The "Nihon Matsuri" Japanese Festival

Heyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!:)

This year, Jamaica and Japan are celebrating 50 years of good diplomatic relations and friendship. As a part of the celebrations, the Embassy of Japan in Jamaica will be hosting the biggest event of its year long commemorative celebrations. The "Nihon Matsuri" Japanese Festival will be held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre tomorrow, March 8, 2014 from 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

"Out of Many, One People."

Music : Gimme Likkle One Drop

 

Hey World! ^_^

 

I got so use to hearing this song every day during my summer vacation to the point that I began singing it mindlessly, almost naturally. Good tune. Catchy lyrics. It creates a feel good vibe. My sis and I would say it somehow "reminds us of chilly nights we spent with my dad and his friends. Watching and hearing them play dominoes, as well as listening to the reggae music playing in the background whilst our sense of smell was entangled with cigarette smoke and beer. From Guinness, to Red Stripe, to Heineken." Believe it or not, the smell of cigarette is my least favourite scent but for some strange reason on nights like those it's tolerable. Don't ask me how!

Anyway, this song is 'Gimme Likkle One Drop' by Tarrus Riley aka "Singy Singy". Perfect for a Friday/ Saturday night.

Enjoy!

Stand Up Against Rape or Watch The Nation Fall

Hey World! :)

Take a listen to this song posted below by Jamaican entertainer Romain Virgo titled "Mi a wait".

Awesome song with an even more important message, which should educate the young minds on the respect women deserve and the meaning of the word no. Simply put, ‘no’ means NO!

The reason for waiting on consent and not forcing the other party into sex is not because of the legal punishment but it is out of respect for the other party. It is because we are both entitled to make decisions for ourselves about what we want to do with our bodies. How we want to treat our bodies. Who we want to get involved with. We have that right to decide for ourselves.

Every nation ought to stand up against rape. (Although the legal definition of rape varies from country to country, rape is generally defined as forced or nonconsensual sexual contact, against a female by a male. However, men can still be forced into nonconsensual sex either by a female or a male.) Whether it is from the soft voice of a female or the deep of a man’s, no still means NO!

Scary Fact: “[T]he fastest-growing crimes in Jamaica at the moment are rape and incest. Statistics show that the cases of sexual abuse have increased exponentially since 2007, moving from 121 cases in that year to 2,671 reported cases in 2011. And experts agree that the figure is actually much higher since there is an estimated high percentage of under-reporting. Not only are rape and incest increasing, but the ages of the victims keep getting lower and lower.”
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/When-rape-becomes-common_12667494#ixzz2LMYbVYNW”

Important To Know:

• “Stop” means NO!
• “I don’t want to” means NO!
• “Do not touch me” means NO!

(But it is not limited to only those words, there is a distinct difference in consenting, just listen.)

• Silence does not translate to consent!
• My dresscode is not consent!
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol does not necessarily translate to consent, so it’s best to postpone sex and wait. (Prevention better than cure.)
• Consent can be revoked at any time! Whether we just took off our clothes, or we almost started having sex or whether we are mid-penetration and it feels good to you. You have a right to change your mind at any time.
• In my view, your “don’t…. stop” rape jokes are only perpetuating the grotesque rape culture of our society! Don’t try to smudge the line between not wanting sex and consenting. It is not funny. Stop it!

Rocking in Trench Town

Hey World! :)

Below are some pix from the recently held staging of Trench Town Rocks, last Saturday (February 9). Enjoy!

 

 

                 

 

   

 

 

Photos courtesy of Ishangophotos

For more highlights from Trench Town Rock held at Culture Yard in Trench Town click the link above.

 

Fi Wi Sinting

 

Hey World! :)

 

 

If you are wondering what to do this weekend, this is where you should be.

Go to Fi Wi Sinting!



Trench Town Rock 2013

Hey World! :)

Reggae stars Bunny Wailer, Andrew Tosh and Sizzla will headline the annual Trench Town Rock concert.

