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Photography By: Milton Raynor

Please vote for either Contestant A or B for the hottest Girl of the Week.

Choose the image you like best and vote by placing the letter A or B in your comments.

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Fans eagerly awaiting his performance on Sunday at Irie Jamboree

New York: The long wait is over. After a one year wait, Dancehall dj, Mavado landed safely at JFK International airport in New York last night on an American Airline aircraft at 9:17pm. The DJ and his management team, cleared immigrations and customs at 9:45pm. He is now resting comfortably at a secret location in New York.

"It has been a long wait for music fans in New York who will finally have the opportunity to see Mavado live in the Big Apple on Labor day Sunday, August 31 at Irie Jamboree. We worked hard with his management team over the past few months to make this happen and we look forward to him gracing the stage for his many loyal fans" was the message for the Irie Jamboree executive team this morning.

Mavado (born David Constantine Brooks) in 1981 gave the world the critically acclaimed debut album Gangsta for Life: The Symphony of David Brooks, which includes hit singles "Fathers Prayer", "Cassava Piece Radio", "Sadness", "Gully Side", and "On The Go (Faster Than Bullet) which was dedicated to Olympic Gold medal winner Asafa Powell.

Other confirmed acts include King Yellow, Beenieman, Alison Hinds, the "Queen of Soca," Coco Tea, Sizzla, Elephant Man and rising reggae stars Serani, Admiral Bailey, Bugle, DeMarco, Konshens, Tanya Mullings, Little Hero, RDX, Elvis D, Ragga Lox, Empire Isis, Benny Bwoy, Lushy Banton, Prestige and others.

This year's festival will pay tribute to all Caribbean athletes who competed at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. A special Usain Bolt tent will be established at the event and will be appropriately dressed in Jamaican colors and used as one of the VIP suites. This effort of setting up the Usain Bolt tent will be supported by Digicel, one of the lead sponsors for Irie Jamboree. This follows on the close relationships between Usain, Digicel and Irie Jam Radio at the Reebok Grand Prix in late May when Usain first created pandemonium by smashing Asafa Powell's sprint record to become a contender for the title of the fastest man on earth. We will also work with sponsors Western Union, Pay-o-matic and Grace Kennedy to decorate the "Veronica Campbell-Brown" Media Tent which will honor our Olympic Queens at the event. The food court will also be re-named the "Caribbean Olympic Village" to honor all Caribbean athletes who competed at the Olympic Games this year.

Irie Jamboree takes place this year on Labor Day Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York.

For Irie Jamboree tickets, please call 888 IRIE NYC or visit iriejamboree.com

Hurricane Gustav slammed into parts of Jamaica leaving destruction and sorrow for all people, places and things lacking enough strength to stand firm in its path. Since Thursday night heavy rains and winds have left many stranded, flooded and some fatalities have been reported as well.

Missing people include a teenage boy and a younger child; while thousands have been rescued or remain in need of being saved from flood waters. Many residents in areas like Bryce Hill in Papine, St Andrew, Western Portland – by Manchioneal and Long Bay; Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine and Gordon Town have had to be evacuated and forced to seek shelter as their roofs have failed amongst other disastrous occurrences.

People wanting to leave Bull Bay or to go into that area from Harbour View are unable to do so, as the Harbour View Bridge is impassable after having split in two by the viciously strong water and wind.

Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness along with teams from the Jamaica Defense Force and the National Works Agency are on the ground diligently engaged in evacuation and rescue missions, as persons are not only stranded in flooded areas, but also trapped on places like their roofs.

With the eastern and southern sections of the island receiving the bitter brunt of the hurricane, mopping up is expected to be quite and extensive and mammoth task.

Rivers continue to rise, with the Rio Cobre reaching its critical level of 11 inches, according to the Water Resources Authority.

Gustav has left a path of destruction throughout Jamaica, with crops, livestock and fishing villages ruined. Prime Minister Golding is touring the mess and finding solutions bit by bit.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

TW LW WC ARTISTE/TITLE/LABEL/PEAK POSITION

01 01 10 Mr. Vegas-Daggering -KirkleDove/Irish & Chin -2wks@1
02 02 11 Elephant Man-Nuh Linga -Board House -Shot to Watch
03 04 14 Lady Saw-Sunday to Sunday -Big Ship
04 03 13 Mavado-Money Changer-Juke Boxx -3wks@#1
05 07 11 Ce'Cile-Ride Or Die -DangerZone/SoBe
06 05 18 Elephant Man-Gully Creeper -Seanizzle -5wks@1
07 08 08 Vegas-Nuh Fight Over Man -Legend
08 06 13 Beenie Man-Gimme Likkle-Born So Records -Peak@#2
09 11 06 Konshens-Winner -Natural Bridge/Cash Flow
10 09 17 Richie Spice-The Plane Land -No Doubt -Peak@#3

11 13 05 Vybz Kartel-Money Fi Spend - Big Ship
12 15 03 Morgan Heritage–Nothing To Smile About –No Doubt -Greatest Gainer up3
13 10 17 L.U.S.T-Just As I Am -Borne Music -Peak@#2
14 11 19 Stacious- Falling Down – John John -Peak@#8
15 17 04 Assassin- Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Board House
16 14 20 Bounty Killer-Nuh Fren Fish -Foota Hype -Peak@#5
17 19 03 George Nooks- Rest Your Love On Me – Total/Tads
18 16 21 Mavado-On The Rock -Baby G-1wk@#1
19 NE 01 Stacious – Goodaz Clap – Ward 21 – New Entry
20 18 21 Damian & Stephen Marley-The Mission -Baby G -2wks#1

Early this morning, Tropical Storm Gustav strengthened with maximum sustained winds up to 70 miles per hour, just 74 mph short of the requirements for a Category One Hurricane. With this speed and might Gustav hovered only 80 miles east of Kingston, Jamaica and about 170 miles south of Guantariamo, Cuba.

The government of Jamaica has issued hurricane warnings while the slow moving system is said to be expected to head west-southwest, turning more westerly later today, passing very closely to Jamaica.

Although many computer models indicate the storm is heading in a north-westerly direction that will take it off the southern coast of Cuba then on to the central Gulf of Mexico by Sunday, it is a fact that track projections are not always accurate and Gustav’s path is being closely watched, as it can crucially affect important oil and gas producing areas near the coasts of Louisiana and Texas.

The storm lashed into Haiti reeking havoc that caused flooding and landslides that killed 15 people on Tuesday. In all 23 people have lost their lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic as a result of Gustav.

Prime Minister Golding reported that the Jamaican government is well prepared, while guardedly optimistic that the storm will not cause the island to suffer much damage. He called on Jamaicans to be prepared by cutting down trees, securing their properties, livestock and any other objects that could cause or face damage. He explained that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has swung into full gear, ensuring all necessary arrangements for shelters and needed supplies have been put into place.

“Don’t be complacent,” Golding warns Jamaicans, saying while there is no cause for major alarm, prudence must be adhered to.

It is possible that Gustav will affect the New Orleans region on this 3rd anniversary of the devastating Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that walloped the region.

Nature recently granted one woman in Egypt the blessing of septuplets; and 27 year old Ghazal Khamis was the second woman to ever bring 7 babies into the world safely on August 16, 2008.

On Monday in Pakistan, nature sent another uncommon blessing to a woman there who gave birth to a baby boy who has two heads attached to one body.

Delivered by cesarean section at a clinic in Keshobput, the 12 lb 1 oz baby has been moved with his mother to a larger hospital to protect the family from curious onlookers.

His mother’s gynaecologist, Dr Mohamad Abdul Bari said that the child has one stomach and is eating normally with his two mouths. The doctor explained that while the baby was born from one embryo that experienced a developmental anomaly, he has a full set of limbs and one genital organ.

Named Kiron, the baby is still undergoing tests so physicians can determine whether he has one or two sets of vital organs. His 22 year old mother is in no immediate physical danger, except possibly from the large crowds of over 150,000 who have flocked to see her and her new bundle of joy.

The community of Sherwood Content joins National Meats to present the Hart Hill Usain Bolt Homecoming Celebration on September 20. This show of gratitude and appreciation for the community’s local son will be the parish of Trelawney’s way of honoring Bolt’s wonderful success.

According to David Phillips, CEO of National Meats/Hart Hill, whose company is fully sponsoring the event that will be of no cost to patrons, "We take rural development seriously and this is the reason we have joined with the community of Sherwood Content in this effort. Usain is an inspiration to all Jamaicans young and old and we felt that his achievements should be celebrated and heralded as a standard that we must all seek to attain."

The day will begin with a fun day at Waldensia Primary School, where Usain’s talent first came to light and was developed. The proceedings will continue through the day with an up tempo concert featuring some of the island’s top gospel, reggae and dancehall performers.

Bolt created history in Beijing as he became the first man to set records at the same Olympics in all three of the following: the 100 meter, 200 meter and 4 by 100 relay events, since Carl Lewis achieved that goal in 1984. The world watched and celebrated with Bolt, sending a wave of pride to circulate amongst Jamaicans at home and abroad.

So the Sherwood Content son and William Knibb graduate, who is the epitome of excellence and greatness will be lauded in the community that nurtured and encouraged him throughout his years.

No Joke Entertainment will attend to the details of the production and CEO, Mario Lazarre Jr. can be counted on to present a professional and well organised event.

Expressing that he has nothing to worry about because he is clean, Usain Bolt is not surprised at the numerous tests he has been required to undergo as athletic organizations wallow in disbelief at his amazing feat of breaking historical records.

The triple gold winner who made Caribbean and Olympic history in Beijing China discussed the series of tests that entailed, blood and urine tests at an event sponsored by his sponsor, Puma. Explaining that he was tested four times even before starting to run in Beijing, Bolt says proudly that all tests came back negative.

Saying the testing was done so many times, that he lost track, Bolt remains confident of his actions saying that he trains hard and performs well; leaving no other explanation for his colossal performances.

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On September 7 the Hilton Kingston will be filled with glitz and glamour as Pulse’s Caribbean Model Search (CMS) gets underway with none other than the trendy fashion and dancehall experts, Elephant Man and D’Angel as specially featured guests.

No stranger to the art of discovering new massive talent, Pulse is entering its 30th year as the number one source in the Caribbean for the region’s international supermodels.

This year’s program is highly anticipated as the BadBoy Records/VP artist, Ele, who is basking in the huge success of his current dance tune, “Nuh Linga,” will be gracing the stage in this limitless merger of popular dancehall culture and couture.

The award winning ‘Energy God’ consistently includes lively and innovative dancehall moves in his pumping performances as is evident with hits like “Signal di Plane” and “Pon de River, Pon di Bank.” His loud style is expected to brighten up the CMS stage in every way.

D’Angel has also been a big inspiration for dancehall fashion trends. The former Rocawear model and dancehall crowd favorite will be making her usual impressive appearance at Pulses’s fashion extravaganza.

By: Elizabeth Smith

Bobby Clarke, Irie Jamboree organizer, announced today that Mavado has been confirmed and will definitely be appearing at the upcoming massive event, happening in New York this Sunday, August 31.

The Irie Jamboree team reported to Yardflex that New York fans and the thousands expected to pour in for the traditional Labor Day celebrations can rest assured that Mavado will be performing at the Roy Wilkens Park in Queens, and will give all who have waited over a year to see him live again in the United States, a memorable performance.

Back after one year of being denied entry into the US, Mavado is eager to grace North America’s premier reggae festival. Described as the hottest dancehall artist in the business at the moment, with his requests for dub plates outnumbering most artists, Mavado will be one of the headliners at Irie Jamboree.

There is no doubt about it, since Clarke reported that Irie Jamboree Inc. has been in talks with Julian Griffiths for months now; and as soon as official confirmation was received on Mavado’s clearance to travel and work in the US, he was immediately booked for the festival.

Born David Constantine Brooks in 1981, Mavado’s hits include “Fathers Prayer,” “Cassava Piece Radio,” “Sadness,” “Gully Side” and “On the Go (Faster than Bullet)” that was dedicated to Olympic Gold Medalist Asafa Powell.

This year’s festival will be a tribute to all athletes from the Caribbean who competed in the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer. There is scheduled to be a Digicel sponsored, Usain Bolt red, black and green tent for VIPs. Western Union, Pay-o-matic and Grace Kennedy will sponsor the media tent that will be named the “Veronica Campbell-Brown” Media Tent. All athletes will be honored in the food tent, to be titled, “The Caribbean Olympic Village.”

Also headlining will be King Yellowman, Beenieman, Allison Hinds, Sizzla, Coco Tea, Elephant Man, Admiral Baily, Bugle, Serani and Tanya Mullings amongst other reggae stars.

Several cricket boards have been concerned with security for their teams who were originally scheduled to travel to Pakistan, a region currently recognized as potentially volatile. This has forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a decision to postpone the Champions Trophy, slated for September 12 to 28 in Pakistan.

Omar Khan, West Indies cricket team manager expressed his disappointment in the decision, saying his team is anxious to get on with the business of playing cricket, which is their livelihood. Khan told CMC Sports from Canada where the West Indies had a winning streak in the Scotia Bank Tri-Nation Series, that after building great momentum in Canada it was not ideal to now be inactive.

At the same time, Khan is in agreement with the considerations given to the players’ safety and he finds that decisions made because of security issues in Pakistan are understandable.

Khan said the West Indian Cricket Board will probably come together soon to figure out a way to keep the players in training, while the tournament, described as the most significant after World Cup, will be postponed until October 2009.

Khan, who is very proud of the young West Indies team players, lauded their achievements in Canada after their games against Canada and Bermuda. While giving accolades to all, he singled out Xavier Marshall, named player of the tournament who struck 157 against Canada in the Windies’ second match last Friday, including a world record 12 sixes.

Disaster Response Preparedness has swung into high gear as Gustav veers towards the North Coast of Jamaica.

Government is bracing for the possibilities of a national emergency, with all parish emergency operation centres being put on high alert by this morning.

Taking no chances, Jamaica acted briskly after Haiti was hit hard by Gustav in the southern regions yesterday, killing at least one man and posing a serious threat to crops in a time of protests over high food prices. Bringing down trees and flooding fields of banana, beans and vegetables, the category 1 storm was particularly devastating in the deforested southern peninsula of Haiti as hundreds ignored storm warnings and instead of seeking shelter, continued rock throwing and protesting the high cost of living. A landslide killed the storm’s only reported victim.

As Gustav belted Haiti, not only did its already ailing agricultural industry suffer severely, but oil prices also rose immediately as meteorologists predict the storm will raise to a category 3 hurricane and enter the Gulf of Mexico by weeks end.

Prime Minister Golding is being extremely cautious; this being the first major storm on ‘his watch’ and he called a meeting with the National Disaster Committee yesterday. While Gustav is not expected to hit Jamaica directly, Golding is cognizant of hurricanes’ tendencies to suddenly change course, so special attention is being paid to the flood prone areas of the north coast. Golding was reported as saying, "Let’s not be careless…don’t take this one lightly."

While getting ready for the hurricane season, the National Works Agency, cleared many drains and carried out other improvements.

Fishers on cays and banks have been advised to take precautions and hurricane preparedness stresses the following:

Assign roles/responsibilities for hurricane preparedness and evacuation to each member of the household long before actual storm.

Establish an evacuation plan and map out exit strategy and route.

Review emergency plans monthly.

Ensure all doors and windows are properly secured to make break-ins difficult.

Alert parish disaster coordinator and police when evacuating premises.

Place furniture on raised platform, e.g. building blocks, to prevent flood damage.

If not carrying all important documents, such as passports and ID cards, lock them in a watertight container

Movie extras injured while on the set for Tom Cruise’s production company, United Artists, have launched an $11 million lawsuit against Cruise and his partners for serious injuries incurred.

Reports from Berlin state that during the making of the World War II flick, "Valkyrie" in August 2007, the extras fell out of a period German army truck as the side panels flung open when the truck swung around a corner.

Cruise and business partner Paula Wagner was sent a letter by lawyer for the plaintiffs, Ariane Bluttner, that outlines the case brought against them and the MGM fostered United Artists and stipulates her client’s legal demands as being $11 million.

Originally due for release in July this year, the film will land in theatres in December instead. It was originally banned from production in Germany by the government there and was later given the go ahead following much national discussion on issues including the Scientology movement of which Cruise is a part.

Based on the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, put together by senior German military during the war, "Valkyrie" was shot at the Berlin site where the conspirators of the plot were executed. Cruise plays, Claus von Stauffenberg, the plot’s ringleader.

Failing a satisfactory out-of-court settlement, Bluttner stated she will submit a claim to the United States courts where United Artists is based; and this could mean additional punitive charges for Cruise and company.

Wellesley Bolt, father for the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt returned to Jamaica on Monday having had the time of his life in Beijing, China.

“I became a celebrity,” he told reporters, as he relayed bits and pieces of his experience. Father Bolt was not entirely enthusiastic about leaving for the long 20 hour trip to China, but has no regrets and actually expressed how extremely pleased he was for having gone.

Bolt senior was urged by Digicel to make the trip and left the island last Tuesday for a journey he described as being beyond anything he had ever envisioned.

He explained that nothing could match his experience of greeting Usain following the 200 meter win.

Decked out in Puma accessories and shoes, Wellesley was tired but beaming with built up energy and full of pride. He brought up Usain’s jiving around after winning that left a bad taste with the International Olympic Committee’s president, Jacques Rogge; saying that his son Usain just had that type of personality. Further, he said that Usain’s diet that included a quart of cows milk daily while growing up, plus his favorite, yam, banana and coco, was what he attributed his son’s stamina to.

Usain is expected to return home in September some time and his mom will be back shortly.

El Socorro, Trinidad and Tobago was a horror scene Monday morning when a couple was attacked and shot by a gunman at their apartment. The husband, 38 year old Nicholas Tavernier and his 41 year old wife, Sharon Henry died in the hospital shortly after arriving.

Officers investigating the case suspect the double murders occurred as a result of an argument Tavernier had with someone and say an arrest is imminent.

The police reported that the husband and wife were getting ready to leave their home at around 4:45 AM when Tavernier was pounced on at the front gate by several men. A fist fight ensued, during which Tavernier was shot.

