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VP Records Teams With The Jamaican Gov To Fight Human Trafficking Through Music


Human trafficking continues to plague nations of the world and is a serious problem that governments around the world are actively fighting. With this in mind, VP Records has partnered with Jamaica’s National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) to raise awareness about the issue.

The campaign has a reggae medley called “Shadows After Dark,” which pleads with people to be aware of those around them and who they should trust. It was produced by legendary Reggae veteran Alborosie and has many well-known Dancehall names attached to the project. They include Kabaka Pyramid, Morgan Heritage, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Christopher Martin, Romain Virgo, and others.

Jamaica’s Minister of National Security, Dr. Horace Chang, explained the serious nature of the offense. In a statement, he said that the problem is a growing one and added that it compounds their efforts to deal with the illegal drugs and firearms trades. He said he believes that human trafficking, sadly, has been increasing because “criminal organizations are losing money, and they will look to other areas; and clearly, one of those areas is human trafficking.”

The director of business affairs for VP Records, Richard Lue added that he believed that music could make a difference in the fight against trafficking. He added, “music is one of the best ways to communicate. We felt it important to work with NATFATIP to make sure as many people are aware of human trafficking and the perils it brings”.

The song’s chorus, “Trust no shadows after dark,” aptly describes the precautions that Jamaicans have to take to start tackling this global problem. The video, which is on YouTube, premiered on TVJ yesterday, November 24, during the national news broadcast. It will also become available on all digital platforms on Friday, November 27.

An international poster competition will also be launched on December 1 to raise awareness against human trafficking and will end next May.
 
Popcaan Blasts “Corrupt” Grammys After Major Dancehall Snub


Popcaan is among a slew of dancehall artistes reacting to the Grammy nominations for Best Reggae Album.

For many years the Grammy Award show has been subject to criticism from Dancehall lovers who feel that the genre is largely neglected. With the release of the Best Reggae Album category for next year’s Grammy Awards, which were announced yesterday, November 24, many fans are upset that Popcaan has been left out.

The deejay, who many believe is now the face of Dancehall, did not receive any nominations in any category. His albums have been doing well in the US market, and FIXTAPE even debuted on the Billboard 200 at 94, which was the sixth-best debut of that week. He’s even had the honor of being featured on former US president Barack Obama’s summer playlist. The former president added “Twist and Turn” to the revered playlist.

Even with all the accolades that have been showered on him since the release of the album, Popcaan’s name is not even mentioned at the Grammy’s. Even though Popcaan is happy for the nominated artists, he used his Instagram to say that he thinks the entire thing is corrupted. He said, “Big up the nominees for this year grammy SALUTE!!!!??? @recordingacademy differently tho unu corruption levels high nuh bomboclaat!! We unstoppable tho dancehall music we nah stop until unu accept we. #UNRULYFOREVERSOLID mi unruly family them me love unu #POLITRICKS.”


His fans had his back as they responded to the post that has been liked over 10,000 times. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“I love how u post this. Dem fi get a biiiiiiiiig board bax because dem more than fava eeediot now! #Fixtape done fix up d world. A wah do dem!!!!!!! A it a play PRESENTLY!” one fan wrote.

“Bro they should just cancel grammy at this point. No Kartel, no Popcaan, no The Weeknd (like seriously) and Justin Bieber made a RnB album and it was nominated as pop album. Grammys are lame. Your music doesn’t need grammys to be recognized so don’t pay them no mind mi G!”

“All great artists some legends. However, they never acknowledge the other side of reggae/dancehall that is also having a major impact on the world.”
 
Popcaan, Koffee, Buju Banton & Others Gets Nods For MOBO Awards


Popcaan, Koffee, Buju Banton among other Jamaican acts received nominations for the upcoming MOBO Awards.

Everyone’s focus may be on the Grammy nominations and the omitted artists at the moment, but the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards intends to celebrate black musical talent after returning from a two-year break. Many fans have been up in arms about the Reggae category at the Grammy’s as it always seems to cut out Dancehall acts that have done well. MOBO is one award show that recognizes the genre.

