St. Lucia Bans Kartel

St. Lucia has become the latest Caribbean Community (Caricom) country to place a ban on Jamaican dancehall singer, Vybz Kartel, who had been scheduled to perform here at the end of the month.



A statement from the St Lucian government today noted that in deciding whether or not to grant a work permit to the singer, the government had deliberately refrained from rushing to a judgement by establishing an adhoc committee to discuss the request from the promoters.

It said that the committee was required to look at a number of factors, including a comprehensive research of the history of the artiste, solicit views and opinions of key institutions and organisations in the country and determine the general impact of the artiste’s performance on the population, particularly the youth.


“Having looked carefully at the significant amount of information presented, and considering the views and opinions of the many individuals and institutions as well as available options, the Government of St Lucia through the Ministry of Labour, Information and Broadcasting has decided not to grant a work permits to Mr Adidja Azim Palmer otherwise known as Vybz Kartel for performances at the Hot FM promoted Supreme Weekend show scheduled for April 30 and May 1, 2010.
“In light of the foregoing, and in order to ensure consistency and to avoid discrimination, Government has decided that in going forward, it is essential to establish a permanent committee to review applications for artistes seeking permits to perform in St Lucia,” the statement added.

Read more about it HERE.

Source

I am all for protecting the youth, but I think all this banning is going a little too far. If you blame Vybz Kartel for youth violence then what's to stop beer companies for being blamed for teenage pregnancies? There are surveys done which link underage drinking with increase in sexual behaviour among teens. Who is taking responsibility for that??? Which Caribbean governments are stepping up to the plate and holding people accountable??? What about prominent leaders who are involved in the drug trade??? I am in no way making excuses for Kartel, but artists have a right to creative freedom and expression and I just wonder how much of this is really about protecting our young???

Think about it? How many school age children will go to the event ??? I'm sure some will, but by and large I expect the majority would be working adults. Moreover, these teenagers that the government wants to protect know Kartel's music from Internet downloads, or listening to them on the radio. In Dominica Mavado performed a while back and there was so much hoopla about whether he should be banned or not. He came did his thing, made his money and that was that. There was no major incident, that I am aware of.Young people listen to him, and they listen to other acts including Vegas and Bounty Killer. But they listen to Miley Cyrus too and Rihanna (who sings about suicide and making her "Rude Boy" get it up) and MFR and Triple Kay.

I am saying all this to say basically I feel that who wants to go to Kartel show go and who don't want to go stay home. It's not everything he sings I like, it's not everything he sings I don't like. I mostly listen to clean versions of his songs. I know every one is not me, ray-ray ray-rah-rah-rah, but as an artist too I just have to wonder, how do we weigh who's rights matter more?

Why did Cornell Phillip leave WCK??????

Cornell Phillip is the C in WCK when it was Wayne Cornel and Keith.

Cornell on his solo project called Interpretations...an awesome musical treasure!

The Dominican bouyon band has been through many changes in sound and personalities....there have been rumors, speculations and accusations flung by fans and foe alike as to why he left the band that he started. Cornell speaks to Numusiczone.com to let it all out...


WCK back in the day: Wayne "Skinny Banton" Robinson (now known as Shadowflow), Neijel "Nayee" Jno. Baptiste, Cornell "Fingaz" Phillip, Derick "Rah" Peters, Pellam Jno. Baptiste, Clint "Charm Daddy" Henderson, Keith Goddard and Martindale Olive.

I'm not gonna tell you what he said:-)

Click HERE to see and hear for yourself

Michael Jackson Dr. interrupted CPR says witness.

The man who called 911 as Michael Jackson lay dying in his rented mansion told police he was stunned by what he saw in the singer's bedroom.

Alberto Alvarez, who worked as Jackson's logistics director, told investigators that after receiving a distress call from another worker June 25, he rushed up the stairs of Jackson's home and entered a bedroom to find the singer lying on a bed with his arms outstretched and his eyes and mouth open.

At his side, Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was administering CPR with one hand.

"Alberto, Alberto, come quickly," Murray said, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press. "He had a reaction, he had a bad reaction."

Two of the star's children, Prince and Paris, came in the room and cried as they saw Murray trying to save their father. They were quickly ushered away.