Both victims worked in the field of security, with Henry being an employee of Amalgamated Security Co. Ltd. And Tavernier, a security manager with a Auto Village in El Socorro.

His wife ran straight into the assailants upon hearing the ruckus outside and was shot while trying to rush back into her home. Her daughter found the couple in pools of blood and called police.

The outspoken Madonna has ruffled feathers in the Republican camp of the United States, following her publicly disclosed analogies of John McCain and Adolf Hiltler.

Linking the President hopeful to such insidious characters as Hitler and Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe, has sent McCain in a fury.

In her opening night of a current world tour at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, Madonna had images of McCain, Hitler and Mugabe featured alongside scenes of devastating global issues like global warming.

The 50-year-old Madonna ended the opening song with more soothing images of Al Gore, John Lennon, Mahatma Gandhi and Barack Obama - the democratic Presidential hopeful.

Originally a supporter of Hilary Clinton, Madonna appears to have transferred her allegiance. She has succeeded in completely annoying not only McCain, but his supporters as well.

Senator McCain’s spokesman told reporters, "The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time. It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off limits."

Other celebrities throwing support behind Obama include, Stevie Wonder, Robert de Niro and Oprah Winfrey.

No stranger to smear tactics himself, McCain has tried to portray Obama as having little substance. One of the Republican’s television advertisements shows images of Obama alongside, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

In her message at the 10th anniversary of the Victim's Support Unit (VSU) held at the Emmanuel Apolistic Church, Portmore, St. Catherine, Minister of Justice Dorothy Lightbourne encouraged Jamaicans to come on board in order to help ease the high level of domestic violence in the Island. She stated that there were more than 22,000 reported cases of domestic violence since 2005, with more than half of the violence was perpetrated against women.

Carol Palmer, permanent secretary in the ministry said that "Women are more vulnerable..."

In attendance were the police, the correctional services, VSU personnel and politicians

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As Jamaica digests the recent glory at the Olympics in Beijing, officials prepare to raise the roof once more in celebration of the athletes’ return home.

Prime Minister Golding has set up a committee to organize this celebration and says the Jamaican people will be given the chance to celebrate with the athletes.

Many of the country’s Olympians stopped in different parts of the world to participate in follow-up track meets, so the celebrations will be put on hold until all members of the Olympic squad return to Jamaica.

Scheduled to have a follow-up planning meeting today, the committee will disclose their plans to the public as soon as they have been finalized.

Most of the Olympic management team and some other squad members are expected to arrive home later today.

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While many children worldwide are preparing for their new school year, a child in Saudi Arabia is caught up in legal ramblings around a decision that only the courts there can make on whether or not she can be granted a divorce.

In a country that has one of the top child marriage rates on the Arabian peninsula, 8 year old, Unayzah was given in marriage by her father to a much older man. The marriage was arranged and carried out in high secrecy; and neither the child herself nor her mother were aware of the arrangements.

Unayzah’s mother filed for the divorce, but her new son-in-law is adamant that he is legally married and has broken no laws.

Child marriages are not exclusive to Saudi Arabia, but are prevalent in many parts of Africa and South-East Asia.

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Another famous music industry affiliate has lost a son. This time the tragedy occurred in Los Angeles’ Woodland Hills where Andre Young, the 20 year old son of Dr. Dre was found dead at home.

Reports from Los Angeles say that Young had returned home around 5:30 AM yesterday; and his mom found him unresponsive upon trying to wake him at around 10:00 AM.

Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office stated that Young’s mom called 911 at that time and the cause of death is unknown, pending a toxicology report.

Dr. Dre, whose real name is Andre Young Sr. became famous with gangsta rap group N.W.A. and from there became co-owner of Death Row Records. The Grammy award winner is credited for the emergence of West Coast G-funk and currently runs Aftermath Entertainment.

Yardflex sends out condolences to the entire family

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Following the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) release of a Customer Service Charter of Rights that implies their intention to change policing strategies in order to more closely work with those they serve; it would appear that JCF has begun to renege on these agreed standards.

In the eyes of 17 year old Carlton Grant’s family, who are currently overwhelmed with grief at his recent fatal shooting by the hands of police officers, this charter has failed to recognize and respect the constitutional and statutory rights and privileges of each citizen as it purports to do.

Grant, who according to eye-witnesses was shot after obeying police commands to stop, is being mourned by his mother and countless others today. The son of famous entertainer, Spragga Benz, he was described as a conscientious young man who had done well in school.

Police reports are controversial and stare that they stopped two men who were on bicycles in downtown Kingston and one of the men fired a gun at the police, resulting in a shootout.

For two days straight, members of Grant’s family have been protesting the killing in front of Kingston’s Central Police Station, with his distraught mother reporting that all her attempts to get further information from the police have been met with indifference and even contempt.

Officers have lame excuses for not complying with her requests for detailed information on the incident. The fact that her son stopped when commanded to do so, and still ended up being killed by police gunshots has yet to be explained. This has caused Grant’s family to have doubts about the police’s version.

By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

The 29th Olympiad came to an end in Beijing with the same theatricality with which everyone was welcomed at the opening ceremony. At the bird nest stadium, where these games were held in China, a capacity crowd of 91,000 witnessed this fantastic closing ceremony.

Competing against each other in various sporting events, 204 countries came together; and in the end Jamaica's performance in track and field took precedence as a small Caribbean country with outstanding output especially in the sprint events.

Most notable are the 11 medals the country achieved at the games:

6 gold, 3 silver and two bronze. The male athletes had 3 medals while the females garnered 8

Standing out was Usain Bolt who earned himself 3 gold medals all in world record time. Great performances by female athletes included: Veronica Campbell-Brown’s gold in the 200 meters, where she defended her title; Melaine Walker’s gold in the 400 meters hurdles in Olympic record time and Shelly-Ann Fraser’s gold in the 100 meters.

Jamaica must be proud at what the country has achieved during the past two weeks by taking it’s strong athletic foundation to the world, thus highlighting the nation globally.

Yardflex would like to congratulate all the athletes and their administrative body for this wonderful endeavour that as a country we are very honoured to be apart of.

The next Olympic Games will be staged in London, England in 2012.

Many Jamaicans have been battling what has been termed as a ‘brand new disease’ aptly titled “Life After Carlos Hill and David Smith.”

Thousands are currently ‘infected’ and while there have been serious manifestations that include mental deterioration, high blood pressure and some increased heart palpitations, no reports have yet landed regarding any Jamaicans having succumbed to the devastating illness.

A cross section of Jamaicans from high, middle and lower echelons of the society have been infected and affected. Some even brought out their life savings from under the mattress to give to these get rich quick schemers, only to become a statistic today, following the major overturn of the businesses, Cash Plus and Olint.

“Di a one real flop fe poor and rich alike, I can’t tek the pain,” one ailing Jamaican disclosed.

The situation remains grave and there does not appear to be any solution or cure. No-one is getting back their money it seems.

Yardflex sends condolences to Spragga Benz whose son was killed by the police early yesterday morning. 17-year old Carlton Grant Junior was killed by the police in downtown Kingston.

It is alleged that residents heard gunshots in the early hours of Sunday morning, a break and then a single shot.

According to eye witness reports; when young Carlton was accosted by the police he placed his hands in the air before being shot the first time. Another eye witness claimed that the police went and stood over him and shot him a second time.

His body was then thrown into the back of the vehicle and he was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Upset residents denied the police claim that the teen had a gun. Young Grant successfully sat his CXCs earning 5 subjects.

It is reported that Spragga Benz was in New York at the time of the shooting incident. Our hearts go out to Spragga.

Late Jamaican singer Bob Marley had a statue unveiled in his memory on Saturday in a Serbian village, making it Europe's first statue to the late Jamaican reggae to promote peace and acceptance of differences in a region still recovering from war.

Two Balkan musicians, one from Croatia and one from Serbia, unveiled the monument in the village of Banatski Sokolac at midnight during a gathering of rock bands from the Balkans.

"Bob Marley promoted peace and tolerance in his music," said Mirko Miljus, an organizer. The event continued a trend of raising monuments to popular Western icons instead of local historical figures.

Bosnians have erected a monument to Bruce Lee in the town of Mostar and Serbs have put up a statue to Rocky Balboa in northern Serbia.

Following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia and the bloodshed of the 1990s, people can rarely agree on their role models and prefer figures not linked to the region.

Forty thousand revelers turned out on Saturday, August 16 for Japan's largest Reggae festival in Yokohama, Japan to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Mighty Crown.
Yokohama Reggae SAI was first conceived in 1995 by MIghty Crown as a means of celebrating their anniversary in the business and highlighting Reggae/Dancehall in Japan.
The festival was certainly not an ordinary event for Irish and Chin, Inc as there were number 1 sound systems and extraordinary performances by artistes Mr. Vegas, Wayne Wonder and the High Energy dancers. There were also a slew of top Japanese Reggae artistes.
The crowd roared in appreciation at the hits that Mighty Crown selected and as ace selector Sami T played some of Mighty Crown's latest tunes.
Mr. Vegas whose energetic performance, along with the acrobatic moves of HIgh Energy dancers, caused the crowd to erupt in appreciation said that the festival had the largest audience that he has ever performed before. He also enjoys how the Japanese have embraced Reggae/Dancehall music.
Plans for next year's Yokohama Reggae SAI are already in the planning stages.

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Photography By: Milton Raynor

Please vote for either Contestant A or B for the hottest Girl of the Week.

Choose the image you like best and vote by placing the letter A or B in your comments.

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Rumour has it that Miami Dolphins Coach Bill Parcell is interested in trying out the 6 foot 4 Olympic Champion Usain Bolt for the NFL.

It is reported that Parcell has always joked about trying out Bolt, but sources say that a scout for the Miami Dolphins is on his way to China to hold discussions with Usain's manager. So is it fact or rumour? Keep tuned.

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Da’Ville was his usual dynamic self at the recently held Young Professionals Network of Jamaica (YPNJ) get together at New Kingston’s Pegasus Hotel. The Fashozy Records artist said, "‘I decided to get involved because I am a young professional myself. I wanted to represent for the young musicians out there because music is a profession for me."

Delighting all in attendance with his songs, Da’Ville performed a moving set that included his hits, "Always on My Mind," "Here We Stand" and the motivating, "Give Thanks for What You’ve Got."

The network comprises vibrant Jamaican youth aged 18 – 45 who are not only based in Jamaica, but also living in many countries across the globe including: the UK, US, Canada, Germany and Japan.

With a membership of diverse professionals who are experts in areas such as medicine, law, information technology, the arts, business, engineering and education, YPNJ aims at reducing the numbers of educated Jamaicans who migrate; encouraging those educated abroad to return home. YPNJ wants to realize a coming together of its members in a concerted effort to make tangible contributions to the development and improvement of the country.

Networking in this manner has proven invaluable to Da’Ville who has been able to make acquaintances with many professionals. His advice to aspiring professionals, particularly those interested in the music industry, is to be tactful and, "Always have a professional attitude because you will be judged by how you approach things".

The brainchild of Yaneek Page, Managing Director of a legal funding company, the YPNJ is a non-profit, non-partisan NGO that has been incorporated since March 2008.

It look like Olympics fi come regular, because only when a Olympics
the crime rate drop. It look like everybody so busy a watch Olympics
them nuh have nuh time fi rob, kill or shoot nuh body.

Why wi caan keep this up wen nuh Olympics nah gwaan. Look how the country a run sweet during the olympic season. A suh it fi run all year round.

Tell mi de truth, oonu nuh tink seh it look bad fi wi a do so well inna China, and a run de place ova deh an wi deh a Jamaica a kill off wi one anada. We a one small island an we rank number one inna medals inna athletics. Wi beat out all a di first world country dem. Oonu nuh feel proud? an feel seh oonu fi stop di foolishness now, a full time Jamaica crime rate drop. It well over due.

Wi have so much fi bi proud a, wi need fi unite like how wi unite ova dem past few days yah. If we keep dis up, our likkle island will be a better place and everybody ago want come yah - because Jamdung sweet and violence free.

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Eek-A-Mouse who was featured recently on Youtube ranting and raving at a press conference is in the spotlight yet again. This time the singer has been charged with the rape and kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman who reported she was held against her will at an Outer Banks motel, police say.

The musician, whose real name is Ripton Joseph Hylton, had performed at the Port O' Call Restaurant & Gaslight Saloon on Saturday. He left at the end of the show, at about 1:30 Sunday morning, said Kill Devil Hills police Lt. Gene Johnson.

According to Johnson, Hylton, 50, from Los Angeles , then went to the Colony IV Motel in Kill Devil Hills, where the woman said the rape took place.

Hylton was charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree rape and possession of cocaine, all felonies, Johnson said. He was also charged with possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana, a misdemeanor.

He was released on $52,000 secured bond , Johnson said. Before his gigs in Kill Devil Hills on Friday and Saturday, "Mouse" had appeared at the Jewish Mother on Aug. 14 in Virginia Beach.

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By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

Jamaica won the 4 by 100 relay in world record time of 37.10 seconds today at the Beijing Olympics, sending a clear message that the land of wood and water is not to be underestimated.

The fast and furious team broke the world mark of 37.40 set in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics by the US team that was equalled by another US squad at the world championships in Stuttgart in 1993.

Nesta Carter was the first man with the baton that he passed to Michael Frater; then it was Frater to the indomitable Usain Bolt who went on to hand the baton to Asafa Powell who breezed on to the finish line in record breaking time.

Bringing home another gold medal for Jamaica, the relay team conquered all odds. Top sprinter Asafa Powell got the opportunity to finally land himself a gold medal for the first time on an international platform. The gold had been eluding Powell and this was his chance to redeem himself.

Fraser told reporters after the race that when he handed the baton to Bolt, he knew a world record was in the making. An ecstatic Bolt declared, “You can’t get any better than this…give thanks to the world.”

This golden run sent Jamaicans at home and abroad into another frenzy, which has become a common mode during these Olympic days. Half Way Tree Square in Jamaica has now been dubbed ‘Beijing’, with TVJ mounting an additional four monitors to make five; giving the public a chance to view the games. The square went into another uproar today, with joyous pandemonium breaking out all over after the new world record was set by the men’s relay team.

One onlooker said as she headed to Kingston from St. Mary, she had to ask the bus driver if, the bus will stop in Beijing/Half Way Tree; and upon arriving at the square the driver yelled out, “Welcome to Beijing!”

Another, who couldn’t join the crowd today said, “Mi sorry sey mi can’t mek it to Beijing/Half Way Tree, but mi happy fi de athletes dem in Beijing, China.”

Trinidad and Tobago came in second, with sprinters Keson Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callander and Richard Thompson finishing in 38.06 seconds. The Japanese team was third in 38.15.

Earlier today Jamaica’s 4 by 100 women’s team did not finish their race as there was a baton change foul up between Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart. As a result the team – notable favorites - did not realize their goal of winning again for Jamaica. It was indeed a huge disappointment for everyone including Shelly-Ann Fraser and Veronica Campbell-Brown, the other relay team members. Russia took that race in 42.31 seconds.

Jamaica now ranks second on the medals table with 10 medals: 6 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Russia ranks first and the US third.

Today the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge had stiff criticism for Jamaican record breaking sprinter Usain Bolt.

According to the Associated Press the former Olympic yachtsman who hails from Belgium told a small group of reporters that he did not consider Bolt’s "doing a show" following his historic win as being respectful of the other competitors in his race.

The elated and proud Bolt danced, did his victory run around the field draped in the Jamaican flag, beat his chest in glee and even declared that he was number one – using finger gestures in a television close-up; however Rogge felt that somehow Bolt was not entitled to express himself as his personality and possibly as his culture dictated.

Rogge told three international reporters that Bolt should have acknowledged the others who raced with him by even giving them a tap on the shoulder immediately after finishing first, rather than showing his joy and pride in the way he did, especially af

He continued to criticize Bolt saying, that his actions were not the actions of a good sportsman or true champion saying, "He (Bolt) might have interpreted that (his joy) in another way, but the way it was perceived was "catch me if you can." You don't do that. But he'll learn. He's still a young man."

Comparing bolt to the 1930s great athlete Jesse Owens, Rogge said further, "He should shake hands with his competitors and not ignore them. He'll learn that sooner or later. But (he's) a great athlete, of course."

Yardflex continually congratulates Bolt and all the athletes who are doing well; and would like to say, "Stay strong bolt and don’t watch nuh face!"

The DJ who has been referred to as cross, angry and miserably was yesterday (Thursday, August 21) fined $5,000 when he appeared in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate Court in St James.

The fine was in relation to charges of indecent language and disorderly conduct following his performance at the Dancehall Night staging of Reggae Sumfest last month.

Bounty Killa, during his performance, started dissing Beenie Man and was booed for it. In the midst of it all, the Killer uttered "a bag of" expletives and exited the stage in the wee hours of the morning.

He was immediately arrested and charged by members of the police force who were waiting at the foot of the stage.

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Just when everyone thought the feud between two of dancehall's top artistes Mavado and Vybz Kartel was over, the volcano has erupted.

Ever since Sting 2007 they have been seen sharing casual conversations in the streets, so everyone thought it was safe to assume that peace was in the air.

Despite this, YardFlex now understands that the two have "rekindled old flames". Scatta, a well know producer, has a new rhythm out called "Self Defense Rhythmn" which features the two artistes verbally slandering each other.

In Mavado's song he accuses Vybz Kartel of being a homosexual because he uses "bleaching" products and that he is an atheist. Vybz Kartel retaliated by calling Mavado a "Gully Girl", a gangsta wanna be and then telling him about his sexual relationship with his mother.

YardFlex also understands that Geoffrey Hype, a member of Portmore Empire, was allegedly punched by a member of Mavado's clique. This also added to the lyrical war.