The MOBO Awards were last held in 2017, and this installation of the prize-giving show is set to take place virtually on December 9. They’ve chosen to stream the show on YouTube before airing it later on BBC One.

Some of the big acts in Dancehall, like two-time winners Popcaan and Koffee, have again earned two nominations each. Buju Banton, Koffee, Popcaan, Protoje, and Lila Iké come up against each other in the Best Reggae Act category. Popcaan was victorious in 2015 and 2016.


The Unruly Boss and Koffee come up against some talented artists in the Best International Act category. They will have to take on heavyweights like Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy Pop Smoke, Roddy Rich, Rema, Shenseea, Summer Walker, HER, and Lil Baby.

Other notable nominations include British hip-hop artiste Nines, who has the most this year with five nominations. Another U.K. act, singer Jorja Smith’s has been nominated for Video of the Year for the “By Any Means” music video. Smith is featured on Come Over with Popcaan.

The MOBO Awards, which is a U.K. based award show that honors music of black origin, began in 1996 to celebrate black music that was not receiving attention on the bigger award shows like the Grammy’s.

A statement from MOBO founder Kanya King explained their return. She said that the show would return, “with even more determination and energy to support and boost our culture wherever we can. 2020 will see many positive changes that will impact more and more talented young people — very proud to be back and to help ensure that the younger generation will also dare to dream.”
 
Dancehall Snubbed By Grammys Despite Albums From Popcaan, Vybz Kartel & More


Should the Grammys create a category for dancehall genre?

The 2021 Grammy nominations were announced for Best Reggae Album, and the reggae/dancehall community is reacting to the long-anticipated roundup. Before the announcement, industry players weighed in on the forecast, and it seemed there were a few artists who were expected to get a Grammy nod but didn’t. A number of Jamaica’s top artists delivered great projects this year, and their fans had high hopes for them to get the nomination, but critics say a lot would be factored in by the committee for that final cut.

This recently announced Best Reggae Album Grammy nominees are Buju Banton, Skip Marley, Maxi Priest, The Wailers, and Toots and the Maytals. Buju Banton has been nominated a few times and is a Grammy-Award winner already, and fans expected his album Upside Down 2020 to be among the shortlisted candidates for this year’s Best Reggae Album award. The Roc Nation Management-signed reggae singer was perhaps the least surprising nominee. His splendidly produced album was stocked with solid hits and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.


Meanwhile, Vybz Kartel also released Of Dons and Divas this year, which spawned a number of dancehall favorites and some absolute killer collaborations. The dancehall guru dominated JM Apple Music charts and peaked at No. 1 on iTunes. The project was also touted as the ‘Grammy album’ during its prerelease press. It was by far the most successful independent album as we know that most of the other releases from this year are from artists who are signed internationally.

According to music critic and former Rising Stars judge Clyde McKenzie, the decision by the Grammy committee “may not boil down to just the music,” he told The STAR. Vybz Kartel has released more than a dozen albums throughout his illustrious career, but he is yet to be acknowledged by the Academy. Many believe the deejay was snubbed yet again after Gaza fans already thought his 2016 album King of Dancehall was cheated. If the “image of his incarceration” will play a role in the ultimate decision, as McKenzie suggests, it explains why he was cut out of this year’s candidates.

The dancehall community also agrees that Popcaan’s debut EP Fixtape definitely deserved to be commemorated with a Grammy nomination. The successful freshman album by the OVO-signed artist topped the iTunes Reggae chart and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Reggae. Moreover, Fixtape peaked at No. 94 on the Billboard 200, which doesn’t really happen unless you’re like Shabba Ranks or something. If anything, the brilliant production and on-point international features should have sufficed in swaying the opinion of the Academy.

Popular Jamaican music producer Dane Ray who recorded a majority of the songs from Popcaan’s album, believes that if either Poppy or Kartel were nominated, it would have been a significant moment for dancehall music. “He is an international superstar that has never been nominated for a Grammy before but has been putting in the work, and so we have our fingers crossed for that one,” the producer told The STAR. “Vybz Kartel have a bad album, too, and if either of them were to get nominated it would be good for the culture.”


