Andrew Tosh

Rastafari Rootzfest™, the first legally exempt ganja event in Jamaica, was designed as a celebration of indigenous Rastafari livity including the spiritual and physical importance of cannabis as a sacramental herb.  The second staging of Rastafari Rootzfest™ returns to Long Bay Beach Park in global ganja capital Negril from December 9-11, 2016.  The three day and night festival opens at 12noon daily and will feature over 50 exhibitors and top ital food brands in the Ganja Expo and Rasta Village.

Addressing the audience at the festival’s Kingston media launch, Rastafari Rootzfest CEO Ras Iyah V, announced the line-up for two nights of signature Reggae concerts on the beach with a solid lineup of Jamaican talent taking the stage December 9^th and 10^th including – Freddie McGregor, Half Pint, Sister Carol, Protoje, Richie Spice, Andrew Tosh, Chezidek, Lutan Fyah, Dre Island, Daweh Congo, Sevana and Yvad backed by the Hi-Grade Band. Nyahbinghi House drummers and guest djs will provide an ongoing soundtrack for festival guests, from the extensive catalogue of Rastafari chants and anthems to the countless cannabis themed recordings created by Reggae artistes such as Peter Tosh whose international ganja anthem ‘Legalize It’, is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

This year’s seminar series will be presented in association with Oaksterdam University, the festival’s International Education Partner and America’s first cannabis college. Topics will be explored through two growers workshops and 10 seminars on a various aspects including Investment, Standards, Innovation and Technology. Rastafari Rootzfest is committed to enabling the growth of Jamaica’s cannabis, tourism, wellness and entertainment industries through the participation of indigenous and grassroots people in the new green economy. The festival offers opportunities for networking, exposure to best practices and global research trends as well as investment and educational opportunities. 

Ganjamaica Cup cannabis competition has been launched and growers island-wide are invited to enter and showcase indigenous plant strains to be judged by an expert panel.   The cup is open to resident and non-resident growers partnering with Jamaican growers and entry fee is J$10,000/submission with a completed entry form. Submissions are open to December 2, 2016 and the winners will be recognized at the festival’s awards ceremony on Sunday at 5pm.   Rastafari Rootzfest™ is sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), Alpha Cat, Yellow Bird Resort, Skunk Magazine, Bess FM, IRIE FM and endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Negril Chamber of Commerce and the Westmoreland Hemp & Ganja Farmers Association (WHGFA) and approved by the Ministry of Justice.  Production partners are John Swaby Entertainment, Reggae 360X, Kush Art, Janai Productions, Ganjagram, Goffe Law Office and Villa Loyola.

Tickets go on sale island-wide on November 25th at Fontana Pharmacies and Western Sports Centre Negril. Must be 18 years or older to attend. ID required.

For more info visit http://www.rastafarirootzfest.com/

Etana kicked off her “Forever Reggae Tour” on November 16th. She is joined by both Iba Mahr & Fyahkin. Below are all the remaining dates, cities and venues. Get a ticket, get out there and support Jamaica’s Reggae music.

Nov. 24 – Minneapolis – Wilebski’s Blues Saloon
Nov. 25 – Kansas City – KZ’s Night Club
Nov. 26 – St. Louis – Cherokee Performing Arts Center
Nov. 27 – Chicago – Wild Hare
Dec. 02 – Michigan – Kola Lounge
Dec. 03 – Pittsburgh – Club Taboo
Dec. 05 – Knoxville – Pour House
Dec. 07 – Rhode Island – The Parlor
Dec. 08 – Boston – Brighton Music Hall
Dec. 09 – Washington DC – Howard Theatre
Dec. 10 – Cincinnati – Elegant Event Center
Dec. 11 – New York – Milk River

Story by Sheron Pearson

Bushman, Queen Ifrica & Tony Rebel (Photo Credit: Vanessa Duncan)

Rebel Salute 2017 is the 23rd staging of the outdoor cultural extravaganza, the brainchild of international artist Patrick “Tony Rebel” Barrett. He revealed his vision for January 2017 at Milk River Bar & Lounge in Brooklyn and was more than ably assisted in delivering that message (in order of appearance) by the likes of Ras Shilo, Bushman, Ed Robinson, Gully Bop and Queen Ifrica who also aired tracks from her new album Climb in the form of a listening/album release/mini concert.

Media was invited to hear the plans for 2017 and you could tell by the numbers in attendance that they were already fired up. Jamaica’s new Consul General to New York, Ms. Trudy Deans gave her endorsement in her address to those present. Irie Jam Radio provided live streaming of the event with commentary from Irwine Clare and music from Chris the Dub Master who kept the non-stop party vibe going.