JAMAICA MUSIC COUNTDOWN

By Richie B, host – “HOT MIX” on Hot 102FM
AUGUST 22, 2008

TOP 20 DANCE HALL SINGLES

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL
01 1 10 Nuh Linga-Elephant Man-Board House (3wks@#1) NM
02 3 15 Gully Creepa-Elephant Man-Seanizzle (4wks@#1) U-1
03 2 9 Gimmi Likkle-Beenie Man-Born So Records (pp#2) D-1
04 4 19 Stinking Rich-Serani-Daseca NM
05 7 7 Winner - Konshens-Natural Bridge/Cash Flow U-2
06 5 14 Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Assassin-Board House (pp#5) D-1
07 8 10 Hustle-Andrew & Wada Blood-Fire Links U-1
08 11 7 Dem Yah & Dem Yah - Flippa Mafia - Board House U-3
09 13 4 Trailer Load of Money-Vybz Kartel- Adidjaheim
Records/ Chimney Records U-4
10 12 5 Inna Di Car Back-Mavado-Big Ship U-2
11 6 18 Nah Go Nuh Weh-Vybz Kartel- Big Ship (2wks@#1) D-5
12 10 23 Wine Gal - Beenie Man - TJ Records (3wks@#1) D-2
13 14 6 More Money-Harry Toddler-Downsound Records U-1
14 16 5 Shake That Body-PI feat. Elephant Man-Track Pusha
Music U-2
15 9 18 Chiney-K-Mavado-Big Ship (pp#2) D-6
16 17 3 Bottom of the Barrel-Tifa-Ward 21 U-1
17 18 3 I'm So Special-Mavado-TJ Records U-1
18 15 17 Dancers Anthem-RDX-Apt 19 (pp#5) D-3
19 19 10 Study People-Serani-Fire Links (pp#12) NM
20 - New Overcome- Mavado-Big Ship

Earlier this week, Irvine G. Clare Sr, Managing Director of Caribbean Immigrant Services Inc; the promoters of Irie Jamboree, North America's reggae festival: Bobby Clarke, Steven Williams, Louis Grant and Michael Williams; Herman Hall, Publisher of Everybody's Caribbean American Magazine and Ninaj Raoul, co-founder of the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees (HWHR) were honoured by the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) in affiliation with the New York METS, at the second annual Caribbean Night at Shea at the Shea Stadium in Queens, New York, just before the METS vs Atlanta Braves game, for being outstanding Caribbean community leaders.

The honourees who were in attendance thanked the QEDC for its efforts to integrate the people of the Caribbean into activities that will contribute to the economic development of the borough of Queens, and will seek to use this relationship and recognition as leverage for a more fundamental and economically viable opportunity.

Caribbean Night at Shea is an initiative between the Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall and the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QEDC) to connect the Caribbean business community in Queens, with resources that will allow their business to flourish by providing assistance to large and small businesses by creating partnerships with businesses and groups that assist businesses.

The pre-game performance by Jamaican entertainer, Richie Stephens, Higher Levin Steel Band Orchestra and New York's up and coming star Elvis D was well received by the spectators in attendance for the game.

By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

Jamaica’s domination of the sprint events at this year’s Beijing Olympics was completed today as Veronica Campbell-Brown took an impressive gold in the women’s 200 meters.

She beat the United States’ Allison Felix into a silver medal position with fellow Jamaican Kerron Stewart claiming the bronze.

The defending champion produced a smooth performance across the finish line in a time of 21.74 seconds.

Jamaica has now won all four of the individual sprint events. Campbell-Brown’s victory will mean that the U.S. team will return home without a gold medal in the individual sprint events for the first time since they boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Yardflex would like to congratulate Veronica Campbell-Brown on her victory.

Mi seh, how some people and country bad mind suh?
Mi seh afta Usain Bolt bun up de field and bruk two
worl record people a fight him out.

Why dem nuh want see Jamaicans prosper? A wah wi
do dem? Dem need fi know seh wi little but wi talawah,
an nuh matter wha, we a God Bless pickney.

Mi seh dem all have up seh Bolt deh pon drugs, dats why
him run suh fast, cause him neva use to suh fast. Dis
just grieve mi heart, cause after we a do so well de
little badmind people dem nuh want se we reach nuh weh
so dem a start rumour.

Dem feel seh wi an dem a de same ting. A straight
dumplin, banana, yam and cassava we eat a Jamdung.
Wi nuh affi tek drugs, 'cause...we have it like that!

All wi affi tell dem seh is come affa wi name, because
de more dem talk a de more we a prosper, a wah dem feel like?

To all Jamaican athletes - nuh watch nuh face, we proud
a oonu, mek dem gwaan chat. Oonu really mek wi proud.

A we seh Jamaica "to di flipping worl".

Heartfelt birthday greetings for the recently crowned fastest man in the world, Usain Bolt are ringing out in every corner of the globe today.

As Jamaica’s track hero reaches the age of 22, he basks in the glory of his ongoing success at the Beijing Olympics where his record breaking runs have made him the focus of every sports arena on the planet.

Bolt told reporters in Beijing recently that he will be ‘just chillin’ on his birthday, but somehow many feel that he will find a few moments to rock and groove to his favorite reggae tunes.

After his winning runs, Bolt has been showing his elation by doing a few of Jamaica’s popular dance moves and he is about to be the inspiration behind a brand new dance to be called none other than – "THE USAIN BOLT."

A man called Ice is the creator of the "gully creeper" dance and he has come forward to announce his plans to form the new "Usain Bolt" dance in honor of this great track star who has made Jamaica so proud, along with his other track and field mates.

Ice says the dance will be, "One of de maddest tings." He says it will be a modification of the dance called "gully net" that looks like the "gully creeper" except it will be more fancy.

For the "Usain Bolt" dancers will have to bend down, moving their hands like the creeper. With shoulders rotating and feet moving like the creeper, dancers will have to move their legs in the same way. "Mi drop in a little neck movement inna it too…and dat is de new dance called de Usain Bolt," Ice declared.

As the Olympics rolls on, Jamaica continues to make waves with the country now having racked up 9 medals; 5 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze.

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Yesterday, the Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) has failed to come to a resolution in relation to salary and fringe benefits for the islands more than 22,000 public-school teachers.

At the JTA's Annual Conference, held at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa, the chairman of the salaries and conditions of service committee, Byron Farquharson, said that the association would give the Government until August 29 to respond to the reclassification terms as the company doing the reclassification study,Focal Point, missed the deadline to submit the report to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, (another report should be submitted today). Delegate Norman Allen disagreed claiming that that date was too long and said that no one should leave the conference until a decision was made, to which the members of the conference agreed.

JTA past president, Paul Adams threatened that if the "vicious, wicked and cruel" Government does not respond to the reclassification terms, a September school term cannot be guaranteed. He called for the immediate intervention of the Prime Minister.

The JTA has asked for a 50% increase in year one and a 50% increase in year two, while the Government has offered 15% in year one and 7% in year two.

By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

Jamaica’s sensational sprinter Usain Bolt crowned himself King of the Sprint world when he blazed to victory in the 200 meters today, at the 29th Olympiads in Beijing, China with a world record time of 19.30 seconds; becoming only the second runner in 20 years to claim the sprint double.

He broke American Michael Johnson’s 12 year record of 19.32 seconds that was set at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996. The 21 year old Bolt who turns 22 tomorrow, August 21st followed his breathtaking win in the 100 meters last Saturday where he also broke his own world record - to produce another amazing run as he cruised for an easy victory.

Bolt’s parents and girlfriend were on the scene to congratulate and celebrate with the master sprinter who was so elated after the win that he proceeded to do his signature reggae dance moves: the "gully creep" and "nineties rock" – before hugging Olivia "Babsy" Grange, Jamaica’s Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports.

For his birthday celebration tomorrow, Bolt said, "I will just be chillin" He thanked Jamaica and all sports fans saying his mom was right when she said he wanted to win the 200 meter race even more than the 100 meter.

Meanwhile another Jamaican Melaine Walker ran a superb race in the 400 meters hurdles to capture gold in an Olympic record time of 52.67 seconds as she destroyed the field in a sterling performance.

Pandemonium broke out in Melaine’s community on Wellington Road off Maxfield avenue in Kingston as people took to the streets to show their support for her incredible performance; showing a great deal of love and unity. Her mom, Jennifer Wilson is a very proud woman today and her sister told reporters, "A me win de gold… cause a mi sister dat!"

Another woman exclaimed, "Mi just want fe say Father God first and Melaine second!"

This proves that sports culture and entertainment can unite people in a positive way.

Jamaica now has 7 medals 4 gold and 3 silver.

Yardflex would like to congratulate both athletes for their outstanding achievements.

Allison Hinds will be one of the Caribbean’s dynamite songstresses who will grace the stage at the annual mega-fete, Irie Jamboree. Taking place on Labor Day, Sunday, August 31, 2008 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York, the highly anticipated concert has a line-up of stellar Caribbean talent and adding the reigning Soca Queen will further delight fans.

Representing for the ladies, along with Toronto based reggae diva, Tanya Mullings, Allison Hinds was chosen to 'ice the Irie Jamboree cake' as she has a strong fan base and is purely electrifying as a performer.

"Allison Hinds had all the qualities we were looking for and a whole lot more to offer" Bobby Clarke, one of the principals of Irie Jamboree Inc. said. Excited about the upcoming event, Clarke feels he has overcome what seemed like a challenge, to choose another queen for this year’s Irie Jamboree.

Veteran artists, Beenie Man and Yellowman were recently added to the line-up that includes other top reggae stars like: Sizzla, Coco Tea, Elephant Man, Serani, Bugle, Demarco, Little Hero and Elvis D.

Hinds, the British born Barbadian is no stranger to the big stage and limelight as she started off in the industry as the lead vocalist with Gabby Grynor and Square One Band. The amazing journey to the top of the female solo roster has been memorable for Hinds who has earned many accolades including Road-march and Party Monarch titles for two consecutive years. Sexy, sassy and sophisticated, the Soca Queen and mother of one made her mark with hit tunes like: "Raggamuffin" and "In the Meantime."

As a worldwide chart topper, Hinds is set to rock New York this labour day weekend.

For more on Irie Jamboree go to: to www.iriejamboree.com.

Photography By: Milton Raynor

Please vote for either Contestant A or B for the hottest Girl of the Week.

Choose the image you like best and vote by placing the letter A or B in your comments.

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Child play causes tragedy

Following the gruesome discovery about a week ago of two dead children in the trunk of a car, an autopsy revealed this week that they died from suffocation.

The Bushy Park, Clarendon discovery of Trico Lewin, 8 and Latavia Lewin, 5 came after their family had reported them missing.

It is believed that the children met their demise after playing in the car trunk that accidentally locked with them inside.

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A wet and soggy Jamworld stopped Champions in Action

People from all over the world have been anxious too about the Champions in Action report. Yardflex was on the scene even in the bad weather, with high hopes that the skies would clear up, but they didn’t.

Unfortunately, what has always been the ‘sign off’ summer stage show had to be cancelled due to the tropical storm Fay that passed Jamaica dumping much rain on the island and subsequently soaking all concert plans.

Hurricane Dean descended on Jamaica last year, causing the much anticipated Champions in Action to close its doors. This was a repeat performance of foul weather that not even transformers or tents could solve. Decision to cancel came as the rain poured and backup systems failed. A few people ventured out to Jamworld Center – just in case – but they left quite disappointed.

Artists expected to perform included, Shaggy, Sean Paul, Etana, Mavado and Bounty Killer.

With multiple mega hits, numerous stage appearances and other endorsement deals, Barbadian singing star Rihanna is said to be going broke.

It was a shocking revelation for the 20 year old who rose to the top of world charts steadily over the past few years following her first hit, "Pon de Replay" and others like the European favorite, "Umbrella".

According to recent reports the soulful diva, who ought to be financially secure all things considered, checked her bank account and there was supposedly only a $20,000 balance. Appalled and furious she hurled accusations at her business manager, Patricia Williams, who was instantly fired.

Williams has denied any wrong doing and passed the buck to manager and owner of Rebel One Management, Marc Jordan, who she claims has been looking after Rihanna’s finances with her. Disclosing that Def Jam does not properly fund the artist, Williams said Marc has had no choice but to put money made from third party endorsements and live appearances towards Rihanna’s album and music videos.

The sacked business manager said she does not want to discredit Jordan in any way, but explained that his strategy of spending Rihanna’s money heavily in production and promotion, was aimed at getting her broken into the world market thus improving album sales. Although she has supposedly made over a million, her management claims the bulk of it has gone to making Rihanna a super star.

Williams said the downside of that move was Jordan’sdecision to keep Rihanna in the dark on how her musical projects were being funded. As a result, Williams says, she is unfairly being dealt the blaming cards.

In her defense, Williams has pointed to the very expensive productions that include the repackaging of "Good Girl Gone Bad" that became "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded," the making of "Take a Bow" and the new "Disturbia;" all completely funded with Rihanna’s resources.

Following all that expense, Williams reportedly said, "And now she expects to find money in the bank"?

Williams is of course disgruntled and out of a good job…so her explanations may be tweaked if even slightly.

Rihanna being broke is a tough pill to swallow and Caribbean fans hope for the very best for their star artist.

It is reported that after performing at a sold out show in Stratford Rex, London, Beenie Man and a woman, allegedly D'Angel's sister, had a physical altercation.

Witnesses say that at approximately 4am Monday morning, while Beenie Man was backstage preparing to leave the venue, a woman approached him wanting to discuss money owed to her. Beenie Man who was leaving for Germany told her that he would talk to her upon his return to England. As he turned to walk away she grabbed his chain and broke it, at which time his security guards intervened.

However, Beenie Man's publicist, Ray Alexander, could not confirm the incident as he said that Beenie Man had not mentioned anything to him during their 8am phone call. He promised to speak to Beenie Man about the alleged incident in Germany the following day.

Beenie Man is presently on a one month long European tour and is scheduled to perform in Germany on August 19, Holland on August 23, 26 and 27, and Belgium, August 24.

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As sponsors of Rising Stars for the past 4 years, Pepsi Cola Jamaica will be hosting the latest campaign of promotions for the Rising Stars competition by creating a special edition label for their 20oz and 2 litre bottles of Pepsi which will feature the first Jamaican entertainer ever, 2007 Rising Stars winner, St. Ann born, Romain Virgo.

When consumers purchase the soft drink with the Romain Virgo label, during the Pepsi's 2008 Rising Stars competition, they will have a chance to win prizes. Up until September, consumers will be able to text in a code found inside the bottle caps to Digicel to win prizes. Also, consumers who drop bottle labels into a box at any KFC island wide will have a chance to enter into the "Be A Star" Grand Prize, which includes a chance to share the stage with the Digicel Rising Stars finalists on live TV.

During the promotions, consumers will have a chance to win cellular phones, free pepsis, tickets to the show, among other prizes.

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By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

Jamaica added another medal to their tally as Shericka Williams performed amazingly, coming in second place this morning in the women’s 400 meter flat race. It was a bit of a surprise for avid track fans, since most sports analysts did not predict she would medal.

Williams copped the silver medal unexpectedly in a time of 49.69 seconds. The race was won by Christine Ohuruogu from Britain in 49.62 seconds and Sanya Richards came third, taking the bronze medal for the United States.

Richards, who was listed as the favorite to win the women’s 400 meter, finished in a time of 49.93 seconds. Although representing the United States in Beijing, she is a naturalized US citizen of Jamaican parentage.

In another final event today the 100 meters hurdles for women saw both Jamaican contestants, Delloreen Ennis-London and Brigitte Foster disappointingly failing to make the podium. Finishing fifth and sixth respectively, they ran the race in 12.65 and 12.66 seconds.

After many years of international competition, Foster announced today that she plans to hang up her track shoes and retire.

The Olympic finals began on August 15 and Jamaica is currently number 4 in the world in athletics with 5 medals – 2 gold and 3 silver medals. Russia, the United States and Kenya rank first second and third.

Immediately after his "Beenie Sizzle" event Beenie Man told reporters that he was upset that Capleton was absent for the show for which he was billed when he, Beenie had performed so well at Capleton's "A St. Mary Mi Come From" event just days before.

Capleton, having just arrived and overheard Beenie's comments explained that his absence was not meant to disrespect Beenie Man, but that his brother had gone missing and a search party had to be organized to locate him.

Beenie Man apologised for his comments, which he said were made in anger.

Capleton's brother was found stranded along the road. Details of his disappearance are still unknown.

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By: Michelle Lani Thomas

Photography by: Marie Mendoza

People Productions held its 2nd Annual Reggae Rising Festival at Dimmick's Ranch in Piercy, California on August 1st, 2nd & 3rd. The three day event brought out veteran artists, along with today's hot up and coming acts. The line up featured headliners like Beres Hammond, Sly & Robbie, Junior Reid, Sizzla and Don Carlos.


Baby Cham rocked the stage with a magnetic performance, as he told the reggae rising audience, "My party go on all night." Crowd favorites such as "Ready Ready", "Stand By Me", "This Is Why I'm Hot" and hit single "Ghetto Story" kept fans irie as they danced and bounced to his every beat. He kicked his performance into high gear with a joint performance with Mr. Easy and dropped 'Lil Wayne's "A Milli" beat with his own flava. We caught up with Cham and asked about his set. Cham said, "It's just music. Music has no boundaries. To me, a perfect party is not a party with one type of music."

Tanya Stephens was well received. Fans cheered as she sang "It's a Pity" and a rendition of "Night Nurse". We talked to Stephens about her upcoming album. In comparison to Gangsta Blues and Revolution she said, "Dancehall and reggae could use a few more topics of discussion, you know we tend to stick to the beaten paths and I believe there is too much ground to explore to stick to the beaten paths, so I'm really into cutting down bushes and walking into the forest."

Beres Hammond, known in particular for his romantic lover's rock, delivered a flawless performance. His smooth and soulful sounds and passionate vocals filled the night air with good vibes. The sea of people danced and swayed to hits such as "Putting Up Resistance", "I Feel Good" and "Rockaway".

UB40 had the crowd singing along to classics like "Kingston Town", "The Way You Do The Things You Do", "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You" and "Red Red Wine".

