Because we’ve become so accustomed to hearing music from the Marley brothers, it is always refreshing when we get songs from one of the sisters; infrequent as it may be.
A few days ago, Sharon Marley blessed us with an unusual but beautiful lovers-rock tune called Steppah. Done in collaboration with the living legend Big Youth, the timely record went live on all streaming platforms just before valentine’s day, with the official video dropping approximately seventy-two hours later.
If you have not yet seen the visuals, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment, and share.
Jam Link International, the organization that’s responsible for Aarhus’ Annual Bob Marley Celebration, has announced the full lineup for the 2024 staging. The event, which will take place on February 24th at Volume Village – Thomas Koppels Gade 201 – in Aarhus, Denmark, will deliver a mix of live music, sound-system juggling, and a digital exhibition centered on reggae music.
This year’s main headliner is Kenyan reggae artist Empress Black Omolo, who is now based in Holland (Netherlands). Omolo officially entered the music scene in 2013, which is when she shared her first recording, Love Your Life. Since then, she has toured all over Europe and has done shows in Jamaica, Brazil, and other regions around the globe, thus cementing her name on the world stage.
In addition to Empress Black Omolo, the celebration will also feature Aarhus’ local reggae ensemble, One Love Marley Band; selectors DJ Henning, Booyaka Sound, and Denali Crew; as well as a cultural presentation by Danish writer Henrik Baek.
Singer, songwriter, and producer Richie Stephens will be live in concert at Blue Skies Beach Resort – Norman Manley Blvd – in Negril, Jamaica this Tuesday, February 13. The event will be hosted by popular radio personality Ron Muschette.
Start Di Fun Entertainment will be hosting Lukie D, Thriller U, Singing Melody, and TonyCurtis (L.U.S.T.), as well as Remone Watson, Andy Blake, and Shameka Clarke at the Lion’s Center – 905 Crewe Road – in George Town, Grand Cayman Islands, on Wednesday, February 14.
This Valentine’s Day concert, dubbed Lover’s Sensation, will be hosted by popular Jamaican comedian Delcita. Regular entrance fee is $100, while VIP is $125.
At the end of January Ghost uploaded the official video for Despite It All to his YouTube channel. For those not in the know, this song – which is a collaboration done with Bounty Killer – was first shared in late September of 2023 via MS Music.
Literally a day after the video was published, Jamaica’s local government election date was announced. This information is relevant because the visuals tell the story of Jamaicans struggling to get by, while both political parties mislead the nation as they, the politicians, forge ahead.
If you have not yet seen the video, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment, and share.
At the end of March, on the 30th to be exact, several veteran reggae and dancehall artists will be at Colonel Lawn in Stewart Town, St. Mary (Jamaica) for Little John‘s Birthday Celebration. Members of the public will be gladly received, providing they pay the cover charge of $6,000 JMD at the gate.
Ken Boothe, Errol Dunkley, Professor Nuts, Leroy Sibbles, Terry Ganzie, Josey Wales, Carl Dawkins, Peter Metro, Fred Locks, Danny English, Fantan Mojah, Louie Culture, George Nooks, Admiral Bailey, Determine, Duane Stephenson, V.C, and Nitty Kutchie, are just some of the names that will be at this event.
The record label that gave us hit compilations like Rock All Riddim, World Rebirth Riddim, and Reggae Sax Riddim, to name a few, is back with another mellifluous project. This past Friday, February 9th, Reggae Vibes Music released their latest juggling; a ten-track reggae anthology dubbed Natural Vibes Riddim. It features Busy Signal, Jah Cure, Turbulence, Pressure Busspipe, Powerman, Lutan Fyah, Kurtiouss, Jay Shephard, Rufftop Rock I, and Ginjah.
Curious to find out how they were able to get a song from Jah Cure, who is currently confined in The Netherlands, I reached out to Reggae Vibes‘ CEO Marlon Folkes, who explained:
“GM MJ. In October 2021 I reached out to Jah Cure for some dubplates because I had a few dj gigs coming up. He sent only one of three dubplates because he had shows in Europe and was working at his own pace and vibe.
At one point I mentioned I have a reggae riddim that I was planning to start working on in a few months. He insisted that I send it to him asap. The dubs were delayed and the events were approaching so I reminded him. He said he was feeling great and the vibe in Europe made him more inclined to record a track on the nameless riddim, which eventually became the Natural Vibes Riddim.
Again I insisted on the dubplates because I really wanted them for the events. Jah Cure, as he is known for, did his own thing and recorded “How Can I Explain’ [his song on the compilation]. A few days later the unfortunate incident occurred.”
The above statement is confirmation that this song from Jah Cure is conceivably one of his last recordings before being locked up. That knowledge, coupled with the fact that all the artists delivered masterfully, are reasons enough to get a copy of this album. Natural Vibes Riddim can be streamed and/or downloaded from iTunes, Deezer, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Amazon, and all other streaming platforms.
MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE 