Father's Day turned out be a wet, wild, and somewhat wacky day in Brooklyn as thousands of Caribbean music fans stormed Floyd Bennett Field to witness rousing performances and outrageous stage antics from some of the biggest names in Dancehall and Reggae, and up and coming culturally diverse Caribbean-inspired acts.

With funky performances from Reggae fusion acts like the African-Asian-Jamaican Ska band the Brown Rice Family, 'Skragga' band The Rudie Crew, King Django, down-home Reggae/Soul band The Peoples led by acclaimed actor Leon, and the original Jew-maican Benny Bwoy with this partner in rhyme Lynx, the good vibes and lively pace were set very early, despite the frequent rain showers.

Rhythm and Blues sirens Kendra Granville and Kayla Bliss cooled down the pace with syrupy sweet vocals while Essence brought in a wild and colorful Caribbean carnival vibe with an up tempo performance complete with costumes and carnival masqueraders. Dancehall/pop songstress Barbee was well received, while Guyanese Roots Reggae crooner Natural Black gave a magical performance that had the swelling crowd singing along to nearly every word.

Hip Hop legend Doug E. Fresh, proved that he is the 'world's greatest entertainer' with a brief, yet engaging performance that was reminiscent of the classic Hip Hop that we all know and love with rapping, beat boxing, and call-and-response. Special guest Vicious (formerly Lil' Vicious) performed his cross over hit "Freaks" while Doug E. Fresh beat-boxed the Dancehall 'riddim'.



Dancers Ding Dong and Milkshake kept the crowd both amused and entertained with wild stage moves and wacky antics that pulled members of the crowd on stage. Dancehall vixen Spice also captivated the crowd with a routine that showed off her agility and versatility as performer, while showcasing her bold and frank nature as a deejay. Her controversial hit single "Ramping Shop" earned her a booming forward, as she deejayed over a recorded track with lyrics from song mate Vybz Kartel.



Despite a particularly rough down pour, the crowd stayed put for a robust, soul-stirring set by Roots sensation Tarrus Riley. From hits like "Beware" to "Lion Paw" to "She's Royal" to "Start Anew" the crowd hung on every word. Accented by legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser, Riley's set earned thunderous applause and cheers from the moved, albeit soaked, audience.



The night belonged to the 'Fire Man' Capleton whose blazing stage performance halted the rain and fully consumed the audience. Famous for both his socially conscious lyrics and his hyper energetic performances, the Fire Man did not disappoint, with both brand new and classic material from his 20+ year catalogue of 'hits pon top a hits.'



The 'doctor' Beenie Man was well received, giving his usually vibrant performance inclusive of crowd favorites like "Girls Dem Sugar," and recent hits like "Gimme Gimme."



Clad in purple and white with one studded glove, the 'Energy God" Elephant Man commanded the stage with his usually unusual 'punk rock' Dancehall style and rowdy stage manner as he scampered from one side of the stage to the other, reeling of dance hits like "Nuh Linga," "Gully Creeper," "Signal the Plane," and "Sweep."



Dancehall's Alliance brought down the house with a triple dose of star power. Dancehall crooning sensation Serani delighted the ladies with his billboard hitting single "No Games," along with "Doh," "She Loves Me," and other popular singles. Alliance leader and 'Five Star General' Bounty Killer came out to a thunderous cheers from the audience and delivered a well-received set of classic Dancehall material like "Miss Ivy's Last Son," "Coppershot," and "Lodge." The night ended with the 'Gully God' Mavado, who had patrons beating down the side of the Aviator Sports Center building in response to monster anthems like "Gully Side," "On the Rock," "I'm Blessed" and "So Special."



While the night ended on a very positive note, the Brooklyn Music Festival was not without hiccups. The Aviator Sports and Recreation security did an excellent job of maintaining crowd control and quickly handling any security issues, and the majority of the show was incident free. Very wet, wild, and at time even wacky, the Brooklyn Music Festival definitely made its mark as a celebration honoring both Caribbean-American Heritage and Black Music Month.



"The promoters, producers, and staff of the Brooklyn Music Festival are thankful to Aviator Sports and Recreation, our sponsors, the artists, and most of all, the patrons that made the Brooklyn Music Festival a glowing success," states festival organizer George Crooks. "We look forward to having a bigger, and better festival next year-and hopefully a dry one too," Crooks jokes, stating that this year the rain provided "showers of blessings."

Barbee

Beenie Man

Bounty Killer

Brown Rice Family Members

Capleton

Ding Dong

Doug E Fresh & Lil Vicious

Milkshake

Serani

Spice

Taurus Riley

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has reiterated the Government's commitment to resume hanging, as soon as possible.
Speaking to a large crowd at a Town Hall Meeting in Montego Bay Thursday night (June 25), Mr. Golding said that the Government was prepared to honour the "yes" vote taken by Parliament last year on the capital punishment issue.

"Once Parliament has taken that position, this Government has given a commitment that we are going to honour it. We are obliged by the resolution of Parliament," he said.

Mr. Golding pointed out that there were about nine persons on Death Row, who are now going through their appeals process, which is what the Constitution requires.

"But, you have an undertaking from me, as head of this Government, that once those processes are exhausted, then the appropriate warrants will be issued. We are not backing off of that position that we have taken," Mr. Golding said.

He noted that the biggest weapon against crime is the certainty of being caught and being punished, and urged the public to provide the police with information to resolve the crimes.

"If a man feels that he can commit murder and the chances of him being arrested are three out ten, and even after he is arrested, the chances of anybody coming as a witness to testify against him are two out of ten, and if they even testify, the chances of him being convicted is one of out ten, then he is not even going to squint, he is going to commit the crime," the Prime Minister said.

"We have to get to the stage where with the partnership that must come from the people, when a man is considering doing something that he knows is against the law, something that he knows will attract severe punishment, he must be given cause to think that once, not twice, not thrice but several times; because in committing that crime, he must factor into his mind an acceptance of the punishment that he must feel is going to be served on him," he added.

Mr. Golding said that the country cannot be crime-free, unless the people become partners in the effort. He said that it was not in all cases that the police can forensically procure evidence and that information is needed that can be converted into evidence that can stand up in court.

"If people are not prepared to recognize that everyone of us needs to be a constable in our own house, and in our own community, where we become part of the law enforcement process, then we will forever have situations where we are not going to achieve the best results," Mr. Golding said.

The Jamaican House of Representatives voted last November to retain hanging, while the Senate voted similarly a month later. However, no one has been hanged in Jamaica since 1988.

In an exclusive report TMZ has reported that Debbie Rowe, Michael's ex wife is not the biological mother of the two kids she bore to Michael.

According to the report all three children were conceived in vitro -- outside the womb.

Multiple sources deeply connected to the births tell us Michael was not the sperm donor for any of his kids. Debbie's eggs were not used. She was merely the surrogate, and paid well for her services in the births of Michael Jr. and Paris.

In the case of Prince Michael II (the youngest), we're told the surrogate was never told of the identity of the "receiving parent" -- Michael Jackson. Three days after Prince was born at Grossmont Hospital in San Diego County, Jackson's lawyer came to the hospital to pick the baby up and deliver him to Michael.

We do not know if Jackson chose the sperm or egg donors or if he even knew who they were.
Wow...wonder where this will all lead

Miracles


I am a miracle of life!
Martha Smock, former editor of Daily Word wrote: "To live, to breathe, to think, to love--these are miracles enough to justify our existence."
I may find it easier to think this or say it about another person than I would about myself. However, for a moment, I say it as if it were true: "I am a miracle of life." Next I repeat it with boldness and clarity, knowing it is true: "I AM A MIRACLE OF LIFE!"
How good this feels. How true this is, for everyone God created is a miracle of life. Each child of God has never before existed and will never again be duplicated.
All life is a miracle. Knowing this truth fills me with the energy of Spirit. Energized, I go about living as the miracle of life that I am.


"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."--Luke 12:31-32 (KJV)

By Rootzgirl


A policeman is now facing charges because he molested a minor, a principal is in the same hot water because he could not keep his hands off a minor and the international preacher Paul Lewis is now is now facing criminal charges for the same thing.

It forces me to ask – what the hell is happening? Is it that adults are no longer attractive and more and more the minors are appearing appealing to these people who should know better?

The principal’s job is to care for his charges and ensure that they are safe and protected…yet he is the one breaching his job.

The police who have sworn to serve, reassure and protect obviously forgot his role…and now the preacher who is in charge of helping to guide others to the light by his actions have cast a cloud over the gospel.


How many times we have preached protecting for the children, but these cries seem to be falling on deaf ears…please allow the kids to be kids…yes, there are some who are “force ripe” and who may go out of their way to act all grown up…but the onus is on the adult to be responsible and remember that at the end of the day they are still underage.

Be responsible and do the right thing…please.

A Police Sergeant who is accused of molesting a minor is behind bars on Monday afternoon facing carnal abuse charges.

According to Radio Jamaica the policeman surrendered to members of the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) on Friday in the company of his attorney.

The cops are tightlipped about the incident, but it is alleged the Sergeant molested the little girl, who is the child of one of his colleagues, more than two weeks ago.

The matter was reported to CISOCA and a search was launched for the Sergeant who reportedly took sick leave from work.

However, he turned up at CISOCA with his attorney on Friday.

A file is now being prepared to be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The sixth annual Montreal International Reggae Festival was once again a huge success. With attendance of the week end outdoor festival averaging over 3000 people a night it is no wonder that reggae fest has come to be one of the most highly anticipated festivals of the Montreal summer season. Arriving in the late hours of Friday night Yardflex was unable to attend the opening day of the festival when Stur Grav and vintage artists reportedly had the crowd rocking furiously until the end of the night billed, ‘Sound System Night’. However if the after party at EB Club Lounge, 5345 De Maisonneuve, is anything to judge by it had to have been amazing.

Singer Anthony B was mad entertaining on Saturday which was ‘Dance Hall Night’. His smash hits “Raid the Barn” and “Tease Her” had the crowd swooning with pleasure. The entire night was phenomenal as artists such as Spivey, Loveman Kent, Robin, Skillman and many others kept the crowd just as hyped as the head liners of the show. In top form as usual, Capleton ended the night with a bang chanting such favorites as “That Day Will Come” and “Never Share”.

The last night of the festival was one to remember as it had artists paying tribute to the late great Alton Ellis. Local Montreal artists held their own alongside some of the biggest names of the international reggae scene. Montreal based James Bond and Road Warrior and international stars such as Ky-Mani Marley and Sanchez had the 3500 people in attendance continuously moving and grooving. Sugar Minott’s closing of the festival had everyone aching for more; which means that next year is sure to be an incredible time once again.

By Djenaba Whyte

Photos by: Milton Raynor

Expect Good


Divine energy is bringing about wonder in my life and in the world.
What are my expectations of this day, of any day? I expect the best and cooperate with its unfoldment.
I know that the spirit of God within me is greater than any challenge I could ever face. The life of God within me is a pattern of perfection that guides the activities of every cell and atom of my body. The wisdom of God is expressing as divine ideas that fill my mind. I act on them with gratitude and enthusiasm.
Every condition in life yields to the greatness of God that is in all and expressing through all. I expect the best from myself and others. I cooperate in loving, thoughtful ways with the divine energy that is bringing about wonder in my own life and the lives of those in my world.


"Little children, you are from God, and have conquered them; for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."--1 John 4:4

Singing group, One Third, the 2006 winner of the Digicel Rising Stars competition, has axed their manager Ray Alexander.
It had long been rumoured that the group was dissatisfied with their management as they felt that in the nearly three years since winning the competition, they had not been able to get a real foothold on the music market. Alexander has been blamed for One Third not being able to capitalize on opportunities.
One Third, however, said the separation came about as a result of Alexander not being able to take them to that much-talked-about “next level”.

“We had a meeting and the decision was taken to sever business ties with Ray as he had taken us as far as he was able,” group member, Al, told Yardflex. “It was purely a business decision, nothing more.”
He added that the split was amicable and the group is now seeking to position itself to re-capture their share of the market.
“Yes, there are persons showing interest in us as a group, but we will be looking around for the best option,” Al said.
One Third is known for songs such as Fattee, Take My Breath Away and Dash It Gi Me.

The Twin of Twins and their management want to thank their friends and fans for all their support and faith following their arrest on June 22. As all the facts will prove, this incident was an obvious and blatant miscarriage of the Jamaican Justice System, and yet another reason that explains the public mistrust for the Police. While the Twin of Twins have nothing but the highest respect for those honest, and hardworking police officers, they have no choice but to stand up to the few misguided and ignorant members of the force that abuse their power and act immune to the same law they are hired to enforce.

It has been confirmed by attorneys involved in the case, that the individual who police claim filed the initial complaint against the Twins returned to the station and attempted to drop the complaint when he realized The Twins had been off the island on extended tour. This individual has confirmed that he was in fact returned the funds that he paid Twin of Twins to record two dubplates that were supposed to be recorded while in Europe, and was also re-reimbursed money given to the Twins to file and pay for an NCB on-line application fee to schedule an interview at the US Embassy. The Twins initially wanted to carry the young artiste on their summer tour however due to the poor economy the promoter decided against flying up supporting artistes from Jamaica, which caused some initial disappointment. The police subsequently ignored attempts to have this complaint dropped by the person, in a flagrant effort by the authorities to discredit the Twins. Both the press and the police have also twisted the words to inflame the situation and attempted to make this appear as if the Twins were involved in the selling of U.S. Visas which is completely untrue and absurd. In what seems an overzealous and sloppy rush to judgement, those trusted to uphold the law, had ignored it in the excitement of arresting The Twin of Twins. Approximately 30 minutes after he heard of the arrest the complainant himself went to the station once again in an effort to explain that the situation had already been resolved, however his cries fell on deaf ears, and The Twins were held for over 24 hours without being formally charged. The Twin of Twins feel that it only because of the internationally outcry that included dozens of calls to the station from angry fans and inquisitive reporters, along with the diligent efforts of their attorney Christopher Townsend that they were eventually released. After which the the police in order to save face felt obligated to file what we deem as false and trumped up charges.

One of the most compelling details related to this story is a YouTube audio recording circulating that has an Internet reporter questioning the Jamaican police about the hypocrisy of the investigation and arrest of the Twins. In a poignant moment he asks the police spokesperson why the murderer of Curly Loxx’s 6 year old son is free, while The Twins are in jail over what seems to be a minor squabble between artistes? The situations sheds light on the true problems of the Jamaican Justice system, and how the police spend their time and our tax dollars on pointless investigations and locking up innocent people, while murderers, rapists, and real criminals roam free. Twin of Twins want t use this situation to once again force the police to do their real job and arrest the murderer of 6 year old Zion Gaynor, and bring him to justice. The Twins feel that their constant pressure on the police to solve the murder of Zion, has embarrassed the force and perhaps was a factor in their arrest, and the belligerent behavior by the police that followed. Due to the popularity of the Twins and questions surrounding the case It has been reported on-line by sources close to the the department that an internal investigation maybe ordered to determine if the arresting officers violated any regulations or abused the civil rights of the two brothers. The Twin of Twins are undaunted by this incident and will keep up the pressure until Zion's killer is behind bars, and is no longer a threat to anymore children in Jamaica. If any persons knows the whereabouts of "Denzel Delly" wanted for the questioning pertaining to the murder of Zion Gaynor, we urge you to come forward by sending an email to Justice4Zion@yahoo.com

Michael Jackson filed a patent application for the "leaning forward a bit" dance moves displayed in the Smooth Criminal video.
Jackson has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one for radio play, located at 1541 Vine Street, and one for recording at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard.

Jackson received a Presidential Humanitarian Award from Ronald Reagan in 1984 for his support of charities helping people overcome alcohol and drug abuse.
Jackson fought fellow 50 year old Madonna on MTV's Celebrity Deathmatch - he lost.

Jackson has sold more than 300 million records worldwide
Jackson picked up his iconic moonwalk moves, which he debuted at the Motown 25th Anniversary show in 1983, from streetdancers he spotted performing outside a hotel.