Sly & Robbie's phenomenal performance tipped off Saturday's festivities while backing Reggae Angel, Junior Reid, and special guests Black Uhuru. Reggae Angel had the crowd dancing and vibin'. Junior Reid delivered a vibrant performance with "Ethiopian Anthem", "Rasta Government", "Never Let You Go", new single, "Don't Play Me Dirty", "This Is Why I'm Hot" and "No One" remix featuring Alicia Keys. A historical and spectacular moment spread amongst the fans as The Legendary Black Uhuru joined Sly & Robbie.

Don Carlos, Junior Reid, and Garth Dennis shined as bright as the stars in the night sky, as they united on one stage for the first time in years. Original tunes such as "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner", "General Penitentiary" and "Shine Eye Girl" left fans in a frenzy. Turbulence delivered a wicked performance that included an R & B flava along with Roots & Culture. Sizzla hyped the crowd in his usual fashion and gave a thrilling performance.

Collie Buddz, dressed in fatigues & The New Kingston Band blazed up the stage for the 2nd year in a row. Kingston's new single "Empress Love" won over the ladies and Buddz fired up the masses with crowd favourites "Mamacita", "Rising It", "Tomorrow's Another Day" and "Gimmie Love". Air horns sounded as Buddz closed out with "Come Around" and "Blind To You".

Julian Marley and The Uprising Band moved the reggae rising audience as he opened with "Natural Mystic". A fan described Ju Ju's performance as a rejuvenation of an identical Sunsplash, while the crowd enjoyed classic Bob Marley favourites like "Stir It Up", "Get Up Stand Up" and "Exodus". Julian was asked if it feels differently to perform solo than with the family. Marley said, "It doesn't have a different effect - not really, because the only thing that is different than when we're together is when we're interchanging on stage. So when it's my time, you get me like how you see me tonight, then (it's) the next man turn and you kick back and relax. Nothing different...the only difference is you get more Gong Marley on a night like that."

Gentleman gave a stellar performance with hits like "Dem Gone", "Round The World", "Different Places" and "Serenity". Don Carlos put a smile on every one's face as he delivered a veteran's caliber performance. He imparted to fans, "I love you but Jah loves you more." Carlos granted the crowd's request with "Laser Beam" and thrilled the audience with more original music and a joint performance with his Black Uhuru band mates, Junior Reid & Garth Dennis. Don Carlos delighted fans with an encore performance and gave a special tribute to a late dear friend, Fazal Prendergast.

with Joan Wilson

It's a good time to be back. I apologise for being caught up with work and other stuff, so my writing had to go on the back burner. But not even the pressure of work could keep me from checking in to talk about my joy which knows no end.

One little dot on the map and we are creating havoc in Beijing, China! What could possibly beat the overwhelming swell of pride when Usain Bolt crossed the finish line in 9.69 seconds and gave us the gold?

But if I thought my cup had overflowed with joy, then I had another guess coming as our three girls, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, made a clean sweep of the medals earning gold and two silvers in the same race - creating history. Who would have ever imagined that!

Shelly-Ann who hails from the Water House community proved to the world that one's address is just geography. She was super confident, regal and a beauty to behold as she totally stamped her class on the athletic games.

Jamaica is a blessed island and we, as a people, need to realise that and stop our foolishness. It's time we as Jamaicans come together and realise how great a nation we are and start pulling together as we should.

As we bask in the glory of our athletes achievements on the track, let's not make their efforts go in vain by tarnishing the positive recognition that their victory has given us. With our strong performance on the field in the Olympic games, all eyes will be on us. Let us give them something worth seeing.

Big up to the athletes, big up the the people and big up to my country...let's start living like the champions we are...a suh mi sey!

By: Devon Anderson and Dwight Fraser

On a day when Jamaica celebrated the 121st birthday anniversary of Marcus Mosiah Garvey, the country’s sprint queen Shelley-Ann Fraser as well as gold and silver medal winners Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson, celebrated their clean sweep of the women’s 100 meters at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in China.

Fraser stormed to a life time best 10.78 seconds to win Jamaica’s first ever Olympic gold in the women’s 100 meter finals; leading the sweep with Simpson and Stewart, as both clocked identical 10.98 seconds in a dead-heat for second.

This was a phenomenal accomplishment for all three athletes as they broke world history in the 100 meter race. No other country can boast having three winners represented on the podium for the 100 meter women’s Olympic final.

Although it was the first time ever that three female athletes from the same country took the top three places in an Olympic track final, American male sprinters have been first second and third on two previous occasions; in 1906 in Athens and during the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. The most recent occasion of seeing three athletes from the same country on a medal podium was in the triple jump in 2004 when three Russian athletes took all the medals on offer.

Undoubtedly well prepared both physically and mentally, the Jamaican athletes have shown extraordinary strength in Beijing.

Some Jamaicans have linked the marvelous winning streak to the birthday celebration of a great Jamaican; as Garvey, who was well known for his insistence on discipline and the importance of self-belief once said, "Mental preparation is the key to success in any discipline."

All three female medal winners qualified to compete at the Olympics because of their placing in the Jamaica trials where Stewart came in first, Fraser second and Simpson third.

Veronica Campbell the former world 100 meter champion did not qualify for the Olympic 100 meter race because she came in fourth at the trials in Jamaica. Campbell will be running the 200 meter at these Olympics.

Later on in Beijing, all three 100 meter winners will run in the 4 by 100 meter relay with Campbell as the fourth person on that team.

In another event that took place this morning in Beijing, Danny McPharlane from Jamaica finished fourth in the 400 meter finals with the US taking first, second and third; also Jamaican. Keina Sinclair finished sixth in the 800 meter finals for women.

Photographs by: Jamaica Observer

By: Jaide

Brittany Lyons took the Miss Jamaica World crown at the Hilton Kingston Hotel, New Kingston.

Crowned by last year's winner, Yendi Phillips, the 19 year old Lyons came out on top over 15 other contestants.
Jade Grant and Marsha-Gay Reynolds were first and second runners-up respectively at the Olympic themed show titled 'In Search of Gold.'

Show hosts were Nadine Hunt and Adrian Atkinson and while the evening was full of exciting moments with contestants showcasing their abilities in various forms, there was the added stirring touch of master performances by the Stella Maris creative dance troupe, Soul 4 Soul and Angel.

One focus was on physique as always; so contestants strutt their stuff in gold bikinis and modeled sensuous top designs in evening wear.

However, the outlined aim of this pageant has always been to uplift women who participate; promoting individual development in all areas including self-worth and self-esteem.

Lyons, who is employed at The Body Shop Ltd., was a crowd favorite in the swimwear parade and she also won the 'Beach Beauty' award. Other awardees were Monique Daley who walked away with the 'SoftSheen Model' award, Raecine Williams – winning the 'Beauty with a Purpose' and Yanique Levy who came away with the 'Miss Jamaica World Sports' award.

With a life ambition to succeed in Fashion Marketing, Lyons wants to put her mark on the world through that industry.

Wearing the sash Miss Logo Stitch, Lyons was shocked when her name was announced. She had major support from especially her mom Marie-Claire Lyons, who in 1976 was a runner-up in the pageant where former Miss Jamaica and Miss World, Cindy Breakespeare was crowned.

There was some disappointment expressed by some onlookers, who wanted other crowd favourites like, Raecine Williams to have at least been included in the top three.

D'Angel and Beenie Man

What a way Ragashanti programme sell off di whola dis week yah wid di whole heap a people a call in bout D'angel and Beenie Man. Some a dem sey dat di two a dem a guh find dem way back together and others sey dat if dem nuh deh back dem fi remain good friends. Mi neva know sey a suh suh much people mix up inna dem life.

More sex tape?

Bwoy mi a hear one big big argument and if dat a true it a guh meck Milk and Johnny tape look like foolishness. Di name whey mi a hear a call up regarding kinky sex from behind...heh hem. If di tape lick dat deh smady nuh have a come back a come back. But if a true a ontgle a matter a time before it buss. Cause how wi get it, di person a pay nuff money fi hold it dung...suh wi hope di money nuh run out...cause...ah bwoy a ongle hope nutten nuh guh suh.

A wha dis fada

But a wha dis fada whey mi hear bout lawman. A caan true. Dem sey when him a smady kick off di man just sey a him yuh know what gi him everyting whey him got! Whooi mi caan laugh. A some serious allegation dat. It suh bad dat wi caan even gi yuh a hint a di name cause if unno eva know Jamaica mash up!

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Jamaican ska and reggae band The Skatalites founding member and trumpeter Johnny Moore died of cancer on Saturday. Moore who was 70 died at a friend's house after being released from the hospital following treatment last week.

Moore was instrumental in forming the band in 1964 along with saxophonist Tommy McCook and Roland Alphanso and trombonist Don Drummond.

During the first 14 months the band was together, it transformed jazz, movie themes and other genres of music with ska style. It broke up in the 1960s, but regrouped in New York two decades later. Two of their albums, "Hip Bop Ska" and "Greetings from Skamania," were nominated for Grammy awards in the 1990s.

Their music continued to influence bands such as 311, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt.

Moore lived in New York City for 14 years but returned to Jamaica in the early 1980s. He last toured abroad about eight years ago with reggae artist Bunny Wailer.

In recent years, he made rare appearances at Kingston clubs. He is survived by four children.

Yardflex offers condolences to his family.

Acquitted of murdering a 39 year old transgendered woman, Kellie Telesford in her Thornton Heath flat last November, Shanniel Hyatt is adamant about his innocence.

Reporting that he was unaware of the former florist and beautician's
actual gender until being informed by police upon his arrest, the 18 year old Jamaican was accused of killing Telesford in a state of rage.

The prosecution told a jury at the Old Bailey trial, that after spending an intimate night with the transgendered woman, Hyatt killed her in anger once he realized she was indeed a man who had undergone a sex change. Prosecutor Sally O’Neil presented facts, gleaned from video surveillance recordings, that the teenager left Telesford’s flat at 6am on November 19, 2007, having stolen her public transit pass, mobile telephone and other electronic equipment.

Agreeing that he was in fact a petty thief, the 18 year old insisted that he left Telesford alive and well. His defense attorney, Joanna Greenburg refuted the murder allegations saying that the victim was a biological man and would have certainly used his innate strength to fight off an attempt at strangulation. There were no signs of a struggle in that regard.

The jury was led by Greenburg, to consider alternate explanations for Telesford's death, like kinky sex games with some other 'date' or even that her demise was self-inflicted. The court heard that the transgendered woman was accustomed to taking home men she had only briefly dated for sexual encounters.

Hyatt, a father of one child, had only met Telesford hours before ending up in her South London flat and bed. She was found strangled three days after their meeting.

Although off the hook for murder, Hyatt is being held on a separate immigration matter.

The tenants of a building located at the corner of Caledonia Road, Cross Roads expressed shock upon hearing that they have five days, which ended yesterday, to vacate the premises, as the building which is built over a gully will be demolished.

The mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie served demolition notice to the owner, but, according to the tenants who operate small businesses from the location, the owner has been collecting their rent while informing them of nothing.

One woman said that she was unaware of the circumstances until she saw the news.

Mayor McKenzie said that, over the past four and a half years, the owner has been served with notices to demolish the building, but has failed to acknowledge the notices.

A bartender commented that she was not sorry for the owner, "...him out of order, him should notify the people, I don't sorry fi him."

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The attorney's for Superintendent Harry "Bungles" Daley, Valerie Neita Robertson and Carolyn Reed have both taken issue with what they describe as strategies to intimidate them.

They have sent reports to the Jamaica Bar Association outlining alleged wiretapping, illegal searches of their homes and person at the Horizon Prison.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in Charge of Intelligence, Owen Ellington, promised to make a statement concerning the matter, but is yet to do so.

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By: Elizabeth Smith

It may be something to do with his name; since the invincible Usain Bolt
literally bolted out the starter’s block at Bird’s Nest Stadium in Beijing
today creating not only Olympic history but also Caribbean history by
championing the 100 meter final.

Doing Jamaica proud, it was an astounding race for the 21 year old Bolt
who clocked a breathtaking 9.69 second finish, setting a new world record
and garnering an Olympic gold medal.

The expected faceoff with Asafa Powell, who until recently held the world
record went completely ‘out the window’ as Bolt led the 100 meter sprinter
pack leaving Powell, who finished the race in 9.95 seconds, way behind.

Clocking in 5th in the race, Powell came in behind Richard Thompson of
Trinidad and Tobago, who earned himself the silver medal at 9.89 seconds
and Walter Dix, an NCAA United States champion who picked up the bronze
medal with his 9.91 run.

It ‘s being touted as the night that Canadian, Donovan Bailey’s
long-standing Olympic record, set in the 1996 Atlanta Games came crashing
to the ground. Bailey had a 9.84 gold win then.

Tyson Gay of the United States, who was the reigning world champion, did
not qualify for this final race as he finished 5th in his semifinal heat
in a time of 10.05 seconds. A tendon injury in his hamstring, suffered
after the US Olympic trials is cited as the cause of Gay’s second-rate
performance.

Overjoyed, Bolt gave the more than 90,000 spectators a taste of the new
Jamaican ’no linga’ dance while the stadium’s sound system blasted reggae
music. Bolt, who has been outstanding on the track since high school, hung
onto his moment - waving the Jamaican flag and holding up his track shoes.

Gearing up for his 22nd birthday next week, Bolt was accompanied to
Beijing by his father Mr. Wilby Bolt, who was practically speechless
following the win. “He surprised me…” his dad exclaimed, as he joined in
congratulating his son.

Before heading off for drug testing Bolt mentioned his one desire at that
moment was to hurry up and get home to Jamaica, where he wants to
celebrate at Quad Night Club.

Producer / artiste Alley Cat has released a new album called Dancehall Knowledge Vol 1 which contains inspirational songs as well as songs "...with a little bit of rude bwoy touch..defending the struggles of the people..."

He is hopeful that the album will be a success as the first video has been doing well on RETV and CVMTV top ten countdown. It has also been getting great airplay and positive feedback.

The album features artistes such as: Red Square, Mitch, Fiona, Miami based Tenor Blue and new comers: Badd Cash, East Coast and Scorpion.

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The Yonkers-bred rap artiste DMX, born Earl Simmons, was arrested for the sixth time this year for skipping a court date on Tuesday.

On Thursday afternoon, Miami police apprehended the 37 year old rapper while he was leaving an area Wal-Mart department store.

He was to appear in the Arizona courts to answer to charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

DMX has other charges pending in the Arizona courts from animal cruelty to impersonation.

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Photography By: Milton Raynor

Please vote for either Contestant A or B for the hottest Girl of the Week.

Choose the image you like best and vote by placing the letter A or B in your comments.

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Everyone has heard a different story about what really happened in Sweden with Sean Paul and other artistes. YardFlex has gotten an exclusive interview from an artiste, Limey Murray, who was at the venue in Sweden.

He explains that the attack was not just on Sean Paul, his band or management team, but on all the artistes who were present. This he explains was an attempt by the lawmen to control the speech of the artistes and was a direct attack on dancehall and reggae music.

Mr. Murray told YardFlex that the Police in Sweden interrogated the artistes, management and band members. They were placed in coaster buses and taken to this large auditorium where they had to do a urine test. The urine test was done to establish the presence of any traces of herb in the urine. If traces of herb were found during the urine test they would have to proceed by doing blood tests. The blood tests would show how long ago the artistes had engaged in herb smoking and if they had smoked the herb while in Sweden, seeing that it is an illegal substance in the country.

Meanwhile the artistes were being interrogated, he explains, they were going through their hotel rooms and dressing rooms, in an effort to locate the weed, which proved unsuccessful on every count. Even with the presence of dogs, they still did not find any weed in the possession of any of these individuals. Murray feels that this was a direct act of racial discrimination.

Not only did the police officers search for weed but they also checked their passports to see if they came to Sweden legally. After Mr. Murray was through being interrogated and returned to the hotel, Sean Paul still had not been released. Meanwhile Luciano, Richie Spice Queen Ifrica and other artistes were preparing to demonstrate in front of the police station to demonstrate their disgust.

The "Energy God" buys range rover

It look like a Range Rover a de in ting fi 2008.
The "Energy God", Elephant Man just join the "Range Rover Crew". Only fi him own a nuh black or white like everybody else own, but yellow.

So people if oonu see a yellow Range Rover a pass, oonu nuh affi wonder a who, 'cause its none other than the "Energy God".

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Michael Misick and estranged wife in cat fight

It is reported that on Tuesday, the Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael Misick released a statement that he was separated from his wife LisaRaye McCoy-Misick.

LisaRaye returned to the TCI to negotiate devorce settlements and decided to confront Misick at his mansion on Wednesday night, where a number of government officials, including the Minister of Health and Education, Lillian Been-Boyce witnessed their violent altercation which resulted in both Misicks seeking medical attention for multiple bite wounds. Both filed police reports against the other.

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Police in Spanish Town have a huge nut to crack at the moment, as money and other material confiscated by them in 2006 has seemingly disappeared from their safe holding area. Not only did the $800,000 and four cellphones fly the coup with no apparent explanation; the bills were also replaced by counterfeit notes, some of which were crudely photocopied.

Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green ordered on Monday that charges against Anthony Barrett, Dushane Sweeny and Dalton Thomas be dropped, following successful litigation by defense attorney George Soutar. Charged with unlawful possession of $800,000 and other material; said to be unaccounted for, the men have appeared in court on many occasions since their arrest in late 2006.

Upon their acquittal, that was granted after the court learned the money seized was in fact properly accounted for and was to be used for the purchase of an automobile, the court ordered the money be returned to the accused men. It was then that the discovery of over $100,000 in counterfeit notes was made.

An investigation has been launched and defense attorney Soutar is
demanding it be thorough, since genuine notes were confiscated and the
same ought to be returned.

Anger management was definitely lacking in the case of a Pink Lane, Kingston woman who was arraigned in court this week for throwing boiling water her eight year old child’s face.

Remanded in custody after appearing before the Half-Way-Tree Criminal Court yesterday, the woman, Ann Marie Scott, 28, faces assault and wounding charges.

Scott allegedly got extremely irate upon discovering that her eight year old daughter had misplaced a ring that was a gift from her father. Police reported that the incident took place on July 29 and following an investigation by detectives of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, she was officially charged.

