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Despite being advertised on this year's Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, reggae singer, Freddie McGregor, told YardFlex that he will not be performing at the event. "I will not be performing again," the singer declared. He stated that he is dissatisfied with some of the arrangements as it relates to the reggae artistes and the celebration of Jamaica's jubilee. As a result, McGregor has decided not to perform on the festival. Freddie McGregor was scheduled to perform on the Thursday night, January 26, which is dedicated to the celebration of Jamaica music 50th anniversary and while he says he felt honoured to be chosen, he is concerned that those who are equally deserving have been left off. "I read where the organizers said they could not find singers such as Ken Boothe, Leroy Sibbles, Bunny Wailer, Mighty Diamonds and Derrick Morgan. I can tell you that that is a joke. All those artistes are laughing," McGregor said. He noted that he demanded to be treated with a certain level of respect and he did not feel that this was being shown to neither him nor the other Jamaica 50 artistes. "I am an international ambassador rooting for my country and reggae music. I have done festivals all over the world and treated like an international act. However, here in the land of reggae, we are being treated like second class citizens on this festival. For example, the 'local' acts have not even been given a deposit as yet. And, the pay being offered is the lowest that I would have ever received for a festival," McGregor explained. He emphasized, however, that it was not about the money as he would "do the festival for free". "It's about the organisers showing respect and ensuring that the reggae artistes feel that they are being treated with the same amount of consideration as the overseas acts. The captain of the Big Ship said he has made his position clear to the organizers, the Art of Music Promotions. "At the end of the day it's not about them, it's about Jamaica and reggae music. I couldn't go on stage and give a good performance feeling the way I do," Freddie McGregor said.

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Reggae artiste, Luciano, while confirming that there was a bottle-throwing incident at a show in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is emphasizing that it was "out of the ordinary" and definitely does not reflect his normal reception in the motherland Africa. Luciano, known as the Messenjah, has been unwavering in his support of Africa and all things African. He has consistently done conscious lyrics and has a huge fan base in certain parts of Africa, a continent he has toured many times. "A lot of people may not know that I have a house in The Gambia and the people there accept me as one of their own. I have travelled to Ghana, where thousands come to meet me and attend by concerts. Up until now, my Africa experience has been among my greatest," Luciano declared. Reports out of Port Harcourt about the December 17 concert, stated that "Jamaican reggae icon, Luciano, was on Saturday night pelted with empty water bottles by some youths that attended the closing of the 2011 Rivers State Carnival popularly known as CARNIRIV at the Liberation Stadium." The original article labeled the youths behaviour as "hostile", while comments under the article denounced the incident and noted that certain disruptive elements of that society will behave like that, especially at free events. There were suggestions that the organizers should have known better than to put Luciano so far down on the programme, especially since there were many big name Afrcan acts on the line-up and Port Harcourt is somewhat behind in their appreciation of reggae acts like Luciano. Port Harcourt is also notorious for being unwelcoming to foreign acts. One person commented that, "Port-Harcourt is the worst place for foriegn artists to visit. It's the same Port Harcourt that someone jumped on stage and snatched Usher Raymond's bling from his neck. The last time Port-Harcourt receive a foreign artist with love was when Wyclef visited." As Luciano recalled, "A one man fling a one bottle and a one woman fling a phone to show their displeasure and we know how that kind of behaviour is catching. However, when I started to talk to them they calmed down a bit and I sang One Way Ticket and they became receptive." He pointed out that he felt that not enough thought was put into the running order by the organizers. Asked if this experience has given him a negative feelings towards Africa, Luciano was quick to respond, "Of course not." He added, "I believe that everything happens for a purpose and out of evil cometh good. Perhaps this will be a musical re-awakening for the people in Port Harcourt and will usher in an era of greater appreciation of foundation, roots reggae. I certainly don't take it personal, in addition, the wonderful experiences I have of performing in Africa will overshadow this every time." The carnival in Port Harcourt, Nigeria took place on December 17, 2011, after which Luciano returned to Jamaica and gave an awesome performance on Thursday, December 22, at the Tarrus Riley and Friends free concert at Emancipation Park in New

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JAMAICAN reggae icon, Luciano, was on Saturday night pelted with empty water bottles by some youths that attended the closing of the 2011 Rivers State Carnival popularly known as CARNIRIV at the Liberation Stadium.
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MIAMI (AP) -- Grammy-winning reggae star Buju Banton claims in an appeal of his federal drug conviction there was not enough evidence to prove he was involved in a cocaine conspiracy. The appeal filed Friday by attorney David O. Markus also says Banton was relentlessly pursued by a federal informant seeking a $50,000 government payday. Markus says that resulted in improper entrapment. Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is serving a 10-year prison sentence following his February conviction on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges. A related gun charge was tossed out by a judge. Banton is extremely popular in his native Jamaica and won a Grammy for his latest album shortly before his drug conviction. It will likely be months before the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issues a decision. Follow @YardFlex