When Michael Jackson released Liberian Girl, Smash Hits magazine went out on to the streets of London to see if Your Average Punter could locate Liberia on a globe. One of the people they bumped into was the Rebel MC.
Jackson's Billie Jean was the first video by a black artist to air on MTV.

Jackson's total lifetime earnings from royalties, solo recordings and music videos, revenue from concerts and endorsements have been estimated at $500 million (#271 million).

Jackson's waxwork features in five Madame Tussauds museums across the world. Only Elvis Presley and Madonna have more Tussaud figures - they have six each.

An obsessed French Jackson superfan committed suicide in 1984 after his mother refused to allow him to undergo surgery to look like the star.

Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Jackson 5 on May 6, 1997. He was inducted as a solo artist on March 19, 2001.
He really is a King in West Africa - he was given a royal title by villagers in Gabon, Ivory Coast in 1992.

Jackson's pre-concert ritual includes drinking Ricola candy dissolved in hot water. He claims the beverage helps to keep his throat and his singing voice clear.

Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana in 1958. The town is planning a tribute museum to the pop superstar.

At times he may not have been the most loved person in the world, but he has certainly been one of the most controversial. Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50, having collapsed at his home in Los Angeles. He was taken to hospital in a coma, where he was announced dead. Jackson’s entertaining life spanned almost forty years.

The Jackson’s seventh child, Michael became entertainer extraordinaire, businessman and recording artist. His whose sensational singing voice was discovered when he was a mere 6 years old. He later became known as the ‘King of Pop’, just as Elvis Presley became the ‘King of Rock and Roll’. Some people have likened his unique dancing style to Fred Astaire and in particular Jackson’s ‘Moon Walk’.

Jackson created a revolution in the world of music, when he produced musical videos. Music was no longer just an audio experience. Jackson also became the first African-American entertainer to successfully break the racial barriers of MTV, an American music cable television network, based in New York. Jackson’s very distinctive high tenor vocal style heavily influenced hip hop, pop, as well as numerous contemporary artists.
Jackson donated and raised millions of dollars for benefits, both through his own charity and 39 other charities. The interview by Oprah Winfrey of Jackson in 1993 became the most-viewed non-sport program in the history of the U.S

Drastically damaging his public image, Jackson changed his appearance to a lighter skin, narrower nose, and at times bizarre and controversial behavior in his private life. Reports began in 2006 of the singer suffering financial difficulties, after the child sex abuse trials of 2005. Jackson had succeeded in kicking a morphine and Demerol addiction, but experienced health difficulties since the early 1990’s.

Having fathered three children and twice married, Jackson another wave of controversy. His closest companion was a pet chimpanzee named Bubbles. Elizabeth Taylor has long been a high profile friend of Jackson.
Jackson is one of the very few artists who has twice been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jackson also has several entries in the Guiness World Book of Records, including an entry as the ‘Most Successful Entertainer Of All Time’ and the biggest selling album of all time.

Sales for the tickets to concerts from July 13, 2009 – March 6 2010 broke several records. Jackson was to perform concerts to over one million people, at London’s arena. The first ten concerts alone would have netted the singer approximately $100 million.

The “Gaza President” Vybz Kartel has claim the #1 spot with his contagious hit Dollar Sign to dethrone “Mr. I Am Blessed”, jumping from the #2 position that he held last week along with the shot to watch title.
“Fyah Mumma” Queen Ifrica is taking us Far Away with her smashing hit which is holding down the #2 position this week moving from #3; not only that she is the Shot To Watch title holder.
Mr. Vegas with his hit single I Am Blessed fell two places to #3 from the #1 spot. The chart topping track has spent four weeks at number one.
Mavado gets High Unda to fly into #4 spot from the #6 position; the single is spending its ninth week on the chart.
Singing goddess Alaine with Never Done has claimed the Greatest Gainer to leap four places to #5 from the #9 spot this week.
This week’s the chart New Entry goes to one of the hard working ladies of the Dancehall, Stacious, she brings us the Good Life which makes entry at #20. The track is produced by Live Up Records.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart
www.hypetvjam.com
June 26th – July 2nd, 2009
TW LW WC ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL - Peak Position
01 02 11 Vybz Katel – Dollar Sign – Liv Up Records -1wk@1
02 03 16 Queen Ifrica – Far Away – Jamplified Records-Shot to Watch
03 01 14 Mr. Vegas – I Am Blessed – Liv Up Records -4wks@1
04 06 09 *Mavado – High Unda – Liv Up Records (Censor)
05 09 08 Alaine – Never Done – Don Corleon- Greatest Gainer up4
06 04 15 Etana ft. Alborosie – Blessings – Forwards Records– pp@ #2
07 05 14 Konshens – This Mean Money – Head Concussion– pp@ #4
08 07 20 Vybz Kartel – Last Man Standing – NotNice Records– pp@ #2
09 08 14 Harry Taddler – Pray Fi Dem – Down Sound Records-pp@#8
10 12 07 Charley Black – Money Dreama – Lazeme Music Prod.
11 10 20 Mavado – I’m So Bless –Big Ship -2wks@1
12 14 04 Brick & Lace – Bad 2 Da Bone – Birchill Records
13 11 23 Da’Ville – Missing You Right Now – Fashozy Records -3wks@1
14 16 04 Elephant Man – Hallelujah -Very Huge Records
15 13 18 Laden –Time To Shine – Big Ship – pp@ #4
16 18 02 *Mavado – Never Believe You – Daseca (Censor)
17 15 17 Mavado – Again & Again – Daseca - pp@#13
18 20 02 Jah Cure Ft. Phyllisia – Call On Me – Sobe/Danger Zone
19 17 19 *RDX – Ben Ova – APT.19 (Censor) – pp@ #6
20 NE 01 Stacious-Good Life-Live Up Records
TW -This Week, LW – Last Week, WC – Weeks On Chart, NE – New Entry & WKS@#1 – Weeks @#1 * Censor


TOP 5 BUBBLERS


TW ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL
01 Queen Ifrica - Lioness On The Rise - Penthouse
02 Flippa Mafia - Unfinished House - Liv Up Records
03 Mr.Vegas - Up Deh - Clifford-Ray Music
04 Daville - Never Gonna Cry - Fashozy
05 Chino - From Mawning - Big Ship

Healing


With a growing awareness of Spirit within, I claim health and well-being.
Saying yes to life and yes to healing, I claim health and wholeness now. As I keep my thoughts about my total well-being held high, I continue to affirm life.
Knowing that the spirit of God permeates every organ, cell, and atom of my body, I hold a vision of myself as energetic and strong. I am aware that the healing presence of God is moving throughout my body; and because this is true, I am healthy and whole.
Being health-minded, I continually turn in thought and expectation to the perfect, free-flowing life of Spirit within me. I give thanks for the awareness of this healing presence, which uplifts me in every way.
I know that God is life. Divine power and presence are within me, and with God all good is possible.


"Your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly."--Isaiah 58:8

King of pop Michael Jackson died today at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles....after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old. Michael Jackson is best known for hit songs such as Bill Jean, Thriller, Beat It, Black or White, Heal The World.
The singer was scheduled to perform in London at a concert that was sold out.

1958-2009

Harmony


I partner with others in living and working harmoniously.
A group of dedicated musicians are partners in producing beautiful harmony that touches the depths of the soul. Yet it is also possible for any one of them to play discordant, irritating notes.
Concerning my own life, I may think that an individual in my family, workplace, or classroom is discordant and even irritating when relating to me or others.
I discover, however, that as I follow divine insight and make a commitment to act harmoniously, I can be a positive influence. Then together we can produce synergy and compatibility for wondrous new results at work and at play. We are partners in harmony.


"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; I have a goodly heritage. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me."--Psalm 16:6-7

Atlanta-grown singer, Keri Hilson, has been added to the line up for International Night I, Friday July 24, and joins an already dazzling array of stars including Jazmine Sullivan, Ne-Yo, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Queen Ifrica and Coco Tea.

A member of The Clutch group of producers, Hilson is a talented singer and song-writer and has penned songs for Usher, Diddy, Ciara, Chris Brown, Mary J Blige, Omarion, The Pussycat Dolls, and Britney Spears.



Her first album, In A Perfect World, which was released earlier this year, made it to the top spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It was also number four on the Billboard Top Album Chart in the week of its debut.

BR>Reggae Sumfest kicks off with a beach party on Sunday July 19, and continues with three days of live performances at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, beginning with Dancehall Night on Thursday July 23 and ending with International Night II on Saturday July 25.

Summerfest Productions, the organizers of Reggae Sumfest, have announced plans to honour dancehall artiste Moses “Beenie Man” Davis at this year’s festival.
Although the details have not yet been revealed, the celebration promises to be fitting.
“Beenie Man has grown with us and he’s definitely contributed significantly to the success of the festival over the years,” said executive director, Johnny Gourzong.


Beenie Man is one of the longest running performers in the business and has been with the reggae festival since 1993. He is also one the few performers to have performed on two separate nights in the same festival. In 1997, Beenie Man graced the Sumfest stage on Dancehall Night, and then returned on International Night to deliver another performance, including his hit at the time with Chevelle Franklin, Dancehall Queen.

He began his music career at age five and has since propelled to both local and international acclaim. Beenie Man will perform on Dancehall Night in this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest, July 19 - 25 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

It’s an early summer vacation for teachers and students in the parish of Manchester as the Ministry of Education has closed schools there after two cases of swine flu were detected. All graduation functions have also been cancelled.


Where the closure of schools affects end of year examinations, continuous assessment data must be used in reporting on student performance.


Although students will be proceeding on an early summer vacation, where there are instances of students showing flu-like symptoms the matter must be brought to the attention of the relevant health authorities and reported to the Ministry of Education.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is reminding schools island-wide that they are to set up areas to quarantine any student with flu-like symptoms. The Ministry is also reminding schools that in such instances, parents are to be notified immediately, the students are to be removed from school and the matter reported to the Ministries of Education and Health.


The symptoms of Influenza A H1N1 include fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, headache and body aches and fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also be experienced.
The ministry of education says it will continue to monitor the situation across the island closely and take the appropriate action where necessary.

The recent detection of an additional four cases of Influenza A (H1N1), in the island, has brought the total number of swine flu cases to 19.
The Health Ministry says it has interviewed, examined and taken samples from all household contacts and other persons with whom the infected individuals may have come in contact. Investigations of all four cases are still ongoing.
The affected parishes are Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine, with four cases each, St. Mary, three cases, Trelawny, two, St. James, three, Westmoreland with one case in an adult and Manchester with two cases - one adult and a child.

In one school in Manchester, approximately 13% of students reported having flu-like illness and one case confirmed. The Ministry is asking that persons with flu-like symptoms contact their doctor, health centre or hospital. For more information about Influenza A(H1N1) members of the public may call the Ministry’s toll free line at 1888-663-5683 seven days a week from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

How Am I?


I am abundantly blessed and fulfilled.
Incidents of talking to oneself are often the subjects of humorous stories. However, as I confirm in meditation where I am in my life plan, I ask myself, How am I? I run through my checklist: Are my plans God-inspired? Do I feel deep in my soul that my choices are right for me? Paying attention to what brings me joy can reveal volumes about my right actions and perfect calling. Supportive affirmations keep me focused:
I am making progress toward my God-inspired goals each day.
I choose divinely guided steps to pursue my perfect calling.
I claim a fulfilling life for myself at home, at work, and in my community.
My words and actions make a difference.
How am I? More than fine! I am blessed!


"Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble."--2 Peter 1:10

What’s with these entertainers and treating their women like a punching bag? But we should not be surprised Nitty Kutchie from former Scare Dem Crew got into a spat with his woman at the Ballers Ball.

From what Yardflex understand Delicious apparently came on the scene and saw her man Nittie Kutchie dancing with another girl.

Now you and I know that most women not going to see something like that and keep their cool…especially as they know how these entertainers are fickle and girlie girlie.

So the argument start, she a defend her turf when Nittie said to her, “hey gal yuh a gwaan like yuh have c…ky under yuh!”

Mercy, what a piece a disrespect…but it gets worse him actually lick har right there in front a everybody.

Straight up, yardflex a sey, a time woman stop pick man whey a go beat dem up…di cycle haffi stop.

But a wha dis man, Cuddyz inna New Kingston nearly lock down because dem doan pay dem taxes.

Yeah man, last week Thursday, di tax people dem attempted to close the popular diner after the entity was cited for failing to pay millions of dollars in taxes.

But luckily fi dem it neva happen as dem meck some sort a agreement fi pay off some a di arrears.

Now whey mi and yuh fi do when big big night club like dem deh a struggle pay dem tax?

Singer Chris Brown will now have to do 180 days community service for his assault on ex-girl Rihanna.
The R&B singer pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting Rihanna in an agreement with prosecutors that calls for five years of probation.

Brown, the singer of the hits "Run It" and "Kiss Kiss," also will have to perform at least 180 days of community service in his home state of Virginia.

The 20-year-old singer entered the plea at a preliminary hearing in a Los Angeles courtroom. He had been accused of assaulting and making criminal threats against Rihanna in February on the eve of the music industry's Grammy Awards.

There was no plea agreement on the threat charge and a formal sentencing was scheduled for August 5. He had faced four years in prison if convicted in a trial on both charges.
Brown, dressed in a plaid gray suit and accompanied by his mother, also was issued a stay-away order to keep his distance from Rihanna.

Barbados-born Rihanna, whose hits include "Disturbia" and "Umbrella," also appeared in court but only after Brown left. Her attorney, Donald Etra, had said that she was prepared to testify against him.
"Rihanna believes this is a fair and just resolution to this case," Etra said outside the courthouse.

Six-time Grammy award winner, R & B singer, songwriter and actress Toni Braxton, and Grammy winning R & B singer songwriter, record producer, actor and occasional rapper, Ne-Yo, will both be performing at Reggae Sumfest 2009. This was announced by Johnny Gourzong, executive producer of the 17 year old Festival, in New York on Thursday June 11, 2009.

“With the signing of these two phenomenal artistes, we have almost completed our line-up for the Festival this year”, commented Gourzong, as he spoke at the New York launch of Reggae Sumfest 2009. With this addition to the already impressive line-up which also features the gifted Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley on stage with American rapper Nas, the Reggae Sumfest stage will certainly be on fire between July 23 – 25.

“Damian and Nas are touring together this year and are doing a collaborative album to be released soon. We are very excited to be able to present this exciting fusion to our Reggae Sumfest audience”, continued Gourzong.

Mr. Gourzong also made special mention of one person who had been with Reggae Sumfest from the start, this time a performer. Beenie Man, he announced would be celebrating 30 years of performance in 2009, and to honour this major accomplishment Reggae Sumfest would be paying tribute to the “King of Dancehall” at the 2009 festival, to show their appreciation for his loyalty and consistent support of Reggae Sumfest.


The launch was held at Club Opera, a new night spot in Manhattan. It hosted a variety of media personnel as well as sponsor representatives, Summerfest Productions executives and other special guests, where they were also treated to surprise appearances by dancehall acts Spice and Flippa Mafia. The Reggae Sumfest launch was planned to coincide with Caribbean American Heritage week, and was part of a larger calendar of activities which targeted and highlighted the Caribbean. A special message was delivered to the Reggae Sumfest team on behalf of Mayor Bloomberg, who expressed his pleasure in welcoming and hosting the team in New York.

Special guest speaker was the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, who delivered his address in his usual eloquent manner. Bartlett commented that Reggae Sumfest was an important part of the ‘Jamaican Product’, as it was integral to the tourism mandate of bringing “more heads to beds, more feet to the street, converting lookers to bookers, and baby boomers into zoomers”.

Reggae Sumfest kicks off on July 19 with a beach party and continues July 23-25 with three nights of exciting, non-stop performances by top Dancehall, Reggae and International acts. In addition to the stars already mentioned, the impressive line- up includes Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Busy Signal, Spice, D`Angel, Konshens, Prodigal Son, Stacious, Charly Black, Flippa Mafia, I-Octane, Bugle, Poor & Boasy and Spring I on Dancehall Night; Jazmine Sullivan, Morgan Heritage, Jah Cure, Coco T, Queen Ifrica, Dub Tonic Kru, Ezron, and Stream on International Night 1; and Inner Circle, Tarrus Riley, Etana, Da`ville, Rhaatid and Lutan Fyah on International Night 2.

