It is a match made in heaven

By: Jigga Mattic
Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Zumjay got hitched to his high school sweetheart, Aviesha in a small intimate ceremony involving family and friends yesterday at a cathedral in Manhattan, New York in the United States.

"We tied the knot at about 1 p.m.yesterday. It was a small ceremony, just close friends, my bredrin Cassette Jones was there as the witness, my deejay bredrin Ice from New York, and also, a couple of the bride's friends, Adanna Thomas and Sean O'Connor. 'Lenky' Marsden, my producer, friend and manager was there was well; he was the best man," Zumjay told YardFlex.com.

The couple met 10 years ago, while both were attending Hydel High school. After graduating, Zumjay entered the music business while Aviesha attended Cornell University where she majored in Economics, Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Zumjay popped the question on October 29th, two days after his 'Red Carpet' dance in Jamaica. The two had got recacquainted with each other a few years ago when they hooked up over the Internet.

...when we met again, the world stood still and it was all about me and her, we knew we had to tie the knot," he told YardFlex.com.

"I knew it, no one made me feel the way she made me love, it is a match made in heaven, I have never loved any other girl in my life. She is the only girl I have ever loved, I was fascinated, I liked other girls but I was never in love with any other girl. She is the one," he said.

Gospel music's new recording artist, Angela V. Gordon-Kelly, (Stage name: AngelinZion) has been creating a sensation with her debut release album "What God wants you to know". Her annointed, refreshing, dynamic and inspiring music places her among the elite gospel performers of today.

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica; AngelinZion has loved singing from the very early years. Some notable accomplishments includes singing at the 'Prudential Insurance Academy of Honor' in Toronto Canada; singing on two albums with 'Andy Miller & The New Horizon Singers - Touching You & Onwards'; and being the founder and leader of the acappella quartet group "Praisers with a purpose".

It is the hope of AngelinZion that you will be blessed by this ministry as she moves forward with the mission of reaching the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

By: Janice Dayle

The Global Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS (GNP+) elected Deloris Dockrey as Chairperson of their Board of Directors at an August 2006 annual general meeting held in Toronto. "Never before has a woman or a member who originates from the developing world been elected to lead this group," Dockrey explained while gearing up to face a term of successes and inevitable challenges. Her election occurred prior to repeated calls during the recent International AIDS Conference - that signalled a need for more women leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS - the unprecedented global challenge that puts everyone, but particularly women, in overwhelmingly vulnerable positions.

Hailing from St Elizabeth, Jamaica, Dockrey, 46, is no stranger to pioneering roles, as she is a founding member of the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS North America (GNP+NA), and has been working in AIDS since 1999.

Residing in the United States since 1987, Dockrey speaks candidly about her experiences and is absolutely dedicated to not only facilitating HIV/AIDS awareness within global communities, but also more specifically to addressing the unique and sometimes oppressive or complicated situations that face people living with HIV/AIDS in their everyday lives. Dockrey described the GNP+ mandate as being, a mission to improve the quality of lives of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) by adopting the global advocacy agenda that focuses on access to treatment and care, issues of stigma and discrimination and the greater involvement of PLWHA (GIPA) - in the decisions that affect their lives.

Citing a return to normalcy as the dream of every PLWHA, Dockrey recounted the devastating affects of her own HIV diagnosis in 1994, which included dire trepidation of disclosure, not only to family members, but also within her professional community. Armed with a Masters Degree in Public Health, Dockrey quickly realised her unique position and made the decision to put a positive spin on what seemed to be a world of disillusion, condescension and often mayhem for PLWHA.

To date, Dockrey's long list of achievements in the HIV/AIDS struggle, includes being the Executive Director of Newark Ryan White Planning Council and she was recently selected to represent GNP+ and the International Community of Women living with HIV/AIDS (ICW) on the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) Global Steering Committee. The WAC steering committee is the driving force behind the annual internationally recognised World AIDS Day.

As she takes hold of the massive reins that steer GNP+, Dockrey is undaunted by the task at hand. "We need to galvanize the network, becoming a professional voice in prevention, treatment and care," she stated. With a commitment to evidence based policy approaches, Dockrey is eager to continue moving GNP+ forward as a network rooted in communities of PLWHA from around the world.

In mirroring GNP+, its 6 regional networks - CRN+ (Caribbean region), APN+ (Asia Pacific region), GNP+NA (North American region), GNP+Europe (European region), NAP+ (African region) and REDLa+ (Latin American region) achieve their goals by lobbying, linking and sharing. Lobbying for inclusion of PLWHA and their interests, linking PLWHA through diverse local, regional and global communications strategies and sharing knowledge with capacity building efforts at all levels.

For more information go to: www.gnpplus.net

By Melton Williams

With less than 100 days to go before the start of the biggest sporting event in the Caribbean and the third largest sporting event - the ICC Cricket World Cup, Jamaica's preparation is progressing smoothly.

This was revealed by Robert Bryan, executive director of Jamaica Local Organizing Committee at a press briefing at Jampro's training room.

The World Cup will be played in eight territories in the region, each receiving different packages. Jamaica was granted the Yellow Package and will host the Opening Ceremony, one semi-final game and six first round matches. The seven games in Jamaica will be played at Sabina Park. All territories must be ready for handing over to the ICC Cricket World Cup, three weeks before the start of the event.
Jamaica was mandated to construct and refurbish two stadiums and following a recent ICC Venue Tour, the island was giving passing grades.

Bryan said 'this obviously was confirmed by the comments and assessment of the CWC and ICC tour officials. We however are very mindful that with less than 100 days before the start of the events here in Jamaica there is still a lot to be done. We must avoid complacency and stay focused on the job at hand. There is absolutely no doubt that our stadiums will be completed on time for handing over to the ICC CWC 21 days before the start of the event."

Bryan also said that the LOC has cemented agreement with other critical sites for the venue operation at Sabina Park. These include Emmett Park, the Holy Trinity School grounds and the lands to locate the search park on South Camp Road. He noted that the LOC should take possession of Emmett Park from December 1.

The other areas of preparation are also progressing at a good pace according to Bryan. The Volunteer Programme has received over 2000 applications; the Sunset Legislation was passed thereby establishing the legal framework for the hosting of the event, the Transportation Plan is being finalised, having received assistance from the United States Department of Transport. This was arranged by the assistance of the USAID office here in Jamaica.

He also noted that the Park and Ride locations have been secured with the exception of the National Heroes' Park. A medical master plan has been developed and approved by the ICC.

Bryan said "We are still trying to negotiate an affordable fee with the National Solid Waste Management Authority. The LOC is presently out to tender for the supply of the required transport services."
Bryan further noted that the ICC CWC 2007 needs to be marketed and promoted internationally more aggressively than now appears to be the case.

He said "for our part here in Jamaica and within that context we have developed in association with the Jamaica Tourist Board an extensive programme.

"This programme focuses on three areas - firstly, the normal destination marketing of the board which successful bring two million tourists per year to Jamaica; secondly, on opening new market opportunities arising from Cricket World Cup, Ireland and India and thirdly, the Jamaican Diaspora.

