entertainment

KINGSTON, Jamaica — As reggae artiste Sizzla continues to celebrate his milestone 30th anniversary in music, the stories of how his music has uplifted and inspired continue. With songs such as Solid As A Rock, Never See Us Fall and many more, the entertainer has encouraged generations to pursue their dreams relentlessly, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Speaking at the official media launch for the entertainer’s upcoming celebratory concert, Holness shared how Sizzla’s music became a personal anthem that inspired him to pursue his purpose as a politician. Recalling in 2011 when he was on the cusp of greatness, Holness shared that as he contemplated what was easily the biggest decision of his life at the time, it was Sizzla’s Rise to the Occasion that became his source of inspiration.

“In 2011, I had a big decision to make in my life, and one morning I was contemplating, and this song came on, Rise to the occasion, look at yourself…no one can stop you. That song was the inspiration for me to step forward to become the leader of my political party and eventually to become prime minister. It was that song that inspired me,” he said.

He continued, “There were times when I had difficult situations, and you have to psych yourself up. Some people use all kinds of means to psych themselves up; I listen to Sizzla. So I just came here to say to you that you wouldn’t always know the details of the power of your music. Your attorney read a letter from someone who was inspired to live, and I may have to pen you such a letter as well, but I just wanted to tell you personally that you have inspired me.”

Outlining that as the Caribbean’s musical hub, Jamaica produces a plethora of diverse music, Holness praised Sizzla for always curating content that motivates.

“Our music is diverse and it produces a variety, but I would like to say that the music you produce is music with purpose and meaning,” he said as Sizzla looked on. “It is music that will transcend generations, and so it is timeless. The music that you produce deals with subjects that are uplifting, and it is not always the case that we have artistes of your calibre, so I consider you to be a national icon in our music.”

The launch held at Kamila’s Kitchen in downtown Kingston was also supported by the Minister of Entertainment and Culture, Olivia Grange, as well as Minister of Finance, Fayval Williams, who is also Member of Parliament for the constituency of St Andrew Eastern, where Sizzla's hometown of August Town is located. Scores of industry professionals also descended on the venue, indicating that the show on October 19 at Sabina Park will be well supported.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Before she launched Tanya-Marie Collection in 2012, Tanya Marie was drawn to the “bold styles” of designers such as Roberto Cavalli, D Squared and Zuhair Murad.

She takes a similar approach to her creations, which have been worn by clients including Jamaica’s First Lady Juliet Holness and rapper Pitbull.

The Kingston-born Tanya Marie, a longtime Miami resident, is about to launch her latest line, tagged TM #OpulentBohemian. Like her previous work, the pieces reflect her outlook on life.

“Design is an integral part of who I am, it's like breathing. Inspiration is constant, and it's a spiritual experience,” she told the Observer Online. “My mantra is, ‘dress the way your soul feels’."

On August 27, Tanya Marie is expected to discuss her career and upcoming project when she appears on Winner Circle: The Brown Bag Edition, a podcast operated out of South Florida by fellow Jamaican Honorebel.

While celebrities like music producer Timbaland and cast members from The Real Housewives reality series have worn Tanya Marie pieces, the clients who give her the biggest thrill are not famous.

“My most fulfilling clients are professional women who exude confidence and style – doctors, lawyers, and industry leaders. Seeing my beautiful pieces worn and loved around the world is the most rewarding part of my career,” she said.

This will be the sixth Winner Circle: The Brown Bag Edition. The podcast debuted last February with Honorebel hosting a panel that included singers Etana and Singing Melody, discussing music industry issues.

Music has been the main theme of subsequent shows, but the previous edition in July featured Rohan Marley, principal of Marley Coffee and son of reggae legend Bob Marley. He gave his views on operating that company in a competitive industry, and being the child of a pop icon.

ACCRA, Ghana (AFP) — Ghanaian dancehall star Shatta Wale has been taken into custody in Accra as part of a United States (US) investigation into his purchase of a Lamborghini, prompting hundreds of fans to protest for his release.

Shatta Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, was interrogated Wednesday in connection with a 2019 Lamborghini Urus that US authorities suspect was purchased with the proceeds of a $4 million fraud case in the United States, Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) said in a statement Thursday.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the EOCO's office in Accra Thursday, vowing to remain overnight until the singer is released from custody following hours of interrogation.

The probe is part of a wider US fraud probe involving Ghanaian national Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a jail term in the United States, the agency added.

The EOCO said the Lamborghini, which had already been seized by Ghanaian authorities earlier this year, is the subject of an order by the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky authorising the US government to take possession of the car in Ghana as compensation.

