Entertainment

Queen of Dancehall Spice teams up with British-Romanian artiste and social media star Lavbbe on her new single Slow Motion, out digitally August 29 via VP Records and Ranch Entertainment.

Produced by Shaggy and Shane Hoosong, the track brings out the best of both artists: Spice blazes through with effortless bursts of deejaying, while Lavbbe sweetens the track with sung melodies. The result is an electrifying dance floor instructional.

“Working with Lavbbe was pure vibes. She brought her own flavour to the track, and I love how our styles came together. The song has an energy that will keep people dancing so I can’t wait for everyone to hear it,” said Spice.

The video, directed by Meeks + Frost and filmed at Roller Nation in London, premieres the same day.

Slow Motion follows the enduring success of Spice’s 2021 hit Go Down Deh, which recently surpassed 300 million streams on Spotify, and comes after a busy summer that included sets at Reggae Sumfest, Wireless Festival, and City Splash Festival, plus appearances at the BET Awards and a slate of nominations at the upcoming Caribbean Music Awards.

Slow Motion is Spice’s latest single to be released through the VP Records and Ranch Entertainment partnership, following last year’s Sitt’n Fi Chat.

Spice, known as the Queen of Dancehall, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album and has the record of the highest-selling and most-streamed dancehall album of the past five years, with over 140,000 US sales and more than 400 million Spotify streams.

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Pop superstar Taylor Swift and American football player Travis Kelce announced their engagement on Tuesday, setting the stage for a high-profile wedding for one of the world's biggest celebrity couples.

A joint post on their Instagram pages showed pictures of Kelce down on one knee making his marriage proposal in a flower-laden garden, and then Swift displaying a large diamond ring.

"Your English teacher and gym teacher are getting married," the pair, both aged 35, joked in a caption.

The couple first went public with their relationship in 2023 and have often been seen together at her hugely popular concerts and at his NFL games playing for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last year, Swift closed her acclaimed $2 billion Eras tour that shattered records and made her the world's leading music star as she performed 149 three-hour shows around the globe.

Tickets sold for exorbitant prices and drew in millions of fans, with many who didn't get in willing to sing along outside venues.

Swifties -- as her fans are known -- are anxiously waiting for her twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl, to be released on October 3.

News of the album came this month in an episode of Kelce's New Heights podcast, which he hosts with his brother Jason, a former NFL player.

The two-hour-plus episode covered topics from how Swift felt after gaining control of her master recordings to her love of bread baking -- showcasing playful dynamics between the two and setting a record 1.3 million concurrent views on YouTube, Guinness World Records said.

The 14-time Grammy winner's last major release, The Tortured Poets Department, came out in April last year.

Though Swift is famed for singing about heartbreaks with her exes, her relationship with Kelce, one of the NFL's most bankable players, has deepened despite the pressures of fame.

Kelce has been a major sports star for years, but his relationship with Swift has propelled him to a new level of international interest that a wedding is set to intensify.

He kicks off his thirteenth season with the Chiefs next week, with speculation that it may be his last as he pursues other entertainment endeavours.

Kelce has won three championship titles with the Chiefs, and is seeking an elusive fourth after coming up short in last season's Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Both Swift and President Donald Trump were in attendance at the major sporting event, sparking much commentary after the Republican billionaire declared "I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT" following her endorsement of his election opponent Kamala Harris.

Reggae singer Beres Hammond will release his new single Love Story, a duet with Tanya Stephens, on August 29 through Free Willy Records, distributed by VPAL Music.

Produced by Arthur Wale, the track marks the first studio collaboration between the two celebrated Jamaican artistes.

Love Story opens with Tanya Stephens narrating a fairy tale-esque intro, leading into a joint performance about rediscovering love and holding onto it.

Stephens reflects on rekindling an old flame, while Hammond references Romeo and Juliet, Bonnie and Clyde, and other classic pairs to frame the romantic bond.

Tanya Stephens shared: “As a writer, Beres is one of the beacons who has always stood ahead of me, lighting the way. Easy on hooks, easy on verses, catchy songs that stand the test of time, songs that could have been released any time. So, for me, doing a song with him a di biggest ting. I’m very, very, very happy.”