He said that the LOC feels that Jamaican Diaspora needs to also take ownership of the event and as an integral part of the host nation see it as their responsibility to come home and help Jamaica host the event in the best possible way.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

Week Ending December 1st, 2006
TW LW WOC Artiste Name - Song Title - Record Label

01 02 09 Mr. Vegas – Hot Wuk - In The Streets - 1wk@ #1

02 03 11 J.Gong/S.Marely/Buju - Traffic Jam- Ghetto Youths - (Shot
ToWatch)

03 01 16 I Wayne - Life Seeds - Loyal Soldiers- 1 wk @#1

04 04 12 Sean Paul/Keysha Cole - Give It Up To Me –Atlantic/VP

05 05 23 Tanya Stephens - These Streets - Tarantula - 5wks@#1

06 06 08 Movado - Mine How You Dis - Yellow Moon

07 10 06 Turbulence - Silly Girl - Tads Records -

08 07 12 Capleton–Fourty Sup'em–Blaque Warriaz/Trendsette-Peak@#3

09 11 05 Chuck Fenda/Cherine–Coming Over Tonight – Berchill

10 09 09 Elephant Man - Ready Fi The Video-Natural Bridge-Peak@#9

11 16 02 Buju Banton - Driver - Taxi - Greatest Gainer

12 13 04 Elephant Man - Hot Love - Stainless Records

13 15 04 Morgan Heritage - Brooklyn & Jamaica - Juke Box

14 08 17 Tony Matterhorn - Goodas Fi Dem - Natural Bridge - 3wks@1

15 12 15 Cham - Rude Boy Pledge - Mad House-Peak @ #6

16 14 26 Da'Ville - On My Mind-Fashozy - 5 wks @ # 1

17 17 21 QQ - Stukie - Super Love - Peak @ # 5

18 New 01 Da'Ville - This Time I Promise - Fashozy

19 18 23 Richie Spice - Brown Shine - Don Colleon - Peak @ #2

20 29 22 Beenie Man - Swing it Weh - Hands and Heart – Peak @ #7

Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

Ras Ptah a.k.a Gala P is very concerned about the violent content of dancehall music today.

"It come in like in dancehall today, if you nah say yu will kill a man, and cut out him heart, yu not getting any respect...yet still the radio ah flood with these bloody songs, ah just killing and violence that is being fed to the people daily, and you can see the effect of that on our children and in the ghettoes," Ras Ptah told YardFlex.com.

Unperturbed by the bias towards 'gangsta music', Ras Ptah has pressed along with his cultural agenda of peace and love, throwing in a couple of 'party songs' as well.

"I have a new party song, 'Shake Baby Shake' which mash up Asylum Girls Night this week. The streets love it, even mi friend Colin Roach call me from foreign fi hail me up, people ah respond to me on the road, me ah get mad love from the artiste, even Elephant Man hail me, the thing ah soak in to the people, ah just mad love. Right now, mi feel 'Tell Everybody' ah the real reality tune fi the people dem, the amount of people who call me 'bout that song, it is unbelievable. Me ah go tek it to dem fi the Christmas," he said.

He will be performing at Mavado's Birthday Splash at Arizon Inn, and on Sunday, Stone Love Anniversary.

KILLA DISS SONG ON AFTER DARK?

Yo, mi hear the tune weh people ah kill demself ova say Kartel and Idonia diss the Killa, and nutten no go so. The song de pon the Afta Dark riddim, and all Idonia ah say is that 'Addi ah him daddy and him no care who vex' and the other line 'mi nuh haffi wear full black fi bad, mi inna all white'. Tell me people, that ah diss the Killa? Wah yu tink? Mi hear say the Kartel song name 'Bad Man No Throw Word Part Twice' and him ah spit some wicked lyrics. Mi no know, people, all these things!

WHO THE YUTE WEH WATER BOOT BOX DOWN AH NY

The whole ah Brooklyn ah talk 'bout da one ya. Dancer-turned-selector Water Boot get big since him box down Noah from Afrique, eh? Even Buju ah put Water Boot name inna song now 'cause mi hear ah clash song wid Blunt Posse wha day ya. It voice inna Driva aerial and it say: 'wha the yute name weh Water Boot box down?' Heh-heh! The place mash up when dem draw it inna the dance. Noah coulden even play afterwards, ah Killa Boo haffi play instead. Him just get crush like a roach. How that happen though? Water Boot is just a fat boy who is a dancer. Noah small inna body, but him used to roll deep wid some thugs, and everybody used to fraiad him but now him style cramp, everybody tek him fi punk now. A nobody beat up somebody, lawd mi body! Mi belly ah cramp me. Gwaan Water Boot, yu ratings large!

Downsound Shines at Aquasol Beach Park in Mobay

Yo, the rehearsals dem a work fi the Downsound team. Dem no stop mash up various stage show across Jamaica. Over the weekend, dem touch the Aquasol stage inna the peak hours with a big introduction from Nuffy. Hear him 'bout 'big up the white man, him buss Fantan, and him believe inna young act' and then Lion Cub step out first, and say 'Sika Sitten', and the beach lift up. The people just rail up and ah bawl out 'Sika, Sika'. Then Lion do the dancing bobo ting, and the place lif up again. Afta him do 'Sika Sitten', the crowd give him a big response, and then him change gears and show dem a new side wid 'Thank Y ou Jah'. Him big up Elise Kelly and den him deliver it a capella. Lion ting sort out, him have the dancehall and the one-drop weak. But ah Nanko ah the girls dem pet. As him come out pon the stage, the girls dem start scream, and even before him coulda do 'Lucky You', the girls dem start sing it word-fi-word. Then after him do the dancehall ‘Step Up Inna the Club' song, the people start bawl out fi the 'Loco Amore', and him do piece and lef' leaving dem fi want more. -- Downsound ting sell off.

THE PEOPLE WANNA KNOW

How Mr. G just start go hard so? Him song pon Sly and Robbie 'Taxi' riddim ah tek the dance dem hard.

Who else hot? K.C Jockey. Billboard move gone to Constant Spring in front of Merl Grove. Him 'Fling Whine' song ah get play in the streets, Stampede ah work pon the ting.

How Dadda so hype and him no have no hit tune yet? When mi de ah Aquasol over the weekend, mi see 'bout 30 man come wid him, some even have banner and dem ting de. Mi hear people ah say him fi go on before QQ 'cause ah Dadda town and dem fraida the counteraction, but people it nuh get fi work because police come lock off the stage show.

Who really ah represent Macka Tree? Fantan or is Galaxy P. People ah talk 'bout it.

Why Wong and Gyptian stop deal?

How so much hot South Florida girl inna the 'Traffic Blocking' video with the Marleys dem?

BIG UPS

Bad and Ready Karen, mi see yu picture pon www.badh.net Tracy Champion, yu look good, and yu madda, Satta hot like 21 pepper seed, yu caan tell say she have seven pickney. Dyema, yu large, the whole ah Mobay love yu. Big up deejay Erasto who was the ZIP 103 FM artiste of the week, including the world-renowned Baby Ace Radio station with DJ SKS. Respect to Donsome Records, yu large. Big up Rage from Mobay.

