Entertainment

Four days of non-stop vibes, quality entertainment, and exciting flavours are planned for this year’s edition of Jamaica Food and Drink Festival (JFDF).

Set for November 13-16, JFDF celebrates 11 years of culinary experiences.

Held at the gardens at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Friday night, the event’s official launch gave guests a glimpse into what is to be expected.

Music provided by DJ Franco and delectable treats on hand, the festival, which will once again be presented by Visa, the event’s platinum partner, is gearing up to be one for the books.

According to Co-Festival Director Nicole Pandohie, the offering has grown tremendously over the past decade.

Having been established on delivering a premium culinary event paired with unparalleled entertainment, it will continue to be a staple on the local foodie calendar.

“I am honestly extremely proud of the growth, because when we started this 11 years ago we kinda thought, ‘Let’s test the waters and see what we can do with food and drink in Jamaica.’ Those first two years, every event sold out, and we thought, “Okay, let’s do this again,” and now at 11 years [on] it has grown leaps and bounds, and we now have international chefs asking us to come in, international media. It’s been an amazing, amazing ride,” said Pandohie.

In what was a true testament to the JFDF’s place on the gastronomy landscape, not even rain could dampen the spirits at the launch. Guests lingered across the gardens of the Jamaica Pegasus engaging in good conversation, soaking up the vibes, and indulging in the treats.

“It warms my heart to see the turnout every year. We have an amazing product, and the possibilities are limitless: Food, Brand Jamaica, and the vibes, it’s a winning combination,” Pandohie added.

Heaping praises on the JFDF, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green said the festival has become a bridge connecting a product with local farmers with the work done behind the scenes to help produce an event of this magnitude. He expressed that too often farmers and fisherfolk get lost in the narrative, but the JFDF has presented the unique opportunity to not only make the connection but also to thrust much-needed spotlight on the men and women who form the base of the food industry.

“I think a lot of times people divorce food from our farmers and fishers not recognising that they are the ones who give us the food we eat and when you do a food festival again people think about the entertainment, the excitement, but do they make the connection that its all because of our agriculture and fisheries sector and that is why we at the ministry have supported this event,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “We have to be on board to provide that connection and help celebrate Jamaica. We do have the best food in the world, and when you put it in a fashion like this, it becomes an attraction for people all over the world. The festival has been amazing, and each year they outdo themselves. Last year, I was happy they had an event specifically about Jamaican food reimagined, Kuyah. Pork Palooza over the years has been a favourite, and the Meet Street now we at the ministry have partnered with them to do a farmer’s market that enhances the experience. Not only will you get food, but also fresh produce, and the farmers came last year and did very well and will be back this year.”

Kuyah is set for November 13 in downtown Kingston; Decade 2.0, which includes the popular Pork Palooza, will be staged on November 14; while Meet Street and the Market are set for November 15 at Port Royal Naval Dockyard. The festival will close the curtains on the 2025 staging with Boozy Brunch on November 16.

Trevor Shields of The Beltones, best known for the 1968 hit song, No More Heartaches , died in Hamilton, Canada on September 26.

He was 77 years-old.

Kareen Perrier, his ex-wife, confirmed Shields’ death from prostate cancer in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

Shields lived in Canada for over 40 years and was a popular figure on the Toronto reggae circuit.

The Trench Town-reared artiste started his music career in the mid-1960s. Later that decade he joined The Beltones after recording a handful of solo songs for different producers.

At that time, The Beltones had also cut several songs for rival producers Clement Dodd and Duke Reid, but with little success.

Shields and The Beltones’ breakthrough came with No More Heartaches, a rocksteady number produced by the emerging Harry “Harry J” Johnson. Distributed by Trojan Records in the United Kingdom, the song became a minor hit there.

No More Heartaches was later covered by Delroy Wilson and Sanchez.

After leaving The Beltones, he became a member of two other harmony groups, True Experience and The Fantels.

Shields worked as a clerk of the court for 18 years at the Supreme Court in Kingston.

As well, for 28 years he worked as a customer service agent with the Ontario Federation for Cerebal Palsy.

He is survived by one daughter, three grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

— Howard Campbell

Ammoye stood out at the 2025 Reggae North Music Awards, which took place on September 28 at the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

She won two of the show’s main categories — Entertainer of The Year and Female Vocalist of The Year.

From Halse Hall in Clarendon, she migrated to Toronto, Canada, as a teenager and has been nominated for a Juno Award for Reggae Recording of The Year several times.

Multiple Juno winner, Manchester-born Exco Levi won the Album of The Year category for Best Reggae Album with Born to Be Free.

