Maldivian Reggae Artist Pardoned by President After 10 Years Sentence for 1 Gram of Cannabis

President Mohamed Nasheed granted clemency to Haisham Mohamed a famous Maldivian Reggae artist, who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment after one gram of cannabis was found inside his bag and his urine was found test was positive for THC, the drug’s active ingredient.


[RELATED ARTICLE: Maldivian Reggae Artist Sentenced to 10 Years for Cannabis Possession ]

Mento Band "Jolly Boys" Personally Invited by Sade to Join her on European Tour

This spring Jamaica's own mento band Jolly Boys will be the envy of many bands globally when they will accompany legendary singer Sade on her tour of Europe.


It has been reported that Sade personally invited the Port Antonio based band to join her as she tour parts of Europe this spring.


Sade has been known for her unique style of music and equally unique taste hence, it comes as no surprise that she would find the Jolly Boys' style of music unique and worthy of her association.

John Brown's Body Tours the US

Dubbed "reverent and revolutionary" by the New York Daily News [US] and a "seriously impressive live prospect” by Total Music Magazine [UK]; eight member band John Brown's Body will be bringing their super heavy rhythms on tour of the United States.

They will kick off a west coast tour with Galactic this Friday, March 25th in Seattle, WA. The run concludes with a two-night stint at The Fillmore in San Francisco, CA on July 29th.

Honour For Arts Centre Where Bob Marley Shot "Is This Love" Video With a Seven Year Old Naomi Campbell

A community centre in Britain where Bob Marley shot his hit music video "Is This Love" will be honoured.


The video featured the signature image of Bob Marley happily strolling down a side walk while hugging two equally happy kids. The female child to Bob's left is super model Naomi Campbell at seven years old.


In an interview Naomi recalled her first time meeting the reggae icon, "I remember being really nervous, being brought to this room to meet Bob Marley and I was like 'I don't want to meet him, he's got worms in his hair'.

WHEN WILL IT END: Buju Banton Sentencing Date Pushed Back

A federal judge in Tampa, Florida, has pushed back the sentencing date for Reggae Grammy winning artist Buju Banton. The first sentencing date was announced for June 16th, however the judge has now push back the date to June 23rd.


Judge James S Moody announced the new date without giving a reason as to why Banton's sentencing has to be delayed. 

Smiley Culture, Famous For 80's Reggae Hit "Police Officer" is Dead After Incident With Police

British Reggae artist and DJ Smiley Culture (real name David Emmanuel)  who scored two chart hits in the Eighties is now dead following an incident with police.


Culture, born and raised in South London, is the son of a Jamaican father and South American mother. In 1985 he became the first British MC to have a hit on the charts when he dropped the popular track "Police Officer" (video BELOW).

Easy Star All-Stars Announced Release of Their First Original Studio Album

Known for their great covers of popular albums in reggae and dub style, the Easy Star All-Stars have officially announced their first full length album of all original material. Appropriately titled "First Light", is expected to be released on April 5th, 2011 and will come out in the UK on May 30th, 2011.

The Easy Star All-Stars have helped to bring the sounds of reggae music to the masses by releasing highly successful series of tribute albums: Dub Side of the Moon (2003), a reggae re-invention of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon; Radiodread (2006), the band's take on Radiohead's OK Computer; Easy Star's Lonely Hearts Dub Band (2009), a cover of Sgt. Pepper's and was the first reggae record to crack the Billboard Top 200 chart in over 2 years; and finally Dubber Side of the Moon (2010) a monumental remix of their landmark album.

Chart Topping Hawaiian Reggae Band "The Green" Embarks On Massive U.S. Tour

With a self titled debut album that blazed it's way to the Billboard's Top 10 Reggae Albums of 2010 list and named iTunes Best Reggae Album of 2010, The Green will be touring the United States in March and April, bringing their sweet sounding roots music that is sure to electrify their US fans and audience.

After 20 Year Break: London's One Love Festival [Bob Marley Tribute] Returns With Impressive Line up

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The One Love Peace Festival is officially back with a huge bang after a twenty year hiatus. The reggae festival  which last took place at the West London Stadium (now renamed the Linford Christie Stadium) in 1991 was attended then by over 25,000 peaceful revelers who turned up to see the likes of The Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor and Barrington Levy.

THIS SATURDAY: 9 Mile Music Festival - Tribute to Bob Marley

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The Bob Marley movement and his family will be staging the 18th annual 9 Mile Music Festival this Saturday, March 12th at Bayfront Park, Downtown Miami, Florida. The Reggae Festival is serves both as a charity event and a tribute to the anniversary of the birth of the Reggae icon Bob Marley, himself.

Jimmy Cliff Bringing his Reggae Classics to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, UK

Jamaica's first international reggae legend, pioneer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Cliff has announced he will be performing at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in the United Kingdom on Thursday, September 1st.


Fans can come out expecting to hear Cliff perform live; songs from his indelible catalog. Songs such as his Grammy Hall of Fame inducted "Many Rivers to Cross" and "The Harder They Come".

Sentencing Date And Time For Buju Banton is Now Set

Buju Banton is expected to know what his sentence will be in June. Banton, born Mark Anthony Myrie is set to be sentenced on Thursday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m. in a Tampa court by Judge James S. Moody Jr.

Prosecutors Oppose Buju Banton's Bail Motion

Prosecutors seem bent on making it real difficult for Buju Banton, every step of the way. Banton's legal team has filed a motion only last week, seeking bail and a new trial, however US prosecutors have now officially opposed the motion.


In a document sent to Buju's legal team, headed by David Markus, Assistant US Attorney James Preston says he is opposed to granting the reggae singer bail pending his appeal and sentencing.

Ziggy Marley at Yesterday's Pop Festival 2011 [VIDEO] Also a Mini Preview of his Upcoming Comic "Marijuanaman' [VIDEO]

Here is a short but entertaining clip of Ziggy Marley at yesterday's Pop Festival, which also featured Columbian Pop Sensation Shakira. 

Below also, see a video preview of his upcoming comic "Marijuanaman" which is expected to hit book stores on April 20.

Legendary Reggae Band Third World to Premiere "Patriots" in New York

Legendary Reggae band Third World will be in New York to premier their latest album, "Patriots". This is the Reggae Grammy nominated band's 23rd album and is produced by Third World Music Group. 

Motion Filed for New Trial and Bail for Buju Banton

A motion was filed today at the Middle District Court, Florida Division in Tampa by Buju Banton's lawyer David Markus to have the Reggae Grammy winning artist released on bail and get a new trial. 


The motion states; “Defendant Mark Myrie respectfully renews his motion for an order releasing him from custodial confinement during the pendency of his direct appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit."

Matisyahu Brings Reggae to the NBA

Top Hasidic Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu will be bringing the sounds of reggae to the NBA, as he will be performing on March 30 in a post-game concert right after the Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets game. The 76ers will be having a “Jewish Heritage Night” and has included Matisyahu in the line-up.


This is expected to be Matisyahu's biggest crowd to date, in the post-game concert at the Wells Fargo Center. Performing after a game which features two of NBA's potential playoff challengers.