The atmosphere was upbeat as Tony Rebel and members of his team advised the media of what the public could expect for January 13-14 in Priory St. Ann. With a line-up that includes veterans Derek Morgan, Bernard Collins from the Abyssinians, Third World, Johnny Osborne, Anthony B, Ed Robinson Junior Kelly, Half Pint, Wayne Wonder, Bushman, and artists like Ras Shilo, Shevaun, Agent Sasco and Queen Ifrica, representing the younger artists blazing trails in their own right.

For the eco-friendly and adventurous, there’s a camp site where, for $40 per night, you can get back to nature; for those seeking a more luxurious experience; special deals can be had from hotel partners Cardiff Hall and The Hilton Montego Bay with the latter providing shuttle service to the site.

Patrons will certainly not be bored at the two day event, they can attend the Fashion Village with its emphasis on culture evident in the clothing, jewelry and shoes on sale and display, the abundance of food items to sample and many patrons will no doubt flock to the event to experience the so-called‘Herb Curb’ an area designated not just to promote the smoking of weed, but also to provide a showcase for its by-products and myriad uses. This is perhaps one of the few venues in Jamaica where ganja will be openly smoked without fear of reprisal – the organizers having been granted special license. While the ganja will be smoked freely, Rebel Salute is an otherwise drug free, alcohol free,violence free and meat free exposition celebrating quality cultural music, lifestyle and heritage.

GRAMMY TO RAAAStafari

With all due respect to the artists who performed snippets of what they would be delivering in January 2017, the focus for the night was definitely on Queen Ifrica, who delivered a jaw-dropping selection of songs from her new album Climb. Performing barefooted, as has become her custom, she teased her band members and joked with the back-up singers all while unveiling an electrifying introduction to her new project. From Lioness on the Rise that had all the patrons singing along to Love is not Blind,That’s How it is Sometimes, Ask Mi Granny, Good Man, Lie Dem ah Tell Seh Jamaica Mash up to her brilliant mash-up of Let’s Act Silly, which incorporated Ed Sheeran’s mega hit Thinking out Loud and Tarrus Riley’s Gimme Likkle One Drop. There was no stopping the aptly named fyah mumma who demonstrated her rapid fire spitting skills on Medical Marijuana. Definitely anthemic – the single Climb, named after the album was an inspired and inspiring piece of work. Watch out for Black Woman (scheduled for a January 2017 release) which had many thumping their approval on every available wooden surface. I hope the VP distributed album makes the Grammy nomination for 2017!

This writer is already planning for 2017 in Grizzly’s Plantation Cove, Priory, St. Ann. For more information check out http://www.rebelsalutejamaica.com

“Unforgettable” is the end of year concert of the Avant Academy of Music (located in Kingston, Jamaica). The event takes place on December 11th at the academy and this year’s special guest performer will be the legendary Ken Boothe.

The cost of the tickets are $2,500 pre sold and $3,000 at the gate. Avant Academy of Music clients pay $1,000 Pre Sold and $1,500 at the gate.

“Unforgettable” celebrates classic catalogues of music and this is the reason why Ken Boothe has been selected because of his vast repertoire of well written hit songs that have defined what is great about Jamaican music.

Also on the program will be performances from students and teachers, showcasing the work done at Avant Academy of Music in Music Education. For more information on this event, please click here to join their page on facebook.

Article by Nat Ladiva

MAMAKAFFE, une artiste née en Côte d’Ivoire, s’est installée en Jamaïque où elle a rejoint le mouvement nayabinghi rasta et a commencé à faire de la musique roots reggae. Après avoir terminé son premier EP, elle a lancé une tournée mondiale pour la promouvoir.

Elle prepare son nouvelle album avec ROGER GRANT son manager au USA et reviendra en europe pour des tournees en 2017 avec des artistes de renommees comme LES FRERES REID.

Elle était Élu BEST ARTIST et BEST VIDEO CLIP au AKADEMIA MUSIC AWARDS à LOS ANGELES en octobre 2016 avec le titre de “beauté de jah plan” qui est une reprise de RITA MARLEY.

The heartfelt vocals of Jah Cure call out for desire and devotion on his new single “Telephone Love,” officially released November 4th on VP Records. The single follows the success of his recent video “Rasta” off his 2016 Grammy nominated album The Cure, which is currently receiving rotation on BET Soul.

Download or stream now:
https://JahCure.lnk.to/Telephone

Sheldon Senior’s new track, “Fire-stick,” is the story of two lovers from early school days that grew apart because of family decisions, but uniting at least for one more moment in time and realizing that their feelings has not and would not change over time. Click here or on the image above to listen.