“As a music that originated from the streets, it represents the core of our culture, not just the commercial or the refined music that we put out,” Dane Ray added. While Clyde McKenzie thinks what Dane Ray alludes to is just the type of hardcore dancehall music that the Grammys is running from, popular dancehall voice Boom Boom tells The STAR the quality of work should be the only criteria.

“Throughout the years, dancehall and reggae have been classified under one umbrella when it comes to the Grammys and for the most part, reggae artistes have dominated the list of nominees,” he said. “Is the work that you put in that should get the album accepted throughout the world and make a difference, and if you ask me, both Popcaan and Vybz Kartel been putting in the work.”

We got new albums this year from reggae crooners Protoje and Lila Iké as well. The latter’s debut EP The ExPerience peaked at No. 1 on Apple Music in Jamaica. Protoje was nominated for Best Reggae Album in 2018 for his album A Matter of Time. His label was signed to Six Course/RCA Records earlier this year. While his 2020 release In Search Of Lost Time had some notable hits, including his collaborations with Lila, Popcaan, and more, the In.Digg.Nation boss didn’t cop a second nod.

Are you pleased with the Best Reggae Album Grammy nominees?
 
Bounty Killer Names Buju Banton’s “Til Shiloh” Among Best Reggae Albums Of All Time


Is Til Shiloh one of the best reggae albums of all time?

Bounty Killer is congratulating the Gargamel, Buju Banton for having one of the best roots reggae albums of all times- Til Shiloh. In a post made on his Instagram account, the artiste posted a photo with the caption “goals salute to the Gargamel @bujubanton and germaine @penthouse_records certified Gold. One of the best roots rock reggae albums of all times.”

The post featured the Gold bordered plaque that frames an image of a young Buju Banton. Bounty Killer has always had a high opinion of Buju Banton, having referred to the latter as among the greatest of all times (G.O.A.T), to include himself and Beenie Man.

Til Shiloh is the fourth album by Buju and was released in 1995 on Loose Canon Records. Many regard the album as the turning point for Buju’s international breakout and also signaled his seriousness towards the Rastafarian faith which the artiste practices.


The album was certified Gold by the RIAA, making it the Blessed artiste’s first Gold certified RIAA award, which was conferred in July 2020 on the 25th anniversary of the album’s release. At the virtual ceremony conferring the Gold certified album, Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO of RIAA, noted that it’s “becoming increasingly difficult these days to earn a gold record.” He added that it is also “incredibly significant that Til Shiloh is THE only RIAA gold certified roots reggae album,” which is a significant achievement for any artiste in the genre to accomplish.

Originally regarded as a rude boy, favourite songs on the album- Til I’m laid to rest, and Untold Stories were viewed as the transition from his rude boy persona to a roots-oriented fashion and persona. The album hit the U.S Billboard 200 at number 148 and the U.S Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums at number 27th. It reached the #2 spot on the U.S Top Reggae Albums chart.

The Plaque ceremony for the album was held this year in July, but it seems that the artist is only now receiving his plaque. Buju Banton continues to set the trend with his many plaques and accolades for his work. The artiste recently returned from spending time in jail in the United States for drug trafficking.

However, his past has not hindered him as the artiste has released a new album and many hit singles since his return to Jamaica.
 
Sean Paul Announces New Project “Swiss Cheese Riddim” On December 4


Sean Paul got a new project coming next month.

Sean Paul’s latest project is one to look out for as the new riddim features some of the hottest names in dancehall, including international artiste Shaggy, Gyptian, and Christopher Martin. At a time when artistes are limited from performing before live audiences in Jamaica due to Covid-19 restrictions and very few touring opportunities existing mainly in the United States, many are turning to producing music as they wait out the standstill in the local and global economy.

This isn’t stopping major talents like Sean Paul from collaborating on new songs. Most of his works are always a hit and a teaser on this new riddim sounds like it’s going to bring the cheese from its streaming target.