The account and other statements obtained by the AP depict a grisly scene in Jackson's room in the final minutes before paramedics arrived. Alvarez also states that Murray interrupted CPR and delayed calling paramedics so he could collect drug vials at the scene.

Jackson's death at age 50 was ruled a homicide caused by an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives.

The possibility that Murray may have tried to hide evidence is likely to be a focus as prosecutors move ahead with their involuntary manslaughter case against him.

Alvarez told police he arrived at Jackson's home around 10:20 a.m. He was awaiting instructions for the day in a security trailer outside Jackson's rented mansion when, at 12:17 p.m., his phone rang. It was Jackson's personal assistant Michael Amir Williams, who said Jackson was in trouble.

Alvarez said he was "frozen and stunned" when he saw Jackson on the bed.

Murray then grabbed a few vials with rubber tops and told Alvarez to put them in a bag, Alvarez told investigators. Alvarez picked up a plastic bag from the floor and Murray put the bottles inside, then Murray told Alvarez to put that plastic bag inside a brown canvas bag, according to the account.

Alvarez said Murray then told him to remove an IV bag from a stand and put it in a blue canvas bag. He did, and noticed the bag had a connector with a milky white substance in it. Alvarez didn't say what happened to the bags, nor did he identify what was in the vials.

Read more HERE

Fake Jah Cure Facebook Uncovered!

The recent discovery of a fake Jah Cure Facebook page has forced Jah Cure's management to take a zero tolerance in protecting Jah Cure's intellectual property. The page which was connected to the email 'universaljahcure@live.com ', since been taken down by Facebook, sought to lure unsuspecting fans and promoters with promises of dubs and information on the artiste. The page also offered booking services for the artiste.






This fraud was brought to the attention of Danger Zone Music Group (DZMG) by an unsuspecting promoter from Belize who paid for dubs through this page and when the dubs weren't furnished approached DZMG querying the transaction. It was at this moment that the promoter realized that he had been scammed.



CEO of the Danger Zone Music Group Delmar 'Della Danger' Drummond while upset about the situation believes promoters need to be extra careful when dealing with international transactions with artistes, he stated: "Only DZMG, SoBe Entertainment and Caribbean Entertainment are authorized to handle Jah Cure's bookings. I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to whoever has fallen victim to this scam but we have to be ever vigilant as with the advances in modern technology many nefarious characters are using the web to rob innocent unsuspecting persons".



DZMG has acted with urgency in seeking to curtail the proliferation of fake Jah Cure pages on social networking sites like Facebook. The company will also cooperate with legal authorities in anyway possible to ensure that the intellectual property of Jah Cure is not violated.



DZMG wishes to advise those interested in legally procuring Jah Cure material to contact them at delladanger@gmail.com .

Damn son! i think we're friends....although I noticed he spelt his MySpace link wrong (it was missing the s as in freejahScure) from the jump.....I just couldn't bother to tell him to fix de ting eh....Cause I am sure somebody getting paid to do that ...uzime....

Well Real Jah Cure look for Ayeola George....add me nuh:-)

Girls as young as two facing rape in Hatian tent cities. Information Minsiter says "not a priority." What the fcuk???????

So I am reading this article on the Daily Mail about recently released reports that girls at young as 2 years old are at risk of being raped in Haitian tent cities. It paints a picture of women not being protected by UN soldiers, women who live side by side with their attackers, afraid to speak out. None of that to me was worse than the quote from the Information Minister Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lasseguee, who said last month: "We are aware of the problem, but it's not a priority.'

Information Minister Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lasseguee

Photo source


Even though she said it last month, it should have been a priority then..... As a woman, probably a mother and fellow human being, how can she say that???? The women of any nation are it's strength. We birth, nuture, feed its young, we encourage the men, we educate them, we give them our strength and love.....No woman or woman child deserves to be raped. Ever. Period.

Shame on this woman. I hope she issues another statement, Either saying that she was misquoted or that she is sorry, As far as I am concerned those words should have never left her mouth...

Mamzelle have my head well tense dere, you know.

Click HERE for article.