Dumbfounded when asked to explain her actions by senior Magistrate Glen Brown, Scott’s actions against her child were outlined by family members who helplessly witnessed the vicious attack.

Reports given by them to police describe how Scott first started beating her eight year old with a mop stick, threatening all the time to burn the child. Despite the family’s attempts to stop the assault, Scott followed through with her threats by boiling water in the microwave and throwing it on her child’s face, shoulders and legs.

The child was released into her father’s custody after spending almost two weeks in the Bustamante Hospital for children, where she was treated for severe burns.

Even with atistes and fans clamouring for peace, the dancehall contrversy continues. The latest incident took place at the Hype 2008 stage show, Independence Park, Black River, St. Elizabeth on Saturday, August 9, when Spice came on stage and lyrically 'dissed' Macka Diamond. The crowd expressed their delight when she accused Macka of wearing false teeth. Macka, however, chose to ignore Spice and performed like the true veteran of the business that she is.

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Devon Garvey, who is said to be Marcus Garvey’s great grand son, has been charged in Half-Way-Tree Criminal Court with allegedly sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl.

Garvey, who hails from Gold Smith Villa in August Town, St Andrew had the carnal abuse charges laid on him this week after reports surfaced about his indiscreet actions towards the adolescent.

Police reports state that Garvey was accompanying the young girl from church on May 31 this year, and instead of taking her home, he brought her to his house, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Arrested and subsequently charged for the offence, Garvey has denied the allegations, says his attorney, Christopher Townsend.

He will return to court on September 8 for a preliminary enquiry into the incident.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

TW LW WC ARTISTE/TITLE/LABEL/PEAK POSITION

01 1 11 Mavado-Money Changer-Juke Boxx-3wks@#1
02 2 8 Mr. Vegas-Daggering-KirkleDove/Irish & Chin-Shot to Watch
03 5 9 Elephant Man-Nuh Linga-Board House
04 3 16 Elephant Man-Gully Creeper-Seanizzle-5wks@1
05 8 12 Lady Saw-Sunday to Sunday-Big Ship - Greatest Gainer up 3
06 4 11 Beenie Man-Gimme Likkle-Born So Records- Peak@# 2
07 9 9 Ce'Cile-Ride Or Die-DangerZone/SoBe
08 6 15 Richie Spice-The Plane Land- No Doubt-Peak@#3
09 7 15 L.U.S.T-Just As I Am- Borne Music-Peak@#2
10 11 6 Vegas-Nuh Fight Over Man-Legend

11 10 18 Bounty Killer-Nuh Fren Fish-Foota Hype-Peak@#5
12 12 13 Stacious-Falling Down-John John-Peak@#8
13 14 4 Konshens-Winner-Natural Bridge/Cash Flow
14 13 19 Mavado-On The Rock-Baby G-1wk@#1
15 16 3 Vybz Kartel-Money Fi Spend - Big Ship
16 15 19 Damian & Stephen Marley-The Mission-Baby G-2wks#1
17 19 2 Assassin – Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Board House
18 17 8 Natalie Storm-Gal Fi Get Boo-Ward 21- Peak@#16
19 NE 1 Morgan Heritage–Nothing To Smile About –No Doubt-(New Entry
20 NE 01 George Nooks-Rest Your Love On me-Total/Tads -(New Entry

Mavado was yesterday freed of the separate charges of assault and using abusive language, resulting from an incident in Negril on August 3. He appeared in the Petty Court to answer to the abusive language charge and the Resident Magistrate Court for the charge of assault, on the same day.

Movado's manager Julian Jones-Griffith said that his client is a target for the media and that the incident was blown out of proportion. He also said that there were many witnesses willing to testify that Movado did not lay a hand on the complainant.

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Contrary to reports flooding the internet Sean Paul's booking agent and publicist Headline Entertaining are maintaining that their client was not arrested on drug charges at the Uppsala Reggae Festival last Friday.

It was reported that the DJ who has made a big impact on the international scene was taken and processed along with 300 other people including artistes at a local police station.

Another media reported that the DJ's hotel room was searched without his knowledge.

Reporting on the incident Andreas Jakobsson on the web site www2.unt.se/avd/ quotes the festival boss as being "furious about Sean Paul’s arrest" and the way how the police treated the 10 artistes who were allegedly arrested and the voluntary workers at the festival. He is quoted as saying, "Both artistes and staff feel humiliated".

"The way they treated Sean Paul and other artistes was totally unacceptable. They searched his hotel room when he was not present and went through wallets and other personal belongings."

But in an article published in Chat! Headline's Corlette Deleon was quoted as saying 'There were no arrests, no raid, no secret police. Sean performed in Tunisia last night and today he flies to Russia and returns to the island later this week to fulfill his engagement at Champions In Action on Saturday night."

In an effort to reduce the crime rate by using it as a deterrent for criminals and to appease the scared public, the JLP will in a few weeks vote either in favour of or against resuming the death penalty. The JLP's wish to resume executions in Jamaica as an anti-crime strategy has come under fire from various sects.

Yvonne Sobers of Families Against State Terrorism (FAST) sees this move as being "fundamentally abhorrent".

Human rights activist Nancy Anderson is also opposed to the idea of executions. "I am opposed to the idea of capital punishment, it doesn't help, it is not a deterrent...We condemn people who kill and then we turn around and kill them, it is farcical."

Miss Anderson also pointed to cases where prisoners were sentenced to death, placed on death row, only to be later released when new evidence proved their innocents. What would have happened if they were executed before the new evidence was discovered? She said that life imprisonment should be enough of a deterrent for criminals.

Amnesty International has recommended that Jamaica and other Caribbean states should follow the decision of Illinois Governor George Ryan, and overturn the death penalty of all 167 inmates on death row in the state.

"The law is that no one should kill anyone."

The new host of Digicel rising Stars, Yendi Phillipps said on Tuesday, August 12, that she is privileged to work with the rising talent of Jamaica. She especially enjoys bonding with the contestants, talking with them and getting to know them each as individuals.

She commented on the performances in Sunday's (August 10) show. She said that the eight finalists are finally listening to the judges and improving their performances, which were powerful enough to please the judges as well as the live audience.

About her stint as new host, Yendi said that she appreciates the advice and criticism that she has received. She, like the contestants, is adjusting and having fun, while allowing her personality to run free.

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It was a night of pure fun and excitement at Club Nazz in Negril where Divas in Concert took place. Although Macka Diamond, Queen Paul and Lady G were missing in action, you would never know it by the way the crowd seized every moment to enjoy themselves.

Lady Saw and Spice proved to be two lethal divas as they literally took full control of the crowd. They came, they saw and they conquered big time.

D’Angel, Lady Diva and Miss Thing did their thing to good response from the crowd, but the night belonged to Spice and Lady Saw who drew upon every iota of experience to totally captivate the crowd.

But the only thing Yardflex want to know is how could they be so wicked to D’Angel to ask her to close the show after the blistering pace set by Saw.

Still she did not fare too badly even if she had to put in everything to deliver.

In an effort to reduce the increase of HIV in the Caribbean, as the Caribbean has the second highest infection rate next to the Sub-Saharan Africa, PANCAP (Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS) will in October present a proposed legislation to the Caribbean Parliamentary Council recommending the decriminalization of homosexuality and commercial
sex workers.

Dr. Kevin Harvey, head of Jamaica's National HIV/STI programme agrees with this method of intervention as he sees that if homosexuality is decriminalized there will be greater opportunities to reduce the infection rate among gays, as, he says, this cannot be done if they go underground.

Director of PANCAP, Carl Browne said that he is aware that a number of the territories in the region have laws that discriminate against these groups and knows that it will be easier to get sex workers decriminalized than homosexuality.

He also recognises that even if the Attorneys General agree to the proposal, what happens at the regional level cannot be dictated in individual countries.

The Palisadoes Go-Kart track on Saturday night was the place to be as Renaissance Disco celebrated its 19th Anniversary with a party under the theme; "Flight 19". Renaissance, whose selectors are known for their excellent mixing skills, surely proved themselves at the event by keeping the patrons satisfied as they played hit after hit, keeping the crowd entertained and dancing as they (the patrons) 'broke out' and were 'daggering' on the dance floor.

With a theme like this, expectations for decor were extremely high and they did not disappoint. Red Stripe which is strongly associated with the sound did not fail to make its presence known at the venue. Staff was attired in airline outfits; pilot hats. Effort was put into the details of decor, lighting to set the mood, steps to board the flight.

'Spirits' were flowing all night! Liquor was readily available as the bars located throughout the venue catered well to the large crowd , very hassle free, which also added to the good vibes throughout the night. Bars 2 Go is truly ensuring a good party vibe this summer. For those driving, at the Detox Bar complimentary soup and coffee were available. Otherwise to those with General Admission, Jerk Chicken and such were on sale. Those in the VIP enjoyed dishes of a more luxurious kind ranging from chicken to shrimp pasta.

Artistes such as Bling Dawg, Wayne Marshall and Nikki B to name a few graced the crowd with their presence. All in all Renaissances celebration was blazing. The flight definitely arrived safely and in style! Look out for their 20th anniversary, it is a milestone and I'm sure will be bigger and better!

Wah really a gwaan? This bag a tape ting...everybody yuh hear seh deh pon tape.

Now Ninja Man a seh him have a tape with the 'Grung God' Bounty Killer a do nastiness with a white man. Nobody nuh see de tape all now, so nobody nuh sure if a true.

Well wi hear seh Ninja Man a carry feelings because Bounty go pon Sumfest and a call up him name seh him have a funny man son who do hair in a Half Way Tree.

Wi nuh know if a feelings him a carry or a really true, but as soon as we hear anything else we will mek oonu know.

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Christopher Gonzalez, whose expressionistic sculptures and paintings earned him a reputation as a pioneer in Jamaican art, has died, according to a longtime family friend. He was 65.

The acclaimed Jamaican artist lost his battle with cancer, on Saturday at the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay, said Kay Osbourne, managing director of Television Jamaica.

Gonzalez, born in 1943 in the central parish of Manchester, is best known for creating a controversial 9-foot (2.7-meter) statue of reggae legend Bob Marley, which is housed at a museum in Ocho Rios.

The bronze statue, which depicted the beloved Jamaican musician with a distorted face and a tree trunk for a lower body, was pelted with rocks and fruits at its 1983 unveiling in Kingston, on the second anniversary of Marley's death. Angry reggae fans said Gonzalez's abstract statue bore little resemblance to the songwriter.

Gonzalez, a graduate and former faculty member of the Jamaica School of Art, was also known for two bronze reliefs commemorating the island's Independence and his work on the tomb of the country's first prime minister, Norman Manley.

Gonzalez is survived by his wife, Champayne Clarke-Gonzalez, and six children, according to Radio Jamaica.

Digicel Rising Star judge, Clyde McKenzie in expressing his opinion about the performances of the contestants on Sunday, August 3 had a lot to say.

He said that as the contestants became more comfortable with themselves and the stage their performances became stronger, even though he saw some weak ones as well.

One of the stronger performances he mentioned was the group Khalil, from Montego Bay. He said that they are one of the finest performers in the competition as they have the ability to use their harmony to make them the crowd favourite.

Cameal, he believes did a fair rendition of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come". He says that her delivery and interpretation of the song should have an impact on the public.

He was, however, disappointed in the performances of the group SLR and the Linstead born barber, Nigel Wilson. He thinks that the group SLR has talent, but chose the wrong song, while Nigel, he thinks, has the potential but once again failed to deliver, leading to his being sent home. Like Nigel, Lashana has the ability and a marvelous voice but needs to improve her delivery.

McKenzie commented that he was disappointed that Patrice Ellis and Top Team did not make it to the top ten as he thought that their performances were energetic and looked forward to seeing more of them.

Finally he mentioned that it will take some time for the audience to accept Yendi as host as they have become accustomed to Denise. He thinks, however, that Yendi is doing a great job as she has her own personality and can only be herself.

According to mediatakeout.com dancehall heavyweight Sean Paul was arrested in Sweden during a sting on Friday. It is reported that Sean Paul was caught and charged with possession of an unknown quantity of marijuana.

According to the website’s snitch the whole thing went down at the Uppsala Reggae Festival - a well known event. Word is that undercover officers called for a raid when they spotted Sean Paul and a group of other artists smoking marijuana - which is illegal in Sweden.

No word on what Sean Paul was charged with or how much jail time he faces.

In an updated story posted on Caribbean World News it stated that the Swedish police have taken flack for their arrest of Sean Paul plus about 300 fans.

“ "The way they treated Sean Paul and other artists was totally unacceptable", Uppsala organizer Yared Tekeste told a Swedish publication. "They searched his hotel room when he was not present and went through wallets and other personal belongings",†the article was was quoted as saying.

The Bob Marley Foundation recently donated 100 books to the Victory Basic School in Trench Town, St. Andrew. The books, which are based on the Caribbean experience, are designed to help children in the early childhood program develop in the critical areas of reading, mainly pronunciation.

The Administrator of the school, Miss Black, declared that she has already read the books and found them to fit perfectly in the school's curriculum.

Mrs. Jackie Lynch Stewart, General Manager of the Bob Marley Foundation said that the features of the books should accelerate the literacy process, and make learning more meaningful. She believes that starting with the young ones is an important way to contribute to nation building, and change the society.

The Foundation will also sponsor two teachers from the school by sending them to special reading workshops to improve their literacy teaching skills which will assist in improving the literacy level at the school.

The Foundation also has plans to make similar donations to Stephney Primary and Juniour High School, in the parish of Bob Marley's birth, St. Ann.

Suriname sets up the showdown with Guyana for Group B final game to decide which of the two moves into the next round of the Digicel Caribbean Championship.

Saturday, August 9, 2008 – Providence Stadium, Guyana: Suriname defeated the 10-man Dominica 3-1 to set up a final match showdown with hosts Guyana to decide which of the two moves into the next round of the Digicel Caribbean Championship (DCC).

The group B encounter took place at the Providence Stadium, the second floodlight game at this venue. Dominica had a bright start against the Dutch team who would have good memories of this venue, having defeated Guyana in their return second round World Cup qualifying match.
Having lost their opening encounter in the group to Guyana on Friday night (0-3), Dominica came out with guns blazing against Suriname, a tactic that brought the desired results.

After a mere 7 minutes into the game, Prince Austrie finished off a promising run with a well aimed shot past the usually efficient Ronny Aloema. The goal brought renewed vigor to Dominica who continued to press forward.

Suriname, on the other hand, was just getting into a rhythm, which was not good news for Dominica who were not able to enjoy the lead for too long. In the 18th minute, and another of their frequent raids on Dominica 's defense, a Surinamese striker was brought down and a penalty was awarded.
Captain Marlon Felter stepped up for the shot and sent his opposite number and goal keeper Glenson Prince the wrong way.

The Dominicans who had still looked very purposeful, suffered a major setback when in the 20th minute, Imran Gage was given marching orders by Barbadian Referee Trevor Taylor for serious foul play against an opposing player. Losing a man at this point in the game was a major setback for Dominica as Suriname found much more space to control the flow of the game, which they did admirably. However, Dominica was still able to limit the scoring to 1-1 by the end of the first half.

It was difficult for Dominica to contain the offensive minded Surinamese for any lengthy period but they did try. Goal number 2 was netted in the 54th minute by Clifton Sanduvliet, with the sealer coming in the 84th minute compliments of a powerful left foot shot by Ferdinand Jap-a-Joe in the 81st minute.

Dominica had a few exciting moments of their own in the second half and missed a golden chance to tie the game at 2 from the penalty spot, but Paul Victor placed the ball way over the bar in the 73rd minute effectively ending their chance of coming back.

The third and final group game will be contested on Sunday afternoon. The winner of this game will book a place in the next round. For match pictures and further information visit www.digicelfootball.com

Mr. Vegas has been quite busy on the entertainment circuit. Performing in locales throughout the world, this stronghold dancehall artiste is always eager to thrill fans, and this past weekend, he did just that --- taking his show on the road to the 2nd Annual Reggae Rising Music Festival, (produced by People Productions), in the northern tip of California.

It was a special weekend for Mr. Vegas and his ensemble as they touched down on the picturesque setting, which included a remarkable backdrop of the Eel River. Much different than they anticipated, the eclectic Reggae Rising Music Festival was one to be rivaled. With three performance areas, outdoor camping and loads of special treats and creative concepts, uncommon to most festivals, the three-day event played home to a thorough line-up of Reggae artistes and thousands of revelers.

Although they went through planes, trains and automobiles to get to the event, it was very much worthwhile in the long run. At the festival on Saturday, August 2, Mr. Vegas shined -- delivering a 60 minute impressive set of numerous hits. But the most exciting element of the performance was High Energy dancer Boricia, who enticed the crowd as she moved to the pulsating beats. She enjoyed displaying the latest dancehall moves just as much as the crowd enjoyed watching and imitating her. Additionally, background singer, Nicole Miller, blazed during her solo performance. Her sultry vocals mesmerized the sea of fans.

Mr. Vegas was joined by other top Reggae acts, including Sly and Robbie, Lexxus, Junior Reid and none other than Jamaica's beloved crooner Beres Hammond. In just a few weeks, Mr. Vegas will be off to toast it up in Africa.

Inspiring Rastafarian Reggae singer, Jah Cure,premiered his latest music videos last week on the top local music video channels and programmes.

The Danger Zone/SoBe Entertainment singles 'Hot Long Time' (featuring Junior Reid), 'Journey' and 'Green Grass' hit the HD plasma screens with such a powerful impact that the request lines for all the channels must have been ringing off the hook.

Award winning video director J. Will outdid himself with the production of the videos that were shot on locations across Jamaica.

'Hot Long Time' is not the typical Jah Cure type music video. Filmed in Port Royal, the scenes feature hot bikes, cars, helicopters and some sexy girls, which Jah Cure fans should definitely love.

'Journey' is a reflective mastery that sees Jah Cure journeying across Jamaica and chronicling his 'trod'. The scenes feature the wonders and beauty of the island paradise.