DEADBEAT NIGGAZ HAVE GOT TO GO

This one's for you Luv. Yes, Luv. You me a talk! Yu tek me car, mi expensive jewellery and yu nah return it. Mi no care if dem waan call me Ms. Tekky Back, mi no cater, mi nah mind no wuckless man. How yu a buy yu woman new Infinity and yu nah handle yu responsibility dem? You were there for me when I was in hell, but now, nothing is swell, 'cause you're a goddamn bastard. Mi no know how on hell I thought you were a REAL man, and you dress like you're stuck in the goddamn 70s, get up to the time with your s__t and yo' b*tch. You need to tell your Infinity b*tch that you are a negligent, trifling man. Expect a summons, expect a call...as a matter of fact, expect any-bl&&&--ting, but something coming. Mi sorry mi used to sneak out and give yu it pon the side 'cause when I check it out, you were never really worth my time.

Step up and be a real man and face your responsibilities, and by the way, mi know weh yu gal live, mi have yu full file and address, remember, I am just being respectful, doan play yourself around this b*tch!

I really thought you were a friend, but you're an enemy of mine, when I look in your left eye, all I see is hatred. Imagine, the yute dem ah go hungry and yu a buy gal Infinity, yes, people, US$30,000 plus Infinity, and my money no forward yet. Wha do diss dutty bwoy? Yu need fi go back ah Plum Valley wid dat de behaviour de. If yu nuh wise up, mi ah go post yu picture pon dontdatethisdeadbeatnigga.com. Oh, and mi waan back mi tings dem. The jewellery. The car. And the title fi the next car. Memba!

By: Janice Dayle
Photo by: Dreamy Riley

Reggae icons Third World and Dean Fraser had crowds in a frenzy on November 26 at the City of Miami production - Jazz on the Bay Brunch. Joined by the equally celebrated and outstanding Winston "Merritone" Blake and Earl Grey, these life long hit makers and crowd thrillers afforded organisers and sponsors immense success as they blazed the Peacock Park Coconut Grove with hit after hit.

Pleased with their overwhelming success, Third World Band members expressed their delight at having such longevity in the Reggae music business. "We have just celebrated 33 years in the business and 2006 was the busiest," Bunny Rugs said. Recently back from a European tour that stopped in Australia and Japan, Third World is performing throughout the United States for four weeks. Every weekend they have been taking their electrifying music to different islands - as there is just no slowing down their stimulating sound.

Bunny Rugs spoke in praise of all Reggae musicianship and in making specific reference to modern controversial lyrical content he said, "Different audiences like different things." In his view the business of music hasn't changed over the years, but rather grown to match an ever evolving world of artists, music and fans.

Jazz on The Bay audiences were served an exciting repertoire by Third World that included a tribute to Bob Marley with a few of his hits. Eternal number one Third World songs, "Now that We Found Love" and "Committed" gained tumultuous applause.

"Artist appeal determined our selection for this show," Garfield Price, of Infinite Market stated. Being one of the elated sponsors, Price projects there will be more joint promotions with the City in the future.

Celebrities sighted at the production included, Jamaica Consul General, the Honourable Ricardo Alicock, Shottas star, Paul Campbell and Kenyatta.

By: Janice Dayle

MONTREAL:
With a quarter of season two behind them Reggae And Soca Entertainment TV (RASE TV) media production company in Canada is proud of the evolution of their groundbreaking programming, eloquently called - "In The Zone." Airing this season through Toronto based SUN TV, "In The Zone" is being accessed by a wider cross section of the Canadian audience.

Born from merging the talents of two passionate and gifted Montrealers, Lisa "Lisa J" Joseph and Valentine "Prymtym" Latty, RASE TV opened its doors in 2004 with the release of a DVD and an opening statement that said - "We need to have Caribbean content on mainstream media in Canada, since there is a demand for it," Prymtym explained. The DVD was proof of an existing strong Canadian content in the Caribbean genre. Prymtym described the DVD production as one that demonstrated how a well designed blend of reggae and soca from international, regional and national levels could be presented from a Canadian perspective, enhancing its relevance in Canada.

Both media aces Prymtym and Lisa J, have shared the job of lead show host for the annual Montreal International Reggae Festival and recognized the immense enthusiasm and demand for Caribbean entertainment from audience response to that festival. With all this encouragement "In The Zone" DVDs became a 30 minute television segment that progressed to include "In The Zone" radio program heard on CFMB 1280 AM on Saturdays between 9:00 and 11:00PM.

Season two of "In The Zone" television is a bit different from last year’s season one, with a shift in lead and co-host - as Lydia Patel takes over from Lisa J as lead host and Don Smooth relieves Prymtym who has moved behind the camera. Lisa J is wrapped up in administrative duties as she takes on co-producing the Canadian Reggae Star segment that augments not only "In The Zone" program but the spirit of reggae music in Canada.

Talent searches in Canada have become an artistic tradition, but the brand new Canadian Reggae Star competition, broadcast within the final 15 minutes of each week's "In The Zone" television show - is unique. Hundreds of singers audition from across Canada and judges wind it down to five finalists who will compete for the Reggae Star title. With that title comes prizes that include a recording contract to produce a single with Shocking Vibes of Kingston, Jamaica and the chance to appear on The Montreal International Reggae Festival.

Catch "In The Zone" on Rogers Cable, Rogers Digital, Bell ExpressVu Starchoice and Videotron each Thursday at 11:30pm in Canada.

By: Claude Mills
Photos by: Carlington Wilmot

Reggae songstress Alaine never gets tired of people coming up to her and saying with complete innocence:

"I love your song, yu have any more?".

The song everyone seems so hopelessly enamoured with is the breakout charmer carved in lover's rock oak, 'No Ordinary Love'.

And even though she is an established force in the business, what some artiste might have misinterpreted as a 'complisult' (compliment and insult in one) never rubs Alaine the wrong way because the song occupies a special place in her heart as well.

"That song has wings, and I got a lot of promotion from people who have heard and loved that song, I get comments from people who say that song made them fall in love again, and that's an incredible feeling," she told YardFlex.com.

The song charted on the New York Reggae Charts as well as on various Caribbean and Jamaican charts, and the music video has also quickly become a favorite among viewers and was the number one requested video for five straight weeks on one of Jamaica's largest video request shows called the E-Strip.

"The video also got play on MTV Tempo, and was one of their top ten most requested songs, and that has given the song more wings because people in the Caribbean are hearing the song and seeing me," Alaine said.

Alaine pauses here as Razz, the selector from the dynamic duo, Razz and Biggy, enters the Red Hills Road studio. As he squeezes past her, she reaches out a demure hand and rubs his belly in sisterly sort of way. We're not sure if he misinterprets the gesture, but he giggles like a schoolboy intoxicated by the first blush of love.

But it is easy to understand Razz's reaction. The American born, Jamaican-raised Alaine is a 5'8 stunner. To spend a few minutes with her is to be captivated. Being in the corona of her presence could inspire you to quote Shakespeare....the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars (Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II). It is easy to be impressed by her intellect, her authenticity and to be blown away by the steely ambition and passionate drive beneath those soft curves and bedroom eyes.

She spoke to us about her decidedly Jamaican 'out of many, one people' origin.

"My father is a mix-up black man from St. Elizabeth who looks like Haile Selassie" while my mother is a mix-up Jamaican black woman. My great-grandfather was Jewish, and probably that's why I don't eat pork, just bacon," she said, smiling.