Comfort


I envision you whole and well, blessed with an abundant life.
Being separated from family and friends can be distressing--especially when they are going through a trying time. Although I cannot be with them in person, I offer them my love and support.
"Know that I am holding your hand today --in thought and prayer. Even though we may be apart, we share a vital heart connection. Inspired by endearing memories, I think of you always with tenderness.
"I envision you whole and well, sustained by healing thoughts, releasing all concern into God's care. I pray that your heart is filled with peace; your soul, with comfort; and your life, with abundance of every kind."


"Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble. If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."--Proverbs 3:23-24

By Rootsgirl
I remember a time when I want to escape punishment from my mother or father all I had to do was run to my granny who would shield me like a fierce tiger refusing anyone to come near me. She would tell my mom that she never beat her like that and is not everything she must “draw hand”.

Well after that storm was abated, my grandmother would give me a little scolding that I must behave myself and that she didn’t want me to grow like any “leggo bees”.

Why am I bringing up this story, because I felt a sense of sadness reading Saturday’s Star on the 65-year-old grandmother who beat her 12-year-old grandson because he stole $200 credit from her phone to give his girlfriend.

Now I am not saying she shouldn’t have punished the child. Deny some of what he enoys like television, games, whatever, maybe a few carefully placed slaps might help…but to blood up his head and continue beating him after that, that the poor child had to be crying out for murder…that’s taking it too far.

What’s wrong with our people when even grandmothers are getting vicious to their own grandchildren?

Is the stress of life getting to be too much?

I don’t know, I am just sorry for this generation of kids coming up…I wonder if there is any real love left for them.

Faith


With faith in God, I have true security.
Gardeners and farmers have nurtured tender shoots in their care with a love for nature and the promise of future bounty. These acts of nurturing are expressions of faith that are now showing forth in an array of shapes, colors, textures, and scents of flowers and plants.
I lovingly nurture my faith in prayerful moments. Quiet moments with God allow me to express heartfelt desires. I relax and trust that blessings are unfolding in perfect time.
Those who tend to plants experience moments when they, too, feel the assurance that, for a time, they can relax and await the next step in the process that is unfolding. I, too, relax. My faith grows stronger, and I feel more secure each day.


" 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well."--James 2:18-19

Fanny Crosby was sixty years old when she visited Chicago’s Bowery Mission for the first time in 1880. She little dreamed that it would provide the inspiration for one of her most popular religious poems.
When asked to speak at the close of the service, she rose and said, “There may be a man her who has gone as far as a man can go. If he is present, I want to shake hands with him.” A man did come forward, and finally accepted Christ as Saviour.
Following that initial visit, Fanny Crosby brought many lost souls back into the joy of the Kingdom of God. On another evening that same year she gave this invitation, “If there is a lad here who has wandered from his mother’s Christian teachings, I would like to pray with him at the altar at the close of the service.”

A young man came forward and they prayer together. He rose from his knees with a new light in his eyes, and said, “No I can meet my mother in heaven for I have found her God.” Later a friend remarked, “Isn’t it wonderful what these rescue missions are doing?”
She could hardly wait to get home to her desk and begin writing.
—Ernest K. Emurian



Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one,
Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save.



Chorus
Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.



Though they are slighting Him
Still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly,
Plead with them gently:
He will forgive if they truly believe.



Down in the human heart,
Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving hand,
Wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.



Rescue the perishing,
Duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way
Patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

The other day I was listening to the news and something caught my ear…they were debating the buggery bill and a particular clause raise my antenna.



“The bill sets out specific circumstances in which grievous sexual assault can be committed to include the penetration of the anus and vagina ‘without consent’”



Now just like Senator Clarke who has a problem with the ‘without consent’ clause so do I. What does that mean, as long as there are consenting homosexuals it is okay?

If I am not mistaken, I remember the PM talking with pride about “not in my cabinet,” on that famous BBC interview…so how he should clean up that particular area and not leave any ‘back door” for the gays to slip in.



Remember there is already a scandal brewing about a particular man working in a particular ministry who is allowing little boys to come into his office ending in one particular worker walking in on him doing stuff with the little boy. That he is not fired is another story…which means the PM and his team are not as soft on it as they claim.



Yes, the pressure is mounting on this little island because we don’t tolerate nastiness..but that’s no reason to appear as if we are softening one bit.

Blessing Fathers


God bless fathers and guide them in loving and caring for children.
Children learn so much from simply observing their own fathers and those who serve as father-figures.
As they allow children to satisfy their own curiosities and explore their own potential, fathers know when it is time to patiently, prayerfully watch children and when to step forward to be of help.
Fathers need prayer support, and I offer mine to my own father, the fathers of the world, and to those who are even now preparing to be fathers. The love of God is being expressed by each of them.
What they give day after day is an investment in a world in which all children have an opportunity to exceed their own high hopes and expectations and those of loving, caring parents and adults.


"Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' ... 'This kind can come out only through prayer.'"--Mark 9:24, 29

Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services and state-of-the-art handsets. By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand across its 31 markets worldwide.



Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and now has operations in 31 markets worldwide. Its Caribbean and Central American markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St.. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths. Digicel Pacific comprises Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

Digicel is the lead sponsor of Caribbean, Central American and South Pacific sports teams, including the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams throughout the region and national rugby teams in the South Pacific. Digicel is also title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships and the Copa de Naciones Digicel, which are the Caribbean and Central American qualifiers to the CONCACAF Gold Cup.



Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information on Digicel Group.
The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research.

Announced as Brand Ambassadors for Digicel for sumfest 09

Thursday June 18 Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel, Jamaica’s Bigger, Better Network is once again set to be one of the main sponsors for this year’s staging of Reggae Sumfest, the highly anticipated week-long reggae music festival, to be held July 23-25 in Montego Bay.



At the recent launch of Sumfest 2009, held at Devon House, Digicel unveiled their theme for this year - “Divas of Dancehall”, featuring Lady Saw and D’Angel, two of the hottest divas in dancehall today. Shelly-Ann Curran, Senior Sponsorship Manager at Digicel commented, “This year we are paying tribute to the amazing female dancehall artists that have graced the Sumfest stage over the past sixteen years with lady Saw and D’Angel leading our campaign as Brand Ambassadors.



The divas were ‘unwrapped’ from life-sized Barbie doll boxes in a thrilling moment, and later unleashed electrifying performances to delight the audience. “Sumfest is widely acknowledged as ‘The greatest Reggae show on earth,’ continued Curran, and Digicel is excited to be associated with the show in a bigger, better way. We’ve been involved with Reggae Sumfest for a number of years and we’re happy to help promote the development of Reggae music through such a quality event.”

Reggae Sumfest celebrates its 17th anniversary this year. A weeklong celebration in Montego Bay culminates with the 3-night Reggae Festival from July 23-25. The show will feature a host of reggae artistes, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Konshens, Busy Signal, Mavado, Etana, Queen Ifrica and Damian Marley, among others. International acts Tony Braxton, Jazmine Sullivan, Neyo and Nas have also been confirmed to headline this year’s festival.

Protected


God is my peace, my shield, my protector.
If ever I feel apprehensive or unsure about anything, my first response will be to pray, placing myself and all that concerns me in God's care and guidance. In prayer, I rest in the comforting presence of God.
With God as my ever-present guide, I do not fear anything or anyone. I am serene and confident because God is with me. I am never alone. This God-awareness brings me true peace and comfort.
God is all-power. In the quiet of prayer, I am enfolded in the peace that this understanding gives me. I have the strength and clarity of thought that I need to recognize and accept what is peaceful, right, and good.
I am protected and blessed in all I do and with all I meet in life. God is my peace, my shield, and my protector.


"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head."--Psalm 3:3

By Buffilous


What the hell is happening in the country when it comes to these men feeling as if they can treat women like punching bags. Come on man it’s time this foolishness stop.


What in blazes can a woman do a man for him to punch her in her face, mash har up and do all manner of evil with them. Now check out di latest whey wi hear, dat Bounty Killer inna one mix up with him and another woman outside di Escape club.
Well from whey wi get it, him tun up deh wid another woman and one a him nex woman confront him.

Even if she did jealous and shoulda know betta dan fi confront di Killer, it neva gi him nuh right fi beat har up like dat.
Wi hear sey it suh bad dat police did all haffi haul him backside a jail.


Now come on man, a time man start to think and realize sey woman suppose to be di weaker sex and stop batter bruise di woman dem.
Mi all sorry sey a nuh foreign wi dey whey di law likkle more pon di woman side, cause inna dis ya country, it come een like sey dem government doan give two hoots bout woman…chu…mi tiad a it yah man.

Big time party fans should be bracing to have the time of their lives as Red Stripe launches its Summer Kick-off Party, the official launch party of the Red Stripe Dream Weekend this Friday night, June 19, at the National Housing Trust (NHT) rooftop in New Kingston.

Some of Jamaica’s best disc jockeys and sound systems, including Coppershot and Code Red, ZJ Dream Liquid, Kurt Riley, will be on hand to help ramp up the vibe as the run up to the best weekend ever gets kicked into high gear.

The Dream Weekend, four days and nights of the very best party experiences, is set for Negril during the Independence weekend August 6-9. Considered to be the best party package available, the Dream Weekend includes two Smirnoff Signature events – Smirnoff Xclusive and Twisted Spiritz – as well as Red Stripe Beer Vibes, Daydreams, Absinthe, Xtreme Wet and Wild and Yush and the Margaritaville Days and Jungle Nites.

Armbands for the Dream Weekend will be available at a steal of $7,000 for one night only at Friday night’s launch as well as at Margaritaville Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Negril and at Beavers Bar and Grill in Mandeville. Armband holders will also be able to access special packages at Hedonism II and Grand Lido Negril. Guests with armbands who pay for three nights at either of these hotels get a fourth night free.

In the weeks leading up to the big weekend, fans of the extremely popular armband weekend can whet their appetites for amazing party experiences at a series of eight weekly parties island wide at Margaritaville Mobay, Negril and Ocho Rios, Memorabillia Beach Bar and Grill in Montego Bay, Ocean’s 11 in Ocho Rios, Pure/Plush in Kingston, Blue Beat in Montego Bay and Beaver’s Bar and Grill in Mandeville.

On Sunday, July 12, Morgan’s Harbour Hotel in Port Royal will host Absinthe, which will be followed by a series of Dream Nite parties on Thursdays at Margaritaville MoBay and Oceans 11 in Ocho Rios; Fridays at Beaver’s Bar and Grill in Mandeville; Saturdays at Blue Beat on the Hip Strip in Montego Bay, Margaritaville MoBay, and Ocho Rios; and Sundays at Memorabillia Beach Bar and Grill in Montego Bay and Margaritaville Ocho Rios that will also host Dream Nites on Wednesdays.

All these events culminate in time for the start of the Negril Dream Weekend that starts on Thursday, August 6, with Absinthe at Margaritaville, Negril from 2p.m.to 10 p.m which is expected to get patrons charged up to take on Twisted Spiritz that starts at 10pm Thursday night.



On Friday Long Bay Beach Park will host the throng of party animals for Daydreams the original all white party, from 2 to 10 p.m. after which they will trek to Margaritaville for Negril’s only 90’s party Yush that kicks off at 10pm Friday night

Negril’s number one event Xtreme Wet and Wild gets rolling at noon on Saturday, August 8 at the Kool Runnings Water Park in Negril and ends at time just in time for Red Stripe Beer Vibes Saturday night at 10 pm.

The wild weekend ends on Sunday, August 9 with the Smirnoff Xclusive at Margaritaville Negril. The finale starts at noon and ends eight hours later.

Hard work has surely paid off for Mr. Vegas as I Am Blessed continues to reign at #1 for yet another week, making it four consecutive weeks in this position. This chart topping single has been making quite a stir worldwide.
Vybz Kartel with Dollar Sign firmly grips the Shot To Watch title for one more week, he moves one spot in at #2 to leave #3.
“Ms Montego Bay” Queen Ifrica with Far Away steps in closely for the #3 position jumping places from #5.
Etana & Alborosie Blessings fell to #4 leaving its threatening #2 position while spending its fourteenth week on the chart.
Also for Konshens with This Means Money knock down to #5 out of #4 for which it peaked at.
Mavado is having a good look on the chart for this week as High Unda claims the Greatest Gainer title moving three places up to #6 from #9. At the same time as he has one out of the two New Entries on the chart which is one more of the girls favorite “Never Believe You” coming in at #18 on the Daseca label.
Another of the chart New Entry is from Jah Cure and Phyllisia with Call On Me making its entry at #20 and its off the Sobe/Danger Zone label.

Hype TV Top 20 Singles Chart

June 19th – June 25th, 2009
TW LW WC ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL - Peak Position
01 01 13 Mr. Vegas – I Am Blessed – Liv Up Records -4wks@1
02 03 10 Vybz Katel – Dollar Sign – Liv Up Records -Shot to Watch
03 05 15 Queen Ifrica – Far Away – Jamplified Records
04 02 14 Etana ft. Alborosie – Blessings – Forwards Records– pp@ #2
05 04 13 Konshens – This Mean Money – Head Concussion– pp@ #4
06 09 08 *Mavado – High Unda – Liv Up Records (Censor) - Greatest Gainer up3
07 06 19 Vybz Kartel – Last Man Standing – NotNice Records– pp@ #2
08 08 13 Harry Taddler – Pray Fi Dem – Down Sound Records
09 11 07 Alaine – Never Done – Don Corleon
10 07 19 Mavado – I’m So Bless –Big Ship -2wks@1
11 10 22 Da’ville – Missing You Right Now – Fashozy Records -3wks@1
12 13 06 Charley Black – Money Dreama – Lazeme Music Prod.
13 12 17 Laden –Time To Shine – Big Ship – pp@ #4
14 16 03 Brick & Lace – Bad 2 Da Bone – Birchill Records
15 15 16 Mavado – Again & Again – Daseca - pp@#13
16 18 03 Elephant Man – Hallelujah -Very Huge Records
17 14 18 *RDX – Ben Ova – APT.19 (Censor) – pp@ #6
18 NW 01 *Mavado – Never Believe You – Daseca (Censor)
19 17 20 Tarrus Riley – Start A New – Juke Boxx – pp@ #3
20 NW 01 Jah Cure Ft. Phyllisia – Call On Me – Sobe/Danger Zone
TW -This Week, LW – Last Week, WC – Weeks On Chart, NE – New Entry & WKS@#1 – Weeks @#1 * Censor

TOP 5 BUBBLERS


TW ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL
01 Queen Ifrica - Lioness On The Rise - Penthouse
02 Flippa Mafia - Unfinished House - Liv Up Records
03 Mr.Vegas - Up Deh - Clifford-Ray Music
04 Daville - Never Gonna Cry - Fashozy
05 Chino - From Mawning - Big Ship

Bwoy dem people yah nuh easy at all eeh. Imagine afta wi star Usain Bolt gone a Czech Republic a represent to di worl' di man dem go kip up some almshouse ting and rob di youth apartment. But a big, big, shame and disgrace dat ynuh. Di world idolise Usain and all wi waan do is pop him dung. No sah, whoever do dat need fi guh check dem self self.
Yardflex sey unno fi come offa dem tings deh - straight, zeen

Free


I welcome new beginnings.
I am free! Within this new day, I find a release from every old pattern, thought, or behavior that no longer serves me.
As a creation of a loving Creator, I welcome new beginnings, which are new chapters in my own story of life. My faith in God's ever-present guidance is constant. And I go forward confident in my insights, my choices, and my actions.
Divine guidance provides me with the motivation to give expression to the divine qualities within me. With love and respect, I make decisions about my own life and the lives of those in my care. Goodness abounds, and I celebrate my freedom to begin anew.


"You must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness, and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love."--2 Peter 1:5-7

The promoters of Just Jugglin have selected rising new artist Protoje to be the featured act on their first live concert on Thursday the 25th of June. Jus Jugglin is a weekly event that is held the Kabana restaurant and garden bar at 12 Hope Road in Kingston, that features top selectors spinning 80s and 90s music. However the promoters of Jus Jugglin have decided to add a live shows to their summer long event series.