“If I ever had a bucket list, this would be the only thing on it. This is the pinnacle of all pinnacles. I have a song with Beres Hammond,” she continued.

The release comes during a landmark month for Hammond, who received the Reggae Icon Award at Jamaica’s Grand Gala on August 6 from Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The honour recognised Hammond’s decades-long contribution to reggae and his influence worldwide.

Currently on his Forever Giving Thanks Tour 2025, Hammond is performing across the US East Coast with special guests including Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley, Cham, Kes the Band, and Dean Fraser & The Blak Soil Band.

He will celebrate his birthday on August 28, one day before the release of Love Story, which will be available on all major streaming platforms on August 29.

The Grace Food Festival combined an array of meal offerings, giveaways, music, and quality performances during its sophomore staging at Palm Drive, Hope Gardens, in St Andrew on Saturday.

Although the event started from as early as 11:00 am, the stage show performances were not set to get underway until 6:00 pm with artistes such as Prince Saj, Joby Jay, Rondell Positive, Christopher Martin, and GraceKennedy Brand Ambassador Ding Dong, along with the Ravers.

Ding Dong explained that the festival’s staging was particularly sentimental because it represented the legacy of the late former Group CEO Don Wehby.

“It’s always a delight and pleasure to be here representing the brand; representing the culture [and] representing this monumental moment. It’s very dear to me because this is the first one without Don,” Ding Dong told the
Jamaica Observer.

The entertainer’s usual energetic set featured crowd engagement, with one lucky worker receiving $10,000 from his team for her rendition of the popularised Stir Fry dance. He also surprised the almost 5,000 patrons who turned out with appearances by Kemar Highcon and Vanessa Bling. The latter — who was flown in just for the event — paid a special tribute to Wehby with the song Glory.

Ding Dong noted that he has managed to champion the Grace brand over the last few years because of a long-standing preference for their products.

“Mi grow up pon the mackerel and the bully beef and the other stuff, so it just comes natural to me. Grace products are embedded in my life, my kids’ lives, my family and friends’ lives. It doesn’t even cost me a sweat,” he explained.

From jerk pork and pastas to sweet treats and smoothies, patrons enjoyed a wide variety of offerings from more than 20 Jamaican food vendors. Crowd favourites seem to include Prendy’s On The Beach, Stocolocco Smoothie Bar, Super Spicy Doubles, Fyah Side Jerk, Gloria’s Seafood, Bulbie Soups, Presto Pasta, Tacbar, Scotchies/Fry Fry, Scoops Ice Cream, Your Choice, Chicken and Tings, Mothers Jamaica, Waah Gwaan Café, Candy Fruit, Fruit Print Jamaica, and the Grace Jerk Hut.

A kiddies’ village delighted the little ones with rides, face painting, and treats, while the Grace Yaad provided back-to-school supplies along with free medical and dental checks.

Meanwhile, popular gospel recording artiste Rondell Positive was thrilled about being a part of the festival, particularly because of the camaraderie among families.

“I’m excited because I get an opportunity to pour into not one, nor two, but possibly three generations. So, that, for me, makes it exciting and I’m grateful that Grace would consider me to be included,” he told the Observer.

His set included songs like More Than A Conquerer, Sticks nor Stones and, of course, Keeping Me Alive.

For her part, Tamara Thompson, general manager, Grace Foods, hailed the event as a success and as a means of extending gratitude to local consumers.

“For us at Grace, the ‘good food people’, as we’re known, it’s really about connecting and building memorable moments and connecting families for life... We’re embarking on what we call the Good Move’ campaign, and really and truly, we see this as a good move to say thanks to Jamaica, and what we want to denote in terms of giving back… We’re really happy to see the people of Jamaica turning out, and we want to head to MoBay, hopefully, but this is the beginning of what I believe is greater to come,” she told the Observer.

The tone was set for dancing at the Cool Thursday Vibes retro party, held recently at Di Endz Bar and Gaming Lounge, 17 Waterhouse Drive in Patrick City, Kingston.

