Rita Marley to be honoured

Legendary reggae matriarch Rita Marley will be the recipient of the Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards Gala hosted by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) next month. 

‘Nana Rita’, an endearment she acquired when she was enstooled in Ghana, will accept the award on November 12th, during the gala dinner to be held at the JW Marriott in Washington, DC. 

The widow of reggae icon Robert 'Bob' Nesta Marley and an artist in her own right, she has an extensive career of advocacy and talent that spans the globe.

"Nana Rita was a perfect recipient for our Marcus Garvey award. This award recognizes those who unselfishly advocate to empower and to uplift the people of the Caribbean and Africa," said ICS president and founder Dr Claire Nelson. "Throughout her life, through her music and her numerous actions, Nana Rita has demonstrated an unconditional to helping youth, lifting the image of Africa on the global stage, and to assist her Jamaican people. We are honored that she has accepted this award."

Judge gave OK to Buju Banton's bail but Release Delayed

Even though the presiding judge in Buju Banton's bail hearing ruled today that the reggae artist may be released from jail under the strict conditions highlighted, an expected prosecution appeal may keep Banton behind bars until his retrial.

U.S. Magistrate Anthony E. Porcelli overruled government objections to proposals by Banton's defense team, including using the home of Stephen Marley, son of reggae icon Bob Marley, to help secure Banton's pretrial release.

Porcelli also approved a security agency's plan to guard Banton around-the-clock if he is released and allowed to stay in his South Florida home. Under the plan, the agency's employees could arrest Banton if he appeared ready to flee or violate the bail conditions.

Stephen Marley Trying to Help Buju Banton get Released

Stephen Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley has offered to post his South Florida home to help bond Buju Banton out of jail. On October 14th, Buju Banton was offered bail in the sum of $250,000 with security and other strict terms.


The Tampa Tribune reported that Banton's attorney notified the court Tuesday of Marley's offer. The property is said to value $350,000. Stephen Marley is a Grammy winner who beat Banton to win for best reggae album this year.


If released Buju's lawyer still has the daunting task of asking an immigrations judge to issue a similar order.

A Sad day for Reggae Music: Gregory Isaacs dies in London

Reggae legend Gregory Isaacs has died after a battle with cancer.

Isaacs, who was 59 years old, died on Monday morning at his home in London where he spent part of his time.

He leaves behind a wife and children.

Close friends told BBC Caribbean that he had originally been diagnosed with cancer of the liver which had then spread.

The Jamaican reggae singer, who was nicknamed the Cool Ruler, was best known for the song 'Night Nurse'.

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Gregory Isaacs' wife admits he is not doing well

REPORTS coming out of England indicate that the celebrated reggae crooner, the 'cool ruler' Gregory Isaacs is 'not doing well'.

Yesterday, the rumour mill began turning that Isaacs was in a coma and just barely hanging on.

However, in a conversation with the Splash, wife, Linda Isaacs said her husband was not in a coma, but was in fact sleeping.

She did admit however, that "he is not good."

Gyptian Wins 2010 Mobo Award For 'Best Reggae Artist

Gyptian received his trophy for the 2010 MOBO Award live during the ceremony at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England on Tuesday, October 20, 2010. Awarded the 'Best Reggae Artist of the Year,' Gyptian took the stage to accept his prestigious statue infront of a packed house and millions viewing around the world.

"It's an overwhelming feeling winning my first international award," reveals an elated Gyptian. "Give thanks to VP Records, miles ahead in reggae, give thanks to my fans, my management and everyone who has been supporting me on this incredible journey." 

Riley wants his music to be contagious

OMAR Riley is no stranger to reggae music. He is the son of the legendary reggae singer Jimmy Riley. Omar, more popularly known as Tarrus, was born in the Bronx, New York in 1979. During his career, Tarrus has released three albums, Challenges (2004), Parables (2006), and Contagious (2009). Contagious features guest appearances from Damian Marley, Vybz Kartel, Etana, Konshens, Demarco and Duane Stephenson.

Riley’s commercial breakthrough came in 2006 with the Parables album which produced the Jamaican number one single She's Royal. The Far Away singer, who is set to perform on November 8 at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire with David Rodigan, spoke to Juliana Lucas about his success in the music industry.

Have you changed the way you see music since you started recording at the age of 13?

I can’t really see music any other way now. I just really like music. My father is a singer so I used to hang in the studio and thing. At 13 I just loved my music and I just want to be like

people we look up to, people like Shabba Ranks, and that kind of stuff.The older you get the more you get to understand what music is. You start to see music as a treasure. You start seeing the craft of the music and start getting more into it because as a youth you see it as a hobby.