Wyclef accused once again, this time for giving Yele money to his alleged lover

First they say that he misappropriated Yele Haiti funds by paying himself and associates. He said yes he received money but he charged below market rates for services provided. Now according to Gawker Wyclef Jean is again being accused of having sticky fingers: they allege that a significant amount of Yele funds went to his assistant with whom he allegedly had an affair. Funny how it takes a major earthquake to get people digging for dirt eh. Read Wyclef's tweets about the matter below:

From Gawker.com:

Khatou-Chevassus is currently listed on Yele's web site as the organization's vice president. But according to five sources familiar with Yele's operations, in 2008 she served as Jean's personal assistant--working on his commercial endeavors as well as his charitable ones--and was involved romantically with the former Fugees star.

"She worked for Wyclef on all Wyclef matters," says one source who has worked with Jean in the past. "She did whatever Wyclef needed that day, whether it was related to Yele or not. She would do things like book flights, and she wasn't very good at it. It's a shame that she made that much money." The source said Khatou-Chevassus' salary amounted to more than three times what Suzie Sylvain, Yele Haiti's dedicated program director who is credited by many Yele Haiti insiders with actually keeping the organization running, was paid.

Jean has again come to his defense, this time on Twitter. Some of his tweets from Monday, March 15, include:

•When Donkeys spread rumors about me I dont Respond cause I'm the master that leads them to the Well to drink the Water. Yele haiti 4 life!
•I have been spending money n my country since I was a Fugees! why is it now after the Quake I am being Excuse! They fear I'm gaining ground
•And don't get it twisted! My Garage could fit half of the people on twitter why would I steal Charity Money! Your gotta come better den dat.

Source

Despite whatever fustration he is feeling, I still think Clef need to handle this with class. Bragging about how big your garge is doesn't help...for all these people accussing you know, is Yele Haiti money that pay for it. All I have to say is I see Wyclef putting in work in Haiti from time. Please keep in mind people when you donate to the Red Cross only 10% or so actually goes to Haiti...so why all this scrutiny on Wyclef. I'm not saying that if he did something wrong that it has to be swept under the table but why we trying to make him a scapegoat????

Lava pregnant by Usain Bolt????

According to MediaTakeOut, Usain Bolt got Lava from For The Love of Ray-J knocked up...

Tongues of course are wagging. When you are in such a high profile position every one and their mama is gonna want to have a say in or about your affairs. Already Lava is being labeled a gold-digger etc, etc.... I heard she is originally Jamaican so what are people going to say now??? I don't know much about her but I am not a fan... I think more than her announcement on VH1 is her phone call to Entertainment Prime basically saying she was upset about the fact that Usain Googled her... I don't get that. Well as someone tried to explain to me her saying that they met at a party is a better story....Au contraire, if I was googled by someone who for whatever reason heard about me or saw something they liked, I would not be ashamed about it. In fact if we end up getting together it would make a great story for our kids:-)

Anyways listen to her talk about it in the vid below:

Rihanna's Rude Boy Echo performance: What's the fuss??

So you know how they say a picture tells a thousand words??? Well looking at this picture below you would think that Rihanna was just grinding up on those two robots that accompanied her during her performance of her latest single "Rude Boy" in Berlin recently. It looks rather sexual and many accompanying reports have implied as much.

Was it really though??? I decided to view the performance itself.




From my point of view it was very tongue-in-cheek. The performance wasn't all that but her voice was very strong so I will give her kudos for that. I think she may not have been very interactive because of the language barrier. But back to the bots...I don't really get the water coming out of the eyes part and some allude to sexual innuendo, but I have seen waaaaay worse... and in any case why the surprise when she is singing lines like "come on Rude Boy boy is you big enough?" If you blinked you would have missed it but I guess that is the power of pictures cause however many seconds that lasted, it is cemented in history for ever. Anyways here's another shot, which to me gives a fairer picture of the performance. What say you?

Beyonce palancing in Trinidad

Beyonce arrived in Trinidad earlier in the week for her much talked about and controversial concert.



Here are two video clips of her Palanceing...Of courser the term was made popular by JW and Blaze who won the International Soca Monarch (Power) competition for the song. Vids not the best but still cool to see her take one of her songs ("Check On It") and give it a local flava....that's why I admire her so much...she does everything 150% and she is into the details!