Musical genius Collin Hines took the stage, transporting the crowd back in time with his captivating beats and retro vibes. The atmosphere was nostalgic, with partygoers dressed in their favorite retro outfits, dancing and singing along to the iconic tunes. Colin Hines' performance was mesmerising, showcasing his incredible talent and passion for music. As the night wore on, the energy only intensified, with everyone lost in the music and the moment.

With its infectious energy and nostalgic charm, the party was a must-attend event for anyone who loves retro music and good vibes.

Kipson, the promoter of Cool Thursday Vibes was pleased with the outcome of the event.

“The feedback from patrons has been overwhelmingly positive. Since its start, people have been saying they enjoy the lively atmosphere, the quality music, and most of all the drink deals that make the event affordable and fun,” he said.

He added: “Many see it as a great way to unwind after work on a Thursday, and it has already developed a regular crowd that looks forward to it each week. Patrons also like that it feels like a community space where they can link up with friends, relax, and enjoy themselves."

The event had its inception last November and is now a calendar event.

According to Kipson since its inception the event has continued to grow in popularity. Over the months it has built a loyal following, with more and more patrons attending each week. By keeping it consistent every Thursday, the event has become a fixture in the community and something that people can count on to kick off their weekend vibes early.

“The main idea of the event is to provide a weekly Thursday experience where people can come together to enjoy good music, socialise, and take advantage of the drink specials in a safe and enjoyable environment. It’s designed to give patrons a mid-week break—something to look forward to that’s not too heavy but still full of energy. By combining music, good vibes, and affordable drink deals, the event keeps the tradition of Thursday link-ups alive and makes it a space where everyone feels welcome,” he said.

Visually-impaired dancehall artiste Winston “Courage” Callum feels that fear is the dream killer. That’s why he embraces challenges and is never afraid to take a risk.

“Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard of life is to risk nothing. I will not allow fear of failure to stop me from doing anything in this world, even though I may be blind,” the artiste whose real name is Winston Callum, said.

“My music name Courage came about as a result of the various things that I am capable of doing and the fact that I love to take on new challenges,” he said.

Callum is employed as an assistive technology instructor, but has decided to pursue music professionally.

He writes his own lyrics which are based on his life experiences.

Currently promoting his latest single, Sweet Jamaica, a collaboration with his brother Varel Anthony, he shot a video for the song recently, highlighting tourist spots mentioned in the song.

“People have been asking for the video because I entered the song in the annual festival song contest; but it didn’t make the top 10,” Courage shared.

He hails from the Kensington district in St Ann, the home of great musicians such as the king of reggae Bob Marley.

From a young age he exhibited a keen interest in music. Even though he gained fame as a deejay in his community, Courage attended The Salvation Army School for the Blind in Kingston and completed a two-year course in information technology at Abilities Foundation.

Courage’s brother, respected producer Varel Anthony aka Fada Specialist, had always been involved in music; first through operating a sound system and then studio production.

In 2021 Fada Specialist suggested that Courage pursue music professionally. He did not hesitate.

“I know that I have what it takes to make it, because my style, the quality of my lyrics, and the message of my music always gets a great response from friends, family, and close acquaintances,” he said.

He has recorded songs such as risqué Bedroom Bully, the inspirational and up-tempo How Wi Dweet, and arguably his most popular song, Nuh Like Me.

He is signed to the Specialist Sound Production Inc label.

He has done performances at venues in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and Flat Bush, New York.

Unscripted Sundays, a groundbreaking monthly, live script-reading event, will celebrate its six-month anniversary on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Johnny’s Place, 35 Dunrobin Avenue, St Andrew.

To celebrate this milestone it will spotlight a live table reading of the acclaimed comedy Toy Boy, written by award-winning playwright Basil Dawkins.

Bringing this classic comedy to life are two of Jamaica’s finest performers — Christopher “Johnny” Daley and Sherando Ferril.

“I started Unscripted Sundays because of my love for the arts and the people in it. We have so much talent in Jamaica and not enough opportunities to showcase. I never knew what to expect, but what we have seen so far is much more than I could have hoped for,” shared Sherando Ferril, Unscripted Sundays producer and CEO of Yaad Bridge Entertainment.