Steele, another stalwart of Canadian reggae, was selected Male Vocalist of The Year.

Inoah’s Chosen earned him the Reggae Single of The Year, while How Long by Blk Orchid won the female equivalent.

This was the second staging of Reggae North Music Awards. Founded by Jamaican singer/music producer Tony Anthony, it was first held in September 2024, a mere two weeks after the Juno Awards announced the termination of its reggae category. That decision was later overturned, but Anthony believed it was a warning to Canada’s reggae community to reward its own by staging a serious awards ceremony.

Other 2025 Reggae North Music Awards went to:

* Male DJ of The Year — Eyesus

* Female DJ of The Year — Phenique

• Dancehall Single of The Year (Male) — Bad Man Rock by Trueace

• Dancehall Single of the Year (Female) — bMoney Bounx by Tiffanie Malvo

• Trap/Fusion Single of The Year (Male) — Karma by Skystar

• Trap/Fusion Single of the Year (Female) — Cashy by Kae Music

• Songwriter of The Year — Neto Youth

• Producer of The Year — Tim Dubb

• Video of The Year — Inoah

• Radio DJ of The Year — Spex Da Boss

• Dancehall Selector of The Year — Chippy Don

• Club/Party/Dancehall Selector of The Year —
Blaxz Dun Da Place

• Group of The Year — Rayzalution

• Living Legend Award — Carl “Grandmaster Rosa” Green and Nana McLean

— Howard Campbell

KINGSTON, Jamaica — When he pursued legal studies at the Norman Manley Law School, Antiguan reggae artiste Jaygo said he had to adjust to life in Jamaica.

“It was definitely a different experience. Jamaican culture is intense — in the best way. The way people express themselves through dance, music, language, even just how they move through life… It’s unapologetic and deeply authentic. I admired that from early,” Jaygo told Observer Online on Wednesday.

He continued, “Adjusting came naturally to me, though. You know, when you get to UWI (University of the West Indies), the usual advice is to stay on campus for safety — but me? I wanted to feel Jamaica. So, I made it my mission to be outside. I was eating jerk chicken on the corner, vibing at dub clubs, exploring downtown Kingston, even catching route taxis like a real yardie. I wasn’t just studying law — I was living the culture. Those experiences helped me understand the heartbeat of the island, and they definitely shaped who I am today — both as an artiste and as a man.”

Jaygo, whose given name is Jamal Gordon, recently graduated with honours from law school and is practising both civil and criminal litigation in Antigua.

“From early on, I’ve always had a passion for helping others, which naturally led me to the field of law. Today, I practice in both civil and criminal litigation, as well as intellectual property — areas that allow me to advocate, protect and make a meaningful impact,” Jaygo disclosed.

Asked how easy or difficult it was to juggle studies and a music career, Jaygo said, “That was no easy road, zeen? Balancing di legal books and di lyrics was a serious test of discipline. But music has always been my heartbeat, and law was my foundation. I'd study during the day, and by night, mi deh pon riddim. Some people party on weekends — I was in di studio or in di library. Sleep was a luxury, but the dream kept me up. You haffi love both to survive that kind of hustle. Bless up to my family and mentors who kept me grounded.”

He shared some of his challenges.

“Boy, the pressure was real. Imagine studying torts and contract law while your phone blowin’ up from fans asking when the next track is dropping! But real talk? One of di hardest parts was feeling like I had to choose — the world sees you as either academic or artiste, not both. There were times I felt torn, like I didn’t belong in either space. But I knew I had a story to tell — both in the courtroom and on the mic. So, I stayed true to me, even when it felt like the odds were stacked.”

While he studied in Jamaica, Jaygo performed at a few open mic and university events.

“Big up UWI Mona and all di talents there! Jamaica sharpened my craft — di culture there is so rich, it’s like iron sharpening iron. Every performance, even small ones, was a training ground. I learned how to connect deeper with people, how to move a crowd with just a voice and a message,” he shared.

Jaygo is from Antigua’s capital of St John’s. He has been pursuing music from his teenage years.

“Reggae and dancehall chose me. Ever since I was young, I connected with the message — the soul, the heartbeat, the realness. It’s more than a genre; it’s a movement, a vibration. Antigua may not be Jamaica, but the culture flows through the Caribbean like blood through veins,” said Jaygo.

He grew up listening to the likes of Bob Marley, Sizzla, Tarrus Riley, Beres Hammond, Vybz Kartel and Sean Paul.

Jaygo’s latest single Oh Jo was released in August. He wrote and produced the track, which is dedicated to the ladies.