While the herbs tune 'Green Grass' reflects Jah Cure's message of consciousness, which should appeal to all official 'herbs man and woman'.

'Hot Long Time', 'Journey' and 'Green Grass' are a wonderful delight for music lovers, who almost simultaneously, experienced different sides of the versatile singer.

And what a month it was for Jah Cure fans! Three great music videos coming a week after that masterful Reggae Sumfest performance in Montego Bay, that is still a hot water cooler item.

Montego Bay was indeed longing for the cultural singer, who did not disappoint in his first official Reggae Sumfest performance.With his Iyah Cure band and harmonized back up singers in tow, Jah Cure hit Reggae Sumfest stage like a man in charge. He was in no way fazed by the fact that he was taking the stage right after an excellent performance from international superstar, Akon. Jah Cure was the picture of confidence…and he more than delivered.

Attired in a suave white Armani outfit with wicked Adidas Y3 footgear, the conscious Reggae ambassador delivered a powerful set that had the massive captivated.

With boundless energy that had the physically fit singer working the full expanse of the Sumfest stage, it was a deafening uproar that greeted the strains of the chart topper 'Longing For'.

The seasoned entertainer, who just returned from a lengthy, successful European tour, had the massive right where he wanted them…and he was quite at home in his hometown.

Jah Cure held his audience mesmerised with each delivery, touching their heart and soul with 'What Will It Take', 'Sunny Day', 'Love Is', 'Run Come Love Me Tonight', 'Arms of Love', 'Guardian Angel' and 'King In This Jungle'. When he drew for 'True Reflections' he had to wheel and come again. It was a commanding Jah Cure that closed off his approximately 45-minute set with 'Sticky'…leaving the audience just as he started – longing for more.

The beloved singer will soon be heading back to Europe to complete his multi-city tour.

By Buffilous

Yow mi peeps, mi did chip out fi a while. Mi nah tell nuh lie star, Jamdung a get a way and mi did haffi go endz out a England. Mi enjoy di likkle flex, but yuh done know, all whey a gwaan dung yah suh, nuh whey still nuh better dan yard. Suh mi back wid mi usual mix up…fi who did miss mi, big up fi who did a hope sey mi stay offa di map…a suh it guh yuh caan get everyting whey yuh want.

Now mi come back wid a story whey fi mi cousin draw mi inna, yes, she meet dis gal from foreign whey teck care a old people. Gal claim sey she have some lawsuit money fi get. Den fi mi mad head cousin guh teck up wid di girl and mi dear a bere tings. She look like she have a bladder problem, or some kinda problem, cause every time him guh bed wid har, mi cousin haffi spread sheet wid plastic under it cause she nuh stop pee pee up herself.

Di odda day she an mi cousin throw a big engagement party and she all a bring har 2 1/2 year old daughter fi celebrate wid dem.

But at di engagement party she meet mi cousin best friend and di bwoy nuh duh nutten more dan pack up har head a bere lie how mi cousin a cheat and dem tings deh. Suh yuh know wha happen, di man spend over Ja $150,000 pon party and by di party dun di woman nuh interested again.
Di same night she inna di living room a sleep and mi cousin come out deh fi watch TV, she just crape up di pickney and come out lef mi cousin. From dat she start to act funny and ting.

Ongle fi find out sey mi cousin best friend start to grill him bout di girl, how tings and such delight and mi cousin a tell him sey dem nuh dem pon nutten again…neva knowing sey a him own best friend cause mischief, just tru him tink sey di girl a guh file fi him come a foreign!

Now she four months pregnant…but di big question is fi who?

A 29 year old Jamaican woman, with two drug charges,who was released from a detention centre in Puerto Rico has avoided deportation to her homeland citing fear of being tortured. Judge Irma Lopez-Defillo had initially ordered that Nichole (her middle name), be deported, when the woman checked in with immigration authorities on Thursday, August 7, regarding her order of supervision, but upon hearing stories of her life in Jamaica as a lesbian, the judge also fearing that her sexual orientation would put her in danger if she were to return to Jamaica deferred the order based on the climate of intolerance in Jamaica.

"The general atmosphere in Jamaica is a feeling of no tolerance towards homosexuals in general,...the respondent's life is definitely at risk," the judge said.

Nichole's lawyers plan to file documents so that she can apply for legal residency as the Department of Homeland Security has the authority to deport her to any other country.

She is to report back in three months.

Treasure Aaron, also known as Treasure360 from the sound system 360 Ladies, recently relocated to Jamaica to build her entertainment empire in the Mecca of reggae music.

Treasure decided to return to Jamaica after heading the radio promotions and promotions department at Greensleeves Records for 8 years. After Greensleeves recent purchase by VP records in April 08 she opted not to pursue a career with the new owners. Instead making the decision to develop her own business with the expertise she picked up in her 8 years of hands on experience in promotions, guerrilla marketing and event production.

She is credited for working on US cross-over radio hit singles such as Elephant Man's "Log On", Vybz Kartel's "Tek Buddy" & "Picture This", Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go", Macka Diamond's "Bun Him", Mavado's "Weh Dem a Do", Busy Signal's "Step Out" and Mr. Vegas's "Hot Wuk".

During her time at Greensleeves, Treasure always balanced multi tasking careers in music as a radio disc jock, sound system selector, and video jock. She has worked as a holiday guest host on WLIB and a personality on Irie Jam Radio in NY before co-producing her own radio program "The Ladies Night" with 360 Ladies on Wahhgwan Radio 95.9FM in NY. The "Ladies Night" (Fridays 10pm-12) was the Friday Night party hours for the ladies around the world as the program was simultaneously aired online via the stations website.

Treasure managed to balance all of this scheduling, while still travelling the globe with her sound system 360 Ladies and co hosting as a VJ on Dancehall World TV in NYC.

She isn't all talent and beauty. Treasure, a former regular beauty pageant contestant and winner, is all brains too! While pursuing her major, a degree in broadcasting and communications, and a minor in African studies she obtained a 4.0 in her studies.

Treasure says during her most stressful days, playing her sound and being a DJ has been the most rewarding. 360 recently made their 2nd appearance at Fully Loaded for a short but energetic set and the all female sound supplied the crowds stint of satisfaction. Relocating her sound system, is also part of the new venture of projects that Treasure has in store. Already joining the HYPE TV family as a presenter and producer, Treasure states that HYPE TV is just the beginning of her professional projects. She is currently the new A&R for an exclusive digital album production deal set to be released in 2009. She promises this project will be productively effective for all involved and promises to be one of her top priorities.

Her most recent accomplishment was when producers of the movie "Bashment- A Fork in the Road" casted her to appear as a supporting actress as Eve in the motion picture film "The Roaming Lion". She will be returning to NY this fall to make appearances in the promotion as the movie is being released on DVD after a sold out box office premier.

In weeks to come she will return to the United States to MC/ host events in NJ and CA, and continue to tour with 360 Ladies to NY, FL, VA and the Bahamas.

Treasure says she is excited and confidant about the move and about joining HYPE TV as their newest VJ.
For booking info
Email: reggaepromoqueen@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/djladytreasure

Photography By: Milton Raynor

Scenes from Beenie Man's "Summer Sizzle 2008":

Back together again?

Is Beenie and D'Angel reconciling? Bwoy all now everybody a talk bout di comment whey she meck a Summer Sizzle bout what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Is she sending us a message here? Well meck wi si nuh, cause nuff people curious, dem caan wait fi si wha a guh really happen.

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Portia's big forward

What a way di people a stadium cheer when dem call Portia Simpson-Miller's name. Mi neva hear nutten like dat yet. Could it be dat dem just plain tiad a di almshouse whey a gwaan and tink sey Portia can deliver dem. Fi real dough tings rough outa here bad. Light bill fi mi two months ago was in the $2000 bracket now a $5000 sinting. A how wi a guh manage, everyting a raise except yuh pay and all a dis a since di new party come in. Suh maybe di people dem did a tink bout dat when dem did a shout.

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Danville a guh hard

Bwoy di people dem dung a customs a feel it big time cause tell everybody sey Danville Walker nah play! Him have di custom officers dem a walk a tight rope and it come een like sey all di bligh dem done. But yuh caan really blame him at all member di odda day him buy car fi him wife and madda and when dem go fi register it, it show pon di records sey smady else own dem aready! Bad luck wuss dan obeah, dat deh smady whey cook it up muss a cuss dem rotten luck.

Bernie Mac, the actor and comedian who teamed up in the casino heist caper "Ocean's Eleven" and gained a prestigious Peabody Award for his sitcom "The Bernie Mac Show," died Saturday at age 50.

"Actor/comedian Bernie Mac passed away this morning from complications due to pneumonia in a Chicago area hospital," his publicist, Danica Smith, said in a statement from Los Angeles.

The comedian suffered from sarcoidosis, an inflammatory lung disease that produces tiny lumps of cells in the body's organs, but had said the condition went into remission in 2005. He recently was hospitalized and treated for pneumonia, which his publicist said was not related to the disease.

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Jamaica's Tourism Model Shines in Mexico

By: Elizabeth Smith

Renee Johnson, who is HIV Programme Officer for Jamaica's Tourism Product Development Company Ltd, presented a poster at the XVIIth International Conference on HIV/AIDS that is currently underway in Mexico City. Renee's poster demonstrated how work place policy, implemented by Jamaica's Tourism Sector has been an effective tool in not only stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS, but also heightening sensitivity around the entire issue. Her poster gave clear indication of a policy that includes offering successful education and support services; placing emphasis on voluntary counseling and testing, an activity widely acknowledged as one key method for stopping HIV transmission.

This policy supports an important point raised at the conference, that
huge numbers of people infected with HIV still do not know that they are indeed infected.

Renee explained and showed through the graph on her poster, that voluntary counseling and testing is on the rise within the tourism sector...and that is certainly good news for Jamaica.

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Terryann Smith unveils an HIV horror story

By: Elizabeth Smith

Terryann Smith-Frith, a Procurement Officer with the Jamaica Ministry of Health's HIV-AIDS Prevention and Control Project, articulated the dire need for change in civil society's response to HIV/AIDS and those living with the disease at Mexico City's staging of the 2008 International AIDS Conference.

Her research and poster presentation, that was viewed by an audience of thousands of delegates, including: scientists, politicians, sociologists and people living with HIV/AIDS gave an up to date look at the climate around HIV related stigma and discrimination that unfortunately permeates the Jamaican society.

Her startling data, that includes 2007 reports on the strong and very real link between HIV positive disclosure and the fear of being physically abused by stoning in Kingston, Jamaica, will drive the ongoing fight for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, to exist in harmony and be respected in their communities.

Many calls to end stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS have rung out throughout the halls of Centre Banamex, where the XVIIth International Conference of HIV/AIDS is being held.

The conference that began on August 3rd, winds up on Sunday August 8.

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HIV in high numbers in the Caribbbean

Mabel Bianco MD MPH, revealed these facts on the global prevalence of
HIV/AIDS via this graph and her excellent presentation. As a member of the international Women's Coalition, she showed great concern for the rise in infections in women and girls.

Also discussed in her presentation to journalists at the National Press Foundation's Journalist to Journalist pre-conference seminar last week, was the fact that the numbers now show a great increase in infections among women in the Caribbean and Asia.

The Caribbean now holds the number two position in the world for highest infections in women.

This she attributed to not only the biological predisposition to HIV that women have, since their membranes tear easily in the sex act, offering the HIV virus an opportune entry point; but also to issues of gender imbalance, violence against women and the ever growing realization that HIV is being transmitted within trusting relationships.

Photography By: Milton Raynor

Scenes from the recently held "A St. Mary Mi Come From 2008":

Recently, There has been much debate as to who most deserves the title 'King of the Dancehall'. However, older artistes and musicians in the business say talk is cheap, let the work show.

Yellowman and Beenie Man have already made claims to the title, and while it is almost impossible to mention Beenie without Bounty Killer, they have all made public utterances declaring themselves as 'King'.

In a recent interview with The Gleaner Yellowman said, "If me a king? That the people dem say, all over the world. Not Jamaica alone. The people dem say it and dem have been saying it for a very long time. Is not a while ago dem say it."

Beenie Man also embraced the title when he revealed that business entities plan to crown him official 'King of the Dancehall' some time later this year.

However, Bounty Killer, performing at a show in Miami recently, reportedly said that even though he was performing second to last (Beenie closed the show), he was still the undisputed 'King of the Dancehall'. In brushing aside Beenie Man's claim to the throne, Bounty in an interview with The Gleaner said, "Wi know King Stitch, wi know King Tubbys, wi know King Yellowman, an wi know Warrior King, an wi know Jigsy King. Mi nuh know nuh odda king. One odda king mi heard about an a Peter's king, suh any odda king is a Peter's king or a Kingfish ting? So we only heard about a couple kings of the dancehall and all of a sudden we hear about this self-proclaimed king ... have you ever heard anybody say Jigsy King can't be the king? Why yuh a fight fi di kingship? Guh hold a queenship man."

MAKING LOOSE CLAIMS

But some older artistes and music professionals say some of the artistes have been making loose claims to the throne and will need much more depth and consistency if they ever hope to rightfully wear the crown.

Sound system operator Winston 'Merritone' Blake says, "There is no one person that is deserving of that title, but if you talking about a popularity contest then the race would be between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, and you have like the Vybz Kartel and others."

However, Blake says for him, in order to wear such a crown, artistes have to fit certain criteria.

"To me a king must be lyrics, your content, what you have to say. Undoubtedly, Marley's lyrics make him a king; his lyrics are echoed all over the world? Talking bout under girl an dem ting deh a King a Hype. The real kings are the people who write serious lyrics that are not only social commentary but also entertainment, like a Tony Rebel. Artistes are storytellers and especially in the areas they come from they are of great influence. So as far as I am concerned, there are some artistes who are very talented, but I would love for them to understand that the children are the first to learn their songs and do the things they say, so think before you talk," Blake said.

STILL LEADING THE PACK

Of the current crop of dancehall artistes, Blake says Buju Banton is still leading the pack.

"The only legitimate person who was only a few steps away from the coronation is Buju Banton. With the body of work that he has done already and the type of lyrical structure, he is still miles ahead of the rest, but recently he started jumping all over the place. [Because] to make a conscious album and then the next thing him gone back to talking bout di sex an thing, that kind of inconsistency cannot work for me. It's not the one-drop performance that makes you great, it's the consistency, so they need to decide exactly what they are going to be, and work consistently," Blake said.

However, In his regards for Beenie and Bounty, Blake said, "As a performer, I would give Beenie as outstanding, but in terms of lyrically, five and a half, six and I would give Bounty a seven. As a performer, Bounty just does what he does; he is not a charismatic performer, he is more militant, but Beenie will dance and add more to his performance. Bounty is a no-frills performer. He has created an image as being a warlord, but entertainment is theatre and if you are a warlord I expect you to not only say it but look the part. But Bounty's lyrics are much more serious and on the ground as to what is happening, I think Beenie is a poor lyricist, very ordinary and at this point I think that he should hire people to write for him, but ego might not allow him to do that because if he can sing anything and get a number one, then why should he? But then again there are many ways of reaching the number one in Jamaica."

Derrick Morgan says he knows King Yellowman as the King of the Dancehall, but if he was to choose from the current crop of artistes then his choice would be clear.

"Right now wid like Beenie, Bounty and Buju dem, I feel the more consistent artiste among them is Beenie Man or Buju Banton, that in terms of being a king of the dancehall now. If is the now music, I would put Beenie Man in front, for all times it would be Yellowman. Bob Marley would be the King of Reggae. Lyrics-wise, I would put Beenie Man and Buju Banton. A my two bwoy dat and if yuh want cultural deejay mi woulda put Tony Rebel. But Beenie more consistent in terms of having hits; mi nuh really know nuh Bounty (song) weh mi can si down an hum," Morgan said.

source - Jamaica Gleaner - by Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Article and Photos by: Petal

The St. James leg of the annual all island independence celebration can be described as one of the best ever to be staged in the parish. The event saw special performances from Elephant Man, Dwight Samuels, Christopher Martin, Inga Stewart and Montego Bay's D.J. Mikey Ranks. Elephant Man put on a top class performance when he made his appearance on stage. They were also joined on stage by Montego Bay's dancers, Madusa and Mumma Side. Prior to the guest artistes, some of the earlier acts were, Andrenaline, Serial Killa, Ganga Lee, Ranking Bagga, Khalil, Dwight Samuels, plus appearances from the Show Jam models. Brian Bowen and Jackie Norman were both M.C.s.

The video for the song "American Prayer" written by Dave Stewart and U2's Bono, in support of Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama, will be aired on ABC's The View on Thursday, September 18, to coincide with his guest appearance on the talk show.

The song features Obama supporters Whoppi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Macy Gray, Beyonce, Cyndi Lauper, Kareen Abdul-Jabbar among others, and Jamaican Reggae Dancehall star Buju Banton.

A representative from Stewart's camp explained Buju's inclusion by saying that with Dave's love for "...Jamaican Dancehall culture music it made sense to reach out to one of its biggest stars."

According to Stewart, the lyrics of the song, which inspired the video, highlights "...the moment America finds itself in, daring to re-imagine itself and its place in the world."