However, it is her drive and ambition which defines her. After all, how many persons do you know who would quit a high-paying job after securing a coveted promotion merely because this turn of good luck would take them away from their one true love?

Alaine did.

After graduating from the University of the West Indies, Alaine moved to New York in 1999 where she juggled working in an Investment Bank (JPMorgan) while pursuing her songwriting career. Her efforts resulted in her songs being recorded by artists signed to major record labels such as Bad Boy and Jay records. She also worked with artistes from the Philippines such as Rachel Alejandro as well as Lynden David Hall of England. Alaine has also sung hooks for Roc-A-Fella Recording artist Cam'Ron in the songs 'Live My Life' from the album 'Come Home With Me’(Roc-A-Fella 2002), and Yeo from 'Music Inspired by Scarface' (Def Jam, 2003).

"It was rough, I would work from 7:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m., and then I was in the studio from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., I got no sleep for almost one-and-a-half years. And then I got promoted again, and I realized I would have to start traveling to represent the bank, and I would have no time for music. So I quit my job with its security and retirement plan and moved back home," she said.

BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Since returning to Jamaica in July of 2004 Alaine has worked with some of the island's top producers including the internationally acclaimed Sly Dunbar, Donovan Don Corleon' Bennett, Arif Coper, Leftside and Esco, Daseca, and Mikey Bennett.

In an industry gone rancid from stale samples and stagnant beats, many critics regard her as a breath of fresh air who pushes the genre's soulful horizon with her candy cane harmonies, and pastel piano textures.

"At Sumfest 2006, I was able to show that I am a musician as I played the keyboard, and people were very receptive to that. I had rearranged 'No Ordinary Love', got three background singers, and created a R & B vibe with a piano intro. The beginning was slow and moody, the second verse was a one-drop and then I slowed it up and brought it back down. The crowd loved it," she gushed.

Alaine is an accomplished musician in her own right, having studied classical piano for four years. As a child, she secured roles in numerous Jamaican television programmes and commercials, radio jingles, and theatrical productions. Industry insiders remember her as the one who sang the jingle for the super-popular Victoria Mutual Building Society television commercial in the early 1990s.

This overachiever had by the age nine, been a Red Cross Ambassador, performed in several cabaret shows and national events, hosted a popular children's television show, and landed herself a role in the movie Clara's Heart starring Whoopi Goldberg.

But despite her accomplishments, she is no primadonna.

"I am a work in progress, I just feel that Jamaican and Caribbean people are talented yet they are under-appreciated, and a lot don't get the opportunity to do what they want to do. I want to eventually help other people with similar ambitions to fulfil their ambitions and work hard at what they want to achieve," she said.

Alaine manages herself, but her booking is handled by Headline Entertainment.

She is now collating the singles for her debut album.

"I have a lot of singles, several of them are unreleased, and there are a lot of sides to me, reggae, R & B, neo-soul influences, but at the same time, I am not going to be all over the place with my material," she said.

She writes and arranges all her vocals, which sparkle with her R&B/hip hop influences, and the buzz on her on the street and in the industry is incredible

"It's good that people are talking, that means I'm relevant. At the same time, I appreciate the positive vibes, and happy to be recognized. People embrace me on the road, and I am just havin' a great time," she said.

"I feel God is directing my life, I step out in faith a lot, and if you do that, and trust in Him, you can't go wrong. It is now the time for singers, both male and female, and the risk seems to be paying off and that my career will continue to grow."

By: Claude Mills

To the casual observer, Ms. Triniti may seem like just another pretty face. But this young woman has got soul, wit and class, and through her unique hybrid sound, she is introducing a whole new generation to Caribbean music.

Ms. Triniti who was born to a Trinidadian father, and an American mother, was raised between the UK and the Caribbean and now resides in Los Angeles, California. A seasoned performer, she has recorded with almost every major producer in her genre. She has put the disappointment of having been signed to and released from Sony/Columbia behind her, and continued to plough along to be a frontrunner a new genre of music - 'ragga-hop', which she defines as an outsize melding of West Indian soca, dancehall, US hip hop and R & B. It is a sound that can be expected to bedazzle and befuddle the uninitiated for here is a girl who looks Caucasian but sounds Caribbean black.

"When I do dancehall, they do a little double-take, they don't get it, but the bottomline is that if you believe in your heart in what you're doing, there is no need to convince yourself, Eminem is real, I am real, I don't feel like I am putting up a front, this is me," she told YardFlex.com.

Triniti is not afraid to show her sensitive side, a no-no sometimes in the rough-and-tumble world of dancehall. On her album, you will find her hybrid of cute, sexy dancehall with pop-like chorus hooks almost disarming. Songs like "Uptown Top Rankin" featuring E-Dee and the nostalgic 'Virtual Reality' shows that she's got good pipes, and great versatility. And she never stops working to finetune her sound.

"I have recorded four songs in 10 days in Jamaica, and it has been a good experience so far," she said during a poolside interview at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Jamaica.

During the interview, she would lapse into her pseudo-Jamaican accent. She laughed when we pointed it out to her.

"Sometimes, people ask me why you speaking Jamaican? I use the slang, I speak a little bit of patois, but I do use a bit of Trini slang because I have to rep where I'm from," she said.

Environmentally conscious, she divers a VW which is all at once "energy-efficient, safe because it's got that steel cage, and humble".

Triniti has been steadily gaining recognition for her work. She was 'Itunes Artist of the Week' worldwide during November 2004's downloads. One of her videos, 'Bounce Along' is enjoying favourable rotation on HYPE, while another, 'For the Love of Dancehall' is being broadcast on BET Jazz and MTV Tempo.

She has toured with Ja Rule and Sean Paul, opened for D12, Elephant Man, and Kevin Lyttle. She was recently sought out by Mario Winans after he came across her independently pressed CD.

"Being on the Sean Paul tour was an important thing for my career because I got to play in big stadiums in Japan, and introduce my music to a new crowd who didn't know me. At some of the venues, the crowd knew my music, and they sang along...the energy of the crowd is like a drug, that energy when you connect with the people, it's amazing," she said,

Ms. Trinity has been working on a number of collaborations with Jamaican dancehall artistes. Earlier this year, her song, 'Bling Bling Eyes' with Beenie Man was slated to be on the deejay's recently released 'Undisputed' album.

"However, there was some politics with the producer so it never did. Anyway, I am doing something with Sean, who is now working on his fourth album, so I am looking forward to that experience," she said.

Just Ask Ms Jackson

What's the deal Dear Reader! This one hot off the presses and it ain't no joke neither! Mi fren Shemi call me and gimme dis one (big up to Shemi and the artist for reminding us all that "Love is a beautiful thing!")

So, you all know how college life is...nuff booze, nuff new friends, nuff schoolwork to do. Well, may I present to you our three characters in this story of lust, betrayal and friendship which I have chosen to call...

"Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get IT"

Tekia and Lavely were two young ladies who met on campus while they were both attending UWI, it just so happened that the two friends fancied the same fella, a bright young Arts student named Orin. Orin was quite taken in by Lavely with her dark hair, chocolate complexion and banging body, not to mention the fact that she was hard-working and placed most of her focus on keeping up her grades. So he started dating her and yuh done know how the Yard man dem do it, likkle ice-cream here, likkle movies and Chiney food there. Not too long after Lavely and Orin became a full blown couple.

