where I’m Coming From, Thy Will among others.
Patrons, both young and old, connected with the singer.
Asked how she thought she earned the respect of the different demographics, Lila Iké said: “I feel like it stems from honesty. I grew up in front of everyone; from my first song Biggest Fan. They got to grow with me, both triumph and trial, and I feel like when you are honest in music, things that you go through, the things you’ve seen, then you connect with more people. I’m really a down-to-earth girl.”
Lila Iké serves are executive producer alongside Grammy-nominated reggae star Protoje, who has mentored her since the start of her career.
Treasure Self Love was recorded at Protoje’s Habitat Studio and the legendary Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston. It fuses live drums, bass, horns, and guitars from Jamaica’s top session musicians with programmed beats and synths from producers across different nations, creating a fresh, contemporary reggae sound.
It features collaborations with international stars like R&B powerhouse H.E.R., Brooklyn-born rapper/actor Joey Bada$$, and UK soul singer Maverick Sabre, alongside Jamaican talents Protoje and dancehall sensation Masicka.
Lika Ike won the Caribbean Music Award last week for Reggae Artiste of the Year – Female. It was her third win in the category.
Pulsating visuals and a mix of rich musical instruments, including the deep sounds of the drums and melodies of the saxophone, set the stage for an entertaining and rhythmic song and video launch by reggae artiste William “Meekie” Virgo.
The song and video, titled Home Sweet Home, encapsulates the rich Jamaican culture and heritage, and the beauty of the parish of St Thomas.
“Take a look in the manual of life,” a popular line from the song, encourages Jamaicans to remember the land of their birth, its rich and diverse culture, popular foods, and good vibe all around.
Meekie, who hails from the parish of St Thomas, but migrated to the United States several years ago, has been on a musical journey for over 20 years.
Unlike his musical anthems, Meekie is a man of few words, but he is excited about his newest project, produced by Steven Ellis of Majestic Productions.
“When I was growing up I was a fan of real authentic reggae music. I listened to the songs of Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Leroy Smart. In my songs, I have incorporated a mix of old-school reggae with the current genre of reggae music, and I am happy with what I have been able to achieve,” he said.
With quite a repertoire under his belt, Meekie is optimistic that his latest single will resonate with Jamaicans locally and in the Diaspora, and will eventually become a hit worldwide.
“Jamaica is our foundation and there is nowhere like home. When you live overseas and come to Jamaica for a visit, you feel renewed and refreshed. You get to see your family and friends and enjoy the cool vibes that is synonymous with our culture. For people who live here, it’s a nice feeling to go to the river and the beaches, partake of our culture, eat some nice food and enjoy life,” Meekie said.
Ellis is the producer of the track and owner of the Majestic Productions record label. His relationship with Meekie started several years ago, when he wore a different hat as a banker.
“I was involved in music as a young man, when I attended St. George’s College. I had a sound system called Point Blank, and we would play at many events for the school and otherwise. But life happened and I diverted into corporate Jamaica. However, two years ago, I started music again with a live show in the Harbour View community,” Ellis said.
The monthly live show that his efforts produced led him to start the production arm of the company, Majestic Production.
“Meekie came to a few of the live shows, and he reached out to me... [and] he said he was writing a few songs. When I heard the first line of the song, ‘…no place like home’, I was prompted to visit St Thomas immediately. When I heard the song in its entirety, I reached out to different producers and everyone said it is a hit,” Ellis shared.
The song and video launch was held at Dubwise Café on Lady Musgrave Road.
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