Swiss Cheese Riddim produced by Sean Paul’s label Dutty Rock Productions, is due for release on December 4, 2020 with seven (7) tracks. The project features Sean Paul’s song “Make The Ting Tense.”

A preview promoting the album posted by Sean Paul has teasers from each of the songs but the catchiest of the lot might be Ding Dong’s Doin It Big with its bouncy riddim and no doubt new dance which has not been previewed by the dancer turn artiste as yet. The full songs are not available as yet but the riddim is available for pre-sale on all major platforms.

Ding Dong commenting on the teaser, said, “chap dem mi G.” Chi Ching Ching reposting the teaser, said, “me have banger on this one name #hotlikepeppaseed.”

Fans, on the other hand, seem to be attuned to the new riddim, with many commenting on their expectations and also complimenting the teaser with ‘fire’ emojis.

Swiss Cheese Riddim tracklist

1. Sean Paul – “Make The Ting Tense”
2. Agent Sasco – “Swiss Cheese n Cheddar”
3. Christopher Martin – “Smiling is Ez”
4. Sizzla – “A Better Way out”
5. Shaggy feat Gytian – “We can do this”
6. Ding Dong – “Doin it Big”
7. Ch Ching Ching – “Hot like Pepperseed”
 
DPP Responds To Vybz Kartel’s Attorneys Requesting Access To Phone Evidence


Vybz Kartel’s lawyer seems to be treading on dangerous ground as the artiste awaits his appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. In 2014, Kartel was sentenced to 35 years to life for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams.

One of his Attorneys – Isat Buchanan reportedly made statements to online news site Loop Jamaica that his team was moving to gain access to the entertainer’s phone that has been admitted as evidence in his trial, but that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution was not being cooperative.

His comments, “the DPP is being very dodgy and shady, and very deliberate in their action to continue to violate the constitutional rights of Adidja Palmer, Vybz Kartel’s government name. Despite the attempts of myself and the Queen’s Counsel, we have been unable to get access to the cell phone, which we believe has evidence of tampering.”

He also accused the DPP of being “authors of delay.”

The DPP headed by Paula Llewellyn, CD, QC, has taken umbrage at the accusations, particularly because the allegations by the attorney have been a ground of appeal against the sentence, which was rejected by the court. Further, the same grounds were raised in the application for leave to appeal to the Privy Council, and that too was struck out by the Court of Appeal.


This means that Kartel’s lawyers won’t be able to rely on that ground at the Privy Council.

The cellphones in question were exhibits in Kartel’s trial. Various text messages and recordings from it were used by the prosecution to convince the jury that Kartel was guilty in the murder of Williams, although no body was found.

During the trial, allegations of tampering came up regarding the cellphone but the trial was allowed to continue. Kartel’s dramatic trial also had an incident of jury bribery where one of the jurors, being corrupted, offered to buy out other jurors for a not guilty verdict for Kartel. His efforts, however, failed.

The accusations by Kartel’s Attorney Buchanan has grave implications for not only the aspersions cast on the legal profession via the canons as they are known or the codes of conduct that govern the behavior of Attorneys-at-law on the island but also himself. He can be disciplined or suspended for maligning the other attorneys.

It also negatively reflects on the wavering public confidence in the justice system, and although the courts have not found favor with the argument by Kartel’s legal team, the court of public opinion is impacted, which can form a negative opinion of the court system and the prosecutors.

In particular, an allegation that the office of the DPP (which has 57 prosecutors) is guilty of misconduct raises serious concerns. The DPP says the claims put the security of DPP staff at risk.

The DPP says that it has never objected to access to the phones and has documented emails that the parties agree that an expert for the defense will travel to Jamaica to examine the phones in the presence of the expert for the prosecution. This agreement was made prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The DPP went on to say that the Queen’s Counsel representing Mr. Palmer at the Privy Council had written to say that for Covid reasons, he has declined to travel to Jamaica but instead offered that the exhibits be sent to him in the United States for his exam. However, the DPP said it rejected this suggestion as they weren’t “comfortable with the exhibits leaving Jamaica.”