Now even though Lavely was one of her good sistren, Tekia was not so happy about this situation, no, no this red-eye biatch knew that Orin's true place was between HER thighs, making sweet love to HER, so she decided she wouldn't stop till she got him to that very place. What aided her plan even more was that Lavely wasn't giving Orin the attention he deserved, instead Lavely go-getter that she was, was most consumed with her studies, because she figured that she and Orin were working towards the same goal...you know, graduating top of the class so that they both could get really good jobs that would secure them for their future. But oh lawd here it comes! You know fellas always be intimidated by a woman who has her act together and you know that usually opens the door for needy, trifling women to prey on these men and say stuff like "oh she doesn't have time for you well can I come keep you company". Next ting, Tekia never knew Lavely had it so good, Orin (aw poor lonely baby) gave Tekia some of the most intense orgasms she ever had. Well need I say more? Him lef lovely Lavely for her friend and the two of them all end up marrying each other.

Well I don't think I have to tell you Dear Reader just how distraught Lavely was, betrayed by her friend and her man, she never forgave them for what they did, especially Tekia because that was supposed to have been her girl (or so she thought). Needless to say this whole experience made our Lavely quite a bitter person, yup anytime she would run into Tekia she would gwaan bad, she'd say things like “I wonder who for man she trying to take way now" or "Is that you man-thief? I don't know how you live with yourself". She would say this even when she'd see Tekia with the kids she and Orin had together. It really made for an embarrassing situation more so for Lavely cause all the while Tekia would take the insults in stride, for after all she did have the man, the house and the kids. So if homegirl wanted to act the fool six years after the fact then that was her problem. You snooze you loose kid that's the name of the game!

Fast-forward two years later when big UWI reunion party a keep and the two rivals meet again. By this time Lavely is an investment banker with lots of success and friends but she felt she was missing one thing, the thing that now that her career was in place she yearned for most. Come on, ya'll know what I'm about to say...yup! She wanted her a man and some kids. So, she and Tekia buck and after all these years she can't hold it any longer. The following conversation ensued:

Lavely: "Are you happy that you livin up in yuh big house with your beautiful husband and yuh beautiful pickney dem? I hope you are because all of that was supposed to be mine. Yuh tek weh mi man and yuh tek weh the life that was supposed to be ours. You make me sick"

Now this went on for a while. In front of people and all and yuh done know seh yard people fass so everybody ah wait fi see what Tekia goin say. Then they notice seh Tekia getting a bit nervy till she couldn't tek the talking no more and blurt out:

"If you want him tek back him raas and while you at it yuh can tek the AIDS weh him gi me too!"

Wow....that's gangsta!

This is a true story.

Moral of the story: Lef the people dem man alone! And ladies sometimes you just have to trust in the Almighty, everything happens for a reason. Lavely was killing up herself not realizing that God had allowed her to avoid a life threatening disease. The story also shows just how much we women stick together in tough times, cause same Lavely end up a turn back fren with Tekia to help her through her AIDS crisis and they remain friends till this day. And as for "Whorin Orin" he's just another example of the lame ass negroes we have running around today who want to call themselves men. Men don't give their mates STD's because real men don't cheat and if they do cheat, they ALWAYS think about protecting their partner at home.....LOSERS ya'll aint sh*t and deep down inside you know it. That's why you need a dozen desperate bitches to stroke your egos to help you forget that at the end of the day you aint no king, you just a dumb black mothaf#@$a.

Shout out to Beyonce for giving us the new lady's anthem: "Irreplaceable"!

MS J's FACTS ON HIV/AIDS

* At the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the United States were living with HIV/AIDS, with 24-27% undiagnosed and unaware of their HIV infection.

TAKEN FROM: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm

* The AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 27,000 lives in the Caribbean in 2005, making it the leading cause of death among adults aged 15-44 years. A total of 330,000 people are currently living with HIV in the region, including 27,000 who became infected in 2005. TAKEN FROM: http://www.avert.org/aidslatinamerica.htm
* The AIDS rate among Black women is three times as high as that among Latino women and 18 times as high as that among White women. Today Black women make up more than half of all women who have died of AIDS.

TAKEN FROM: http://www.blackwomenshealth.com/HIV_AIDS.htm

QUESTION:

Dear Ms J

I am with my boyfriend for over eight months now, and every time we have a fuss he tells me he wants back all he has given to me and complains that I haven't done anything for him. He has done this on numerous occasions, and he later apologizes and says he is sorry and didn't mean it. I am getting tired of all this and have decided to leave him, is this the right thing to do?

From NC

MS J SAYS:

Very sorry for just getting back to you girl, it seems your email was misplaced in my spam. I hope all is blessed with you and your family. Anyway getting down to the matter at hand, simply put "YUH NUH FI DEH WID NO MAN THAT WHEN HIM HEAD TEK HIM, WANT BACK TINGS WEH HIM GI YUH!" He is out of order to say that and you must make him aware of this. It may be because he is immature and acting out or maybe him just selfish, only you know the answer to this, either way this type of behavior should not be tolerated. Furthermore, I believe men give us such a hard time in the first place that they need to buy us stuff, so at least we have something to show for all the bullsh*t!

I cannot tell you whether to leave this man or not, you have to weigh the pros and cons of your relationship. All I'm saying is know your worth and know what you're willing to put up with and for heavens sake if you decide to leave him, make sure don’t be fool-fool like my friend who lef the man and gave him back the jewelry he bought her! And always remember "Independence" is key and once you put your mind to it, you can get the things he buys you all on your own. Sky is the limit baby-girl, trust and believe in the Almighty cause yuh done know "who Jah bless no man curse" - Robert Nesta Marley. Jah Rastafari!

Write to me and let me know what's up at justaskmsj@gmail.com. Until next month...positive vibrations!

International recording star Wyclef Jean has joined forces with Billboard-topping producer Rohan 'Sno Cone' Fuller for a new reggae song, 'Emmanuel' on Sno Cone's 'Peace and Love' one-drop rhythm.

"Wyclef was here and he went to look for Mavado and Foota Hype, and while he was there, a friend of mine told him that he knew me, and Clef said 'get him on the phone'. We talked and I went up there to hold a vibe. Afterwards, him come and then he voiced and sent me the vocals to put on 'Peace and Love'. I worked closely with him to get it right, and as always, it was a great experience working with Clef," Sno Cone told YardFlex.com.

The two had had collaborations before on Sno Cone's dancehall rhythms, 'Gallop' and then later on the 'Rice and Peas' (Gangsta Cause, the sequel to Spragga's 'Warrior Cause'). Clef earned his first number one single to date with his collaboration with Shakira on "Hips Don't Lie", a Latin-pop mega hit that covered Wyclef's 2004 song "Dance Like This", which was not released as a single. Shakira assisted in writing and producing of the 2006 remake. The song was released as the second single from Shakira's second English album, Oral Fixation Vol. 2 this year. The single became a global success, topping the charts in many countries, and was also Shakira's first (and to date, only) number-one single in the US.