The service to celebrate the life of legendary music producer Philip Burrell, more popularly known as Fattis, is scheduled for Saturday, December 17, 2011. The church service will be held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Kingston and will begin promptly at 10 o'clock in the morning. Mr Burrell, the CEO of Xterminator Records, passed away on December 3, while a patient at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Mona, St Andrew. Following the 10:00 am service, the funeral procession will move to the Dovecot Memorial Park. Follow @YardFlex

Reports are that reggae producer Fattis has died. Sources have told YardFlex that the renowned producer and artiste manager died early this morning. Fattis, whose real name is Phillip Burrell, was admitted to the University Hospital of the West Indies two weeks ago suffering from breathing problems. Yardflex sends their condolences to his family and friends Follow @YardFlex

MIAMI (AP) -- A feud has erupted within the first family of reggae, with the widow and nine children of Bob Marley suing his half brother to stop use of the Marley name to promote an annual Miami music festival and profit from other businesses in his native Jamaica. The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court contends the half brother, businessman Richard Booker, and several affiliated companies are violating copyright and trademark laws by using Marley's name, photographs, lyrics, symbols and other intellectual property without authorization. The lawsuit says people could be deceived into thinking those uses are officially endorsed by Marley's widow, Rita Marley, and their children. Booker and Bob Marley shared the same mother. The entities include the Bob Marley Movement of Jah People Inc., which promotes the music festival, a restaurant in Jamaica called Mama Marley's and several businesses with the name Nine Mile -- the part of Jamaica where Marley grew up and is now buried. One Nine Mile business offers a tour of the area, and the music event is known as the Nine Mile Music Festival. In addition, a recent press release about the music festival included this headline: "All For The Love Of Bob Marley." The 19th annual festival is scheduled for March of next year on Virginia Key, near Miami. Three of Marley's kids -- Stephen, Damien and Julian Marley -- are scheduled to perform. Marley, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. Some of his best-known songs are "I Shot The Sheriff," ''Jamming," ''No Woman, No Cry," ''Get Up, Stand Up" and "Exodus." The lawsuit, filed by Fort Lauderdale attorney Bruce Hemerlee, seeks unspecified damages and also asks a judge to stop Booker and the companies from using any Marley-related references in the various ventures. Hemerlee represents Rita Marley and the children through a Bahamas-based entity called Fifty-Six Hope Road Music Ltd. Booker, whose home and businesses are in Miami, did not immediately return a telephone call Friday seeking comment. A spokeswoman at his business said a statement may be issued later. According to the festival's website, the event's roots date to a Bob Marley fan club begun in 1981. That gradually grew into the music festival and related food drive that has collected more than 2 million canned goods for shelters in Miami and Jamaica. The lawsuit says that Rita Marley and her children have long opposed Booker's attempts to trademark Marley-related business names and that at one point they reached a licensing deal, but Booker reneged on the deal.
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Ziggy and Stephen Marley will go head to head against Shaggy, Monty Alexander and Israel Vibrations, for the Best Reggae album at next year's Grammy Awards. The nominees were announced at Wednesday's Nomination Concert in Los Angeles. Stephen Marley got the nomination for his album Revelation Part One: The Root of Life, while his brother Ziggy received his nomination for Wild and Free. Dancehall star Shaggy got nominated for his album Summer in Kingston, Monty Alexander for Harlem-Kingston Express Live and Israel Vibrations for Reggae Knights. The Grammy Awards ceremony will be aired live from L.A.'s Staples Center on February 12.
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Fantan Mojah and his travel crew received minor injuries when the vehicle in which they were traveling, from the Reggae Fever event in St. Ann, overturned in the wee hours of Sunday Morning. Fantan said the incident resulted from "slippery road surface" and was quick to point out that his driver was not speeding. The artiste said that while on their way from the show the bus started to skid when they got to Steer Town and the driver lost control of the vehicle. Shaken up from the incident, the artiste says he gives thanks for life though suffering from a broken finger. He said members of travel team are also suffering from minor injuries and pain as a result of the crash.
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With a new board of directors in place, chairman and executive director of the Jamaica Reggae Industry association (JaRIA), Charles Campbell, says the organisation is now an umbrella entity that is representative of Jamaica's music industry. Campbell said the three-year-old organisation chose its new directors less than two weeks ago; increasing the number from 11 to 15. On this new board, he says there will be representatives from different groups such as the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Vernal 'Junior' Weir; a representative of the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes & Affiliates', Frankie Campbell O.D.; a representative of the Sound Systems Association, Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell; and a representative of Manifesto Jamaica, Rupert Abishai Hoilett. The other directors on the board are K. Michael 'Ibo' Cooper O.D., J.P. (chairman), Charles H.E. Campbell (vice-chairman/executive director), Junior Lincoln, Mary Isaacs Black, Stephen Stewart J.P., L. Nichole Brown, Coleen Douglas, Paul Love, Shani Nembhard, Deleon 'Jubba' White, and Carol Lawrence.
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