“The feedback has been nothing short of a blessing. People telling me it heals them, makes them dance and makes them feel seen. That’s what music is for. In Antigua, we say “Oh Jo!” when something surprises you or blow your mind — and that’s the feeling I get when I see a woman owning her space, being confident, being real. Whether she's natural or glammed up, soft-spoken or bold — Oh Jo is for her. For the empress who knows her worth, and even for the ones still learning it. The rhythm sweet, the lyrics smooth, but the message deep: women deserve to be uplifted, adored, respected. So, this one’s for all the queens — Caribbean queens, African queens, every queen across the globe,” he said.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Integration Thursdays, the weekly lyme at the University of the West Indies (UWI), kicked off the new school year last Thursday, September 24, at Students’ Union.

This year, the organisers, UWI Guild of Students, have put a new spin on the series by hosting a five-week talent series called King & Queen of Integration, where talented students attending the university will battle each week for a grand prize including cash and other prizes.

Tajay Gardner, of the UWI Guild Cultural and Entertainment Affairs Committee (CEAC) explained the idea behind the talent series.

“So, the competition that we have right now is the Kings and Queens of Integration, and what that means is we present a platform for all student artistes, so that they can develop their craft. The main objective is just to really improve student engagement while developing artistes,” Gardner told Observer Online.

There will be five elimination rounds with two people being eliminated in each round. The remaining two will advance to the grand finale. Winners will be decided by crowd response and a panel of judges.

At last Thursday’s start to the proceedings, nine talented students performed to give their peers a taste of what will come this Thursday, October 2 at Chancellor Hall.

“Well mi just feel like a our time, so I decided to enter the competition. Mi haffi show the world say yow, Splxntak is intact. From my younger days, I have been doing music, and I wrote poems and songs in high school,” said Jalon “Splxntak” Lambert from Taylor Hall, who is studying at the faculty of Humanities and Education.

He said he is hoping to gain exposure from the competition.

Meanwhile, emerging talent Zineil “Flowmatic” Blackwood from Preston Hall wants to use the platform to develop his skills as an artiste.

“Well my main reason for entering is to develop my artiste skills, my vocals, lyrics and capabilities,” the literature and publishing student shared.

Jada-Lee Dawkins, the sole female in the competition who studies social sciences, aspires to become an R&B singer.

“The reason I entered is because my main goal is to become an R&B singer. The exposure would be really good to get myself out there,” she reasoned.

“I always look for opportunities to express my talent, while improving my skills and I saw this competition as an opportunity and decided to try it out,” said Peter Jaun “Kod3” Palmer, a final year social sciences student from Taylor Hall.

Civil Engineering student Kaheil “KJ” Brown wants to use the competition to improve his skill as an artiste.

“I always been interested in writing music and I realised that I had a talent, and I wanted to put it to use. I decided to use this as a vehicle to build something for myself. I also want to learn and improve my skills,” Brown told Observer Online.

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will host its 2025 Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony and the opening of the Gold Medal Winners Exhibition on Thursday, October 2.

The awards ceremony will commence at 10:00 am at Confucius Institute, The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona.

Immediately following the ceremony, the exhibition will open at Olympia Art Centre, located at 202 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6.

“[O]ur entrants, from ages six upwards, are all able to showcase their creative talents. We don’t limit or inspire them to go in a particular direction. We say, ‘Whatever you have been so inspired to create over the past two years do share it with the rest of us across the island so that we can, not just view, but also help to celebrate you,’ ” JCDC Visual Arts Development Specialist Dr Winston Campbell said.

He added: “It’s a celebration of our varying creative interests and our varying creative expressions, and we then have teams of adjudicators who review the artworks over four rounds and then we get that outcome that we will now be celebrating.”

Minister of Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange described this year’s staging as a defining moment: “This year’s record-breaking competition proves that the future of Jamaican visual arts is limitless. With hundreds of first-time entrants and awardees from every parish, we are witnessing the rise of a new generation of talent carrying our culture forward.”

The exhibition, which forms part of the development framework established by the JCDC for entrants in the visual arts competition, showcases the finest submissions received this year.

Campbell shared that there were 1,300 entries this year, with the gold medal exhibition featuring approximately 60 entries.

The exhibition will be open free to the public daily, except Sundays, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm until Wednesday, October 15, after which the JCDC will mount a series of regional exhibitions of medal-winning artworks.