The DPP further said they do not have custody of the phones as these are lodged with the Supreme Court until an appeal is ended. Hence, they are not the authors of delay as suggested by the attorney in question.

They intend to raise the concerns regarding the Attorney’s behavior at the “appropriate for a,” possibly to have the Attorney disciplined if he is found to be in breach of the Canons of Professional conduct / Legal Profession Act.
 
Rygin King Announces New “Dancehall Trap” Album 5 Months After Being Shot


Rygin King appears to be fully back to working as he announced his new album is coming.

The young dancehall star is probably not going to gain a lot of friends following his latest announcement that he will be releasing some trap dancehall soon. The emerging sub-section of dancehall has been heavily criticized by many veterans in the game within recent times.

Rygin King, most known for his track “Tuff,” doesn’t seem to mind that though, as he confirmed, earlier this year, that his next album will be called “Dancehall Trap.” Fans weren’t sure if the deejay would still release the album because of the fact that he was shot in March.

The popular deejay was shot and injured after his convoy stopped following an unrelated accident in Westmoreland. Urban Islandz reported that Rygin King was traveling in a convoy in Bethel Town when one of the cars was involved in a collision. While he and his crews were attending to the vehicle, a car drove up, and a gunman shot at the bystanders, which included Rygin King.


Following the shooting, he was rushed to emergency surgery at the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital. His companion Sashalee Blackwood of Irwin Meadows in St James died following the incident after she was shot as well. He’s since made a full recovery. Many believed he wouldn’t follow through with an album, but earlier this week, he posted a picture of himself on Instagram and said, “Album picture.” The post has been liked over 40,000 times already.

From reports, the entire album is not trap dancehall and has some regular features. It will be heavy on the side of trap though, because he’s now become known as the “Trap King.”

His fans were supportive of the announcement. One fan said, “One and only king,” while another added, “Grammy Awards,” and another one said.
 
Reggae Icon Dennis Brown To Be Honored At Reggae Sunsplash


Dennis Brown will be fittingly honored at this year’s Reggae Sunsplash live stream event.

Reggae Sunsplash is an event that reggae lovers around the world are looking forward to. They have featured some of the hottest acts over the years and also try to honour the pioneers who helped to build the genre. This year, returning from a 14-year hiatus, it seems the organisers of the event, will be honouring the great Dennis Brown. The show will be held virtually this weekend.

They posted the news on Twitter, “We are honored to recognize the Crown Prince of Reggae – Dennis Emmanuel Brown CD on night 1 of the return staging of Reggae Sunsplash. (Friday November 27, 2020). Watch LIVE on the Reggae Sunsplash YouTube page.”

From the looks of it the ‘Crown Prince of Reggae’, will be honoured on the first night of the event. Dennis Brown has a remarkable career and began singing in the 1960s at just 11-years-old. He recorded more than 75 albums before his death in July 1999. He is considered one of the all-time stars of lovers rock. He got his popular title ‘The Crown Prince of Reggae’ from Bob Marley after the latter revealed how much he enjoyed his music. Brown’s first professional appearance came at the age of eleven at a local West Kingston Nightclub.


Reggae Sunsplash will feature some of the hottest names in Dancehall this year including Capleton, Romain Virgo, Dexta Daps and Tanya Stephens. The virtual show starts on Friday, November 27, and goes until Saturday, November 28. For those who want to take it in, it will be streamed live on YouTube, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Reggae Sunsplash was first staged in 1978 in the northern part of Jamaica. By 1985 it had expanded and included an international touring festival. The festival ran every year until 1996, with a final event in 1998. In 2006 it was revived and is now recognised as one of Jamaica’s biggest reggae festival.
 