This event will see Protoje doing his first official live show in the Kingston since the release of his hot new single Arguments. Over the last few months Protoje has been rapidly making a name for him self on the local music scene since the release of this single. Arguments is currently sitting at the top of RETV’s MVP chart for the fourth consecutive week, it also debuted at number two on the Fi Wi Choice Video charts on TVJ last Saturday.

A few nosey neighbours who felt that an evangelist was taking advantage of two teenagers in their community, questioned the girls and then called the police on celebrity US-based pastor the Reverend Dr Paul Lewis.

Lewis, who was arrested on Sunday night, was denied bail when he appeared in the Savanna-la-Mar Resident Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon.

Reports are that after an intense two-hour interrogation session, the man of God was charged with indecent assault and carnal abuse. He returns to court on July 7.

Lewis is represented by attorney Terrence Ballentine.

Allegations are that the popular Jamaican-born evangelist and the two girls — ages 14 and 15-years — had a deal in which he gave them money in return for sexual favours.

It is reported that Lewis, who is in the island for a one-week crusade — hosted by Fellowship Church of God in Little London from June 7-14 — met the 14-year-old girl at church and they exchanged phone numbers.

The teenager subsequently introduced her 15-year-old friend to the United States-based evangelist and all three went on a trip to Clarendon on Saturday. During that trip, Pastor Lewis, who was being driven by a chauffeur, allegedly fondled and kissed both girls

The police say that upon returning to Westmoreland late Saturday night, the evangelist invited the two teenaged girls to his hotel room in Negril where he had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old twice while the 14-year-old watched.

Reports are that the girls received $5,000.00 and $3,000.00 each.

The evangelist, whose credits include performing the baptism of popular entertainer Brother Desmond, aka Ninjaman, was jailed after the matter was brought to the attention of the police by citizens who became suspicious.

Reggae Sumfest enjoyed its official Jamaican launch yesterday on the grounds of Devon House in Kingston.
There was a large turnout of media personnel, artistes, sponsors and specially invited guests.
The top names in the dancehall are set to thrill the massive on Dancehall night including the Doctor Beenie man who the Sumfest boss Johnny Gourzong says will be given a special honour.
Mavado, Kartel and others are set to perform on that night.
Lady Saw gave a thrilling performance after she and D'Angel were introduced as Digicel's Brand Ambassadors for Sumfest 09.
If her stormy performance is anything to go by then one can easily expect her "tear up" the Sumfest stage.
Last night cameo performances were given by Taz, Sophia Squire, I-Octane, Bugle, Lutan Fyah, Spice.

Change


I cross every bridge to change with faith and confidence.
As I complete one phase of my life, I make ready for the next one. I may be changing from a role as a student to one of being an employee. I may be taking on the added responsibility of owning my own home. I may no longer choose the single life and commit to a lifelong partner.
Whatever change I embark on, I build a bridge to my new experience. With planning, insight, and prayer, I trust as I step forward to change.
Prayerful reflection is a spiritual component to my bridge of change. I know what is mine to do because God's love and wisdom are guiding me.
With faith and confidence, I trust that there is a time and a season for each change. Following divine guidance, I am secure as I cross each bridge to my next destination.


"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."--Ecclesiastes 3:1

A what a gwaan, wi did tink sey di Prime Minister sey "no gays around here...not in my cabinet."
Suh a wha dat wi a read inna di chat sey one minister a cover up fi a big ole gay man whey dem find inna him office a fool round one likkle bwoy. And from what wi a read it come een like sey a nuh di fuss time either, we understand sey a him practice...so a how come him still inna him big job
No sah, him mus have some kinda secret fi dem. Bruce, you betta check out da one dey cause if yuh know sey dey gay deh inna fi yuh cabinate and a allow dem tings deh, den is a straight Peter King part II you gooda a look at.

My Break


In this very moment, I claim my health and wholeness.
Taking a break from the activities of the day, I am renewed with energy. In a quiet, reflective time, I am stress-free and prepared for God's healing power within to build up my stamina.
I sustain my health and energy by taking several breaks during the day from whatever is happening in the outer. Whether for a few minutes in the midst of planning or carrying out plans, or for a few weeks between semesters, job searches, or life-changing moments--I take time to focus on and discern what is best for me. Such times for regeneration support the health of every cell and function of my body.
During meditative prayer, concerns dissipate, answers come, and healing flows freely.


"Because you have asked ... for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind."--1 Kings 3:11-12

An internationally acclaimed pastor is behind bars after a report of carnal abuse was made.
The pastor is locked up for the alleged carnal abuse of a teenager and sexual assault of another.

The pastor who is in Jamaica on the invitation of a local Ministry is accused of abusing the teens at a Westmoreland hotel over the weekend.

According to RJR news the Minister who hails from Brooklyn, New York is a self proclaimed healer, and is known worldwide for his alleged acts of healing, which have reportedly left millions in awe.

He was reportedly ministering at a tent crusade in Westmoreland last week and was in the company of two young girls, aged 14 and 15 years.

The girls reportedly accompanied him to Clarendon and upon their return were taken to a hotel in Negril where the pastor allegedly came unto the 14-year-old girl who resisted strongly.

It is further alleged that the pastor had sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old and then gave her money.

Nearby persons became suspicious and called the police and investigations led to the minister's arrest during the final stages of his crusade Sunday night, just minutes before he was scheduled to begin delivering his message.

The police say he will be charged late Monday.

In the meantime, some people are claiming that the pastor has been falsely accused.

The situation has left tension hanging over the Little London community and its environs where scores of residents turned out nightly for healing.

It has also caused a stir in the United States where thousands of persons have been sending weekly donations to his Ministry based in Brooklyn.

With Caribbean-American Heritage being the national theme for June, Caribbean celebrities are hitting the American mainstream in full force. On June 27th, Trinidad and Tobago's beloved Soca star Bunji Garlin--known as the 'Fire Man' for his blazing stage performances--is taking over the United States headquarters with Soca in Motion, a birthday celebration featuring Soca music's biggest stars, and a guest appearance from Jamaica's Dancehall King. Held on the weekend when Washington DC celebrates Caribbean culture with their annual island-styled Carnival, Garlin's birthday party is billed to be one of the biggest Soca events ever to strike the capital city.



Hosted at Washington D.C.'s newly renovated DC Star, a frequent hang-out for Hip Hop A-listers like Rick Ross, Jadakiss, Gucci Mane, and Young Joc, Soca in Motion brings Soca's top-listed celebrities like Trinidad and Tobago's 2009 Carnival quadruple crown-winner Fayann Lyons, Destra Garcia, Benjai, Patch, Trini Jacobs, and Hunter, alongside Garlin and his famed Asylum Band. Rounding out the power-packed line-up of Soca royalty, Caribbean music icon Beenie Man, in his capacity as the "King of the Dancehall" will officiate the festivities.

Soca is a musical fusion of uptempo African, East Indian, and Latin music poured over the drum- and bass-heavy rhythms that have become the signature sound of the Caribbean islands. Since 1993, the sounds of Soca, Reggae, and other island music have filled Washington D.C. every last weekend in June, with a vibrant full-costume parade and internationalmarketplace. According to carnival organizers DC Caribbean Carnival Inc, the event attracts over 300,000 people annually, and is still growing. DC Caribbean Carnival maintains that one of the focal points of this annual celebration is to develop and encourage cross-cultural programs and inter-community relations to expand awareness of Caribbean cultural traditions, and to educate both young people and adults in Caribbean arts in the Washington DC Metro area.



"DC Carnival is the perfect place to celebrate my birthday," states Garlin, whose birth name is Ian Alvarez. "The spirit of Carnival is the spirit of the Caribbean-lively, colorful, celebratory, and welcoming. That is what my music is about. That is what Soca music is about.



That is what Caribbean culture is about. This time we are headed straight for the US capital. Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy-especially President Obama," jokes Garlin. n his official proclamation declaring June as National Caribbean Heritage Month in the United States, President Obama states "Caribbean Americans bring a unique and vibrant culture. This multilingual and multiethnic tradition has strengthened our social fabric and enriched the diversity of our Nation."



"Carnival is one of the things that Caribbean people look forward to every year; it is the one day or weekend that we can come out in our full colors and have the rest of the city celebrate being Caribbean with us," states Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis. "Carnival spirit is so powerful that the US said one-day is not enough-give them people the whole month," he jokes while adding that Bunji Garlin's birthday party is going to be one of the highlights of DC Carnival this year.



"Big up Bunji Garlin on his Earthstrong (birthday) party," states Beenie Man. "The King of the Dancehall with the Soca Fire Man-nothing but pure explosion a go di deh," he adds in his local Caribbean tongue.



"After this one, they are going to need another Ice Age to cool the place down, because we are going to set DC ablaze," Garlin exclaims, ending with his signature "Fiiiyaaah" stage call.

Pray for Others


I am blessed as I reach out in heart and soul to others.
Sometimes the challenges I meet in life are more easily overcome when I turn my attention to the needs of family and friends. I pray for them from a heart of love.
During my quiet time with God, I consider the challenges faced by people throughout the world. I pray that all are well fed, clothed, and sheltered from the weather. I pray that every child has an opportunity to obtain an education and that every adult who is thirsting for knowledge has that longing satisfied. I pray for everyone who has lost a loved one and for those who are serving far from home.
I pray for others, and I also do my very best to help them. The world is indeed a better place because of prayer and acts of kindness. I am blessed as I reach out--heart and soul, thought and action--to others.


"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone."--1 Timothy 2:1

August is the date being announced for the long-awaited follow-up album for deejay Sean Paul
In the meantime, the lead single So Fine is stirred up a lot of love from fans in France, Canada, Belgium, Norway and Sweden who have made it the most downloaded reggae/dancehall song in those territories.

Popular online music store iTunes has So Fine charting in those five nations but it is void on the US online charts. Reports are, however, that the single should be made available in the US within the next two weeks.

The single So Fine also had found its way on Billboard’s R&B Hip Hop Singles & Tracks where it made its debut at number 90

Sean Paul has topped the Billboard Hot 100 three times but has had only one chart-topper on the R&B chart. He reached pole position with Get Busy in 2003.
A recap of Sean Paul titles to have hit the R&B chart include Deport Them, Hot Gal Today, Gimmie the Light, Get Busy, Like Glue, I’m Still in Love With You, Temperature, We Be Burning, (When You Gonna) Give it Up to Me (with Keyshia Cole), Baby Boy (with Beyonce), Breathe (with Blu Cantrell) and Come Over (with Estelle).

As the line-up for Reggae Sumfest International Nights rolls out, the big names keep popping up. The latest to be revealed are singers Toni Braxton and Neyo, who join Jazmin Sullivan and Nas as the other international acts.
This was disclosed to media and VIP guests recently at the New York launch of what is considered ‘the world’s greatest showcase of reggae music’.
A six-time Grammy Awards winner, Braxton has sold over forty million records worldwide.
Her number-one single, Unbreak My Heart, is the second-biggest selling single by a female singer in Billboard history. Her most recent albums were More Than a Woman under the Arista label, and Libra, her first and only release on Blackground.

Braxton was involved in the 7th season of the reality show Dancing with the Stars.
Ne-Yo, a favourite locally ever since the mega-success of his big song So Sick, has five top ten songs on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artiste and two number-one albums on the Billboard 200.
He broke into the recording industry as a songwriter, penning the hit Let Me Love You for singer Mario.
In 2006, Neyo released his debut album, In My Own Words, which contained the US number one hit So Sick.
The Sumfest launch party featured two 2009 performing stars, Flippa Mafia and Spice.
Sponsors for this year's event include Digicel, Air Jamaica, Jamrock Magazine, Ocean Spray and the Jamaica Tourist Board among others

More


God is my wisdom and my strength.
I may have felt an inner urging for something more in life but had not been able to identify what that "more" was until now. I have discovered that it is a calling from within to experience the presence of God more fully.
I am both physical and spiritual. Knowing this, I do not look to the outer world for the satisfaction of my soul. God alone satisfies my soul, and when I fill my consciousness with an awareness of God, I know that I am whole and complete.
I am fulfilled through my daily communion with God. I am not a person who is wanting or needy. I am not beseeching or demanding. All-power is at work within me and through me--a wonder to behold. God is my wisdom and my strength, and I am capable of doing more and being more in every moment.


"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine."--Ephesians 3:20

In July 1864, Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister, was tired and began thinking of future things, especially of the gathering of the saints around God’s throne. He began to wonder why so many had written so much of the river of death and so little of the river of life. A hymn began to take form, first as a question, “Shall we gather at the river?”


Then came the answer, “Yes, we’ll gather at the river.”
With his heart full of these thoughts, he seated himself at his parlor organ, and both the words and the music of the famous hymn came to him as if by inspiration.
Soon, the words and music to this famous hymn were completed.

There is nothing on earth more restful than the banks of a winding river. And God has placed a river in heaven, a beautiful crystal river that will make glad the hearts of all God’s children someday.



Shall We Gather at the River



Shall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide for ever
Flowing by the throne of God?



Chorus
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river,
Gather with the saints at the river,
That flows by the throne of God.




On the margin of the river,
Washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever,
All the happy, golden day.



Ere we reach the shining river,
Lay we ev’ry burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and crown.



Soon we’ll reach the silver river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.



At the smiling of the river,
Mirror of the Savior’s face,
Saints whom death will never sever
Lift their songs of saving grace.

LA Lewis in the news again
Bwoy, every whey yuh tun yuh si LA Lewis graffiti pon di wall dem, but it come een like sey yuh a buck im up inna di news more dan pon di wall dem nowadays. First di drama wid him an Lady Marsha...whey she want back har tings from him, den him go try kiss har inna court house and now seet deh dem evict him. Mi sey one big crowd teck in when dem a fling out him equipment dem and according to to di deejay without a good song, him a guh thru "financial depression". But a wonda whey him a guh come wid nex sah.

Poor and Boasy deals with the situation
Yes bwoy Poor and Boasy seh him a guh tun himself in to di police fi clear up di matta whey dem a call up him name sey him involve inna stabbing. Put whey wi curious bout is wha really guh dung. Suh why dem just pick fi him name outa di blue suh fi sey a him. And den again, him just get di million dollar and it look like sey it haffi guh inna lawyer fee. No sah...we ongle hope sey him neva have nutten fi do wid dem alligations deh.

Omar Johnson aka Poor and Boasy who emerged King in the Magnum King and Queen of the Dancehall has found himself on the wrong side of the law.


According to information reaching Yardflex he has been accused of being involved in a stabbing incident which took place last week. From information gleaned the Magnum winner is wanted in connection with the stabbing of Lindon Clarke, a resident of Aenon Town, Clarendon, where the incident allegedly occurred.
Checks with the Spaldings police confirmed that a report was made on Saturday, after which an effort was made to nab Johnson.
A policeman said Johnson was expected to attend a dance which was being held in Spaldings, also in the parish.
The efforts of the police were, however, thwarted, as Johnson reportedly did not turn up.
Corporate Area police stations have since been briefed, the policeman added.
Allegations are that Clarke was stabbed about 1 a.m. last Friday, while at the Miss Aenon Town contest at the Aenon Town All-Age School.
Clarke who told his story to the Star reported that while playing a game of cards, Clarke said he got into a heated argument with Poor and Boasy.

"First him seh 'a wah do yuh country bwoy?' and mi ask him if him feel seh town mek anybody a bad man," Clarke said. They then exchanged expletives.
"Mi leave and go inside the fête fi go enjoy miself and about three minutes after being in there him come see me," he continued.
Clarke said he was stabbed several times and had to run in order to escape. One of his friends drove him to hospital.
He received nine stab wounds: three in his side, four in his back, one in his hand and one in his belly. He was hospitalised and placed on a drip.
Clarke reported the matter to the police on Saturday. He, however, feels the police are lagging in making an arrest.


However when the Star contacted the Boasy himself he dismissed the argument by saying he heard rumours that he was the subject of an attack and not the attacker.
"Mi hear seh dem find mi body a Alligator Pond, seh mi get stab up and dead," he claimed.