Since its launch, Unscripted Sundays has provided an unparalleled stage for emerging and established Jamaican writers to test, refine, and elevate their work through live readings and real-time audience feedback.

Each month the event fosters collaboration, inspires creativity, and strengthens the bonds of Jamaica’s artistic community.

“Alignment with Unscripted Sundays was a no-brainer. We nurture and expose talent at Johnny Live Productions and that’s exactly what this is about. Looking forward to many more months of laughter, exposure, and sheer talent growth,” remarked Daley, director at Johnny Live Productions Ltd and Unscripted Sundays sponsor.

In recognition of the trailblazers who paved the way and starred in this play in previous stagings, this special edition will pay tribute to iconic figures of Jamaican film and theatre: Leonie Forbes, Volier Johnson, Barbara McCalla, and Christopher McFarlane.

Tributes will be delivered by distinguished film, TV, and theatre practitioners Dahlia Harris, Maylynne Lowe, Deon Silvera, and Dorothy Cunningham.

The anniversary comes on the heels of the successful Black River Film Festival Special Edition on June 29, 2025, where Unscripted Sundays closed the festival with a star-studded event featuring industry leaders, including Jamaican film-makers Wentworth Kelly and Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly; Jamaica’s Film Commissioner Jackie Jackson; JAMPRO’s Kevin Jackson; international producers Dolapo Erinkitola, Sofian Francis, and Lex Boothe; as well as Phillip Clarke, director of policy and research in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport.

Unscripted Sundays is a free monthly event that is produced by Yaad Bridge Entertainment and is held on the last Sunday of every month.

Leith Hall, St Thomas based recording artiste Rani Rastaciti believes that for dancehall and reggae music to get back its rightful place on the international scene, the subject matter in the music needs to be adjusted.

He made the assertion in an interview with Observer Online on the weekend.

"Some of the artiste dem need fi start touch back some topics and energy that people can relate to. The wider and more relatable the topics are, the better people outside of Jamaica will be able to understand and relate to," said Rani Rastaciti.

He continued, "My mission is to always leave something in the minds of the listeners and make them happy."

Rani Rastaciti emerged on the music scene during the COVID-19 pandemic. He hails from a parish which has a rich musical heritage, boasting entertainers such as Popcaan, Chronic Law and Skillibeng among others.

The former Seaforth High student, who aspired to become an electrical engineer, said he developed a love for music from an early age.

"From when I was growing up with my strict parents, that's when my love for music came about.  As I grew older, I was advised by people from the community to consider doing it professionally. Back then, I was mostly influenced by the artistes that I saw emerging from the parish," Rani Rastaciti recalled.

The singjay is set to release his debut EP titled Cinco Time on September 1. It has seven tracks. Aside from co-producing some of the tracks, Disaster Music also has credits on the project as producer.

Rani Rastaciti (given name Shirquan Harrison) is best known for the songs Mad Dawg and Sauce Hot (produced by Cash Code Records).  Mad Dawg has more than 2.4 million views on YouTube while Sauce Hot has garnered more than 922,000 views since its release two months ago.

His latest single Illicit, released 13 days ago, has over 394,000 views on YouTube.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s dance culture took centre stage on Saturday, August 23 as Red Bull Dance Your Style returned for its fifth staging with 33-year-old Tevin “Killer Bean” Shaw of the Sopreme Blazzaz dance group crowned the 2025 Jamaica champion.

He beat 15 of the island’s top dancers for the title.

Shaw joins Jamaica’s four other champions, crowned since the event made its debut in Jamaica in 2018, namely Pancho Cautiion (2019), Flexx Cautiion (2021), Joel Immortal (2022) and Skitta Star (2023).

This year, sixteen talents selected by renowned dancer and choreographer, Latonya Style, went toe-to-toe in one-on-one battles, showcasing their ability to freestyle under pressure to genres spanning dancehall, reggae, pop and classic old-school anthems. With no formal judging panel, competitors earned the crowd's vote to advance to the next round.

Each dancer was challenged to adapt on the spot, and create a routine to not only capture the hearts of the crowd but also showcase their own individual style of dance.