The 2025 JCDC Visual Arts Competition Awards Ceremony and gold medal winners exhibition are supported by the Musson Foundation, and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund. The Musson Foundation, partnering with the competition for the first time, will present the Peggy Blades Art Prize to the school that secures the most medals. In addition, the foundation will sponsor the Most Outstanding Teachers Awards, offering cash prizes to the teachers of youth awardees (ages 6–17) who win the highest number of medals.

King of the Dancehall Vybz Kartel earned his fourth Billboard charting song with PBT, a collaboration with American rapper and singer Travis Scott and South African singer Tyla.

PBT moved up from #23 to #18 on this week’s Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart. It has been on the tally since it debuted at #38 on the chart dated August 16, 2025.

Vybz Kartel’s previous Billboard song entries were Pon De Floor with Major Lazer, which peaked at #41 on Billboard’s Dance Digital Song Sales chart in 2010; Ramping Shop with Spice which topped out at #76 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart; and Fever, a certified gold hit that stalled at #36 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Airplay and #23 on Rap Airplay charts.

TBA is featured on the 17-track Jackboys 2 compilation album, which was released on July 13 via Cactus Jack Records and Epic Records. Other artistes featured on the compilation include Future, Playboi Carti, NBA Young Boy, Glo Rilla, 21 Savage, and Bun B.

Jackboys 2 topped the Billboard 200 albums chart with first week sales of 232,000 album equivalent units.

Still on the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay chart, Ginger by Sean Paul remains at #14, while Sugar Sweet by Mariah Carey featuring Shenseea and Kehlani inches down to #32.

The song continues its downward trend on Mainstream R&B/Hip Hop Airplay, where it steps down from #17 to #18, and on R&B/Hip- Hop Airplay it backtracks from #24 to #26.

Moving now to the streaming and sales-driven Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bumpin Uglies debut at #7 with
Crawling Up the Wall.

Released on September 19 via Ugly Records, the 14 track Crawling Up the Wall consists of ska music. This is the sixth entry for the group, which topped the chart in 2018 with Beast from the East.

The group’s other entries include Buzz (EP), which peaked at #2 in 2019; Keep it Together, which rose to #3 in 2016; and Better Faster Stronger, which topped out at #2 in 2016.

Elsewhere on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Bob Marley and the Wailers have logged 298 non-consecutive weeks at #1 with Legend, while Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection is steady at #2.

The Trinity by Sean Paul, which is officially 20 years old, is at #3, while World on Fire by Stick Figure and
Greatest Hits by UB40 are #4 and #5.

Dutty Rock by Sean Paul holds the #6 position, Wisdom and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are #8 and #9.

Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock is #10.

On regional charts, 2 Time by Khago spends a third week at #1, while Where Do I Fit In by Kashief Lindo steps up from #11 to #10.

New entries are Special Lady by Richie Stephens (#22), Single Mothers by D’Angel (#23), and a cover of
To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before by Leroy Sibbles and Andrew Cassanova.

On the New York Reggae chart, How Dem Fi Fight Reggae Music by Sizzla and Bounty Killer remains at #1 for a third week, while Khago’s 2 Time debuts at #25, and Where Could I Go (But to the Lord) by Derrick Scott is at #28.

At the 2025 Reggae North Music Awards in Canada on Sunday night, singer Blk Orchid took home the award for Top Reggae Single of the Year for the chart-topping How Long.

The song, which was written in 2016, was inspired by events surrounding the killing of 18-year-old Mike Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

“It was an emotional response to the violence against black people in music form,” Blk Orchid told Observer Online on Tuesday.

“It took me as long as it did to release the song because I didn't want to put it out in the place because it was so politically charged and I wasn't in that mind frame as an artiste at the time to put it out, plus I was in the background as a producer and I wasn't quite yet ready to introduce myself as an artiste. The producers of the song are Cut and Clear Productions and Indie Rootz Records,”Blk Orchid shared.

She said she never expected the song to do as well as it did.

“No, I did not expect to have such great feedback on the song and that people could relate and be moved by its message but I'm happy it was well received,” said Blk Orchid, who added that when her name was announced as winner in the category, it came as a surprise.

“I was very shocked and surprised to see my face on the screen and hear my name being called. It's a surreal feeling. I was just overwhelmed and full of gratitude that my hard work paid off.”

The other nominees in the Top Reggae Single of the Year (Female) category were Rise by Tonya P, Baby I Love You by Ammoye, Mek it to Di Top by Paris Ivey, Rayze Up by Rayzalution, Put It On by Tasha T and Bless Me by Celena.

Blk Orchid was also nominated in the category Top Female Vocalist.