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JAMAICA'S WEEKLY TOP 30 (SINGLES) HIT LIST
By Richie B, host - "HOT MIX" on Hot 102FM

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 3 8 Nuh Linga-Elephant Man-Board House (1wk@#1) U-2
02 1 13 Gully Creepa-Elephant Man-Seanizzle (4wks@#1) D-1
03 4 7 Gimmi Likkle-Beenie Man-Born So Records U-1
04 6 17 Stinking Rich-Serani-Daseca U-2
05 5 16 Nah Go Nuh Weh-Vybz Kartel- Big Ship (2wks@#1) NM
06 9 12 Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Assassin-Board House U-3
07 2 15 Chiney-K-Mavado-Big Ship (pp#2) D-5
08 8 21 Wine Gal - Beenie Man - TJ Records (3wks@#1) NM
09 13 5 Winner - Konshens-Natural Bridge/Cash Flow U-4
10 11 8 Hustle-Andrew & Wada Blood-Fire Links U-1
11 10 19 On The Rock- Mavado-Baby G (2wks@#1) D-1
12 7 15 Dancers Anthem-RDX-Apt 19 (pp#5) D-5
13 14 5 Dem Yah & Dem Yah - Flippa Mafia - Board House U-1
14 16 4 More Money-Harry Toddler-Downsound Records U-2
15 18 3 Inna Di Car Back-Mavado-Big Ship U-3
16 12 8 Study People-Serani-Fire Links(pp#12) D-4
17 20 2 Trailer Load of Money-Vybz Kartel- Chimney Records U-3
18 19 3 Shake That Body-PI feat. Elephant Man-Track Pusha Music U-1
19 - New Bottom of the Barrel-Tifa-Ward 21
20 - New I'm So Special-Mavado-TJ Records

TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 12 Different Page - I-Octane - Rated R/Arrows (2wks@#1) NM
02 3 24 Love Fire-Tony Rebel-Taxi (pp#2) U-1
03 5 7 Nothing To Smile Bout-Morgan Heritage-No Doubt U-2
04 2 9 Di Plane Land-Richie Spice-No Doubt (2wks@#1) D-2
05 6 11 Looking For Love-Patriot-Hill Side Entertainment U-1
06 4 21 Mood For Love (Missing You)-Terry Linen-Uplifting Music International (3wks@#1) D-2
07 8 12 Bed Of Roses-Noddy Virtue and Jodi-Ann Pantry-Reflection U-1
08 7 15 I Am Not Afraid-Etana-No Doubt Record (pp#6) D-1
09 10 8 One of a Kind-Leroy Smart-WWS U-1
10 12 10 Ride or Die - Cecile - SOBE/Dangerzone U-2
11 11 11 Clearly-Alibra-5 Star NM
12 9 23 Just As I Am - Lust-Born Music (4wks@#1) D-3
13 14 5 Yuh Nuh Simple - Tony Anthony-B-CRISSAS U-1
14 13 15 No Time To Linger-Terry Linen-Joe Fraser (pp#8) D-1
15 16 4 Guns Out-Nesbeth-No Doubt Records U-1
16 18 2 Rest Your Love on Me-George Nooks-Tad's Int'l U-2
17 15 5 Journey-Jah Cure-SOBE/Danger Zone (pp#15) D-2
18 19 3 Keep It To Yourself-Queen Ifrica-Don Corleon U-1
19 17 18 Pain-Capleton, Bobo Zaro and Contractor-Tad's Int'l/ Green Lion (pp#4) D-2
20 - New Far Away-Tarrus Riley-Don Corleon

TOP TEN ALBUMS/CD CHART

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 7 Reggae Gold-Various Artistes-VP Records (2wks@#1) NM

02 3 8 The Strong One-Etana-VP Records U-1

03 2 11 Gideon Boot-Richie Spice- VP Records (2wks@#1) D-1

04 5 6 The Ultimate Reggae/Dancehall X-perience - Various Artistes–Tads International U-1

05 4 14 Ragga, Ragga, Ragga 2008-Various Artistes-Greensleeves D-1

06 7 2 The Journey - The Very Best of Sizzla Kalonji-Sizzla-Greensleeves U-1

07 11 3 Movement-Rootz Underground-Riverstone Music U-4

08 6 15 Let's Get Physical-Elephant Man-Bad Boy/VP Records (3wks@#1) D-2

09 10 2 Challenges-Tarrus Riley-VP Records/Cannon U-1

10 8 16 Fight With All Your Might-Anthony Cruz-Penthouse/VP Records D-2

_____________________NOTES_____________________________________
Numbers in bracket indicate the number of weeks at the No. 1 Spot.
Key: U - Upward, D - Down, NM - Non-Mover
TW - This Week, LW - Last Week, WC Weeks on Chart, PP in bracket -
Peak Position
Sources: Sound Systems, Record Shops, Night Clubs & Radio Play

Public health researchers of Emory University will be presenting a study, which analyzes how the sexually promiscuous behavior of 439 black females between the ages of 15-21 is related to their use of marijuana, at the International AIDS conference in Mexico City.

The researchers discovered that the incidents of STD's and promiscuity is significantly higher in black girls who use marijuana than those who do not.

Co-author of the study, Dr. Ralph DiClemente, Candler professor of public health at Emory's School of Public Health, as well as his team, which includes Dr. Jessica Sales, Dr. Gina Wingwood and Eve Rose, recommend implementing STD and HIV prevention programs, promoting condom use as well as emphasizing the risk of drug use and STD, HIV infections designed specifically for adolescent black females.

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Man extorts money for parking space

After allegedly demanding $500.00 for a parking space from a motorist in the Regent Street area, 27 year old Terrence Henry, one of the five men identified and said to be armed with knives, was granted $30,000 bail when he appeared before Resident Magistrate Glen Brown to answer to charges of demanding money by force.

Henry's lawyer insists that it is a case of mistaken identity and claims his client's innocence.

Henry is to return to court on September 15.

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In an effort to resurrect his diminishing fan base and dying career, Usher has fired his entire management team, as well as his publicist, and has rehired his mother Jonetta Patton.

Former manager of Tyra Banks, Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina says that "...It is a completely new day and time in music now...(Usher's) audience, demographic and musical direction has changed. Records like Lil Wayne's "Lollipop" are the type of phenomena that "Yeah" was in 2004."

Others, not being as discerning in their remarks, say that Usher would have better luck if he fired his wife, stepped up his dancing and forget the "I'm living a private life" thing.

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Robert Carr, Executive director of Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVCC) and a senior lecturer at the University of the West Indies, painted a graphic picture of Jamaica as a country where police officers attack and/or ignore homosexuals who go to them to report crimes against them, at the International AIDS Society conference in Mexico City, Mexico, recently.

Using power point, newspaper clippings and pictures as evidence, he highlighted the country's negative attitude to homosexuals. Pictures showing police officers with weapons drawn and members of the media filming and taking pictures during a homosexual mobbing in the Island's capital. A story, in the Observer, saying that homosexuality was "contrary to natural law". Carr also mentioned that violence and discrimination against homosexuals were celebrated in popular music.

He, however, noted that the attitude of Jamaicans to gays is more favorable now than four years ago through the recently launched initiative of involving civic leaders, government members and officials of the Catholic Church, as well as launching media campaigns in a bid to bring about this change. This changing attitude is duly noted in a letter received by the gay lobby group, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), written to the Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin, accepting responsibility to protect the rights of all people and promising to change the culture of the police force. Carr also noted that there was also marked improvement in the attitude of the island's religious leaders.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

TW LW WOC Artiste Name - Song Title - Record Label

01 01 10 Mavado-Money Changer-Juke Boxx-2wks@#1
02 04 07 Mr. Vegas-Daggering-KirkleDove/Irish & Chin-Shot to Watch
03 03 15 Elephant Man-Gully Creeper-Seanizzle-5wks@1
04 02 10 Beenie Man-Gimme Likkle-Born So Records- Peak@# 2
05 07 08 Elephant Man-Nuh Linga-Board House
06 05 14 Richie Spice-The Plane Land- No Doubt-Peak@#3
07 06 14 L.U.S.T-Just As I Am- Borne Music-Peak@#2
08 09 11 Lady Saw-Sunday to Sunday-Big Ship
09 11 08 Ce'Cile-Ride Or Die-DangerZone/SoBe
10 08 17 Bounty Killer-Nuh Fren Fish-Foota Hype-Peak@#5

11 12 05 Vegas-Nuh Fight Over Man-Legend
12 10 12 Stacious-Falling Down-John John-Peak@#8
13 13 18 Mavado-On The Rock-Baby G-1wk@#1
14 17 03 Konshens-Winner-Natural Bridge/Cash Flow Greatest Gainer up 3
15 14 18 Damian & Stephen Marley-The Mission-Baby G-2wks#1
16 18 02 Vybz Kartel-Money Fi Spend-Big Ship
17 16 07 Natalie Storm-Gal Fi Get Boo-Ward 21- Peak@#16
18 15 24 Beenie Man- Wine Gal-TJ Records-6wks@#1
19 NE 01 Assassin – Wah Do Dem Guy-(NE-New Entry)
20 19 19 Da'Ville-Yesterday-Fashozy Records-Peak@#2

The Spanish and the English rule

The Spanish settlers moved to Villa de la Vega, now known as Spanish Town, establishing it as the capital of Jamaica. The 1640s saw many people coming to Jamaica for its stunning beauty; especially the pirates who had a reputation of deserting their raiding parties and staying on in the island. The attacks by the pirates in Jamaican history can be traced back to nearly 100 years, between 1555 and 1655; the final attack leaving the island in the hands of the English.

The island of Jamaica was finally seized by the British forces in the form of a joint expedition by Admiral Sir William Penn and General Robert Venables in May 1655. The buccaneers were invited by the Governor to form their base at Port Royal to prevent Spanish aggression in 1657. The Spanish were defeated in the successive battles that followed, starting the extended reign of the British on Jamaican soil. Through the Treaty of Madrid in 1670, the British gained formal recognition of possession of Jamaica. Still part of the Island remained in the hands of some of the escaped slaves called the 'Maroons', with whom they signed a treaty on March 1, 1738. Even though much of the Spanish capital, Villa de la Vega, was burned during the English conquest, they renamed it Spanish Town and kept it as the island's capital.

By the 19th century, the revolt between the blacks and the whites increased with the blacks outnumbering the whites by a ratio 20 to 1. Following a series of uprisings, slavery was ultimately abolished on August 1, 1834 with Jamaica becoming a Crown Colony. This led to the establishment and growth of a middle class comprising of low-level public officials and police officers drawn from the mass of the population, whose social and political progress was blocked by the colonial authorities. The Great Depression followed in the 1930s and then the revolt by the sugar and the dock workers in 1938 leading to significant changes including the growth of an organized labor movement and a competitive party system.

Modern history

By the mid 1940s the Jamaican gained a degree of local political control. In 1938 the People's National Party (PNP) was founded and five years later its rival, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) came into being. Under the universal adult suffrage, the first election was held in 1944. Nine other UK territories in the Federation of the West Indies were joined by Jamaica in 1958. Finally on August 6, 1962, Jamaica gained its independence, remaining a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. In the beginning, power switched between the two parties quite regularly. The first Prime Minister was chosen in 1972 and thus the present day government in Jamaica began to function.

For further information on the history of Jamaica, scroll through 123independenceday.com .

The Jacksons to be honoured as BMI Icons

The members of the Jackson 5, Jackie, Toto, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael including younger brother Randy, who joined the group in 1976, will receive the BMI Icon award at the 8th Annual Urban Music Awards at the Wilshire Theatre, Beverley Hills, Los Angeles on September 4.

The BMI Icon is awarded to artistes who have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers." Past awardees have been artistes such as James Brown, Little Richard, The Bee Gees, to name a few.

Other top R&B and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers will also be recognized for their contribution through out the year.

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Rocsi cosy with friends husband

After accusing Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick of rape in March of this year, it was reported that BET's Rocsi of '106 & Park' (Raquel Roxanne Diaz), was seen 'canoodling' with her accused rapist and husband of 'friend', actress LisaRaye, while LisaRaye was in New York.

It was also reported that Rocsi played hostess in the Misick's home during LisaRaye's absence.

Eleven year old in-patient at Bustamante Hospital rapes six year old

It is alleged that an eleven year old boy, infected with HIV, raped a six year old girl while they were both patients at The Bustamante Hospital for Children.

In response to the allegations, the hospital referred the matter to CAMP Bustamante (Child Abuse Mitigation Project), and a report was filed with the Office of the Child Registry, which is standard procedure of the Child Care Protection Act 2004.

The police are investigating the incident with the support of hospital officials. The alleged victim has been examined by medical practitioners, while the law states that the boy cannot be charged for a criminal offense as he is under the age of 12.

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Photography By: Milton Raynor

Please vote for either Contestant A or B for the hottest Girl of the Week.

Choose the image you like best and vote by placing the letter A or B in your comments.

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JAMROCK Magazine presents "A Moment in Time" with Beres Hammond featuring Marcia Griffiths!

JAMROCK Magazine presents the Jamaican musical legend Beres Hammond on September 6, 2008 for his highly anticipated concert, "A Moment In Time". The concert coincides with his highly anticipated October album release bearing the same name.

Known to many as the originator of "Lover's Rock" or the "Otis Redding of Reggae", Beres Hammond has been writing, producing and pouring out his smoky-sweet voice over soulful reggae riddims for over three decades. From his early days as the lead singer of the '70s funk-reggae infused band Zap Pow, Beres has consistently produced hits and number one singles. As the cornerstone to Lover's Rock, he has inspired the next generation of reggae soul singers and international superstars like Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys.

Beres Hammond has repeatedly sold out some of the largest and most prestigious venues like the Theatre at Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall. This time around he makes his way to the elegant West Chester County Center, tucked away in the outskirts of New York City. The lavishly decorated venue gives an intimate feel, keeping fans up close and personal with Beres. Fans can look forward to hearing timeless classics like, "Tempted to Touch" and "Rock Away" as well as brand new material from his eagerly awaited album to be released October 2008.

Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster.com & Reggaefest.com starting at just $40!

WHEN: September 6, 2008. Doors Open @ 8pm. Showtime @ 9pm.
WHERE: Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY

Tickets can also be purchased through reggaefest.com

The 'dancehall doctor' Beenie Man continues to prove that he is the king of dancehall, after a command performance at the recent Reggae Sumfest and a sparkling performance over the weekend in Bermuda.

Following his massive Beenie Sizzle '08, which is set for the Jamalco Sports Club in Clarendon on Independence Day, August 6, he will be embarking on a hectic summer tour of Europe beginning on August 8 to 27, and has been confirmed for Irie Jamboree '08 on Sunday, August 31.

Beenie Man's first jig takes place in Lisbon, Portugal on Friday, August 8, then it's on to Uppsala, Sweden on Saturday, August 9. He will then be off to Bersenbruck, Germany on Sunday, August 10; Lecce, Italy on Monday, August 11; and the dates continues.

After Beenie Man wraps up in France he will head for England where he will perform in Bradford on Thursday, August 14; Birmingham on Friday, August 15 and London on Saturday, August 16.

On Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August 18 the 'Doctor' takes a break, with the tour pulling up in Germany on Tuesday, August 19 at Hamburg; Dortmound on Wednesday, August 20; Stuttgart on Thursday, August 21 and Chiemese on Friday, August 22.

The tour then moves into Holland on Saturday, August 23 at Den Haag, Oudenaarde; Belgium on Sunday, August 24; then back to Amsterdam, Holland on Tuesday, August 26; culminating in Tilburg on Wednesday, August 27.

Beenie Man's next big stint will take him to New York where he is confirmed as the headline act at Irie Jamboree '08.

Senior Superintendent Harry 'Bungles' Daley was yesterday charged with six counts of extortion and six counts of breaching the Corruption Prevention Act in the Resident Magistrate's Court in Half Way Tree.

He was arrested on Thursday of last week, following allegations from the owner of a plaza that the Senior Superintendent had demanded $20,000 per month or one of his shops in return for his assistance in helping him deal with the extortion of some of his shops. The complainant later reported Harry Daley to the police Anti-Corruption Branch. In February of this year the complainant was out-fitted with police video and voice surveillance devices with which he recorded each time Daley collected the $20,000.

On the day of his arrest, Daley was taped by the complainant accepting marked money, which was later found on his person when he was apprehended. He is presently being held at the Horizon Park Remand Center. So far no bail has been set.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Dirk Harrison, requested that the senior resident magistrate, Glen Brown, remand Daley until Friday as the occurrence of threats and intimidation tactics have made him fear for the safety of the witnesses. Defence counsel, Valerie Neita-Robertson objected by reminding the court that "there is a witness protection programme in place and measures can be put in place to protect the witnesses if needs be." She also added that she fears for the health and well-being of her client as his health has deteriorated since his incarceration and that he is locked up with convicts who he may have placed there himself.

RM Brown stated that he would return his decision in the matter today.

Photo Source: Jamaica Observer

Toots & the Maytals joined forces with Grammy winning artistes Sheryl Crow & James Blunt in Jones Beach, NY, Monday, July 28, to kick off the summer leg of his Do the Reggae World Tour. The four weeks tour, which includes several dates with Crow, moves across the US and finishes at the end of August. The sold out shows ended with Toots joining Sheryl on stage for a rocking version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" as the show encores.

No stranger to sharing the stage with major superstars and holding his own, the reggae icon has repeatedly toured with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews and Sheryl Crow. A favourite from college campuses to board rooms, Toots and the Maytals continue to attract new fans for reggae music, proving that good music never grows old.

Mutabaruka's sister, Jamaican scholar and lecturer in Tourism at the University of Surrey, UK, Dr. Donna Chambers, says that Jamaica is losing an estimated US$65 billion by shunning the lucrative gay tourism market.

In her speech at the UWI, Mona Campus, during last weeks 2008 ACS Crossroads seminar, she said that in an increasingly competitive tourism market, Jamaica cannot afford to not market itself to gay travel.

She also mentioned that gay travel brochures have warned about the risk of visiting Jamaica, and that this perception of Jamaica as being 'anti-gay' also affects the heterosexuals as well.

She, however, notes that in order for Jamaica to embrace gay tourism a "sanctioned gay space" must first be established for it to work.

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Eight Murdered Over the Weekend

Eight persons have been murdered over the Emancipation weekend, including two police officers, bringing the murder toll to approximately 926 for the year, with the officer's murders bringing the number of police officers killed since January to eight.

Corporal Rodney Henry, (33), a firearm instructor at the Jamaica Police Academy at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, was killed while sitting at his gate in Cumberland Meadows, Portmore, St. Catherine at about 9:27pm. He received multiple gun shots and his service revolver was stolen. Less than an hour later, while investigating the sounds of possible gunshots, the police discovered the bullet-riddled body of Inspector Dennis Gardner, the Community Safety and Security Officer at the Hunt's Bay Police Station in Kingston, slumped in his car, along Armstrong Avenue, John's Height, St. Catherine.