He did, however, admit to being in the country but did not spare details of the trip.
"Up to last night him deh a one bar a drink. Him deh a Aenon Town more than how him deh a town. Right now, him supposed to deh a Aenon Town," an angry Clarke said.
"A nuff people see dat (stabbing incident) but de police nuh come arrest him. Right now, mi a pree fi go report it a Mandeville Police station."
Oh boy, let’s see who is telling the truth in this case.

World Peace


United in the love of God, we live in peace.
Jesus spoke about the inter-connectedness of all humankind through Spirit when he said, "On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you."
One of my greatest desires is to live in a compassionate, understanding, and kind world. I do my part to help create such a world by adopting those qualities in all of my interactions with others.
As I smile at a stranger or offer assistance to someone, I am contributing to a world of peace. On a broader scale, I show respect for the people of other nations and cultures, knowing that we all share planet earth as the home God created for us--a home in which we live together in peace and love.
I love my neighbors. I add to the global consciousness of peace, affirming: United in the love of God, we live in peace.


"We have patrolled the earth, and lo, the whole earth remains at peace."--Zechariah 1:11

Queen Paula pop dung?

But a wha dat wi si di odda day sah? Fi real di big big female dejay inna di middle a street a push har car whey bruck dung pon har. Now mi hear some people a sey dat fi a big big artiste if she couldn’t call one a har friend dem fi help har and some a wonda if she neva did a service di car good. It neva look suh good fi smady suh hype a tuggo tuggo wid dem car

Beenie Man Bredda free

Bwoy Beenie Man bedda must be breathing a sigh a relief now. Dem clear him Wednesday offa di charge sey him rape him bredda girlfriend. But as dem sey one man’s joy is anodda man’s grief…cause di victim neva happy at all, she all get inna argument wid Bird inna di court corridor. A just suh di system set up…hush.

You telling us that only $300 went on the minimum wage and people losing dem job…$300…give us a break here. Check out this report carried on RJR’s website.

The Ministry of Labour is reporting that there have been some job losses since the recent increase in the Minimum Wage.
However, it says the figure is not expected to be significant.
Some small firms which were buckling under the pressure of the economic recession were forced to send home a few employees when the increase in the Minimum Wage took effect last month.
Labour Minister Pearnel Charles says the situation is being monitored.

"On the question of the minimum wage we have had reports that a number of workers have been terminated because a number of employers say they cannot pay the $4,070,
"We have not found any mass dismissal of workers but we are still examining and wherever there is a problem we will try and solve it," Mr. Charles said.
He says in other cases employees have suffered a cut in their work hours as companies try to cut expenses.
The Minimum Wage was increased from $3,700 per week to $4,070 on May 11.

The rates paid to security guards went up on June 1.

Yardflex understands that a legal battle is brewing between booking and public relations agency Headline Entertainment and it’s co-owner Alison Hunte. The two will be heading to the Supreme Court to settle their differences.

Hunte and Hamilton are now caught in a legal fight that could possibly split the company.

According to reports in the Jamaica Observer details are still emerging, but both sides went to court yesterday in an attempt to avoid mediation and fast-track open court. That is a signal that either talks have broken down or that there is a point of law that mediation cannot settle. Hunte launched legal proceeding this year with Headline and Hamilton listed as co-defendants.

It is understands that Hunte and Hamilton have been at loggerheads for some time, and that she proposed a buy-out that never materialised.

"No comment," responded the usually transparent Hamilton when quizzed on the matter.

Hunte's attorney Nunes, Scholefield, DeLeon & Company also declined to comment and calls to Hunte's local and overseas numbers went unanswered.
Splash was unable to obtain the case file as it had been in the judge's chambers since Wednesday.

By Rootzgirl


Now the babies doan born yet and already bad examples are being set for them. Can you imagine two pregnant women went to the clinic and should be focusing on the wellbeing of their babies growing in their tummies, instead at that stage they are getting into fights?

Reading the report in the Star I had to wonder if these women realize the awesome responsibilities they have as mothers bringing children into the world.

According to the report everything started because the guilty woman went to the clinic and saw the complainant with the father of both their unborn babies.

She said she ignored them and sat elsewhere. She told the court that when she went to the bathroom she was attacked by the complainant who hit her in the mouth.

The complainant had a different story. She said the father of her child was not at the clinic. She said she was ambushed in the bathroom by Miller who grabbed her face, and when she tried to use her hands to push her off, her finger went into Miller's mouth and she bit her.

She said she had to get injections and medication for the injury. Miller was ordered to pay the complainant for her medical expenses.

It gets worse here, both of them are pregnant for the same man and moving in the same circles…what the hell kind a future will there be for the kids if they start fighting already…before the children are born?

The Marley brothers are fighting for chart dominance on Billboard’s reggae album charts this week with Julian Marley denied the number one slot by Ziggy Marley.
Julian’s new album Awake just debuted at number two on Billboard’s after ticking on iTunes downloads ten days ago. It’s his highest debut to date and betters Time & Place (2003) which peaked at number eight. Awake is also number 11 on the Top Heatseekers charts.
In fact there are three Marley’s on the Billboard chart with Stephen Marley’s Mind Control acoustic at number 15. Billboard’s tracks mostly physical album sales. Contrastingly online downloads show that Julian’s album slipped from number two last week to number three on the US iTunes reggae album charts, among the Internet’s most popular online stores. Julian’s Awake is at number three behind Ziggy’s Family Time at number two with father and reggae icon Bob Marley’s Legend at number one. Legend was released almost 30 years ago and has sold 20 million copies cumulatively.

Let Go, Let God


I move forward in a life of freedom, health, and prosperity.
I wouldn't get far driving a car while the emergency brake was on. Neither would I reach my goals or dreams if I didn't release the brakes on them.
I choose to move forward with my goals and dreams, releasing any belief in poverty or powerlessness that might be adversely affecting my thoughts, words, and actions.
If my desire is to improve my health, I let go of any doubt that I can be completely healthy. Wholeness is my divine heritage.
Rather than straining for results, I let God transform my understanding so that I move forward in a life of freedom, health, and prosperity. As I release and make room for my highest good, I am able to fully appreciate and experience life.


"Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way." --Isaiah 57:14

This state of the art and one-of-a-kind 21st century multi-musical entertainments center and children's museum was opened on December 5th 2008 in downtown Los Angeles, California. 'L.A.-Live' consists of the most modern technological entertainments facilities, Club Nokia and The Grammy Museum. Here on June 6th 2009 Club Nokia and The Grammy Museum teamed up to present an educational experience with Reggae music Grammy's multi-winner Ziggy Marley.

With the release of Ziggy Marley's "Family Time" CD, Marley entertained children from all walks of life with the showcase " What is Reggae" which gave youths age 5 years and up a hands-on interaction with the artists and entertainers. Opening for the son of The Crowned King of Reggae The Honorable Robert Nesta 'Bob" Marley, O. D., were "Rhythm Child", local entertainers who interact children and parents in music through free form drumming while performing many of their award winning children songs. The Grammy Museum will continue to host other grammy winning artists from over 200 genres at this venue.

Forgive


I forgive and experience joy--now!
When someone says or does something that hurts my feelings, my first thought may not be about forgiving this person. However, the longer I hang on to negative feelings, the more I punish myself.
Mounting evidence indicates that holding on to grudges, resentments, or thoughts of revenge often leads to health problems. So I forgive past transgressions and live a healthier life now.
My emotions vastly improve as I forgive. With a willingness to forgive others, I also forgive myself. When I am able to completely overcome past hurts, I enjoy life in the present moment. My load is much lighter. This is a holy experience, as a proverb makes clear: "Where there is forgiveness, there is God."
I forgive and experience joy--now!


"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."--Matthew 6:12

Tuesday, June 9; Kingston, Jamaica: It was a lengthy campaign for Betsy ‘Brown Sugar’ Campbell to get one of the three spots up for grabs from the Top Ten from Montego Bay. However, she says it was well worth it.

Campbell, who got the most votes in this round of voting, was elated when she realised she would be in the studio finals for Jamaica’s most popular television show and talent contest.

“Well, I worked hard for it. Friday night when I was watching the show, and I realised I was chosen, it was just a blessed feeling,” Campbell said before going into intricate details about her campaign to become one of the 16 persons who will see berth into the studio rounds.

“My hairdresser has been promoting it, I’ve printed fliers and she has put it up in the plaza where her shop is. She also has a box in the shop with my picture on it, and they collect money to buy credit and vote for me, and they’ve been doing that from I auditioned.”

The Herbert Morrision Technical High School alumni sang Lauryn Hill’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You to win the approval of Jamaica.

Meanwhile, 17 year old Ruseas High School student Suzanna Brooks, who sang the well known Carla Irene tune Fame, says she “just feels so good!”

“I just feel elated, and I’m proud of myself. My friends and family are excited too, and they are probably more excited than I am,” said Brooks.

“I’ve been singing since I was four, and I’ve been around music forever. My parents are musicians and they have their own Mento band, so music is everything to me, and this means a lot to me.”

Cristal Robinson and Winston Ramsey, who make up ‘Chrissy and Winston’, this season’s first duo, are itching to get to the studio rounds. The two 19-year-old past students of Clan Carthy High School sang We’ve Got Tonight by Kenny Rogers and are now preparing to wow Jamaica with their talent.

“I'm excited, and I’m blessed. I have faith and I have confidence and we’re gonna do our best, said Robinson. This is Robinson’s first time entering the competition.
However, it was an elated Relda Ramsey, mother of Winston Ramsey who told us about her son’s love of music.

“What?! It was one something in here when it come on TVJ on Friday. He was so excited!” Relda related, also adding that her son entered the competition as a solo act last year.

“You see when he was a baby; the only thing that could stop him from crying was music. I would have to get a radio and a cassette, and put it to him head and is it would mek him smile and calm down,” she said.

Now that the Montego Bay three are chosen, this Friday’s results show will reveal the top three contestants from the May Pen auditions that were shown on Sunday. So vote now to get your choice in.

Now tell me, what do you expect from the young generation when parents cannot lead by example. The only thing I can think that, no wonder the society is in the state it is in after reading a story that was carried in the Star yesterday.


According to the report police in Hanover were called in to a high school in the parish after a teacher was attacked by the parent who was upset that her child was scolded earlier.


The report went on to say that after arguing with the teacher, the parent chased her around the school while hurling stones and bottles at her.

Now you tell me, what is the world coming to, when teachers can no longer be allowed to carry out their job function in peace.


No wonder many teachers are taking a ‘stand back’ attitude and not going overboard for their students…with parents like those it’s hard for them to go above and beyond the call of duty. I pity the kids who will never what it means to have a teacher who is passionate about her profession because of the indiscipline parents.


In my day if you were reprimanded at school , you keep it to yourself as talking about it, might earn you another thrashing or scolding.


Society is in a sorry state and parents are not making it any easier…it’s a crying shame.

By Example


I lead, and I am led by example.
We may not always be aware that little ones are paying attention to us, learning how to love, care, and trust. Our acts of kindness toward children are gifts from our hearts. Praying with children demonstrates our faith and an expectation of good.
And often, it is the children within our midst who lead us by example. Children know without question that God answers every prayer.
Children see majesty in even the most minute elements of the world: the varieties and aromas of flowers, the colors in a rainbow, the splendor of a sunrise.
As adults we lead by example. Let us also take the time to let our children be our teachers and guides.


"Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith."--Hebrews 13:7

Dancehall diva D’Angel is shaken up following a hold up at her store in Princeville Plaza. The incident happened about 10:30 yesterday morning when three armed men walked into the store demanding money.


When that was not forthcoming they proceeded to help themselves to goods from the store. According to our source the gunmen tied up the workers and even stripped the clothes off the mannequins before making their escape with goods valued at $400,000.


The workers are very traumatized from the whole incident.

Bwoy what a big coup Buju common-law wife of 18 years Lorna Strachan pull off. Yes bwoy mi a read di Chat! teday and si sey Lorna she get har due outa di relationship, afta Buju did a hol hard end wid har demands. She teck it to di Supreme Court and luckily him settle before tings coulda get messy...cause unno done know sey if it did eva reach a court a right dung di middle tings woulda split.
Check out except from di story in today Chat!

Strachan, who enjoyed an 18-year relationship with Myrie — which produced five children — went to the court in April this year in a bid to have the joint tenancy severed for several properties which she and Myrie own.
According to a source close to the couple, after a breakdown in the relationship which led to a separation, Strachan sought to protect herself and, in particular, their five children. She reportedly approached Myrie with a suggestion that certain properties which were owned by both of them be signed over to her and in turn she would willingly relinquish all rights to other properties in which they shared tenancy in common.

It is reported that initially Myrie refused to entertain this suggestion and as a result, Strachan took the matter to the Supreme Court. But, according to the source, “good sense prevailed”.
“She had his back against the wall. After so many years of them being together, she would be entitled to half of everything he owns. So it made sense for him to give her what she was asking for,” the source stated.
It is reported that the properties in the claim included an apartment at Priory Court, Devon Road, St Andrew, the property at Ballater Avenue, Kingston 10, which houses the Donovan Germain-led Penthouse empire; houses at Jacaranda Close, Braeton, St Catherine; Carlisle Avenue, Kingston 8; and the family house in Belgrade Heights, Kingston 19.
In addition to being given the Devon Road property, Strachan also received the house in which she now lives and 25% of the Ballater Avenue property, which was reportedly jointly owned by Germain and Myrie. The source added, however, that in the case of Ballater Ave, Strachan’s name was always on the property, its “just that it’s now changed to joint tenancy”.

Dancehall artiste, Natalie Storm, recently returned to Jamaica after completing a whirlwind tour of New York City which saw her recording, performing and attending a number of exclusive, high-profile events.

Her visit was courtesy of DJ Max Glazer’s Business Class Records which flew in Natalie Storm to New York City to do some work with his label.

Natalie was kept busy in the studio recording some brand new material, but she also found time to throw in a highly-appreciated performance and was present at the events that mattered.

Along with her solo career, Natalie is also a member of girl group TNT — the others being Tifa and Timberlee — and her New York trip saw her recording several songs with her TNT family for an upcoming release. She also recorded songs for her own album.


While in NYC she was a special guest at the grand opening of the Sunglass Hut flagship store in Midtown Mahattan and she also did interviews with Fader Magazine, World Flavas Radio and Pat McKay on Sirius Radio.

The highlight of the hectic week was her stellar performance at Federation Sound's 10th Anniversary show at Club Santos. Pop superstar Rhianna, Hot 97's DJ Cypha Sounds, DJ Stretch Armstrong and many more celebrities came out to see Natalie, Tifa , Timberlee, Sean Paul, Leftside and several other dancehall acts perform their hits to a completely sold out crowd.



Natalie returned to Jamaica and is working on her debut riddim "Firestorm". She has also recorded on producer Skatta's Hindu riddim and is making preparations for two new music videos.

Yardflex came across this article that was published in the Newsweek. All we can say is we found it really, really interesting...check it out and tell us what you think about it.

Kate Dailey

In the video, (NSFW) a young woman stands on her head, legs spread. Two men stand straight on either side of her. As crowds look on, the two men begin to push her back and forth by her ankles until finally she’s flipped over and thrown into one man’s arms, legs over his shoulders. As he gyrates and thrusts onto her limp body, the DJ in the background urges them on. The woman is then thrown back to the other man, who grabs her from behind and begins to grind into her.

This isn’t Internet porn—it’s a YouTube video of “daggering,” a type of dance popular with some of Jamaica’s poorest citizens. It’s exuberant, vulgar, and may be responsible for a string of highly painful and personal injuries occurring out of the clubs in the bedroom. Music associated with daggering has been banned from the airwaves due to its lewd content, and the super-suggestive moves have the guardians of Jamaican culture sounding the alarm. But is daggering—and the dance hall tradition from which it sprung—a stain on Jamaica’s legendary musical heritage, or just the newest envelop-pushing phase of youth culture?