Trap dancehall ?
Damn, I really getting old. Def some new shit right there. I’ll give it a listen if it sound good
 
Majah Hype Reveals His Hospitalization Was Due To Mild Heart Attack


Many fans thought that Majah Hype, the Caribbean comedian, was hospitalized because of the coronavirus, but it turns out he actually suffered a mild heart attack. Earlier this week, Hype shared with fans that he had been hospitalized in Atlanta following an illness.

At first, he didn’t reveal what the illness was, so many fans assumed he had been struck with the deadly virus. Majah Hype kept his fans updated through Instagram and once again used the social media site to reveal what happened to him and to warn others to look out for the signs of heart distress. The comedian asked fans to pray for him while sharing a photo of himself in the hospital.

He used Instagram Live to get his appeal out. He confirmed that he had a mild heart attack and urged his fans to ensure that they take care of their health.

He explained the situation that led to the hospitalization.

“I was in the house, and I started throwing up in the kitchen and when I got up from throwing up I felt dizzy and passed out,” he said. In what must have been a concerning and scary situation for his children, he said they contacted the emergency services and requested an ambulance.


Majah Hype revealed that his kids called the ambulance and when paramedics arrived, they did an EKG and found his heart beating irregular. That’s when the decision was made to take him to the hospital.

He also shared about the ride to the hospital a conversation he had with someone asking him about his heath and he alluded to stress as the cause. “I was just telling him that I have just been stressing over a lot of things,” he said.

He added that he felt like a lot of things hadn’t been going his way, and this increased his stress levels. Hype asked those viewing the Live to try as best as they could to stop stressing. He added that stressing over a situation was simply not worth it.

“If something is stressing you out, remove it from your life. I don’t care if it’s a car, I don’t care if its a high rent bill,” he said. He also gave thanks for being alive following his harrowing ordeal, “To be here right now ad still be able to talk to you guys and still have good energy.”
 
orrr, seen seen. i heard about the squash fella. didn't realize that type of sound is considered trap dancehall. yeah you right, that is the new movement. this one here:

 
Bounty Killer Speak On Artistes Like D’Angel Launching OnlyFans



Don’t expect Bounty Killer to launch an OnlyFans.

The legendary artiste respected for his seniority in the dancehall fraternity is reacting to the latest sensation OnlyFans, which many dancehall artistes have taken to earn money from fans who are willing to pay extra for favors to see and view the artistes in their private life.

Among the latest people in dancehall to join OnlyFans are D’Angel and Ishawna, who are hoping that their fan’s interest in them will help them to rake in big bucks. The platform has been used by women as they sell favors such as naked photos or videos, worn underwear, and even fetish favors like photos of their feet or other body parts and sexy conversations.

Celebrities like Blac Chyna have been making millions from the platform monthly, which inspires the local artistes.


However, the Killer is of the opinion that Only Fans used for that purpose is akin to porn and warns that pride and dignity in oneself is important.

When asked what he thought of artistes using modern ways to promote themselves, he said it was ok to use social media to an extent “social media create all these platforms and everybody tek on to it. What is Only Fans and what dem pan it?” Killer asked. It seems that he didn’t know about it.

When Spice says the artiste takes off their clothing to share with fans, the Bounty Killer sounded surprised, asking, “the fans want see people naked? So I don’t understand? So mi can make a Only Pan-Only Fans and show yuh mi clothes from 93’ and make a museum and show you wha mi wear?…the fans don’t want to hear music again, they don’t want to see your talent? They wana see you naked? That’s a porn business and that’s not good. So if a naked thing the fans interested in then porn, a nasty fans and nasty people dat.”

He added that he is the leader of the fans, “Alright be careful of the type a fans yuh have. wi nuh follow fans, because the fans nuh have the right objective,” he cautioned other artistes who are led by fans and later have to face undesirable consequences, “artiste once twice a person, yuh na be artiste for the rest a yuh life, yuh affi go live back with you. Mi affi live with Bounty after Rodney…Rodney is the man, Bounty is the job, so the job can’t mash up the man.”
 
Bounty Killer Opens Up About Being Hurt When D’Angel Left Him For Beenie Man


Bounty Killer says he was deeply hurt when D’Angel left him to be with his arch rival at the time, Beenie Man.