Kingston, Jamaica: - FLASHPOINT FILM FESTIVAL will not be proceeding with the auction of Peter Tosh's acclaimed Stratocaster M16 guitar as previously announced. A legal claim disputing the current ownership has been communicated to Flashpoint, and in the interests of all concerned, it is impractical to proceed with the auction.

While Flashpoint believes the timing of this dispute is unfortunate, Flashpoint has never asserted ownership of the guitar and is therefore not involved in the dispute.

Flashpoint Film Festival was to facilitate the auction of Peter Tosh's M16 Guitar on behalf of Andrea (Marlene) Brown, the late Tosh's common-law wife. Part proceeds of the auction were to go to The Cedar Valley Home and the rest would fund a new charity being set up by Marlene Brown. This new charity, "Lilly of the Valley" would help underprivileged children and the elderly in Jamaica. The auction was due to be on eBay November 26 - December 3, 2006.

"It is Flashpoint's opinion that the Steppin Razor guitar should stay in Jamaica and be available to the viewing public. We hope that the family can resolve this issue amicably and that Flashpoint will still be able to showcase the guitar at the Festival Dec 1-3." Paul Bucknor of Flashpoint stated.

The 2006 staging of the annual Flashpoint Film Festival is set for Friday, December 1 - Sunday, December 3 at The Caves, Negril. Firefly Films, The Caves, Island Outpost, JAMPRO, Phase 3, DB&G, Rockers Its Dangerous, 120DBF FILMS, Women's Film Network, Palm Pictures, Final Draft, Digital Edge, On Que Productions, JTB, CVM TV and HYPE TV sponsor the festival.

Luciano, Dean Fraser and the Jah Messenjah Band recently performed at 'Reggae Culture Salute 2006' show in New York, USA, which commemorated the 76th anniversary of the coronation of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie.

The show was held at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, and attracted a huge audience of fortysomethings who came out on a chilly night in the Big Apple to hear quality reggae music. One man, who appeared to be in his early sixties, skanked the whole night to the intoxicating drumbeats, and the driving bass lines of roots rock music, jerking his body each time in deference to the music as the percussion hit him like a sledgehammer slamming on his brain.
At one point, he shouted out: "Ah strictly rockers we want!"
This statement was greeted with much laughter and cheers of approval from other members of the audience.

When Luciano hit the stage, the mood inside the venue changed to one of almost reverent expectancy for here was the Messenjah coming to deliver words of truth and righteousness, and he did not disappoint. 'Looshy' thrilled the audience with a tight creative set chock full of hits such as 'Who Could It Be?', 'Ulterior Motive', and the poignant 'This One is For the Leaders' which seemed particularly fitting given the proximity of the recent US election races over control of the House and Senate. He took time out to accept a gift from the outstretched arms of a lady before berating entertainers who used swear words and degraded women in their songs. Then he launched into the cathartic 'Sweep Ova My Soul' and a forest of hands went up, some donning lighters as Dean Fraser's beautiful sax piped out through the speakers.

Later, one could understand the pull of the Messenjah as a beam of light from the upper deck illuminated his face as he sang Gethsemane. As the fierce lights struck his face, he looked like an Old Testament prophet coming from on high to inform people of God's inside information and His love for the human race. After this soul-searing song, Luciano performed the ganja-ode 'Legalize It', 'All in This Together', the anthemic 'Lord Give Me Strength' and closed with 'It's Me Again Jah'.

Sidney Mills and David Hinds of Steel Pulse also performed at the event. Kenyatta Hill, who replaced his late father as the lead singe of Culture, also gave an inspired performance that rocked the Hammerstein Ballroom into a roots rock hurricane of good feeling and irie vibes.

YardFlex was in the House of Revolutions last night in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where Ziggy Marley was on a leg of his 'Love is My Religion' tour. Ziggy and his band have been on the road since June '06, and the grueling tour ends next year August 2007.

According to Ziggy, it's a hectic schedule and a lot of work However, he is amped about the experience nevertheless,

"I don't mind the work, I love to work, it makes it more meaningful," he told YardFlex.com.

Last night, he worked a tight creative set which was two-and-a-half hours long. Surprisingly, the band and the background vocalists danced the whole set, their bodies sheathed in sweat. He gave the audience the old, the new, personal favourites and of course, some of his dad's music. His mom, looking evergreen, while surrounded by her grandchildren, also danced the whole two-and-half hours showing she is no slouch either.

The Marley family came out in numbers that night as YardFlex.com spotted Damian, Julian, Sharon and the grandchildren attended the concert. But don't get it twisted, the family was not just there to attend as dignitaries, they enjoyed the show, screaming dancing as the eldest Marley son rocked the house. The sentiment was felt among the crowd, there was not a stationary body in the house.
The high point of the night's festivities was the climax of the show when Ziggy performed the title track of his new CD, Love is My Religion' as a drizzle fell from the black sky.

As soon as he started to spit the profoundly conscious lyrics, the heavens appeared to open, and it appeared that God, in all His mysticism, sent rain and His blessings on this most momentous occasion. It was the most magical sight to see Marley's head tilted back to receive the pleasing showers as he belted out 'love is my religion!'. Just looking at the faces of the audience around the reporter, it was clear that they could almost feel the presence of the Most High.

After the exhilarating performance, Mr. Marley gave an in-depth interview on his new album, the tour and his coming of age. It is evident that he now understands his mission. This one-on-one interview will appear in the next issue of YardFlex Magazine.

By: Claude Mills
Editor

Look who's all grown up now.

Little Cherine Anderson who most Jamaicans know as the precocious girl from the 'Dancehall Queen' movie from the early 90s is now a bonafide hottie with a smile that can melt the heart of any man. And, oh, she's a helluva singer as well.

You might have already heard her one-drop hit single, 'Good Love' which has been bombing local FM radio into submission like an Israeli air strike on civilian targets in Lebanon. The single, which is sunshiny with soul, got 'good love' from reggae and urban radio stations in Jamaica, the US, Canada, several European countries, as well as internet radio, translating into a lot of buzz about Cherine.

Cherine's main prerogative now is to define the boundaries on this yet-unexplored territory dubbed dancehall soul. But just what the heck is dancehall soul?

"It is a hybrid of reggae, harder dancehall, soul and R&B, where I can incorporating the grittiness of my past with the sweetness of the things I've been exposed to...the world is opening up to the possibilities of this hybrid sound, look at how Rihanna made it to the top of the charts," she told YardFlex.com.

She grew up listening to artistes such as Lauryn Hill, Chevelle Franklyn and of course Lady Saw. "I know what moves me. Chevelle taught me a lot in terms of getting my stuff tight, and making it you. I believe I have grown, when I listen to Tanya's 'Rebelution' which is great, I realize that sometimes you have to live and experience things in order to write about it and bring it across in your music," she told YardFlex.com.

She described her choice to get her degree as the "best decision she has ever made". She graduated with honors from the prestigious Middlebury College with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Music and a minor in Japanese Language and Literature. She also did successful internships at MTV Networks, Interscope and the Chris Blackwell owned Palm Pictures and Palm Records.

Then she devoted her full time to recording music. Although she stands at a mere five feet, three inches tall, don't underestimate this young girl. Her singular ability to marry hardcore topics with radio-friendly cuts such as dancehall-soca-flavoured 'Oochie Wally' shows that she will be on the forefront of the new female movement in reggae.