The artist arrived at the EOCO on Wednesday afternoon and waited for his lawyer before questioning proceeded into the evening, according to the statement.

He was granted bail at 10 million cedis (about $900,000) and has been in custody pending verification of his guarantors, the EOCO said.

The EOCO said the singer has not produced purchasing paperwork for the vehicle and told investigators he bought it for $150,000 from the "street", possibly via a WhatsApp contact named "Zak", whose identity he could not provide and whose contact he said he discarded.

The agency said it acted on requests from the FBI and the US Department of Justice to track the vehicle and pursue local leads.

Outside the EOCO's gates, supporters from the "Shatta Movement" chanted and held up photos of the star's image.

"Until our king walks out, we won't move -- even if we sleep here," one fan said.

Shatta Wale's legal team has previously insisted he bought the car in good faith and denies any knowledge of criminal links.

Among those to be honoured at the upcoming Grammy Certificate Ceremony 2025 on Saturday, September 13, are Chevelle Franklyn, Brian & Tony Gold, and Heather Cummings, all vocalists whose harmonies, lead performances, and backing arrangements have left an impactful effect on Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated reggae and dancehall projects.

Organised by Back 2 Da Future Music Limited, in collaboration with The Royalty Network Inc, and Steely & Clevie Productions, the event will feature tribute to a wide range of music talent at the Audi Showroom in Kingston.

Chevelle Franklyn will be honoured for her harmonies on Shabba Ranks’ Grammy-winning As Raw As Ever (1992) album and her contribution of backing vocals to Buju Banton’s Friends for Life (2004), which earned a Grammy nomination.

Reflecting on the honour, Franklyn said: “Every note I’ve ever sung, every song I’ve ever written, was a stepping stone... Every moment, every melody, every lyric, all leading me to my greatest masterpiece — serving the kingdom of God.”

Brian and Tony Gold, the iconic vocal duo, will receive Grammy certificates for their unforgettable performance on Shaggy’s Boombastic (1996), which secured a Grammy Award.

Known for their tight harmonies and soulful delivery, the pair has been instrumental in shaping reggae’s global soundscape.

Heather Cummings, a sought-after harmony vocalist and performer, will be recognised for her work on multiple Grammy projects, including her nominated contributions to Shaggy’s Clothes Drop (2006), Sizzla’s The Messiah (2014), and Buju Banton’s Rasta Got Soul (2010), as well as her Grammy-winning harmonies on Sly & Robbie’s
Friends (1999).

The recognition is deeply personal for Cummings: “It’s incredibly humbling and surreal. I stood on that stage as a host last year, and now I am receiving recognition myself. To come full circle and be honoured this year is a testament to perseverance, growth, and the power of believing in my craft. It feels like validation of my journey and an inspiring reminder to keep pushing forward.”

The collaboration aims to honour the unsung contributors behind Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated albums from musicians and engineers to producers and songwriters.

Following the 2024 inaugural ceremony, the 2025 staging uniquely celebrates Jamaica’s creative legacy, featuring red carpet glamour, media coverage, and a global live stream.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The documentary ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story’ has been selected for the gala screening at the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival in September.

The film celebrates the life and legacy of Jamaican dancehall pioneer, Sister Nancy, whose 1982 hit ‘Bam Bam’ has become one of the most sampled reggae tracks of all time.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Alison Duke, ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story’ combines electrifying live performances with candid interviews featuring cultural icons such as Janelle Monáe, Young Guru, and Pete Rock.

The documentary also delves into rare archival footage of the early dancehall era, providing a powerful and comprehensive portrait of Sister Nancy’s influence in both reggae and hip hop.

Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Mariel Brown, said the selection of ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story’ for the gala was an easy choice.

“We want to celebrate the Caribbean in all its many forms and the song is such an anthem of the region. You play it anywhere in the Caribbean and people will know it, recognise it and feel it,” she said.

“The film helps us to know more about Sister Nancy, the creator – her life and her determination as a woman on the mike. It reveals what we have always known to be true, that Caribbean women have tenacity, strength and in the case of Sister Nancy, talent that transcends borders and time; we could not be happier to be showing, ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story’,” she said.

Director Alison Duke expressed her excitement at the selection, saying it was an honour to bring ‘Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story’ to the Trinidad and Tobago film Festival.

Produced under the OYA Media Group banner by Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, the documentary has already made waves internationally, premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. It continues to resonate with diverse audiences, from reggae and hip-hop fans to gamers and music lovers worldwide, underscoring the timeless appeal of Sister Nancy’s artistry.