Ky-Mani Marley issues statement about his book "Dear Dad, Where's the family in our family

“Dear Dad: Where’s the family in our family, today?”-the story the Marley family apparently doesn't want you to know."is a semi-autobiographical book about Ky-Mani Marley's life released on Amazon.com earlier this week. I say semi as he had help from an outside source, and also because it seems their is bad blood between him and the co-writer Dr. Farrah Gray. I remember when I interviewed Ky-Mani for Caribbean Maco, he spoke of growing up in the ghetto in Florida. Life was not glitz and glamour, he did not even want to sing-at first anyways.

Well like I said the book is out, but he is not happy about what's inside. I think maybe it's a case of Ky-Mani just pouring out his heart (what some people may see as airing out his dirty laundry) and now he doesn't want the rest of the world to see. Maybe some of the information is damaging to his siblings, with whom he has a good relationship now. He issued the following statement about the issue:

I’ve done many things that I am not proud of. I have turned what was largely a destructive lifestyle and turned it into a constructive one. I chose to share my story with the hope that many may be moved to something more positive by the end of the book.

I partnered with a gentleman, Dr Farrah Gray, who I grew to have a great deal of respect for. My journey writing the book was initially very easy and I thought we had built a relationship of respect if nothing else.

During the final edit of the book, I spoke with my sister, Cedella, and I advised Dr Farrah Gray that some changes had to be made and until the changes were made, I was not willing to do any promotion for the book. I could NOT support and promote something that is not 100% mine and that I believe in. Dr Gray apparently thought that by turning something that was written from the heart into something seemingly malicious was going to benefit him in some way.

I did not mean to hurt anyone... The book was only to tell my story, as I know it... What I was led to believe while growing up. The book was not an attack on my family! I love my brothers and sisters more than anyone can know.

I did not expect that Dr Gray would have been unprofessional and malicious in twisting my words or using things that were discussed in confidence to create controversy in an attempt to sell a book.

I did NOT authorize him to make any changes to the cover of my book nor do I condone any of the captions he has written!

At this point I do not know if the content of the book has been altered in any way due to the fact that I have not communicated with Dr Farrah Gray in over a month because he has neither accepted nor returned any of my phone calls.

Damn, son. It's kind of late to unwrite the book. Will let you guys know how this develops.

Criminal complaint charges to be filed against Michael Jackson's Trini lawyer, Conrad Murray

Michael Jackson's Trin-born lawyer Conrad Murray may face criminal charges for the singer's death.


According to Yahoo! News:
Prosecutors investigating Michael Jackson's death plan to file a criminal complaint charging the singer's doctor with involuntary manslaughter rather than seek a grand jury indictment, The Associated Press learned Tuesday, a strategy shift that will give an eager public an earlier look at evidence.


Photo source

While there is no public timetable for charges to be filed against Dr. Conrad Murray, there are strong indications the move is imminent. Murray and lawyer Edward Chernoff have traveled to Los Angeles from Houston, where Murray practices, and the attorney said his client is prepared to turn himself in.

"If they tell him to surrender in 10 minutes, he'll go surrender," said Chernoff, who spent several hours meeting with other members of Murray's defense team Tuesday. "He's never hidden, he's always been available."

David Walgren, the deputy Los Angeles County district attorney handling the case, declined to comment.

Jackson, 50, hired Murray to be his personal physician as he prepared for a strenuous series of comeback performances in London. His stunning death on June 25 in Los Angeles came after Murray, tending to Jackson in the star's rented mansion, administered the powerful anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac to sleep, according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office, which ruled the death a homicide.

Read more HERE.

Source

KYM talks about beating, Kartel issues statement

According to a statement issued by Vybez kartel, it seems that the Empire does not want to lose on its investment in Kim Hamilton AKA Gaza Kim now KYM



It Reads:

The Portmore Empire invested a substantial amount of money in the career of singer Kim Hamilton--filming music videos, printing promotional posters and clocking several hours in the studio honing her talent. We're disappointed that she felt the need to issue a press release to the media announcing her departure from the record label, Adidjaheim Records, without first notifying the company. This is particularly disturbing given the fact that she is still under contract and the record company has fulfilled its end of the agreement.

Gaza Kim is also speaking about the incident. Listen HERE to her interview with Nikki Z as she talks about what happened and who was involved when she got beaten.

Gaza Kim out of the Empire after beating, remaining members deny involvement!