The concert, held annually in recognition of outstanding musicians who hailed from that community, takes place today (Saturday, February 9) at Vin Lawrence Park, first Street, Trench Town, at 6 p.m.

Set to take the stage also are Bunny Wailer, Andrew Tosh, Sizzla, Bob Andy, Roots Underground, Chino & Family, Junior Reid, Lutan Fyah, Cen'C Love, Nesbeth, and more.

Admission at the gate is $500.

Go out and support it you won't regret it!



Click the link for more info: http://mobile.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130207/ent/ent1.php

Chronixx At The Bob Marley Concert

Hey World! :)

Pree the above clip i found on facebook for a lil piece of Chronixx and the Zincfence Band's performance at the Bob Marley Concert last night (February 7) at Emancipation Park. It was goooooooood! Chronixx performed 'They Don't Know', 'Warrior', 'Odd Ras' and 'Behind Curtain'. From the look and sound of the patrons i was not the only person enjoying it. The comments i heard while walking through the crowd would be enough inspiration for any person to get through their year, "see di future of reggae deh", "who seh reggae dead", "a talented yute dat enuh" and last but not least - two words - "young Bob".

If you have never heard his songs and listened intently to his music, that is your homework this weekend. I promise you will thank me later!

 

"Because we ten step a.... ten step ahead of them!"

- Warrior

 

You can purchase his songs on iTunes here. You are most welcome! ^_^

 

(That is a good pic of Chronixx by the way!)

 



N.B.* Look out for Chronixx & the Zincfence Band European Tour April and Summer 2013! For
          bookings contact: info@jahlive.pt
          Dates and places will be posted at a later date or keep checking out the Chronixx facebook 
          page for more details.
          You can contact his regular booking agent in Jamaica at: chronixxbookings@gmail.com           

 

Emancipation Live : The Bob Marley Concert

Hey World! :)

Been on a crazy hiatus for a while [translation: a looooong ass time] but i'm back! My apologies for my deliquent behaviour in managing this blog but you know how crazy life can get.

Well last night (February 7) i attended Digicel's Bob Marley 'Emancipation Live' concert which was held at Emancipation Park. As per usual, i arrived late which is no surprise to my father because he is of the view that i am perpetually late and it will always be that way. ^_^ Hahaha i strongly object! Anyway, i arrived right before Nadine Sutherland was to perform and she was good, still energetic, her voice and delivery was very good. During her performance, i remembered that Buju Banton was missing in action. [Keep your head up Buju!]

Nadine, pictured above enjoying herself on stage.

 

A little later after a band change, came the young general Chronixx and i must say i thoroughly enjoyed it. Enjoyed it so much i found a clip of his performance and i will post that clip after this post. My best friend said he was shocked, according to him i went in military mode and that during his performance it was the loudest he has EVER heard me! *covers face* ^_^ #DontJudgeMe

"... But guess what, Selassi I alone mi salute
All when lie a di trend Chronixx a talk di truth
Say mi nah do weh babylon want mi do ...

All when mi a di only man wid pants pon waiste
Mi nah falla nobody
And when the whole Jamaica a bleach dem face
Mi nah falla nobody"



 

When i saw the poster and read the entertainers for the evening, there was one who puzzled me. I just could not understand the correlation between that performer and the cultural show. Surely, all are welcome to honour Bob Marley for his works but if you consider the type of music the portfolio contains, there is simply no link.  The entertainer to which i refer is Tifa, but then i remembered that she is affiliated with the main sponsor so then it all made sense. The crowd was not very recieving of her performance because apparently they felt the same way as myself. We eventually warmed up to her performance when she sang "It's not that i don't love you, you know how much i do" - Walk Away From Love by Bitty McLean. (The original song is by David Ruffin, from the Temptations). The person i would have been better suited for the show is Queen Ifrica but maybe she had other engagements or simply wasn't asked to perform.

I did love her outfit although.... you know what i'll reserve that comment.