Duke, a Canadian Screen Award-winning director, is celebrated for her distinctive storytelling in documentaries such as ‘Mr. Jane and Finch’ and ‘Cool Black North’. She has built a career championing under-represented voices and was recently honoured with the 2024 Hot Docs Don Haig Award.

Brown said that in addition to the screening, Duke will also be teaching a masterclass in making the documentary.

“We hope this masterclass will encourage our filmmakers to explore more stories of the musical genius and creative output of the Caribbean,” said Brown.

She said the gala screening promises to be one of the festival’s memorable events, pairing the inspirational story of a reggae icon with an afterparty that celebrates Caribbean music and culture.

The gala screening and afterparty will take place on Thursday, September 25, at IMAX in Woodbrook, Port of Spain. Tickets are now available via Island E-Tickets at islandetickets.com.

Citing a decline in dancehall music quality, Alfa Wraif conjured Island Romance, a new sound he believes will return the genre to global acceptance.

Island Romance is also the title of his pending EP which will introduce the sensuous beat which mainly targets women “who want to bask in the sensual and romantic vibe”.

Twilight, that project’s lead single, was recently released.

“I made the decision to create a new sound/genre in dancehall for two reasons. The first being, that we, the Jamaican artistes, were losing the creative variety that built our world-class audience,” said Alfa Wraif. “The trap sound became much too contagious as if we had nothing else to sing about as well as the vulgarity of the songs being produced about women. There wasn’t a middle ground,” he added.

The Westmoreland-born artiste also blames a perceived drop in standards for radio stations turning their backs on dancehall music. That is in contrast to the 1990s and early 2000s when several acts like Shabba Ranks, Mad Cobra, Sean Paul, and Shaggy made pop charts in the United States with a flurry of Top 10 songs.

Known for songs such as Money, Passion, and Summer Vybz, Alfa Wraif has been recording music for three years. He collaborated with Antropolita Beats, WLDN, Storm from Greenzlion Production, and Stillyet Productions to create Island Romance.

“The new direction is to balance the scale, avoiding the very oversight that caused the decline in dancehall music to never happen again. Adding the slower bedroom music for women who have been neglected in this area, I’d say is a more tentative and direct focus on what’s lacking in the genre.”

— Howard Campbell

Reality Television star and municipal Judge Frank Caprio has died after an extended illness.

“Judge Frank Caprio passed away peacefully at the age of 88 after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Beloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,” said a post on his Instagram.

Caprio, known as the ‘nicest judge,’ presided over courtrooms in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, and eventually became a TikTok star, sharing clips of his reality TV show on the app.

One of his most viral videos, which racked up five million views on YouTube alone, was that of a 96-year-old father who received a speeding ticket while taking his 63-year-old son to cancer treatment.

His videos often included heartfelt moments with the people who came before him in court, including several Jamaicans, one of whom instructed him on the intricacies of cooking chicken feet while he listened intently.

Caprio had shared much of his pancreatic cancer journey with his followers on social media, from beginning treatment to just hours before he died, where he posted a video requesting prayers.

Social media users had emotional reactions to the judge's death.

“No ! I’m devastated! I prayed for him last night. I am so so sorry for his friends and family- he was such a light and I looked forward to hearing his messages of kindness everyday,” said one Instagram user.

Popular dancer-turned-recording artiste Cobourine has released the track Love Wi — the first song off his upcoming EP set for début in September.

Inspired by true events, the track features Brickxx and is produced by Sapposonic.

“When I let people hear it they mostly said that this one is more smooth, more calm, and more of an EP song,” he told the Jamaica Observer in explaining why he led with this track.

Many people around the world are familiar with Cobourine for his lead dance appearances in projects like Konshens’ Summer Wine, and other viral clips online. He also starred in Uhoh by US rapper Lil Mama.

As a vocalist, he has opened for recording artiste Upyanow (otherwise known as Shabba Pot) at an international staging of Alkaline’s New Rules show. He also gained notoriety from popular dancing competition Dancin’ Dynamites.

The entertainer, whose given name is Andre Cobourine, says he’s looking to establish himself as an artiste, building on the momentum he already got from dancing.

“Back in 2020 I took up music a little bit, then people started taking me seriously. A little situation happened that kinda set me back, but now I’m back and I’m trying to show people that it’s serious. Mi have the dancing talent, so mi ah try cross over to do the music,” he said.

He previously released several tracks, among them Got This and Impatient (featuring Qwanza).