Matisyahu Expands Annual 'Festival of Light' Hanukkah Party

Everyone wants to go home for the holidays but everybody's favorite Hasidic reggae superstar, Matisyahu, is taking his annual holiday celebration on the road this year. After five years of setting up camp in New York for his eight-show Hanukkah residency, known as 'Festival of Light,' Matisyahu announced plans this week to expand the series to include additional nights and cities. 

This year's 'Festival of Light' will kick-off on November 29 at Brooklyn Bowl and will include three additional Brooklyn shows (at the Music Hall of Williamsburg). But the series will then hit additional hot spots including Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia -- nine shows in all, leading up to the last night of Hanukkah, December 9, in Portland, Maine.

While Matisyahu is one of those true performers who makes sure that no two shows are ever the same, the 'Festival of Light' concerts will be especially unique as the MC welcomes a rotating cast of special guests and support acts to join the fanfare. Tickets go on sale this Friday with a special pre-sale for people who "like" Matisyahu onFacebook and who follow him on Twitter before then.

Gyptian Nominated for Soul Train Award

VP Records recording artist Gyptian is piling up on nominations this awards' season with his latest nomination for 'Best Reggae Artist' at this year's Soul Train Awards.


Gyptian is also slated to perform live at the awards ceremony, taking place on Wednesday, November 10 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia. This year's awards will be hosted by actors Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the Soul Train Awards will premiere on both CENTRIC and BET on Sunday, November 28 at 9pm.


Gyptian joins a hotlist of the top entertainers in music today at CENTRIC's second undertaking of the annual awards, including Alicia Keys and Usher who both lead the pack with four nominations, Drake with three nods, and Monica, Nicki Minaj, Janelle Monae, Erykah Badu and Sade with two each. Also joining Gyptian on stage for live performances are Ne-Yo, Rick Ross, Keyshia Cole, R. Kelly, Badu, Cee-Lo and more, proving to be an exciting night for music and for reggae's reigning star.


This is the second major award nomination for Gyptian, as he's also nominated for the 2010 MOBO Award in the UK, also for 'Best Reggae Artist.' He will be attending the MOBO Awards on Wednesday, October 20 in Liverpool, England.

Capleton is Keen on Exposing Local Talents While in Zimbabwe

Organisers of the Dancehall Festival have started scouting for microphone chanters from the ghettos in Harare and Chitungwiza who will have a rare chance to share the stage with Jamaican reggae/dancehall star Capleton.

Capleton, or simply the Prophet, is scheduled to come for two shows one on December 31, and another one on New Year’s Day and he insisted that he was keen on exposing local talent.

According to Godfather Templeman in conjunction with Red Rose Entertainment, King Shango will go on a tour of the ghettos in Harare and Chitungwiza where he is expected to inspire and impart to the youths true values of the Rastafari movement.

"We are scouting for raw ghetto talent and those who qualify will be able to meet and receive mentorship from the Prophet. 

"We are trying our best to cover as much ground to identify the ghetto emcees with the potential so that by the time King Shango arrives on December 29 everything would be in place," he said.

Templeman said besides the main act there is going to be the battle of emcees as part of the festival.

Grammy Winners Ziggy Marley & Steve Martin Sharing Santa Barbara Stage

Students seeking an alternative to the typical Isla Vista party scene can catch Grammy Award winners Steve Martin and Ziggy Marley in concert this weekend.

Although renowned as an iconic comedian, Martin will entertain the Granada one twang of his banjo at a time with his band Steep Canyon Rangers at 8 p.m. tonight. Additionally, Ziggy Marley — son of reggae legend Bob Marley — will give two separate performances on Sunday, the first a family-friendly reggae jam held at UCSB’s Campbell Hall at 3 p.m., followed by a full-length evening performance at the Arlington Theatre downtown at 7 p.m.

Martin’s appearance will offer attendees an evening of good ol’ bluegrass from a man known to grace his activities with a healthy dose of humor — and recently, award-winning rhythm. His first all-music album — The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo — won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album and spent 31 weeks at number one on the Billboard bluegrass chart.

Gyptian For O2 Arena, London

Jamaican-born reggae star Gyptian, who continues to sizzle this year with his single `Hold Yuh,` is set to perform at The O2 Arena in London, the same venue Michael Jackson was slated to headline for his infamous `This Is It` concert.

Gyptian will perform in London along with the iconic Mary J. Blige on the England leg of her UK tour. Gyptian was enlisted for Blige`s new single, `Anything You Want,` which is expected to be on her new album. The reggae-infused track also features Busta Rhymes and has been receiving steady airplay since its release in early September.

Gyptian has been heating up the UK scene recently, with his performance at BBC Radio 1Xtra Live in late September, and will return on October 20 for the MOBO Awards, where he`s nominated for `Reggae Artist of the Year.`