This Is Jamaica (&caribbean)

Damian Marley

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Connor Casner and Willow Delgado wrote this formy.hsj.org—it is an example of secondary school students’ interest in writing about the Caribbean.

Damian was two years old when his father, Bob Marley, died; he is the only child born to Marley and Cindy Breakspeare, Miss World 1976. Damian’s nickname Junior Gong is derived from his father’s nickname of Tuff Gong. Marley has been performing since the age of 13.Marley has described his music as “dancehall and reggae. I’ve noticed…people trying to separate the two of them,” he continues. “It’s Jamaican culture in general. I don’t …..[Full article HERE]

Snoop Lion, former Snoop Dogg, is one of the latest celebrities to be hit with a tax lien by the IRS.

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However, the West Coast rap legend, turn reggae star, will not be going to prison.

Snoop Lion was hit with a $546,000 tax lien earlier this year after failing to pay taxes between 2009 and 2011,

Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, has settled his tax debt with the IRS and the lien was released.

Snoop Lion recent drop his reggae debut album Reincarnated and an accompanying documentary of the same name chronicling his spiritual transformation into Rastafarian.

UK CONCERTS

BERES HAMMOND, MORGAN HERITAGE & MARCIA GRIFFITHS (flyer attached)

July 17^th :          London @ IndigO2 Greenwich
July 18^th :          Bristol @ O2 Academy
July 19^th :          Birmingham @ Bingley Hall
July 20^th :          Huddersfield @ Cathedral
July 21^st :          London @ Academy

“Marley’s Music Uprising” to Discover Talent Inspired by Bob Marley

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Marley’s Beverage Company, in partnership with Sonicbids has launched “Marley’s Music Uprising,” a contest to discover the next great sound inspired by reggae and influenced by the legendary Bob Marley. The event, led by singer/producer Stephen Marley, was launched on May 1 and will continue until May 15. Members of the Marley family, including Cedella Marley and Ky-Mani Marley, will select 25 artistes or bands from all submissions to be featured on marley.sonichub.com.

About the contest, Stephen Marley explains: “Our father’s music inspires people around the world. With ‘Uprising,’ we carry on his spirit to support creativity and give voice to a new generation of artistes who are following in his footsteps.”

From May 1 to 15, artists will submit original music via marley.sonichub.com to win a series of prizes, including digital downloads, live performances at major summer festivals, and the ultimate prize, a recording session at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, and a track produced by Stephen Marley.

Fans across the country will vote throughout the summer to select the top three bands to advance to the final round and perform live at one of three major music festivals - Sierra Nevada (Mendocino, California), Gathering of the Vibes (Bridgeport, Connecticut) and Caribbean Fever (New York City, New York). The live performances will be captured on video and featured on the website where fans will elect a winning act for the Tuff Gong recording session.

Influential Jamaican saxophonist Cedric Brooks dies at 70

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One of Brooks’ sisters, Paulette Keise, said he died Friday of cardiac arrest at New York Hospital Queens. She said Saturday that he suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes and fell ill several years ago, losing his ability to speak.

Brooks began his music career in the late 1960s as a studio musician, playing in songs such as Burning Spear’s “Door Peep.” He also had hits with trumpet player David Madden including “Money Maker” and “Mystic Mood.” Brooks also was a member of the Jamaican ska band The Skatalites. He is survived by seven children and four sisters.

Electronic Dance Music Meets Roots Reggae

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On an April afternoon inside the rehearsal room at Kingston’s Big Yard Studios, singer Courtney John is working out the live rendition of his current single “Black Cinderella”, an audacious interpretation of Jamaican singer Errol Dunkley’s 1972 hit. Holding the microphone stand, John swoops down, arms flailing as he chants the song’s refrain: “where can I find my black Cinderella?” But John’s falsetto is awash in warbling reverbs and thunderous echoes. To his right, Stephen “Lenky” Marsden pumps out futuristic minor-key synth chords from behind an assortment of keyboards; on John’s left, producer Natassja “The Wizard” Hammond, her dreadlocks swinging, obscuring her face, offers intermittent shards of backing vocals while generating an array of galvanic sound effects from her synthesizer and Apple computer that …[Full article HERE]

The Broad Influence – Bob Marley to Sean Paul and Matisyahu

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A great article by Michael Haskoor (Sonic Scoop) follows the roots of reggae, from ska and rocksteady, through music history since the advent of Bob Marley, the Beltones, and other groups, to the newest sounds today, including dancehall, reggae punk rock, rap, and dub step, among other genres. He argues that “Regardless of what the future may hold for reggae, we can be sure that its classics will never sound old.”

In the late 1960’s, a genre emerged in Jamaica that would revolutionize the music industry forever. When Bob Marley laid down his anthem to Jamaica, “One Love,” who knew that reggae music would be where it is today — with the studio playing a major part in the creative process. Jamaica is the undisputed original source of reggae. According to Marley, the term “reggae” is translated from Spanish to mean “the king’s music.” This genre has been the language of the soul for …[Full article HERE]