Dancers freestyled to an unpredictable mix of reggae, dancehall, hip hop, pop and timeless anthems. Every competitor brought their own style and energy, but the final round came down to Killer Bean and Trisann Dough, known as Sylva DubaiBaby.

Reflecting on the victory, he shared, “This win means a lot to me because I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for my son. I started dancing at eight as a way to provide, and I kept pushing because I knew one day I would experience something great — and this win is that for me.”

He continued, “The Red Bull Dance Your Style competition gives us as dancers the opportunity to grow and spread our wings — it’s a true experience. I was a bit nervous at first but I overcame that feeling with the help of fellow dancers around me, and then came the confidence I needed to push forward and win.”

The event was hosted by internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Latonya Style, who praised the performances, noting how the competition continues to shine a light on Jamaican dance on the international stage.

“Jamaica has a massive influence on dance globally, shaping global pop culture across multiple genres. Our iconic moves, style, energy and even fashion are embraced worldwide, impacting music videos, choreography, mainstream social media trends and dance challenges, keeping Jamaican culture at the heart of global dance,” she shared.

She continued, “A local competition like Red Bull Dance Your Style allows for Jamaican dancers to showcase their talent and go on to make an even bigger impact while representing Jamaica and showcasing our culture globally.”

Styles also shared words of encouragement for Killer Bean, stating, “Prepare yourself as best as you can — watch videos, rehearse and understand different genres. No matter what happens, you are our winner and that makes you a big deal.”

With the win, Shaw will represent Jamaica at the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Los Angeles on October 11, competing against dancers from over 30 countries.

READ: 16 to battle in 2025 Red Bull Dance Your Style

Reggae recording artiste and philanthropist Laurell Nurse, known as Mye Laurell, is channelling her inner Diana Ross with her new single It’s My House produced by respected artiste and producer Richie Stephens under his Pot Of Gold production label.

The It’s My House track is a reggae cover of Diana Ross’s 1979 single with the same name.

Interestingly enough the track was never Mye Laurell’s first choice as she wasn’t even familiar with the single until Richie Stephens recommended it.

“I never even heard the song before Richie introduced it to me honestly. He said my speaking voice reminded him of Diana Ross and he knew I could do it justice. When I actually heard it I immediately fell in love with the style and knew it fit my personality very well,” Mye Laurell explained.

This is not the first time she has done a cover version of a previously released track. A cover of Gregory Isaacs’s popular Night Nurse single was done in 2016 by the artiste.

“Cover versions pay homage to great tracks from eras past, so I definitely love covering great music from any genre. Giving a reggae cover to a pop song is even more important because you are adding that Caribbean element and it has to be done with care,” Mye Laurell added

Of note, however, she was already a fan of Diana Ross’s classy, sultry, light-speech style; a mix of modest seduction with elements of a fiery soul — characteristics Mye Laurell feels are mirrored in her own personality.

Born in Kingston, Mye Laurell’s journey has been as dynamic and soulful as her music. A proud alumna of St Andrew High School for Girls, she later migrated to the United States, became a mother to a beautiful daughter, and pursued a career as a professional nurse. Yet, throughout every chapter of her life, music remained her constant companion and true calling.

Versatile and fearless in musical exploration, she took her first professional step years ago with a duet alongside Delly Ranx, which earned her the New Jersey Reggae Award for Best Female Singer (2007).

“I took a long hiatus from being an artiste and was focusing on building the female-cantered award ceremony, QORIHC [Queens of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremonies], which returns in 2026. Singing with Gem Myers recently reminded me of how much I loved singing and performing, so that was when I reached out to Richie Stephens to do some work with me.” the artiste shared.

The It’s My House single also fits well with Mye Laurell’s artistic persona of mixing a mature mind with a youthful heart.

The context of the It’s My House track should resonate well with pop and reggae lovers worldwide as it personifies personal space, respect, and boundaries, while giving a hidden subliminal message of self-love and self-worth.

Mye Laurell has already released visuals for the sultry single and is currently in Jamaica to promote the project before heading to New York for additional promotional opportunities.

It’s My House is the first release from the Pot Of Gold rhythm project that will include additional acts to be released later this year.