Who Says Cops Can’t Have Fun In The Carnival?
It’s the biggest street festival in Europe so for the 48 hours this fest goes on police from across the country are brought into Ken Chels to patrol the streets. Hey, it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it. But when the citizens show their appreciation—especially the drunk, scantily clad citizens—that’s what makes it all worthwhile. Video After The Jump… (more…)
Family Members Reject Suicide Theory, Demand Investigation Of Police
“Smiley Culture was a father, an uncle, a friend, and a mentor to many,” said his nephew Merlin Emmanuel during an emotional press conference held just days after the mysterious death of the UK dancehall legend while in police custody. “He was a British Icon who died under the most peculiar of circumstances.” (more…)
Trying To Live Peacefully But… “They keep mixing me up in politics.”
The former Shower Posse boss as he appeared on BET’s American Gangster.
This past week, rumors that Vivian Blake had been killed in Kingston were running wild. Ever since the former Shower Posse leader returned to Jamaica this past January after serving time in U.S. Federal prison, he has kept a low profile and focused on writing and taking care of his health and his family. When reports of his death began circulating on the evening of September 21, U.S.-based film producer Curtis Scoon reached out to Blake, who granted this exclusive interview in hopes of separating fact from fiction. (more…)
Singer’s Beloved Daughter & Wife Innocent Victims of Senseless Shooting
Thriller U in recent years and on his classic 1986 debut album for Jammy’s.
We didn’t want to believe it yesterday when a very reliable source told us that Thriller U, the veteran dancehall singer and member of the Jamaican harmony super-group L.U.S.T., had lost his daughter in a brutal Florida homicide that also left his wife severely wounded. (more…)
Dancehall provocateurs now being held in Half Way Tree jail cell.
Twin of Twins live at Reggae Sumfest. Photograph by Stella Magloire.
At 2pm this past Tuesday afternoon, the mercilessly hilarious, always controversial dancehall artist/satirist/ghettologist duo known as Twin of Twins were arrested on Half Way Tree Road in Kingston JA. (more…)
Out Pon Bail: Ninja at Reggae Sunsplash 1996 Photo by Stella Magliore
Whether you call him Brother Desmond or the Original Front Teeth Gold Teeth Gun Pon Teeth Bad Bwoy, Ninjaman always seems to be the center of attention. But attention from the Jamaica Constabulary Force is not the sort of attention anybody wants. In the photo above, he had just been released from prison to perform at Reggae Sunsplash 1996. In 1999, he missed the premier of Third World Cop, his first big-screen role, because he was unavoidably detained in General Penitentiary. But since that time, he’s been on some mostly positive movements, most recently the “One Umbrella Movement” against violence. Looks like history just keeps repeating itself. Ten years later Ninja is about to star in a new movie called Gangstas, and at the same time he’s in a next legal mixup.