In 2023, Blk Orchid (real name Renee Brown) scored a chart hit with Single Girl Blues, a collaboration with Empress Divine.

She has new music on the way.

“I'm currently working on a project experimenting with developing AI artistses by writing and producing for them. I am also currently working on a follow up song to Single Girl Blues with Empress Divine called No Longer Lonely and pushing Loving You Forever with Tesharah as well,” said Blk Orchid.

Blk Orchid’s father is from Porus in Manchester, while her mother is British. She has been to Jamaica three times and worked alongside Sly Dunbar fine-tuning Canadian singer Chelsea Stewart’s JUNO nominated album Genesis.

“The most notable producer I've worked with in Jamaica was Sly Dunbar on Chelsea Stewart's JUNO nominated EP Genesis.  I got the chance to see him in action building riddims in his studio in 2017,” Blk Orchid disclosed.

With his latest song, God is My Strength, having a spiritual feel, singer Kenne Blessin went beyond the conventional when he wrote and produced it.

The Atlanta-based artiste wanted the track to be extra special.

God is My Strength was released on September 26 as part of the Blue Flame Riddim, a four-song EP with songs by Anthony Malvo, Delly Ranx and Fucha Kid.

“Because of the keys, and the way the piano plays the violin, it creates a feeling, an emotion to say something that makes valuable sense, instead of rhyming two bars that sounds dope or sounds wicked,” Kenne Blessin told the Observer Online.

Co-produced by his Dacosta Music and Malvo Ent, the Blue Flame Riddim is also driven by Malvo’s Watch da Girl Deh, How I’m Living by Delly Ranx and Big Man Cry from Fucha Kid, who is from Antigua.

Unlike most ‘riddim’ projects which have songs that reflect the artiste, Kenne Blessin had a concept for the Blue Flame.

“I wasn’t looking for a particular sound, I just wanted content that makes sense,” he said.

Kenne Blessin is also promoting his cover of Elton John’s Russia-inspired Nikita, which was also recently released.

Born in Kingston and raised in St Thomas, he released Get Up & Go, his first album, in 2018. Millions, his sole EP, came out two years later.

—  Howard Campbell

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston Creative has announced the launch of a new Creative Placemaking Programme called Mobay Creative, which is designed to boost cultural tourism, create new income streams for creatives and strengthen ties between the creative and tourism industries.

Set in St James, the year-long initiative will deliver a series of activities aimed at positioning Montego Bay as a vibrant cultural destination.

Key to this initiative are two large-scale murals to enhance the visual appeal of Montego Bay for both locals and visitors. It will be supported by a Creative Placemaking Training Programme, which will equip local creatives and community leaders with the essential skills to plan cultural events and develop a thriving cultural district.

The project will culminate with an Artwalk Festival, a major music and food event showcasing local artisans, performers and cultural entrepreneurs to a wide audience in the heart of Sam Sharpe Square.

“Montego Bay is undergoing a purposeful transformation—one rooted in cultural pride, community resilience and the creative power of our people,” commented Richard Vernon, mayor of Montego Bay.

“The Mobay Creative project and Mobay murals will be visible steps toward the inclusive, sustainable city we envision under Vision 2030. These murals will reflect our stories, our struggles and our aspirations. They will bring beauty to our streets, opportunity to our youth and dignity to spaces long overlooked.

“As we continue to invest in placemaking and civic engagement, we are shaping a Montego Bay that continuously commands global recognition, but more importantly, we are building a city that is deeply representative of the people who build it every day. I thank our artists, our partners and every resident who will help to bring this vision to life. This is our city, and this is our moment,” he continued.

The initiative is expected to directly engage 25 creatives, create 20 paid opportunities, engage 800 members of the public, and build lasting partnerships with at least seven key stakeholders.

“This partnership delivers more than murals,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, executive director of Kingston Creative. “We are expanding our model of ‘arts for social and economic transformation’ and we are excited to work with creatives from the west. I would encourage corporations based in the western parishes to become a part of the change! We believe that local artists and artisans will make Montego Bay a city destination known for its art and culture.”

The programme is supported by Target 8.9, with funding from TUI Care Foundation, under its TUI Colourful Cultures initiative, as well as by the S-Hotel Montego Bay, the Montego Bay Cultural Centre and the city of Montego Bay.

Implementation is slated to begin in October 2025, and funding of $8.75 million from Target 8.9 has already been committed.

“This partnership represents a powerful opportunity to advance the objectives of the TUI Colourful Cultures programme by unlocking the creative and economic potential of Montego Bay,” commented Coral Purvil-Williams, destination manager, Target 8.9.