While sitting down with Spice on her weekly talk show Spice it Up, the Poor People Governor shared a side of himself many have never seen. Bounty Killer explains that while he is a rude boy in dancehall, he is still a human who feels the same pains as others when it comes to love and disappointments in relationships.

One such instance was the hurt he felt over D’Angel’s betrayal.

“Even with whatever relationship with D’Angel and Beenie, people never know that did hurt me. Mi never cry tears. Mi did deh with a woman for deven (7) years and she get up and deh wid u arch rival, it must hurt yuh. It did hurt Bounty but Bounty didn’t cry no tears but Bounty did ‘hurt mi nuh robot, me a human being,” the Artiste emotionally said. He added though he never let it “conquer him or made him broke down but it made him vex.”


Bounty Killer added that even though he was a rude boy, it didn’t change that he was capable of being romantic and loving.

“Badman have fi dem way of making love. Might not be that traditional type of love but we have our bad boy rude boy way of showing tenderness and compassion. You have to do that to really connect with the female gender.”

Killer says he is not the type to chase after women who do not like him in return.

In statements made last year, D’Angel said that the relationship with Bounty Killer deteriorated as he didn’t support her deejay career. He didn’t want his woman in the grimy male-dominated dancehall space.
 
Petition to have Toots Hibbert inducted in The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Gaining Traction


The reggae fraternity has a lot to mourn this year with the passing of several veterans. One of the most notable to pass on this year was Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals. Since his passing, fans have been calling for his contribution to be properly honored. The band has been nominated for Best Reggae Album at the Grammy’s for their latest work, “Got to be Tough.”

One such accolade that has been sought after is for him to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The initiative is being pioneered by reggae historian Roger Steffens and Mike Pawka of niceup.com. They’ve revealed that so far, the petition has achieved 3,600 of the 5,000 signatures sought.

Steffens spoke with the Jamaica Observer about the initiative and what they hope to accomplish. He said that once 5,000 or more signatures are achieved, they will approach the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. They are the administrators who consider who qualifies for induction.

If the bid is successful, Toots Hibbert, who died in September, will become just the third reggae artiste inducted into the archive. Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff are the other two who were placed in 1994 and 2010, respectively.

Steffens added that he believed Toots has a good chance of being given the prestigious title, “There are several people [out] there now who are quite sympathetic to our cause, and given the strength of his final release, just nominated for the Reggae Grammy, I think we have a very good chance that he will be inducted next year,” he said. The new inductees for 2021 are expected to be chosen next April. Steffens added that Toots’ longevity and diverse catalogue, are reasons enough for him to join the elite acts of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.
 
Beenie Man Announced His Upcoming Album “Simma” Is Delayed



Beenie Man push back is forthcoming album as he continues to go through some unfortunate developments in his personal life.

Beenie Man has no intention of rushing his next album and has revealed that he will only release it when he feels he is mentally and emotionally ready. The “Girls Dem Sugar” deejay has faced significant loss this year with the passing of his mother.

They shared a very close relationship, and the deejay was shaken up after her death in September. His mother, Lilieth Sewell, suffered a stroke in July and passed away in September at the age of 63. Beenie Man was so overcome with emotion at her funeral that he momentarily lost consciousness.


This may have affected his work ethic, leading to the announcement that his SIMMA album will take longer than he first anticipated. He did not give any potential release date. However, it was supposed to drop around his birthday next August.

Following the tragic loss, Beenie Man took a break from Instagram. When he returned, he said he would release the album soon, but that has since changed. Even though the album is delayed, he gave the assurance that he is still up to performing.

Yesterday he posted an update on his Instagram. He said, “SIMMA #TheAlbum. Blessings my fans, mi see the messages, the emails, the questions and the calls! We had to push back the album release due to all the personal unexpected challenges. You know I give you my best at all times and I wanted to ensure I was in the best space mentally & emotionally before I dropped the album. LIKE I SAID THOUGH, BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL.”
 
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