entertainment

Reggae-dancehall artiste Tifa has highlighted once more ill intent with her online content that is impacting her career.

The artiste, who has landed yet another trending single called Can’t Cancel Me, is facing challenges on her
TikTok platform.

“I’ve always said that my posts have been flagged and shadow banned and sometimes I don’t even talk about it because I come across as paranoid. But this is obvious with my current song’s audio being removed and muted as unauthorised content. There is nothing wrong with the content, but people hide behind fake pages and make an effort to report everything I post,” Tifa commented.

Just last week one of her posts using one minute of the Can’t Cancel Me single was removed and more than 5,000 videos using the audio muted on TikTok. This occurred two days later after Tifa highlighted that only one post had been muted but the second was still visible — that post was also reported.

The song itself is still authorised on TikTok but the viral clips that have thousands of remixes seem targeted she said.

Tifa has since contacted the relevant representatives from the social media platforms and they are conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the circumstance with a view for more action will be taken.

“I’m definitely being targeted because of simple jealousy; they recognise I’ve gotten another hit song and they are trying hard to derail it, but it won’t work. They have even tried to hack my WhatsApp and IG, but this is just showing me how threatened they feel by my success. Evil will never prevail, though, and as the song says ‘God a my Boss, so them can’t cancel me,’ ” Tifa added.

The artiste is super upbeat with the success of the Can’t Cancel Me single thus far and is seeing greater things in the works.

Can’t Cancel Me has already been added to I Heart Radio play lists in the United States and has now been added for rotation on New York’s premier urban station Hot 97.

The single is produced by Digital One Productions and is recorded as part of the Santa Jamaica Riddim project.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Odiyo, the Caribbean’s pioneering digital audiobook platform, has announced the acquisition of audio rights to five celebrated titles from the acclaimed independent publisher Akashic Books.

The deal will bring to life works from some of the most compelling voices in Caribbean and diaspora literature, including two novels by the late Jamaican literary giant Anthony Winkler.

Under the agreement, Odiyo will produce and release audiobook editions of The Tower of the Antilles by Achy Obejas, My Own Dear People by Dwight Thompson, God Carlos by Anthony Winkler, The Family Mansion by Anthony Winkler and Watch Out for Falling Iguanas by Edwidge Danticat.

“We are thrilled to see these extraordinary works find new life in audio through Odiyo. The Caribbean’s literary tradition is rich, diverse and deserving of wider access. Odiyo’s commitment to amplifying regional voices makes them the perfect partner for these titles,” said Johnny Temple, chief executive officer of Akashic Books, in welcoming the partnership.

Anthony Winkler, best known for his internationally celebrated novel The Lunatic, remains one of Jamaica’s most beloved literary figures. This deal ensures that God Carlos and The Family Mansion will be available in audio for the first time, preserving Winkler’s sharp wit, historical insight and uniquely Jamaican storytelling for future generations.

Noting the significance of the deal, Lesley-Ann Wanliss, Odiyo’s head of acquisitions, said: “These are important works, not just for their literary merit, but for the way they capture and preserve the Caribbean’s voice and history. This partnership began through our shared mission with Akashic Books to make underrepresented stories accessible to more listeners. For Odiyo users, it means the ability to experience these narratives in an intimate and dynamic way, whether they’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting them in a new format.”

This acquisition marks a continued expansion of Odiyo’s curated catalogue of Caribbean literature in audio form, reinforcing the platform’s role as a champion for regional storytelling on a global stage.

Billboard-charting DJ and producer Walsh Fire of the multi-platinum charting EDM act Major Lazer has joined the lineup for this Saturday’s Xodus Wet Music Festival.

The event, which will run from 4:00 am to 11:00 am at the Kingston Waterfront, is set to kick off the 2026 carnival season in Jamaica in a major way.

According to Pierre Goubault, chief executive officer (CEO) of Xodus Carnival, “Major Lazer is one of the biggest entertainment products from Jamaican descent and Walshy Fire has broken ground on the international forefront, bringing a fusion of soca/dancehall/ reggae/house to the world. We can expect nothing but special remixes/dub plates and new releases.”

The event, which promises paint, powder, water, foam and a heavy serving of soca music, will be epic, according to the Xodus CEO.

“Plans are in motion. We have started setting up and will have added some new activations from our title sponsor, Campari. Paint and power have already arrived and cleared. Fog cannons and drones are ready. This will be the most epic event of the decade,” Goubault told Observer Online on Thursday.

Said Carlos Phillpotts, festival director, “Xodus Wet isn’t just a music festival, it’s a full-blown sensory escape. We’re blending top-tier performances, water-infused vibes and immersive experiences to create something unforgettable. This year, we’re pushing the boundaries even further. Expect the unexpected.”

Headlining this year’s high-energy lineup are Trinidadian natives, Bunji Garlin, the Viking of Soca, and the ladies’ favourite GBM Nutron, delivering electrifying live performances that will keep the party pumping from darkness to daylight.

The vibe doesn’t stop there, however, as the event boasts a stellar lineup of international and local disc jocks bringing nonstop hype with soca, dancehall and other genres to fuel your fete. The lineup includes Jus Jay from Barbados, Major Penny fresh out of Trinidad, United States-based DJs Nocturnal Sound & Tony X, and Zess, Rico the DJ, Franco, and Brush 1 representing Jamaica.

“Xodus Wet is where music, culture and freedom collide. We’re giving our patrons more than just a show; we’re delivering a movement, a moment and a memory. Patrons just need to bring their coolers, bring their crew and come ready to get wet. They can also be prepared to enjoy some great offerings from our sponsors Wata, KFC and Chas E Ramson,” Phillpotts shared.

VP Records in Queens, New York, synonymous with hard-rocking dancehall music, on September 27, hosted Poetry: Echoes of Expression, an event organised by Richie Innocent.

It was the second instalment of the show, a forum to expose the work of poets and authors.

In an interview with Observer Online, Richie Innocent said there was even a greater response this year.

“The turnout was great, and the space was about family and community. This was historical and a revelation, with the atmosphere that was at VP Records’ Cultural Centre,” he said.

The St Elizabeth-reared artiste, who lives in New York City, was among the performers who represented different regions of the Jamaican diaspora. They included Ras Igus and Marj Da Poet, also based in the Big Apple, Marcia Jackson from Florida, Amaziyah The Great out of Rhode Island and American Blaq Ice, who is based in Chicago.

Author Sharon Gordon, another Jamaican creative based in New York, also read excerpts from Sheribaby, her well-received debut book, which was released in May.

The event was attended by Pat Chin, the matriarch of VP Records, who celebrated her 88th birthday on September 20. The author of the book, My Reggae Music Journey, spoke about the importance of poetry to Jamaican culture.

Richie Innocent, who closed the show, performed Babylon Slaves, Good Old Days, Community, Hills mi Deh and The Passover, his latest song. Despite minor hiccups, he expects Poetry: Echoes of Expression to grow substantially.

“The glitches weren’t major, but there are things to include that will make this the product that it is becoming, and we are looking forward to the third show, and like the words of an attendee, we are looking forward to celebrating the 10th staging,” he said.

— Howard Campbell

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.