"You need more than just a pretty face to make it in this business, you have to wicked vocally and tough lyrically. I am not going to be any fly-by-night artiste, I plan to be around for a long time in this business," she said.

Her manager is Patrick Lindsay.

THE COLOUR ISSUE

Certain elements in the media landscape have been touting a new crop of girls such as Alaine, Tami Chynn, Jovi as the next big thing to come out of Jamaica. Concerned interests within the industry feel that there is a deliberate strategy to sideline dark-skinned women who don't have certain Caucasian features which might appeal to the US marketplace.

"I would be foolish to say that it (colour) did not play a part in the promotion and packaging of an artiste, but I cannot attribute the success of our music acts to what they look like. Just look at Shabba, he was a phenomenon in the urban market, when you turn on your TV and watch Saturday Night Live and they are making Shabba jokes, that is great because they only do that when you matter," she said.

Cherine has been working with industry giants such as David Norland (Madonna, Janet Jackson, Dallas Austin), JeekyMan (Lil Kim), as well as prominent Jamaican producers such as Steven "Lenky" Marsden (Sean Paul), Christopher Birch (Shaggy)., and she has forged a creative partnership with reggae legend Sly Dunbar who believes that Cherine "is the real deal".

"She is a truly strong vocalist on hard core reggae riddims with the ability and potential to surpass Jamaican audiences to reach the masses," he said.

Cherine is moving ahead with her career at warp speed, learning at each step of the way.

"A lot of good stuff happened this year, I was on Reggae Sumfest opening for Sly and Robbie, I did Reggae on the River, Sting Miami, and got a good review from the Miami Herald, it's been real good," she said..

She has completed between 12 and 16 tracks for her debut album.

"It is not just dancehall, there is a one-drop on it, I deal with real issue, socio-political commentaries. On one of my favourite songs, 'How We Living'. I give my take on Nannyville, striking a contrast between the community then and now. The album will have a Caribbean flavour," she said..

She has been working with producers like Lenky Marsden on a cut called 'Jealous', and she has done collaborations with Anthony B ('So Sexy'), and with Chuck Fender on 'Coming Over Tonight'. A video for the latter was shot by Kimala Bennett recently.

Cherine is an out-and-out triple threat: singer, songwriter and acclaimed Jamaican actress, having starred in two of Jamaica's most successful films, Dancehall Queen (1997) and One Love ((2003).

"I've got scripts but none of them are stretching me from 'One Love', so right now, it is just the music. I am committed to making good music. It may not be hot and hip, but it will stand the test of time, that's my benchmark for Cherine, everything else is an accessory," she said,

"We're working right now, not getting caught up in the debate about who is blowing up. I just want to make music that will stand the test of time," she said.

We hear you, girl. We hear you.

PAST ACHIEVEMENTS AND HISTORY

Born in Rockfort in East Kingston, Jamaica, her parents Derryck & Barbara Anderson kept Cherine and her two older sisters in Sunday school and any other church activity that would keep them off the unstable streets. It was in church that her musical talent was discovered. Cherine explains, "It wasn't so much the message in the church songs that appealed to me at first...it was the passion and strength of peoples' voices." At the age of 12, she became a touring member of Ashe Performing Arts Ensemble, one of the Caribbean's most successful performance companies, and received professional training in dance, music and theatre. In 2003, Cherine combined her two loves, singing and acting, starring in the film One Love. Her voice lent two heartfelt songs to the film's soundtrack, and her acting talent earned her the MTV2/Urbanworld Film Festival Award for best actress in a feature film.

Some Cherine Facts

* Cherine co-starred in the film Dancehall Queen playing the sexually molested teen daughter Tanya in 1997
* Cherine has written for Bootsy Collins and appears with Fat Joe on the song entitled "Soul Sister" on Bootsy's 2003 release Playing With Boosty
* Cherine's first release was a cover of Gloria Estefan's Party Time in 1998
* Cherine studied Japanese Language and Literature at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan
* Cherine has three songs which appear in the film One Love
* Cherine's official debut single "Good Love" (produced by Sly & Robbie) peaked at #2 on the South Florida reggae charts
* Cherine recorded with Wyclef Jean and Sting while she was still in high school

By Melton Williams

Delroy Taylor, the project officer for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2007 is not happy with the purchasing of tickets by Caribbean cricket fans.

The second phase of public ticketing will close on Thursday, November 30 and with three months to go before the Opening Ceremony on March 11, 2007 --- ticket sales have been described by Mr Taylor as 'moderate'. Mr Taylor added that the poor ticket sale is as a result of misunderstanding regarding the price for tickets.
He said: "What we have found out is that the tickets for matches that
involved West Indies are going a lot better.

"We have learnt that Jamaica and Caribbean persons on a whole have not come to the party in the number that we have anticipated. I guess that is due to a couple of things, one of them is that there is a massive degree of misconception, misunderstanding regarding to ticket prices. People are saying that the tickets are priced at US$300.
Checks revealed that ticket price ranges from a high of US$120 to a low of US$15.

To witness the Opening Ceremony, which will be held at the Greenfield
Stadium in Trelawny (north-western Jamaica), cricket fans will have to fork out US$120 for a category one seat. A category two seat will cost US$80, while US$50 will be charged for a category three seat.
Ticket sale will be closed between December 1 and January 2007, during this time specific seats will be assigned to all purchasers.
The third phase is where persons can buy tickets even on match days, but this is only if tickets are available. Ticket offices will be set-up in and outside of the stadiums. Each person can apply for a maximum of four tickets per match, and two persons from one household can apply. Mr Taylor is urging cricket fans to support the Opening Ceremony against the background that it will be a world-class experience.

He said, "the opening ceremony for all major events is really the spectacle, the starting point and something that everyone look forward to and they should look forward to this one.
"This is the largest event that has ever to come to the Caribbean shores and this in itself is an experience. Person in Jamaica, person across the Caribbean must realise that everyone has a part to play in this event and maybe your part is as a supporter or maybe your part is just giving correct information to persons and encouraging people to be a part of it."

The ICC Cricket World Cup will be played in eight territories in the region, each receiving different packages. Jamaica was granted the Yellow Package and will host the Opening Ceremony, one semi-final game and six first round matches. The seven games in Jamaica will be played at Sabina Park. Barbados (venue for the final), Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Antigua, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Grenada are the other host countries for cricket's most prestigious tournament.

Carlington Wilmot Photo

It's catchy, it grabbing and before you know it you are chanting along to 'Lean Wit It' like you heard it a long time ago. This song gives you the perfect vibes to get on the dance floor..."Yuh just lean wit it, rock wit it, hot funk wid it..."

Produced by sly & Robbie for Taxi label on the Darker Shade rhythm it is really creating a vibes right now in the dances. The minute the selector draws for this one from Vegas, the place goes wild! Lighters flaring shouts of 'pull up' and fans goes crazy on the dance floor.

Vegas is really coming hard, especially as the Hot Wuck is still a rave in the dancehall. The video for this song, which was directed by J. Wilks is still one of the hottest thing on cable and local TV.

What next is Vegas coming with? You can be sure it will be something to vibes up the dancehall.

It will be a busy holiday season for ace deejay Beenie Man as he is fully booked out until January next year.