Luciano performed his rendition of 'When The Saints Go Marching In' as well as songs such as 'Sweep Over My Soul', 'Give Praise to Rastafari' and 'It's Me Again Jah'. Good performance. I always love hearing Luciano sing at a live concert because he is one of the few entertainers whose voice sounds the same live, as over a record.

Then at 10:25pm [mind you the concert was slated to end at 10:00pm] came the King of Fire, Capleton on stage with:
                                       "What dey gonna do, when nuff a dem nuh true
                                               Say what they gonna do, dem get slew"

 

It was surely hit after hit and in true fire man fashion, Capleton brought out all the lighters and i even saw a blowtorch lol. It was an energetic set, i don't know who was feeding off of who's energy.
Whether it was Capleton feeding off of his supporters railing energy or the supporters feeding off of the heat Capleton brought to the stage. He sung hits to "bun out di inequity" like 'That Day Will Come', 'Jah Jah City', 'Burning You', 'Or Wah', 'Slew Dem' and for the empresses 'Call Me On The Telephone'.

"Slew dem a pure feelings dem a carry
Dem dun bow aready
And dem cyan seh dem sorry yah"

Burning you, blazing you,
Burning you, we ah go bun dem out"



 

The other performers who i heard were Jermaine Edwards, he brought Omari on during his set and he performed one of my favourite songs 'Help'. Leroy Sibbles had the crowd in a groovy kinda mood, we were all rocking and singing along. I just got to say his voice is still real smooth. I also heard Luton Fyah's performance. I didn't get to watch Ikaya and I-Octane's performance however, so i can't comment on it but i can only assume it was good.

 

Photo credit : SKKAN Media Entertainment

                      Check them out on Facebook for more pictures.

Music : Rise Above Profanity

Well i decided to leave you with another performace they did in 2010 on our local television station, Television Jamaica (TVJ) "Change A Life" concert. Enjoy!

No-Maddz : Troddin'

Hey World!:)

I'd like to introduce you (if you don't know them by now) to a pretty cool, no scratch that, an A-MAH-ZING group. Jamaicans may already recognize Oneil Peart, Everaldo Creary, Sheldon Sheppard and Chris Gordon as dub poetry group No-Maddz. Poo Puku Poo Puku Poo.  Not only are they musically inclined and talented actors but they have a certain asthetic appeal which i really like!

Anywhere on the island i hear they'll be performing, i always drag my friends with me and "mysteriously" end up there lol. But i've always enjoyed listening to them perform and watch them enjoy their own performances. Plus it is almost like the energy displayed on stage, is passed on to the audience and you just "feel" it! Yeah i know, my description is kinda weird but i challenge you to go, go to one of their performance and "feel" the energy too. You'll be glad you did.:)

Check out their latest video launched June 2012 below titled "Sort Out Yuh Life Jamaica!"

Recently, Sheldon Sheppard (pictured above) took home the Best Actor prize at last weekend's American Black Film Festival (ABFF) for his role as a gangster with a conscience in

director Storm Saulter's Better Mus' Come.

Poo Puku Poo Puku Poo. Sort out yuh life Jamaica!:)

M A R L E Y : The Life, Music & Legacy of Bob Marley

Hey World!:)

The Bob Marley Documentary is here and in theatres near you! Have you watched it as yet?! Take a peek at the documentary trailer above. The documentary is now in the theatres and On Demand. I am currently pacing myself where school and the rest of my life is concerned right now, so i will wait and watch it May 17. ^_^

Check the following links to purchase the Official Soundtrack for the Documentary:

• Marley: Original Soundtrack [Audio CD]
• Marley: Original Soundtrack [Vinyl]

Bob Marley was a very wise man and his philosophy on life, love and people is really that piece which is missing from most people. Below are the quotes i've carried with me:

 “Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you're living?”

“The people who were trying to make this world worse are not taking the day off. Why should I?”

"My life is only important if me can help plenty."

“You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters? She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold onto her and give her the most you can. She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give. Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there.”  