Wow....two down, one more to go. Gaza Indu, after what happen to Lisa Hype (now Lisa Hyper) and Gaza Kim (now Kym), I say watch your back girl. Gaza Kim is officially out of Portmore Empire after she was beaten outside Big Yard studios. Fingers have been pointing to Vybz Kartel and members of the Empire as being responsible for the attack, allegations they strongly deny. Gaza Kim became part of the empire last year at age 17. She is known for her popular song with Vybz Kartel "Teenage Pregnancy."

Gaza Kim and Vybz Kartel in a poster for their song "Teenage Pregnancy"

From Jamaica Star:

Several members of the Portmore Empire have been quick to deny being beaten, as well as any involvement or knowledge of any beating that have taken place in the crew.

As news of an assault on teenage singer and member of the Portmore Empire, Gaza Kim at 'Big Yard', off Mannings Hill Road, spread in the media yesterday, other members of the Portmore Empire have since contacted THE STAR to proclaim their innocence.

Rumours have been circulating that other members of the Empire were being beaten on a regular basis and another artiste was rumoured to have been beaten over the weekend when they defended Gaza Kim.


verbal altercation

According to reports in Tuesday's STAR, Gaza Kim was at Big Yard when she and a group of men got into a verbal altercation. THE STAR source claimed that Vybz Kartel arrived on the scene and the men were instructed to beat her. A statement from Kartel, however, denied his involvement in the incident and condemned violence against females and children. A statement from Gaza Kim confirmed that she had been assaulted over the weekend and sought medical attention, details as to what happened, however, were omitted. According to the release, Gaza Kim says she will be taking legal action against her attackers.

Gaza Indu, known for songs such as Virginity alongside Vybz Kartel, was one of the first to call. Indu made it clear that she has never been beaten, nor was she present at the time that Gaza Kim was beaten. Indu said that she was calling all media contacts so as to clear her name. One of the latest females added to the Gaza crew, Sheba, also contacted THE STAR. Like Indu, Sheba stated that she was not present at 'Big Yard' over the weekend and did not appreciate that her name was being called up by the media and in rumours concerning any assault.

Two of the leading male artistes from the Empire, Blak Ryno and Jah Vinci also made contact with THE STAR yesterday. Persistent rumours of being beaten have circulated around both figures. When asked about these rumours Ryno replied, "a lot of things have been said about di Gaza that aren't true. We cannot control what is being said in the media ... I am sure about myself and I have never witnessed any one being beaten on di Gaza."

As for singer Jah Vinci persons have questioned whether he is still a member of the Portmore Empire, after rumours have spread that he no longer hangs with the popular crew. Jah Vinci however, denied these rumours saying, "Gaza fi life."
Source

DNA Proves it -Jah Cure ain't your Baby Daddy

Jah Cure just released a statement that DNA results prove that he is not the father of a newborn.

There have been recent media reports about a DNA test result that involved Jah Cure. While not wishing to join the media circus that has ensued because of these revelations, Jah Cure wishes to outline a few facts and settle the matter once and for all. Jah Cure has supported the mother throughout her pregnancy and had his father and manager be with her at the time of delivery in the US. His support for her throughout this period was unwavering. Before the birth of the child Jah Cure requested a DNA test, a request which the mother refused. Despite this, Jah Cure continued to support the child and the mother.

Now that the DNA test has been done and it has been shown that he is not the father, Jah Cure wishes to move on.

The fact is that the most important individual in this whole affair is the child and the longer that this continues the more damage is being done to the child. Jah cure will not now abandon the child but wishes that the media respect the privacy of the parties as the child is indeed innocent and did not contribute to the mistakes of the adults involved.

The messed up part is that the mother refused DNA before the birth, Jah Cure sent his father and brother to be with her for the birth and he has to deal with a child that he probably had a bond with. the even more messed up part is this is not the first time he has been accused of fathering a child (a son that time) that was not his. Like I always say when I give opinion, who am I to judge right??? But some women just see entertainers and just think $$$$$$$. I hope that is a lesson for him and other artists to play it safe. After all, according to him condoms "are a must." And true to the press release the child is the ultimate victim. At least Jah Cure is doing a positive thing by still being there. Cyan make de chile pay for her mother mistake.