“Daggering” is slang for dance moves simulating sexual intercourse, some of which include excitable gymnast-like moves, writes Donna Hope Marquis, a lecturer in reggae studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona, in Kingston Jamaica, in an e-mail to NEWSWEEK. Dancing as a metaphor for carnal relations is nothing new—having an excuse to move in time with the opposite sex is the reason dance floors were invented. But daggering takes the pantomime to an almost cartoonish extreme; both in the lack of subtext in the dance moves, and the aggressively exaggerated way those motions are executed. Men thrust wildly, often throwing women through the air or swinging them forcefully over their groins. A version called “sky daggering” has men executing flips or leaps onto their prone female partner.

The force and enthusiasm with which these moves are performed mean daggering is more than just controversial. It's also been blamed for several health hazards. In an act of “sky daggering” gone awry, a male dancer attempting to launch onto his lying partner in a suggestive “69” position instead landed on her neck. An Internet video captured the stunt, leading to rumors that the woman had been killed. (That rumor is false. Supposedly, the woman even gave an interview in a local paper, claiming to have recovered quickly and gone to another dance that same night).

Jamaican doctors assert that those trying to replicate the powerful moves of daggering in the bedroom can end up with dramatic injuries: they say the incidents of broken penises have increased in the past year; according to an article in the Jamaican Star, some clinics are seeing two a month. “"It's possibly {sic} daggerin' people tend to have a predisposition to rough sex,” said a Jamaican surgeon interviewed by the Star. "(So) during very rigorous intercourse, the penis slips out and in an attempt to ram it back in, the man hits the woman's pubic bone and pops the penis." This evidence is mostly anecdotal; though hospitals we spoke to were familiar both with daggering and the injuries.

“Broken” penis is somewhat of a misnomer; there’s no bone to break. Instead, it's a term to address the tear in the covering of the erectile tissue of the penis. Dr. Larry Lipschultz , professor of urology at the Baylor College of Medicine, said that while he was unaware of the daggering phenomenon or any health issues it may cause, sex that’s too rough can lead to penile fractures. “If you have an erection and it’s thrust up against something that’s not going to accommodate it, or [will cause it to] bend—a sharp bend will cause a fracture or breaking of the erectile tissue covering,” he says.


However, Jamaican DJ, promoter, and producer Jah Prince claims that the actual amount of extreme daggering dancers is low. "A handfull of video clips online and several 'scripted' street dances in Jamaica show the most extreme levels of adult entertainment," he writes in an e-mail. "The majority of the time it done with full disclosure to the patrons and only enacted by a hand few of 'characters' in the crowd."
He also points out that a more popular form of dancing has been a return to more scripted and choreographed routines. "True dancing overall has actually re-surfaced in the pop-culture worldwide and with that comes all the choreographed routines from Jamaican professionals, yet with that comes the Daggering or Dirty Dancing," he says. "There is a time to do 'Couple Up', a time for a male to dance with his female partner, just as a time to 'Paranoid' or 'Nuh Linga'; dances done with multiple persons, either a group of males or females. Yet when it's early morning and the liquor is all sold and bar closed, it's time to let loose and find a consenting partner and start Dagga."

Though the term “daggering” has only been around since late 2008, says Hill, “dances that simulate sexual intercourse have been part of dancehall music and culture since its inception.” ‘Dancehall’ in fact, refers to music so suggestive that it could only be heard in clubs. “In Jamaica, they have a long tradition of banning certain kinds of songs. Until recently, those kinds of songs had not been heard on the airwaves,” says Rula Brown, an Atlanta-based, Jamaican DJ. “That kind of music has always existed in Jamaican culture, but the only place you could hear it or experience was in the dancehall.”

Due to more relaxed standards, several songs associated with daggering—like Vybz Kartel’s “Rampin Shop” and Spice’s “Check Mi Fi The Daggering”—were getting radio play over the last year. That is, until February, when the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica banned the music from radio, television, and other commercial outlets, in an effort to prevent a “deluge of inappropriate content on the airwaves.”

Like American gangster rap in the 90s, the lyrics of dancehall music are often violent and homophobic, and feuds between artists often erupt. “Dancehall has a lot of negative connotations, and daggering is only one of them,” says Carlyle McKetty, president of the New York-based Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music. He notes that Jamaican dancehall musicians have been banned from traveling to other Caribbean countries because those countries fear the negative influence of dancehall culture. The sex and violence of dancehall, argues McKetty combined with the perception that the DJs, MCs, and artists associated with dancehall, don’t feel an obligation to the greater good, is a symbol of the culture’s decline. “We’ve gone from “Wake Up and Live,” which was a popular Bob Marley tune to ‘why should artists be concerned about nation building?’” he said. “We’re concerned that dancehall music is endangering the ethos of reggae music and the brand of Jamaica.”

Of course, endangering the ethos of and culture of the country through lewd music was what they said about Elvis, too: one man’s (or rather, The Man’s) “inappropriate content” can be another’s good time – especially if the people looking to blow off steam are poor and marginalized.

“Jamaican society is extremely stratified, and people at the bottom are the core participants of dancehall culture,” says Annie Paul, a Kingston-Jamaica based pop culture critic and blogger. “It is one of the few spaces and phenomenon they have control over.” It’s this lower class that’s more likely to die from random violence or police brutality, she says, and the brutal day-to-day conditions of lower class life might make such a physical, carnal form of self-expression appealing, and the risk of injury on a Saturday night at the clubs pales in comparison to the rest of the week.

Is crackdown on daggering music and dancehall culture—like other pop culture panics of the past–nothing more than middle-class moralizing? Paul notes that Carnival, an almost two-month long bacchanal festival, largely for and by the middle- and upper- class of Jamaicans, includes a dance called “wining” full of suggestive gyrations. “There’s a hypocritical side,” says Paul. “Poor people don’t see the difference between that and daggering.”

Berriston "Berry" Bryan a prominent corporate lawyer was found murdered at his home in Stony Hill, St Andrew Monday morning.


The 72-year old attorney who defended Sheldon Pusey in the high- profile murder of Ambassador Peter King was found in a decomposing state just after 8am by an employee.

Mr. Bryan's 10 bedroom unfinished mansion at Wedmore Drive overlooking much of Kingston, teemed with investigators and forensic examiners who were called to the scene after his body was found.

A small band of onlookers huddled nearby as plain-clothes detectives cordoned off the massive property while other sleuths dug for clues on the inside.

Mr. Bryan who lived alone was found dead on one of the stairways in the house.

Police had to borrow a bolt-cutter from a neighbour to cut through the grills to gain access to the inside of the premises.

Senior crime investigator for Area 5, Superintendent Wilford Gayle said it was too early to determine a motive for the killing.
"The body is in an advanced state of decomposition but there are obvious wounds to the head," he said.
Police suspect that more than one person was involved in his death as Mr Bryan is a black-belt karate expert and he had defensive wounds on the back of his hands signalling that there might have been a struggle with his attacker or attackers just before his death.

Some residents claimed that they heard screams coming from the direction of Mr. Bryan's house late Friday evening.

Divine Order


Divine order is bringing about the best outcome now.
What is the most positive, effective action I can take when circumstances seem beyond my control? I pray.
Prayer soothes me so that I release tension in my body and anxiety in my thoughts. I relax and trust God--the source of all wisdom. Opening my heart to God, I also open myself to divine order and the positive actions and outcomes that will benefit me and anyone else involved in the situation.
God is all-knowing. I realize that there is a greater plan for me and for the world than I can conceive with my limited perspective. Knowing this relieves me of any anxiety I may have had about what the results will be.
I am grateful that divine order is in my life and in the world.


"I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground."--Isaiah 42:16

Yendi Phillipps is, without a doubt, beauty with a purpose, and not only because she claimed that award in the 2007 Miss World competition in China. The 20-something is an accomplished, drop-dead gorgeous dancer who stretches herself to be the best she can be. Whether it’s an appearance to boost the profile of an event aiming to raise funds for a worthy cause or working at her creative summer camp, Yendi is a Jamaican gem. Since winning the 2007 Miss Jamaica World title she has become a darling of the Jamaican people.


In 2008, when Denise Hunt resigned as host of Jamaica’s most popular television show, Digicel Rising Stars, the show’s producers looked Yendi’s way and she accepted. Since then she has been beamed into the homes of more than one million Jamaicans as the host of their favourite show.


“It's been a great learning experience, more than anything else. With every episode I acquire more knowledge and it feels great to apply it and I feel myself growing as a person and as a media personality,” says the bubbling beauty.

She, like many others, also believes that Digicel Rising Stars is an important aspect of Jamaica’s pop culture: “There are many talented Jamaicans who do not have an avenue to showcase their talent and Digicel Rising Stars affords them this opportunity.”


Having been through the auditions, Phillipps is optimistic about the new season: “It's a great year for big voices. I heard more contestants belt out tunes than ever before so it's definitely going be competitive. I am very excited about the show this year.


“I had to learn in front of the public last year which was pretty challenging but I feel a lot more comfortable and still feel excited every time I have to do the show or something related to it,” Phillipps said before revealing that it’s the energy of the live shows that she finds most exciting.


But which is more fun for Phillipps, Digicel Rising Stars or Miss Jamaica World? She says the two are “absolutely incomparable but both are like my babies. I truly adore each role in its own way.”

[Chorus:]
From mawning we a hustle and put we all in
When we work we nuh pree no stallin
From mawning yeah
A so we stay we never ever change (never ever change)
We never ever change (never ever change) noohoohoo

[Verse 1:]
No we never switch
No we never miss
No we never hitch none tall
Cause we haffi rich
So Steven go mix dis beat over dis vocal
We nuh take not a talk from nuh snake inna grass
Try stop we paper we take it to heart
Hate an a talk dem fake from de start
But we still a head straight to the top

[Chorus:]
From mawning we a hustle an put we all in
When we work we nuh pree no stallin
From mawning yeah
A so we stay we never ever change (never ever change)
We never ever change (never ever change) noohoohoo

[Verse 2:]
A soh we say we nuh change none at all
Fi get it we never do notin strange none at all
Bag a gyal a road a fi we name dem a call
But dat nuh mek we stray none at all
No, we move on build some new song
Stick to di right nuh try fi do wrong
Haffi set di ting for when we get we new born
Badmind we prove wrong

[Chorus:]
From mawning we a hustle an put we all in
When we work we nuh pree no stallin
From mawning yeah
A so we stay we never ever change (never ever change)
We never ever change (never ever change) noohoohoo

[Verse 3:]
Yeah
Mi never change fi nobody
And mi nah go change fi no money
Mi nuh play no games
Cah mi only put mi trust
Inna de one weh above mi
Mi never change fi nobody
And mi nah go change fi no money
Mi nuh play no games
Cah mi only put mi trust inna
Yeah

[Chorus:]
From mawning we a hustle an put we all in
When we work we nuh pree no stallin
From mawning yeah
A so we stay we never ever change (never ever change)
We never ever change (never ever change) noohoohoo

[Outro:]
Never never, never never change [x8]

Yeah, a so we stay we never ever change (never ever change)
We never ever change (never ever change) noohoohoo

New Me


Expressing my divine qualities, I am creative and innovative.
There may be times when even the thought of starting over exhausts me. Having to reinvent myself can leave me feeling overwhelmed.
However, with my thoughts focused on being the new me now, I avoid pulling up negative images of the past. I realize I do have a foundation to build my future on.
There are certain life events that could launch a new vision for me. I don't need to wait for a particular time or experience to begin a new venture. I can be the new me at any time.
I begin now to create with fresh innovation and to revise or reframe my goals, values, and intentions. With God, I am guided to live in the present moment as a spiritual being expressing divine qualities. I celebrate my transformation to the new me!


"Now begin the work, and the Lord be with you."--1 Chronicles 22:16

The gifted Christian musician Joseph T. Webster was often tormented by deep feelings of depression.

On one occasion, when he was in a melancholy mood, he received a visit from his close acquaintance Fillmore Bennett.

Knowing that one way to keep Webster from brooding over his problems was to interest him in writing a hymn tune, Bennett decided he’d try to pen some lyrics that would direct his friend’s thoughts heavenward.

The despondent man himself unwittingly supplied the theme, for when he was asked, “What’s the matter now?” he replied, “Oh, it will be all right by and by!”

“That’s true,” exclaimed Bennett, “trials do generate great glory for us in the sweet by-and-by!”

Inspired by this thought, he immediately sat down and wrote several poetic verses on the subject. When his friend read them, a new look of hope came into his eyes, and his whole attitude changed.

After jotting down some musical notes, Webster took up his violin and played the melody he had composed to fit the words.

Within half an hour the enduring hymn “In the Sweet By-and-By” was born.

Sweet by and by

There’s a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar;

For the Father waits over the way,

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Chorus

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore

The melodious songs of the blest;

And our spirits shall sorrow no more

Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

To our bountiful Father above

We will offer our tribute of praise

For the glorious gift of His love,

And the blessings that hallow our days.

Years and years after her death, Jamaica’s heroine Nanny’s sexuality is being questioned. According to a story in the Sunday Observer, Ronald Cummings of the University of Leeds-UK, asserting that the most homophobic country in the western hemisphere has a "speculative queer genealogy" amongst its national heroes.

Cummings called national hero Nanny a 'man royal' (masculine female) in the trajectory that includes butch-lesbians.

The evidence given is that the historical and literary accounts of Nanny utilise masculine descriptors. Cummings was invited to present at the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) conference last week in Jamaica, but he missed his flight so Kei Miller, a UK/Jamaica scholar, read his paper instead.

"I swear that Ronald's visa didn't work out just so he wouldn't have to present on a paper that was basically outing Nanny," quipped Miller of the University of Glasgow, Scotland.

But Cummings wrote that he was less concerned about labelling Nanny as lesbian and more concerned with her gender-bending characteristics. His paper was entitled Nanny of the Maroons and the genealogy of the Man Royal: constructing a speculative queer Jamaican genealogy.

"It is easy to situate Nanny of the Maroons in the genealogy of the man royal," Cummings wrote in his paper. "I am not so much concerned with sexual subjectivity but rather with the subversion and or complication of the systemic gender binarisms that Nanny has historically or more so literary (analysis) enacts."

Nanny led the Maroons against the British in the First Maroon War from 1720 to 1739. In 1740, the crown offered five hundred acres of land to Nanny and those she led - called... Nanny Town. It was a huge victory for the former slaves to defeat the British army - then the world's superpower.

"Nanny is mentioned only four times in official archives and only in a fragmented and contradictory manner," wrote Cummings, citing previous work done by historian and poet Kamau Brathwaite in Wars of Respect. He adds that her characteristics are mostly known via folklore including stories about her catching bullets in her behind.

Cummings found interesting the man royal traits in H Thomas' account on Nanny published in 1890.

"Nanny is described as 'ferocious and blood-thirsty more than any man among the maroons'. Thomas also describes Nanny as an unsexed woman," wrote Cummings. "This unsexing serves to mark her imposing bodily comportments which he reads as threatening. It also refers to the masculine female body which he renders in terms of grotesque and hence necessarily outside the realm of heterosexual desire."

Cummings also cites "a memoir published in 1788 there is reference to 'the old hag who cast sentence and death among an enforced man and English officer' believed to be Nanny. She is further described, 'She had a girdle around her waist, with, and I speak with encompass, nine or ten egret knives hanging'".

Cummings cites Lorna Goodison's poem on Nanny, as an example of the conflict between warrior and woman: "My womb was sealed with molten wax of killer bees for nothing should enter nothing should leave."

Cummings wrote. "Nanny maybe figuratively located in the Jamaican genealogy of the man royal. In these cited representations I suggest that Nanny is marked by various tensions around issues of gender normativity and hetero-normativity. Like the figure of the man royal she disrupts the coded system of gender binaries and simultaneously contained within its crutches of representation."

Inner Peace


Trusting God in all ways, I have peace of mind and heart.
If concern and doubt seem to be getting in the way of my realizing peace of mind and heart, I enter into a time of silence and reconnect to the peace of God within me.
I begin by repeating a scripture: "Be still, and know that I am God." I am still, tuning out all sights and sounds in the outer. I take a deep breath and affirm: Trusting in You, God, I am at peace.
I stay with this thought, allowing peace to rise to my heart center. I then immerse my thoughts in peace. Mind and heart, body and emotions all align in peace. I experience a peace that is more powerful than any challenge or concern.
Inner peace is from God and is eternally within me and blessing me.


"Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock."--Isaiah 26:4

Together


Beholding each other, we see the perfection of Christ Love.
Though united by love, we are separate, unique individuals. We honor our connection--a union without end. Our souls are linked by like values, respect for each other, and a vision of what our future can be.
Christ Love is perfection that is within each of us and shared between us.
We may say we are different,
individual, or single;
But watch what happens
when our energies mingle.
Ideas and results merge and multiply
more than we could do singly
as "you" or as "I."
Oh, the wonderful, marvelous
things that can be,
When the perfection in us
is, with love, what we see.


"What God has joined together, let no one separate."--Matthew 19:6

An 11-year-old boy, an inmate at a place of safety, was stabbed to death by 14-year-old inmate on Thursday.
Both wards of the state resided at the SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill, St Andrew.
Reports from the Constabulary Communication Network CCN, are that at about 9:10 Thursday morning the boys were at the home when a dispute between them escalated into a fight and a kitchen knife was used to stab Brandon Saddler in the chest.
The injured boy was taken to the Bustamante Hospital for Children where he was pronounced dead.
The 14-year-old was taken into custody for questioning by investigators at the Constant Spring Police Station.
The police were unable to say what the fight was about.
A team of psychologists was subsequently dispatched to the institution to provide counseling.

The death on Wednesday of 16-year-old Georgian Saunders, brings to six the number of girls who perished in the deadly fire at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre in St Ann on May 22.
Saunders, who had been transferred from the St Ann’s Bay Hospital to the Kingston Public Hospital in Kingston had received severe burns in the fire in which five other inmates of the institution had lost their lives.


On Thursday, Security Minister Dwight Nelson expressed sadness at the news that another of the wards of the state from Armadale had died.
The minister said the nation has been robbed of another potentially gifted child, who was trying to correct the mistakes of the past.
The security ministry, Nelson said, would continue to do all it could to provide support to both the families of the deceased as well as the surviving victims of the fire and other wards of the state and staff who may be affected by the traumatic effects of the fire.

Whitney Houston's new album will be released worldwide September 1, 2009 on Arista Records. This is Whitney's 7th studio album. Since her 1985 self-titled debut, she has built an illustrious career that has generated over 170 million combined worldwide sales of albums, singles and videos. Cited by the Guinness Book of World Records as music's "most awarded female artist of all time," with an unsurpassed tally of 411 awards, inclusive of 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, 23 American Music Awards and 16 Billboard Music Awards... Whitney remains a singular force in music today.

Songs for the album have been produced and written by Black Eyed Peas singer Will.I.Am, songwriter Sean Garrett and R&B singer Akon.

4 policemen including a senior cop will be slapped with criminal charges in connection with the disappearance of men in 2004 – the Director of Public Prosecution, Paula Llewellyn has ruled.


The fourth policeman who is attached to a St. Catherine police station joined three others at the high security Horizon Remand Centre on Thursday as investigators pursued the four year old case.

The DPP recommended that the four officers be criminally charged for their alleged role in the 2004 kidnapping and murder of Kemar Walters and Oliver Duncan.

Ms. Llewellyn declined to give details of her ruling which stated that the policemen should be made to answer to crimes following an extensive review of evidence against them.

Thursday's developments unfolded after cold case investigators began rounding up the accused officers including an Assistant Superintendent of Police on Wednesday.
The former Deputy Commissioner of Police insisted that the investigators will not be rushed.

"We will take our time ... be diligent and professional in our investigations and that means that we can't rush it. We're hoping to conduct the interviews as soon as possible but there are a number of other inquiries that we're making at the moment," Mr. Shields said.

In December 2004, Kemar Walters and Oliver Duncan were said to be conducting business at a plaza on Washington Boulevard when they were taken away by members of the Organised Crime Investigations Division.

A Honda CRV motor vehicle which was being driven by Mr. Duncan was later found burnt in downtown Kingston.

Many have expressed sadness at the death of David Carradine, best known for the 1970s TV series Kung Fu, even while theorizing that the actor may have died attempting a sex act known as auto-erotic asphyxiation.


Carradine’s body was found in a Bangkok hotel room in a closet with a rope tied to his neck and genitals.
The Thai police said Friday his death may have been caused by accidental suffocation, an Associated Press report is quoted as saying.
Interestingly, during auto erotic asphyxiation, there is a cutting off of oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. The practice is said to result in a form of giddiness and euphoria — similar to alcohol or drug intoxication — that enhances the sexual experience. It was first reported on Thursday when Carradine’s body was found naked hanging in a closet that the actor’s death was suicide. However, his associates stoutly refuted this claim.


“All we can say is, we know David would never have committed suicide,” said Tiffany Smith of Binder & Associates, his management company. “We’re just waiting for them to finish the investigation and find out what really happened. He really appreciated everything life has to give ... and that’s not something David would ever do to himself.”

Carradine was said to be in good spirits when he left the US for Thailand on May 29 to work on a film entitled Stretch.
Carradine, a martial arts practitioner himself, was best known for the US TV series Kung Fu, which aired in 1972-75. He played Kwai Chang Caine, an orphan who was raised by Shaolin monks and fled China after killing the emperor’s nephew in retaliation for the murder of his kung fu master.


Carradine also appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby.
He returned to the top in recent years as the title character in Quentin Tarantino’s two-part saga Kill Bill.

By Buffilous


Look here man, a have to tell yuh dat a getting sick and tiad a di way dis ya generation a galang. It nuh pretty out deh. Call a spade a spade, some parents need to pull up dem damn pickney and meck dem have manners to dem elders.


Yuh know why di society caan better? Meck mi tell unno di truth, it come een like sey some parents waan treat dem pickney like dem meck outa glass and treat others like sey f idem own come from dungle heap.


Now it reach a stage whey teachers caan even lick pickney, cause di same set a bad bruck parents dem a guh a school go attack teacher. And when it come to di test di pickney dem tun out like rotten tomatoes.

Now look wha happen di odda day at di police station. According to mi did a read inna di Star one female police inspector was attacked and punched repeatedly by a a teenage girl whey dem carry in fi counseling.


Now dat deh pickney nuh waan nuh counseling she waan smady fling two lick inna har skin fi meck she undastan herself. If she did a get some good discipline from mawning she wouldn’t suh brazen. Fi wi parents never fraid fi burn wi skin wid lick and win uh di wuss fi it. Now wi disciplined, ha manners and wouldn’t dream fi duh dem tings deh.


Some a dem teenagers get tuh much leeway and a time parents realize sey a f idem job fi discipline dem and stop meck dem dictate whey dem waan duh and such tings.


Unno duh, start save dis ya generation before it too late…cause heaven help wi if dem caan tame again.

My Investment


With an attitude of gratitude, I attract good to me.
What am I choosing to invest my time, my heart, my strength, my soul in today? I give from the inner resources of Spirit in all that I think, speak, and do.
Giving expression to my inner divinity enhances me in every way. Tuning out the world and tuning in to God, I am rich with divine ideas for success--financially, physically, and mentally.
Amazingly, as I give with no thought of return, I receive even more abundantly. My attitude of gratitude is a magnet that attracts good to me. Each act of giving increases my awareness that I have even more to give. I am unlimited in the ways and means that I can contribute to my own well-being and the good of others.


"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back."--Luke 6:38

Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Mary Mary, and Comedian LiL JJ Fashionably Inspire the Youth at the P. I. S. E
9th Annual Celebrity Fashion Show

(Carson, CA) Hosted by Comedian LiL JJ, the 9th annual Positive Images of Self Expression (P.I.S.E) fundraiser brings together fashion and philanthropy as entertainers encourage youth to be their best by supporting the Performing Arts School’s vital youth programs.



Positive Images of Self-Expression (P.I.S.E) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 full service performing arts school for inner city youth. Founded by former Alvin Ailey dancer Imani Hayward, and teacher/youth counselor Lanet D. Love, the program is also ran by professional dancer Ms. Myisha Richmond who has worked with well-known choreographers Tony Basil, Marguerite Derricks, Hinton Battle, Dave Scott and Fatima Robinson.


For the past 11 years, P.I.S.E has been foremost in helping inner city youth change their lives through the arts. Their program includes: dance, acting & drum classes, voice lessons, modeling and etiquette. P.I.S.E is a dynamic organization serving children ages 5 to 17 years of age.

The 9th Annual Celebrity Fashion Show will allow the participating youth to showcase the fundamentals learned in the program’s stellar curriculum while raising funds to support their school. Hosted by teen Comedian Lil JJ of Nickelodeon’s Just Jordan., Angela and Vanessa Simmons (Runs House) will be on hand with their Pastry’s Brand as participating fashions featured in the show with other designers, Woven Culture, PISE Couture, Deeply Rooted Apparel, D4G Elegant Faux Furs, Brandi Michelle, as well as other celebrities on hand to show their commitment to the youth program including: gospel sensation Mary Mary, Reggie Hayes (Girlfriends), Dee Dee Davis (Bernie Mac Show), Denyce Lawton (House of Payne), Tatyana Ali, Kyla Pratt (Hotel for Dogs), Model Isaac Sullivan (Sean John), Lil C Note (Heroes), Carla Jeffery (Southland), Raven Godwin (Just Jordan), Trenyce (American Idol) and more to be confirmed.



For the programs directors, the element of dance has grossly impacted their lives and their commitment in teaching the youth to be the best they can be. Passing on her life’s motto, Myisha Richmond instructs the young people by offering, “Whatever is troubling you, dance it out and let God do the rest!”.



The red carpet affair will take place Sunday, June 7th, 2009 at Carson Community Center - 801 E. Carson St, Carson, CA 90745. Festivities begin at 3pm. For more information on the organization and to donate to the school, please visit www.pise.org.

Media:
For press credentials please email Octavia at thawrite1@gmail.com or call 310.605.5472

By: Rootzgirl

Honestly, how can you expect to rape a woman who nurture you as if you are her own flash and blood and then want to walk the street free.


More time when I am reading the paper I can’t believe some of the things I am seeing. On Tuesday the report in the Star just turned my stomach where a man who was accused of raping an elderly woman who cared for him as her own grandchild lost his appeal against his convictions and 20-year-prison sentence.


Now anyone who could do something like that shouldn’t even bother to tender an appeal. First of all a big 39-year-old should be looking at a mature woman or even someone in her 20s…what the hell attraction could he expect to find in an elderly woman?

It’s even worse that it is the same woman who nurtured him, fed him, and maybe was there for him when he was down and needed someone to cheer him up.


What happened to make her image shift from a motherly one to that of someone who is so sexually appealing that you forgot all that she should have been to you and violated her like this?


The sickening part about the whole thing was how the grandmother described the whole ordeal.


The woman testified at the trial that she was at home at about 6 p.m. on December 8, 2003, when the accused whom she knew from he was a child visited her. She said she was lying on her bed when the accused jumped on her and began riding her like a horse at Caymanas Park.


She said she felt every bone in her body reacting to the jump and jolt and her bones began to hurt her. She told him to stop but he continued riding her. While he was riding her, she said she discovered that he wanted to rape her. She reminded him that AIDS was around but the accused shouted that she did not have AIDS and he did not have AIDS. Williams raped her for about an hour and left saying he was coming back. She said she left her house and went some distance away and slept for the night in a bamboo root. The next day she came into Kingston and reported her ordeal to her children who took her to the police. She said she had 20 children but 10 of them had died.


Under cross-examination at the trial in the St Mary Circuit Court, the complainant said she could never have consented to have sexual intercourse with Williams because he was the same age as her grandchild.


Sad…it’s a sad sad world.

Joy


I am joyous, radiant, and fulfilled.
There is joy in activity and in stillness, in sharing time with others and in being alone, in times of calm and adventure. Joy is not dependent on something outside myself; joy comes from within.
No matter what tasks I have before me, who I am with, or where I happen to be, joy is within my soul. It springs up from the very depths of my being, from the presence of the indwelling Christ. This joy is peaceful, loving, and fulfilling.
As an inner quality that is part of my nature, joy is waiting to be expressed by me at any time, in any situation. All that is required is my participation. So I activate my inner joy by loving and by living with anticipation, wonder, and appreciation. I am joyous, radiant, and fulfilled.


"This day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."--Nehemiah 8:10

There is something about roots play that people are now gravitating towards it…rather than some of these top stage shows which have been flopping left right and centre.


There are others enjoying good turnout, but we can’t help but highlight the one that’s a sure hit no only in Jamaica but also on the international circuit.


Both Bashment Granny I and II have hit the spot where theatre lovers are concerned. The play enjoyed a long run at the Green Gables Theatre.

With the original cast of Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsay, Garfield ‘Bad Boy Trevor’ Reid and others joined by Volier Johnson, Glen Campbell and Dion Silvera it is was a sure recipe for success.


Following its run at the Green Gables the play enjoyed a good run over the island and played to a sold out audience in Toronto Canada.


It’s now being heavily advertised with great response for a show in Connecticut, USA.


What is it about this play that has seen many lapping it up?


According to one patron who has seen it about three times, “the play is truly funny. In these times when bills and everything is getting you down, we really need to laugh. Laughter is a stress reliever and this play carries a bag of it!”


Bashment Granny II is a story that explores friendship, loyalty and trust. It looks at the influence of money as a social divider and as a tool of corrupt practices. Reid's well-executed scheme to collect $12 million from his girlfriend under false pretences worked very well, except for the lack of an exit strategy. The cash not only came from questionable sources, it landed in questionable hands, under questionable circumstances and this results in an avalanche of charges, countercharges and the discharging of weapons


If you have not seen it yet…don’t take our word for it…make sure you do…when it comes your way.

But a wha do Nuffy and Ras Ghandi sah, di two a dem fi cool and hold dem corner.
Cause fi tell di truth mi neva hear gun fire from dem tell mi si story pop up inna paper bout dem inna verbal war.
Bwoy some people wi use any likkle foolishness fi dem name pop up inna paper sah.
Verbal war, mi backfoot...all some writer fi go look story wid substance and stop promote every likkle foolishness.
Mi not even know two song whey Ghandi duh and as for Nuffy...well a one MC wi wouldn't miss pon stage.

R&B sensation Jazmine Sullivan, rap music luminary Nas and reggae royalty Damian ‘Jnr Gong' Marley are among the international acts confirmed for the 17th staging of the ‘Greatest Reggae Show on Earth', Reggae Sumfest to be held in Montego Bay from July 19-25

Sullivan is slated to bring her flavour to spice up the Festival's International Night I on Friday, July 24 when Summerfest Productions takes over Catherine Hall in Montego Bay

Summerfest Production’s head honcho, Johnny Gourgonz stated in a release that Sullivan “has been having a phenomenal year on the music scene internationally, and some of her songs are even reggae inspired.”

Jazmine Sullivan is most well known for the songs Bust Your Windows, Need You Bad and Lions, Tigers and Bears, while among Nas’ hits are It Ain’t Hard To Tell, NY State of Mind and his controversial 2006 album,

Hip Hop Is Dead. Grammy winner, Junior Gong, son of reggae icon Bob Marley, is the original Mr Welcome to Jamrock, and has an extensive repertoire of hits.

At the 2009 Grammy Awards, Nas confirmed that that he was collaborating on an album with Junior Gong. It is expected to be released in Spring 2009 and a portion of the profit is planned to go towards building a school in Africa.

The Festival, which starts with a beach party on Sunday July 19 and then has three nights of pulsating live performances from Thursday July 23 to Saturday July 25. Included on the Sumfest line-up are Bounty Killer, Mavado, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, and a host of other local talents.

What really a gwaan between Flippa and di Killa? How Killa talk bout him no inna no clash and ting and yet him go pon stage a St Thomas Saturday night and a talk up a bag at tings bout the real source of Flippa money.


Alright, so everybody know seh Flippa floss like say fi him money cyan dun and all these tings, but why Killa haffi go deso. We nah say abd mind, but it look a way. But tell me now, where Killa tink plenty promoter get money from fi put on stage show and pay bag a artiste — including him. Me no know any promoter who have regular a nine-to-five, if oonu get mi drift. Killa lucky seh light did go way and Flippa neva get fi answer him. All we a say is, Flippa, gwaan floss to di flippin’ werlll! And Killa, kibba you mout!