“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”

“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”

“Don't worry about a thing, every little thing is gonna be alright”

 

Look at that gorgeous smile!:) 

I Am Proudly Celebrating Jamaica 50!

Hey World!

This year is a milestone year for Jamaica, so i know it's gonna be HUUUUUGE! Every event or celebration this year is just gonna MAAAAJOR!!!! Our National Flag was first raised on Independence Day, August 6, 1962. And this year will be our fiftieth anniversary. While we celebrate, our memories of our past trials and our achievements will be a definate inspiration for us moving forward.
NOW for the juicy tidbits, I myself am anxiously waiting for the London 2012 Olympic Games (specifically the athletics segment from August 3-12, 2012), where our Jamaican athletes will take center stage and WOW the world [again]. However for others, i know their list of big moments this year includes but is not limited to the following:

• April 26- 29 -- Expo Jamaica 50, National Indoor Sports Arena, Jamaica
• April 28- 29 -- Kingston Pon Di River, Literary, Arts & Music Festival, Boone Hall Oasis, Stony Hill, Jamaica
• May 5 -- Jamaica Invitational Athletic Meet, National Stadium
• May 23 -- National Labour Day
• May 28 -- 9th Annual Palm Beach Jerk Caribbean Culture Festival, Florida, USA
• June 21 -- Jamaica 50 Ladies Day Royal Ascot, United Kingdom
• July 1 -- International Reggae Day Street Party, New Kingston, Jamaica
• July 15- 21 -- Reggae Sumfest 2012, Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica (Remember to book your hotel rooms early)

• July 25- August 6 -- O2 AEG London Program (Six Day Jamaica Music Festival, Bob Marley Exhibition, Jamaica House @ the Bubble, Brixton Splash)
• August 1 -- Emancipation Day
• August 1- 5 -- Establish Jamaica 50 Independence Jubilee Village JCDC
• August 1 -- Augus Fair & Reggae Night
• August 2 -- Mello Go Roun
• August 3 -- Independence Nostalgia + World Reggae Dance Festival
• August 4 -- Jamaica Praise, Indoor Sports Center
• August 4 -- Oliver Samuels presents Jamaica 50th Independence Celebration, Roberto Clemente State Park, Bronx, New York
• August 5 -- Independence Street Parade, Indoor Sports Center
• August 5 -- Independence Grand Gala, Indoor Sports Center
• August 6 -- Independence Day
• August 3-6 -- Dream Weekend, Negril (Remember to book your hotel rooms early)

• August 11 -- Independence Gala: Jamaica Land We Love, Toronto

Usain Bolt Tracks & Records

Hey World!:)

Sooooooooooo in a couple days i will be heading to Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records restaurant for my friends birthday dinner so look out for my review and pics to come! You can add them on facebook, here, so that you get up-to-date info on their specials.

NB*: Usain does look pretty handsome in the above pic ^_^ plus that's a pretty decent & simple YSL shirt!

Easter Bubbling

Hey Guys!

Just leaving you with two (2) hot tracks. The first is from Konshens - Gyal a bubble, to get you in the mood for the weekend;)

Go turn up the volume on your speakers, no actually BLAST IT [from 2:12] and let the music take you over, practice your moves LOL:) and enjoy!

 

The second track is from Mr Vegas - Bruck it down.

Easter in JA

Hey World! *waves* :)

So apart from going to church during Easter and making sacrifices during Lent, one major thing for Jamaicans at this time of the year [apart from eating bun & cheese lol] is traveling to Ocho Rios for Easter Weekend. Reason?! To party ofcourse!

Below are just a few of the parties which patrons look forward to every year at Easter:

And the new comer on the Ochi block, Chocolate Bunnies, which should be happening now. I wonder how it's going....

However, how i will be spending my Easter weekend is exactly as below:(...... I am really tempted to go to Ochi though sooooooo who knows, maybe in my next post i'll be confessing that i actually went and i didn't do that which i ought to have done^_^