Also murdered over the weekend were: 19 year old Jermaine Scarlet of Rose Mount, St. James. Four others, including two children were also shot and injured in this incident. An unidentified man with gun shot wounds was discovered, by a passer-by, in the Rio Cobre River in St. Catherine. 57 year old George Waston's decomposing body was found on a beach in Holland Bay, St. Thomas. Rohan Ricardo Hines 'Dread', was shot to death on St.Joseph Road, Kingston. Jonathon Spence,43, was gunned down at about 7:50pm at his home on Arthur Wint Drive, Kingston. 20 year old Rohan Hall was shot and killed along Morning Glory Crescent, Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Sunday morning.

Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin appealed for citizens to play their part in the fight against crime by calling one of the secure lines, Operation Kingfish 811, Crime Stop 311 and Police Control 119 to tell what they know.

David Brooks, aka 'Mavado', has again run a-foul of the law.

Mavado was Sunday night slapped with assault charges following a fight at a night club in Negril, Westmoreland, in which a patron was seriously injured.

He is also charged for using abusive language to the police who tried to arrest him.

It is reported that at 4am, Movado had an argument with a patron at the Jungle nightclub in Negril, at the annual RTI festival.

During the dispute, the entertainer allegedly punched the patron in the face.

The man then fell down a flight of stairs and suffered multiple injuries.

This occurred in full view of several members of the police force, who were monitoring the annual RTI and ATI festivals in Negril.

Several police officers approached Mavado and tried to arrest him, but he resisted arrest and allegedly used abusive language to the cops.

To avoid an ugly clash with fans of the artiste, the cops decided not to arrest him on the spot.

He was later spotted at another location in the parish and was apprehended.

He is to appear in the Savanna-la-mar Criminal Court on August 12, to answer the charges.

Mavado, who has had several brushes with the law, was recently freed on gun-related charges in the Gun Court.

It's almost ironic that the first track on Mikey General's new album is "Jah Time". As the song tells you, "nothing ever happens before Jah time." Now is Mikey General's time. Time to break through, and a time to shine.

One of Reggae's most exciting talents in conscious vocals is that of Mikey General. His high tenor voice, like a warm breeze over the ocean, carries a message of faith and optimism. He is now ready to break through the barriers of the reggae industry with his new release "Confidence in Self".

This new release shows his aim and his standard. The 16 track CD release, on the Qabalah Music First Label, shows the artiste expanding his repertoire with 'Confidence'. The Album boasts tracks such as "Looking A Way Out", a testament of today's economic times, and the popular "Heart Broken" with Contractor. This Qabalah Music release is expected to separate the singers from the chanters – if you will.

After many years and numerous tours of Europe, Africa and North America, Mikey General is truly a world citizen of music. For more information visit www.myspace.com/mikeygeneral.

Reggae artiste, Natalie Storm of Prodigal Entertainment and Swatch International, has just completed a two week tour with Danish group, Enur. The tour began in Montreal, Canada and spanned Toronto, Haifax, Oklahoma City and Nassau, Bahamas, before ending in Chicago on July 26.

Natalie, who is best known for her dancehall hits "Talk Di Tings Dem", "A Nuh My Fault" and "Gyal fi Get Boo", performed with stars such as: Girlicious, Nelly and Snap, among others, at the Z-103 Summer Rush Concert in Toronto. She also performed at the exclusive Aura Club at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas.

She is presently making preparations to shoot a video for her hit "Back it Up".

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Doctors of the University of Texas Medical School in Houston claim to have found an "innovative way to kill the (HIV) virus."

Drs. Sudhir Paul and Miguel Escobar say that they are not talking about suppressing HIV, but destroying it permanently.

Dr. Paul said that they have "...discovered the weak spot of HIV," - a key protein in HIV's structure which does not mutate. He calls it the Achilles heel, which they will attack using a treatment called abzyme.

The theory that this treatment could be used to control the disease for people with HIV and prevent infection for those at risk has already passed lab and animal testing. However, extensive funding is required to launch the human trials as clinical testing is expensive.

Dr. Paul calls his theory "...the holy grail of HIV research..."

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Sly and Robbie, with guest Cherine Anderson, Half Pint and Pepper, will join the California based Slightly Stoopid on their six weeks Tail Gate 2008 US Summer Tour, commencing early August.

The first date will be on the 6th of August, at the Idaho Centre Amphi Theater, in Nampa Idaho. Then they move onto Magna, Tahoe City, Redmond, Berkley, Denver, Boston, Baltimore, Boca Raton before coming to a close in Slightly Stoopid's hometown of San Diego, California.

Prior to the commencement of this tour, Sly and Robbie will be backing Don Carlos and Junior Reid at the annual Reggae on the River in Humboldt County, North California.

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Seven days of National celebration begins yesterday as the long awaited 'Jamaica Festival' under the theme " One Love...One Family" ,kicks off today ( July 31) with a week long of activities to mark 46 years of Independence.

Highlights of Jamaica Festival include the return of the Festival Street Parade and Grand Gala on August 6. The Float Parade will start at 10am from Kings House followed by the Main Parade which will get underway at 1-pm from the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre. Over 18 spectacular floats and costumed groups accompanied by music trucks will enliven the streets of Kingston followed by the the Grand Gala, which promises to be a grand affair full of ceremonial and colorful displays at the National Stadium and will culminate with an exciting Fireworks Display.

Sunday August 3, will see the opening of a two-day culinary exposition at the Jamaica Pegasus, as well as the National Independence Thanksgiving Service and Gospel Celebration at Emancipation Park. Other Activities include 'August Fair' and the World Reggae Dance Championship on Emancipation Day (August 1) at the Ranny Wiliams Entertainment Centre and 'Mello Go Roun' at the National Indoor Sports Centre on August 2.

Persons are encouraged to wear the National colours in support of the week of celebration.

The Road to Freedom

The day was August 1, the year 1838 and the event, Emancipation from Slavery. Tears of joy flowed incessantly, while shouts of freedom rang from the mountain tops and the plains, from the men, women and children, who had learnt that they were finally free of the oppressive social and economic system in which they were treated as less than human.

From its introduction in the West Indies in 15th Century, slavery was regarded by many as immoral and brutish, characterized by the destruction of the "innate characteristics of humankind, which are necessary for progress." The slave-owning class, who dominated the legislative system, drew up the slave laws, which were rigid. Some of these laws and punishments included forbidding slaves to hold meetings without permission from or under the supervision of a white person. Slaves were banned from beating drums and blowing horns as it was thought to be a signal of rebellion and they were severely beaten for slowing down in the fields.

The Quakers, a religious group, were among the first critics of the system and campaigned for its abolition. The campaign was led by Granville Sharpe, an English man who was successful in securing the freedom of an abandoned slave, Joseph Strong, in England 1787. The Quakers formed the 'Society For Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade' and others such as Sharpe, Thomas Clarkson, James Ramsey and Edmond Burke then joined it.

They argued that not only was slavery against the will of God, but was also the denial of civilization. They said that freedom was the true, natural state of man. However, their arguments proved futile as the sugar industry was booming.

Persons in favour of the system expressed the view that blacks were unprepared for freedom and would be harmed by it, and that not all men were born free and equal. They also held the view that Africans were different from whites and thus should be treated as animals.

It was not until the eighteenth century when the sugar industry began to decline that the anti-slavery movement received encouragement. The first victory for the abolitionist came in March of 1807, with the passage of the Bill for 'The Total and Immediate Abolition of the Slave Trade' in the British Parliament.

But, to a large extent, it was the slaves themselves who charted the course to their own freedom, by the many brutal revolts staged across the island. They had the help of the Maroons, those slaves who had escaped into the island's mountains. The most famous revolt was the 1831 "Christmas" or "Baptist War".

These rebellions, coupled with the decline in the sugar, caused a drain on the planters' coffers. With the possibility of a general uprising constantly threatening, the law to abolish slavery was once again proposed in the British Parliament in 1833 and this time was passed with little resistance.

On August 1, 1834, all slaves were legally declared free, however, "real" freedom only came in 1838.

Between 1834 and 1840 a system of Apprenticeship was introduced. This system was to help prepare the slaves for freedom and to help the planters cope with this change. However, it was unsuccessful as it failed to achieve the spirit of reconciliation and to prepare the former slaves for full freedom as was intended. Some success though was achieved in limited areas as a result of the Stipendiaries or Special Magistrates who had been appointed by the British government to oversee the system on its behalf, and to investigate cases of abuse. The decision was taken to end the system in 1838, two years earlier than planned. Thus, effective August 1, 1838, slavery was abolished and the former apprentices were declared free citizens.

Now that all slaves were free, what next? Emancipation did not mean the beginning of good times according to Sherlock and Bennett in "The Story of the Jamaican People": "Emancipation gave them the right to free movement, the right to choose where and when they wished to work, but without basic education and training many were compelled to remain on the plantation as field hands and tenants-at-will under conditions determined by the landlord, and for wages set by him."

But, the thousands of people of African descent who were subjected to years of submission to a system characterized by lack of freedom, action or will, were just glad to be free. With the savagery of the plantations behind, they saw promise of a better life ahead.

Swithin Wilmot in "Freedom in Jamaica" recorded the reaction of a former slave on hearing that he was free. "My dear brodders and sisters, me head quite full of joy to see you all so free and here today. At dis hour in slave time we all go de field to dig cane holes or pick coffee and if we sick, Buckra flog we for true, and no hear when we cry for mercy. But now no overseer can come and drive we off to the field, now we can work when we like and stay at home when we sick. We can buy our own land, build we own house and go to we own church."

Jamaica has seen more than 160 years of freedom from slavery and tremendous growth to become an independent nation but do Jamaican's understand the significance of being emancipated from slavery?

The anniversary of Emancipation was celebrated privately up to 1898, when Robert Love introduced the idea of a Convention. The response was good and the Convention was held on August 1, of that year. Out of that Convention came The People's Convention, which was set up so that the celebrations would continue in the future.

However in 1900, the Convention ended but not the celebrations. They continued as usual and in 1914, the Jamaica League was established. This was a group of Non-conformist ministers who were interested in developing, uniting and reforming Jamaica.

In 1962 when Jamaica gained Independence, the country's leaders took the decision to merge the two high points of our history- Emancipation and Independence, into one celebration.

With the passage of time, the commemoration of Emancipation steadily declined and the focus was more on Independence. However, in 1997, the first official function to mark the restoration of Emancipation Day as a National Day took place in Spanish Town where the proclamation of Independence was read.

The decision to restore the celebration of Emancipation Day to its place on the National Calendar was passed by the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament in 1997. This was done with the intention of re-awakening the spirit of the nation to its rich and colourful history.

Emancipation Day is celebrated across the island with all-night vigils being held on the eve of Emancipation Day. These are conducted in churches and town squares throughout the island. At midnight there is drumming, pealing of bells, with celebrations continuing into the dawn of the "First of August." This is an effort to re-create the atmosphere that existed in the early days and in so doing establish a sense of feeling about that "Augus' Mawning".

Another Emancipation celebration activity is the annual Emancipation Lecture put on by the Webster Memorial United, Tarrant and Bethel Baptist churches. Speaking at one of the lectures, Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Burchell K. Taylor said, "An event as significant as the Emancipation of our people from slavery and all it signifies in terms of human cruelty, suffering, sacrifice, folly, courage, deception, greed, triumph of the human spirit and faith and hope cannot be allowed to slip from our collective memory. There are lessons to be learnt that are of lasting value.remembering Emancipation can itself be an ongoing liberating experience."

A significant activity for this year is the opening of the Emancipation Park. The Park, located on the former Liguanea lands near National Housing Trust in Kingston, will have walkways, waterways, gardens and related facilities, with designs and sculptures centering on the theme 'Emancipation'.

Source: JIS
Writer: Tanesha Ramdanie

Body Found in Bounty Kller's House

The body of a dead man, with gunshot wounds, was found the 'Grung God's' house, in the Norbrook community, St. Andrew. The family of Bounty Killer is still shocked and trying to come to terms with the finding.

Police report states that the body of Davian Williams, age 32, was discovered shortly after 11:00 am. The deceased was the owner of Davion Motors which was closed down recently.

The dead man was found, by a construction worker, in the passage way with gunshot wounds to the head and upper body, the police states.

Inspectors suspect that the man might have been gunned down on the property. The 'Warlord', who owns the property, is not a suspect in the killing, as he doesn't live there. Suspicions are focussed on the man's car dealership business, as it was reported that the man had a history of collecting money from customers and failing to deliver.
He was under investigation for fraud.

Stay tuned for more details.

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Residents complain about gay parties.

A resident of Hopefield Avenue in the Liguanea area, wrote a letter to The Weekend Star, complaining about the boisterous behaviour of gays at one of their regular weekend parties in the community. The resident wrote that after investigating the cause for the noise that had awakened him in the wee hours of the morning, he observed "fancy men" wearing female attire and dancing up a storm to the latest dancehall hits. "I could not believe my eyes!" he wrote.

After receiving repeated complaints of disturbance by the residents, on Saturday, July 26, the Matilda's Corner police investigated and confirmed what was described in the letter. They subsequently shut down the party, seized a sound system and charged one person for breaches of the Noise Abatement Act.

The police said that the organizers of the gay party had no permit and that none would be granted for the weekly parties.

JAMAICA'S WEEKLY TOP 30 (SINGLES) HIT LIST
By Richie B, host - "HOT MIX" on Hot 102FM

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 1 12 Gully Creepa-Elephant Man-Seanizzle (4wks@#1) NM
02 3 14 Chiney-K-Mavado-Big Ship U-1
03 6 7 Nuh Linga-Elephant Man-Board House U-3
04 10 6 Gimmi Likkle-Beenie Man-Born So Records U-6
05 2 15 Nah Go Nuh Weh-Vybz Kartel- Big Ship (2wks@#1) D-3
06 8 16 Stinking Rich-Serani-Daseca U-2
07 7 14 Dancers Anthem-RDX-Apt 19 (pp#5) NM
08 4 20 Wine Gal - Beenie Man - TJ Records (3wks@#1) D-4
09 9 11 Dem Nuh Want Nuh Gal - Assassin-Board House NM
10 5 18 On The Rock- Mavado-Baby G (2wks@#1) D-5
11 13 7 Hustle-Andrew & Wada Blood-Fire Links U-2
12 12 7 Study People-Serani-Fire Links NM
13 15 4 Winner - Konshens-Natural Bridge/Cash Flow U-2
14 16 4 Dem Yah & Dem Yah - Flippa Mafia - Board House U-2
15 11 18 Money Changer-Mavado-Juke Boxx (pp#5) D-4
16 17 3 More Money-Harry Toddler-Downsound Records U-1
17 14 11 Falling Down-Stacious-John John (pp#9) D-3
18 19 2 Inna Di Car Back-Mavado-Big Ship U-1
19 20 2 Shake That Body-PI feat. Elephant Man-Track Pusha Music U-1
20 - New Trailer Load of Money-Vybz Kartel- Chimney Records

TOP 20 REGGAE SINGLES

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 3 11 Different Page - I-Octane - Rated R/Arrows (1wk@#1) U-2
02 1 8 Di Plane Land-Richie Spice-No Doubt (2wks@#1) D-1
03 2 23 Love Fire-Tony Rebel-Taxi (pp#2) D-1
04 4 20 Mood For Love (Missing You)-Terry Linen-Uplifting Music International (3wks@#1) NM
05 10 6 Nothing To Smile Bout-Morgan Heritage-No Doubt U-5
06 7 10 Looking For Love-Patriot-Hill Side Entertainment U-1
07 6 14 I Am Not Afraid-Etana-No Doubt Record (pp#6) D-1
08 9 11 Bed Of Roses-Noddy Virtue and Jodi-Ann Pantry-Reflection U-1
09 5 22 Just As I Am - Lust-Born Music (4wks@#1) D-4
10 11 7 One of a Kind-Leroy Smart-WWS U-1
11 12 10 Clearly-Alibra-5 Star U-1
12 13 9 Ride or Die - Cecile - SOBE/Dangerzone U-1
13 8 14 No Time To Linger-Terry Linen-Joe Fraser (pp#8) D-5
14 17 4 Yuh Nuh Simple - Tony Anthony-B-CRISSAS U-3
15 15 4 Journey-Jah Cure-SOBE/Danger Zone NM
16 18 3 Guns Out-Nesbeth-No Doubt Records U-2
17 14 17 Pain-Capleton, Bobo Zaro and Contractor-Tad's Int'l/ Green Lion (pp#4) D-3
18 - New Rest Your Love on Me-George Nooks-Tad's Int'l
19 20 2 Keep It To Yourself-Queen Ifrica-Don Corleon U-1
20 19 23 Mercy Please - Black Judah feat. Warrior King -Teflon Blood (3wks@#1) D-1

TOP TEN ALBUMS/CD CHART

TW LW WC TITLE/ARTISTE/LABEL

01 3 6 Reggae Gold-Various Artistes- VP Records (1wk@#1) U-2
02 1 10 Gideon Boot-Richie Spice- VP Records (2wks@#1) D-1
03 4 7 The Strong One-Etana-VP Records U-1
04 2 13 Ragga, Ragga, Ragga 2008-Various Artistes-Greensleeves D-2
05 6 5 The Ultimate Reggae/Dancehall X-perience - Various Artistes–Tads International U-1
06 5 14 Let's Get Physical-Elephant Man-Bad Boy/VP Records (3wks@#1) D-1
07 - New The Very Best of Sizzla-Sizzla-Greensleeves
08 10 2 Movement-Rootz Underground-Riverstone Music U-2
09 7 15 Fight With All Your Might-Anthony Cruz-Penthouse/VP Records D-2
10 - New Challenge-Tarrus Riley-VP Records/Cannon

_____________________NOTES_____________________________________
Numbers in bracket indicate the number of weeks at the No. 1 Spot.
Key: U - Upward, D - Down, NM - Non-Mover
TW - This Week, LW - Last Week, WC Weeks on Chart, PP in bracket -
Peak Position
Sources: Sound Systems, Record Shops, Night Clubs & Radio Play