Prosperity


I follow the path of my divine purpose and live a prosperous life.
I keep my focus on fulfilling my divine purpose of being the best Christ in expression that I know how to be at any time--and all the time.
Because I do, I have no doubt that I'm on the right path. I see the amazing results--spiritually and materially, emotionally and physically.
I keep on track by praying along my way, remaining open to divine direction and being willing to share from an abundance of good with others.
I pay attention to the still small voice within me. This divine guidance directs me around obstacles and to all that enriches me and my loved ones. I both give and receive in a circulation of good that is continually blessing the world.


"We are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life."--Ephesians 2:10

LOS ANGELES (April 21, 2009) – Four-time GRAMMY-winning reggae singer, songwriter, and producer Ziggy Marley will perform his first-ever exclusive children’s concert at L.A. LIVE’s Club Nokia on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 11 a.m., it was announced. Celebrating the release of his first children’s music album, Family Time, Marley appears as part of The GRAMMY Museum’s monthly “Musical Explorations” family program. June’s program, “What Is Reggae?,” marks the first time Club Nokia and The GRAMMY Museum, two of L.A. LIVE’s newest celebrated venues, have collaborated on a public event.

Before Marley’s live performance, local performers Rhythm Child will engage the audience in free-form drumming, while performing a few of their own award-winning children’s songs. Immediately following the live performance, children and parents will participate in educational activities and crafts intended to deepen their understanding of reggae music in the Club’s exclusive VIP Lounge.

In the wake of his 2006 album Love Is My Religion, which earned his fourth GRAMMY Award,
Ziggy Marley shares his musical love to families with his third solo release, Family Time. Produced with old friend Don Was and set to be released May 5 on Marley’s independent Tuff Gong Worldwide label, the album offers a full collection of family-oriented songs
for those already familiar with Marley’s work while also seeking to introduce
today’s youngest generation to reggae. Featuring collaborations with Marley
family members Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, his three-year-old daughter Judah
Marley, Paul Simon, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more, the
project touches on themes of love, responsibility, unity, freedom and fun (not
to mention generosity – proceeds from the sale of Family Time will benefit
Chepstowe Basic School in Port Antonio, Jamaica).

“Growing up music was an important part of my childhood,” Marley said. “I see
it being just as important in my children and all children’s growth and
development, and in a parent’s connection with their children. Music helps
children to grow with open minds and open hearts and this is my message.”

Offered monthly, the Museum’s “Musical Explorations” series gives
families the opportunity to enjoy and learn about music together through
performances from award-winning artists and educational crafts and
activities. Inspired by the Museum’s Crossroads exhibit, where visitors
can explore close to 200 genres of music, the programs seek to teach
parents and children ages 5 and up about the history of various
musical traditions. Held in the Museum’s 200-seat GRAMMY Sound Stage, past programs have featured such celebrated acts
as Jambo, Buck Howdy, Hayes Greenfield’s Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz,
Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could. Taking place
on Saturday, May 16, “Musical Explorations: What Is Folk?”
will feature GRAMMY-winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer.

“Musical Explorations: What Is Reggae?” will take place at 11 a.m. at Club Nokia. (Doors open at 10 a.m.) Admission is $15 per person, $50 for a family four-pack, and can be
purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 1.800.745.3000, or in person at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Club Nokia Box Office, or the STAPLES Center Box Office. GRAMMY Museum Members receive free admission with reservations (please RSVP to family@grammymuseum.org ). For more information on the event or how to become a GRAMMY Museum member, visit www.clubnokia.com or www.grammymuseum.org.

Club NOKIA is located within the L.A. LIVE campus, across from STAPLES Center, at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015.

About The GRAMMY Museum
Paying tribute to music's rich cultural history, this one-of-a-kind, 21st-century Museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music, the creative process, the art and technology of the recording process, and the history of the premier recognition of excellence in recorded music — the GRAMMY Award. The GRAMMY Museum features 30,000 square feet of interactive and multimedia exhibits located within L.A. LIVE, the downtown Los Angeles sports, entertainment and residential district. Through thought-provoking and dynamic public and educational programs and exhibits, guests will experience music from a never-before-seen insider perspective that only The GRAMMY Museum can deliver.



About Club Nokia
Club Nokia, a multi-use music, entertainment and concert venue, located in the heart of the acclaimed L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district, accommodates over 2,300 guests. Featuring state-of-the-art acoustics designed for live entertainment, Club Nokia is the perfect venue for emerging music acts and cultural shows while also providing excellent space for corporate events and private parties. The theatre brings the latest technology to music enthusiasts including an innovative interactive experience embedded in foot-controlled floor interfaces, touchscreens, and a large LED installation within the lobby of the Club Nokia space. This interactive experience allows users to scroll through the history and the future of Club Nokia events and interact with pictures, video, and text messages submitted by fellow concert fans. Club Nokia was awarded the “Best New Major Concert Venue” at the 2009 annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards. For more information on other upcoming Club Nokia shows, check out http://www.clubnokia.com/.



About Ziggy Marley
Born in Trench Town, Jamaica, Ziggy Marley’s early immersion in music came at a very tender age when he sat in on recording sessions with his father. He later joined his siblings (Sharon, Cedella and Stephen) to front The Melody Makers, whose eight best-selling albums garnered three GRAMMY awards and generated such chart-topping hits as “Tomorrow People” and “Tumbling Down.” Dragonfly, his solo debut was released in 2003. His sophomore solo album, Love Is My Religion, was released in 2006 and won the GRAMMY for Best Reggae Album at the 2007 ceremony. For more information, visit www.ziggymarley.com.

About Family Time
Tuff Gong Worldwide will release Ziggy Marley’s third solo album, Family Time, on May 5, 2009. The reggae legend’s first children’s album, Marley produced the album with legendary producer Don Was. The album will feature a variety of family and friends including Rita Marley (Ziggy’s mother), Cedella Marley (sister), Judah Marley (daughter), Paul Simon, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Toots Hibberts, Elizabeth Mitchell, Laurie Berkner, Paula Fuga and two stories narrated by Jamie Lee Curtis.

About The Rhythm Child Network
Formed in 2003, The Rhythm Child Network uses music, drums and percussion to stimulate and foster the creative flow within young children. Award-Winning children's music artist and REMOT-endorsed drum circle facilitator Norman Jones encourages creative expression and cultural exploration through drum circle workshops, interactive music education classes and family concerts. By creating an environment that uses the drum as a vehicle for building confidence, communicating positive messages and encouraging group dynamics, Rhythm Child helps children connect with their own inner rhythms. For more information, visit www.rhythmchild.net.

Media Contact:
Katie Dunham
The GRAMMY Museum
213.763.2133
kdunham@grammymuseum.org

For Ziggy Marley and Family Time inquiries, please contact:
Brian Shimkovitz/Carla Sacks
Sacks & Co.
212.741.1000
brian.shimkovitz@sacksco.com/carla@sacksco.com

Soul singer Erykah Badu, the Morgan (Heritage) brothers Peetah and Mojo, Machel Montano, Tanto Metro and Devonte, Cherine Anderson, Assassin, Movado, De La Soul and Los Angeles native, Miss Leela James were the stars of the well-produced UCLA 23rd Annual Jazz Reggae Festival held over the Memorial Day weekend.


The two-day music festival showcased Jazz, Hip Hop, Soul, and Reggae under the theme "A Culture of Change".
From the Blues and Funk that characterized James’ performance, the show moved smoothly into Hip Hop mode with De La Soul whose energy was boundless. The entrance to centrestage of Ms Badu saw the crowd surging to the front, eager to see and hear every syllable. This soul sister hit all the right notes, from her attire and charisma to her inspiring repertoire. She was truly a class act.

Day two of the festival had the irrepressible duo Tanto Metro & Devonte who instantly connected with the audience and soon had them in a foot-stomping, flag-waving frenzy. Assasin, who recently changed his name to Agent Sasco, kept the dancehall vibes flowing.


Cherine Anderson tested the waters and came out a winner, but it was soca maestro Machel Montano who did the real damage. Machel was the boss, he was totally in charge and the crowd moved to his every whim. The real ‘Energiser Bunny’, Machel went on and on, but the massive had been warned and a sweating and tireless Machel played on.


Peetah Morgan performed a new single called “Secrets” off of his upcoming album, while Mojo introduced his new sound, Rasta Rock, which went over quite well.


And, like Machel before him, the crowd was just as hungry for Movado. By the end of his performance, however, they were totally filled.

I Can


I am able to do all things through God's spirit within me.
I believe that with God all things are possible and that God is expressing divine qualities through me.
With this faith-inspired understanding, I live life with a whole new meaning. I am willing to do whatever Spirit directs me to do, and I do it with enthusiasm.
God is the life that invigorates and animates me.
God is wisdom that reveals the wonder of the simple and the complex concerning all aspects of daily living.
God is peace that restores my soul so that I can live fully in each moment--not in the past or the future.
God is all. There is nothing lacking in me because God created me with a pattern of perfection within.


"Jesus said to him, 'If you are able!--All things can be done for the one who believes.'"--Mark 9:23

I think I’ll colour this man father…I’ll colour this man love…thanks dad for being my best friend and the one who stood by my side through thick and thin. If you got one of these great fathers, let the world know by sending your shout out on Father’s Day.

Thanks dad…for nothing! If you all have one of those dead beat dads who has never been there for you…never found the time to even offer encouragement and now in spite of it all you made it. Don’t get bitter, don’t get angry…just send out a shout out to those dead beat dads let them know you’ve arrived…and you’re okay.

For more info email: yardflexinc@gmail.com

Bwoy mi a tell yuh, di recession a lick everybody but mi a tell yuh sey it dread pon dis ex a mine. Dats why mi a tell yuh sey when tings a gwaan fi yuh, yuh mussi hype and galang like sey you know what can meck patty.

Yeah, him use to spend a change pon mi but more time him come like sey him woulda waan mi fi crawl pon mi knee fi get nutten outa him han.

Yeah man fi ten years mi panka panka wid him and di wuss ting bout it nuff time time mi all a depressed cause between mi an unno him have him wife and yes mi know unno a guh sey mi deserve it, but when mi did just get in, him neva tell mi sey him married. A matter a fact mi neva si him wid ring pon finga yet! Suh when mi eventually find out mi did done in too deep.

But mi nah lie yuh still, more time when mi can deal wid di frustration mi hop pon a plane and go a Bahamas go check a little guy whey crazy bout mi…and him a one real wucker man!

So fi real, more and more mi get fi shake di feeling whey mi did have fi di married man.

Afta mi finally get ova him and move on wid mi life di man come a borrow, borrow money from mi and di wuss ting is him come een like sey him waan use sex fi repay it.

But si yah, a whey him teck tings fah, him tink sey him can use wucking fi pay mi back mi money.

Man him need fi wheel and come again.

Anyway…mi haffi ketch back a flight to Bahamas…so mi wi check in more time seen.

Fashion Block 2009 was once again the talk of the town as patrons stood dazzled with designer pieces on the Caribbean’s longest fashion runway, Saint International’s signature 130ft runway on Sunday, May 31. For the fourth year, Digicel backed this prestigious and highly anticipated event, the climax of Saint International’s Style Week Jamaica activities.



Launched in 2004, Style Week has become a highlight on the Jamaican calendar for ‘fashionistas’ both locally and across the region. It is also a must do for connoisseurs of Caribbean culture, couture and entertainment.



“Working with Saint International is always a pleasure. Fashion Block is definitely a hot event that Jamaicans look forward to and Digicel is happy to have been associated with an event of this magnitude, which showcased the crème of Jamaica’s and the Caribbean’s design talents”, says Digicel’s Head of Marketing, Wayne Miller. “We were particularly pleased with top local designer, Dexter Pottinger’s interpretation of ‘Digicel Style” and futuristic technology, added Miller.

Dexter premiered what was a surprise for many patrons, as he designed a line based on Digicel. The line was trendy and fashionable with a mix of some of Digicel’s signature style with Dexter’s eclectic flavour.



The massive, world-class runway, which has become synonymous with Digicel Fashion Block returned this year in bigger, better style and put on a great show for patrons, showcasing numerous designers from Europe, Paris, New York and the stunning Saint International models.

On June 19 the Don Gargon Ninjaman will know for sure whether he will be out on bail. The ruling will be made by a Resident Magistrate to decide whether he will be out on bond.

The artiste christened Desmond Ballentine lawyers representing him on murder and gun related charges renewed their application for bail in the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Monday.

Three other men including Ninja Man's 20-year old son are jointly charged for the murder of 20-year old Ricardo Johnson, a resident of Olympic Gardens in St Andrew.

Mr. Johnson was gunned down in a drive-by shooting on March 16.

Deejay Michelle Downer, aka D'Angel, is safe and sound after being involved in an accident on Saturday night in St Thomas.
Reports are that D’Angel, the estranged wife of dancehall star, Beenie Man, was on her way to a show in Port Morant in the parish when her X5 was badly hit from behind by a truck.
“It wasn’t she driving … she was just in the passenger seat at the front,” an eyewitness told Yardflex. “And her vehicle really mash up bad.”
The deejay, who has been enjoying quite a bit of hype since the middle of last year, and even copped the Stone Love Female DJ of the Year award in 2008, was at home resting comfortably on Sunday.
It is not certain whether or not she was able to perform on Saturday night’s event, as the accident happened only a few minutes away from the venue.

Breathe


Each breath of life renews and energizes me.
I become centered now, completely at ease and comfortable with myself and with being myself.
With each breath I take in, I feel more at peace. A calm comes over me as I affirm with ease and assurance: I am in the presence of God now and always.
As I exhale, I remember moments of experiencing great relief emotionally and physically. There may have been times when I sighed "Thank You, God!" With that fullness of release, I now exhale. I release all concerns, knowing I am turning all over to God.
Each breath I take rejuvenates me, nourishing me with strength and resilience. As I breathe in rhythm with God-life, I am renewed and energized.


"Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being."--Genesis 2:7

Nite Time Promotions, owners and operators of the popular Asylum nite club in New Kingston say the name Asylum will be retired and the club will be turned into an entertainment venue.


After a historic 12- year run, the club closed its doors to the public last week Tuesday, which was its last official Ladies Night.
Plans are afoot to renovate the club and make it available for rental as an entertainment venue to stage launches and other events.
Brian Chung, hailed as a pioneer in night time entertainment, successfully ran the Cactus night club in Portmore for eight years, before opening Asylum, and later the Quad, also in New Kingston.


A release stated that “Nite Time Promotions will eventually be reopening the venue at the opportune moment under a new name with a great new image. The space that formerly housed Asylum will now be available immediately for rental by the owners of the property. We wish to thank our extremely loyal patrons, staff, promoters, sponsors and all other partners that have shared the journey and the dream with us over the last 12 years.”

On Sunday, May 31, roots reggae singer, Etana, made a bold step when she totally turned over her life to the Lord and got baptized.


Etana (born Shauna McKenzie), who came to prominence in 2005 with her debut single, Wrong Address, is known for her culturally chic wardrobe choices and her steadfast commitment to the tenets of Rastafari. In the video for her follow-up single Roots, the heroine — most reminiscent of the singer’s physical appearance — is depicted as a young woman opposed to the western ideologies her family subscribes to. This baptism at a Christian church has come a real shocker to those in the dancehall.


“Etana never really wear locks, but we look on her as one of we,” one prominent Rastafarian singer commented. “If she want to baptize she should go to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church … but to each his own,” he added, still looking displeased.

But, according to one religious source, Etana has been visiting the Emmanuel Apostolic Church in Kingston for some time now with a male friend who is a baptized member of the church.


“Some people believe the two of dem into things, but nobody never really expect her fi actually get baptize,” she told Yardflex.
Etana, who is seen as the heir apparent to Marcia Griffiths, has been hailed for her clean, conscious lyrics and has been touring extensively, especially since the release of her debut CD, The Strong One.


She could not be reached for comment. But for those who are wondering if the singer will now be singing gospel…the answer is no…she will continue to do her cultural songs.