On December 1st he will journey to Grenada for a show, after which he will 'island-hop' over to Barbados, before returning to Jamaica to do West Kingston Jamboree on December 3. He will be appearing on a show in Negril on December 9, before being hit by a flurry of shows, Blaze in Mandeville, a show in Harbour View on December 16, an appearance at Breezes Runaway Bay, the Clarendon Click show and GT Taylor Extravaganza as well.

The deejay, whose 'Undisputed' album has sold over 300,000 copies, will also be appearing on Teen Splash on December 26th and in Negril on December 30th.

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Photo by: Carlington Wilmot

It's going to be an extremely busy schedule for singer Da'Ville on the entertainment scene for the remainder of the year into the beginning of the New Year. He will be performing on a number of shows locally and abroad.

On November 25, he will be performing at the Aquasol Beach in Montego Bay. Its then off to Bahamas on December 8 & 9th and the US Virgin Islands on December 16.

Come Christmas Day, December 25, Da'Ville will be performing at Christmas Extravaganza in St. Elizabeth and at Teen Splash on Boxing Day, December 26 at the James Bond Beach in St. Mary.

His first performance of the New Year will be at Unity Splash in Westmoreland on January 1.

The singer's debut album 'In Heaven' which was released in Japan last year and the rest of the world this year, has sold over 50,000 copies in the Caribbean, Europe, Japan and the United States.

His new album titled 'Can't Get Over You', was released in Japan in July of this year and is doing very well. It will be released to the rest of the world in 2007, but with a twist re-titled to 'On My Mind', the title name of his leading number one song. Incidentally speaking about the new album, his third single from the album "This Time I Promise" was released this week.

Steve Weltman, CEO of ZEST Group Plc, spoke to YardFlex.com in an exclusive interview about what Greensleeves' plans are for dancehall-reggae music. This is part one of that interview he did with Claude Mills.

What are your plans for dancehall reggae in the upcoming calendar year given all the complaints that artistes such as Macka Diamond and Vybz Kartel have against Greensleeves?

I am 40 year veteran of music in all forms, our company bought Greensleeves, and we're working on it daily to reorganize the company. When things aren't going right for artistes, it is always the record company's fault, and never the artiste's fault. How would it be if record company began to speak to the media about things that are wrong with artistes. In any debate, regardless of the subject matter, there is always two sides to the story, you cannot make judgment until you know what both parties think.

In Fantan's case, he has a legal agreement with Downsound and we understand from both sides that there is a breakdown in their relationship, until that is solved, we cannot do anything. Our agreement is with Downsound for Fantan. If he is not giving product to Downsound, then it is a problem for Downsound and one for Greensleeves. We believe in Fantan, but we cannot deal with him direct, and that is not me copping out, this is just how the business is.

Gussie's comments are absolutely correct, with regards to Vybz saying he is changing his name. How sad is that! How pathetic is that! If he does try to do a record with another co, he can't because he is signed with us exclusively, I had a positive meeting in May with Vybz, I talked to him about realizing his potential, two records he made recently were OK, but not globally going to excite the world. He is capable of making that record, he needs a complete 360 circle of creative input and if Vybz wants to put a record out with someone, we have to take legal steps. I like him, don’t want it to come to that, his potential is fantastic. We have offered him a new deal, to extend our contract with him. I see a big potential if he wants to focus on making great records, promoting them and take a break, start over again. But is a problem dancehall acts have.

Met with Macka, coming up with ideas for Macka at the moment, she is an absolute delight, she works very hard, she is in a male-dominated genre of music, does not mean there is no room for girls, I'd like to see more girls coming through, it's a male-dominated business,

How can Greensleeves resolve the contractual problems with Fantan?

We're trying to resolve the issue between Downsound and Fantan, but they come to an understanding, and he moves on, then we can help. We have a good reputation, and we're not about to change that?

What about Macka Diamond, her manager has said that a certain A & R passed on 'Bun Him' the first time it was presented to him?

In terms of our future, we're going to make announcements about our polices, secondly, in terms of what you sign and what you don't sign, you can't sign everything. If you passed on it, regretted and tried to recapture, that's understandable, that's the nature of music. Every single record label turned the Beatles down, apart from EMI. Richard Branson's friend, Oldfield Tubular Bells, went to see every major co. in the UK, and at that time, it was 14 major corporations, and eh also saw 10 of 15 indies including Island, and everybody turned the record down, so Richard Branson started his own, Virgin. That's just music.

What is your take on Vybz Kartel?

He's got to sacrifice, stop voicing for dollars, sit and write, the potential in his songwriting is fantastic, he has great dexterity with words, but he's got to make it ambiguous, if you wrote a song about a chair, say 'I supported you all my life' instead of four legs and seat. If you write a song about Glocks, it gets played at three, if you make a video with guns, not going to get shown around the clock, but if you write about the same subject matter without being direct, it takes thought, if you have the right team, anything is possible.

Well it seems that Jr. Gong is not getting married after all. Considered by many to be Jamaica's most eligible bachelor, the young girls may be screaming in delight that the rumours reported by this site appear to be false. But don't celebrate too long, who knows what the future has in store for the Junior Gong. Big up the Gongolian anywhere him de right now.

A DAUGHTER FOR FANTAN

Big up to the one called Fantan Mojah, him celebrated the birth of his daughter earlier this week. Right ya now, him gone to Suriname and the United States on a three-week tour. When yu a go back fi the son, my yute?

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Well, well, well. It's Thanksgiving again, and even though we no love how the white people dem slaughter off the Indian race inna the 16th century (mi is a gal love my history), we ah work wid it, big cooking ah go gwaan lickle more. Family ting. Right now, it ah snow inna West Palm Beach inna Florida but dat caan cramp we style, Jamaicans can overcome anything. Still, if yu notice, as the weather get more unpredictable, same way the people get unpredictable too, crazy tings ah gwaan out inna the world, look pon the Jamaican accountant who chop up him wife like him ah go store wood fi the winter...but we nah dwell pon the depressing tings too much. Ready fi pap up? Suss-time!

GARGAMEL IN THE DRIVING SEAT

Yo, Gargamel. (Buju voice)Wha dem a do? In comes the thing called big hit song, from the one and only Buju B, 'Driver', ah it ah run the place right now, dem draw it ah Arena during the JLP conference and the place tear down. Dem caan stop Buju, him ah de boss. Mavado ah the hottest voice inna the dancehall, but ah Buju have the biggest song inna the place. Nothing caan stop, yu nuh inna nothing with those guys and yu still ah prosper. Gwaan my yute!

WHO GET BOO AH ASYLUM

Mi hear say Beenie get boo inna Asylum after him do the song 'bout Bounty Killer face'. Him did a gwaan good wid Product of the Ghetto and him new songs dem, but when him go draw the 'bounty killer face' song, people neva did too love it. Later, Bounty Killer come inna the place, and draw fi him counteraction 'bout the ole dog and ground hog, and get crazy forward. Ah wah happen to dem two deejay ya? Dem love the spotlight eh?

Special bigs up to dancehall deejay Sean Paul who was named favourite male pop/rock artist earlier this week. Nominees for the American Music Awards were chosen based on record sales and winners were selected by a survey of 20,000 listeners.