The popular Reggae platform, Zona Reggae, announced its top 100 Reggae songs for 2015, and on the list is “Ganja Morning” by veteran roots artist Mikey General and Mr. Williamz. The site said that in selecting the top 100 Reggae songs for the year they focused on quality of production, message, lyrics, originality and popularity. Also featured on the list are songs from Fantan Mojah, Kabaka Pyramid, Lutan Fyah and several other well known Jamaican artists.

Listen to “Ganja Morning” here:

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) has shifted into high gear with the planning of the 9th staging of the annual Reggae Month celebration in February. Emerging as a distinctive brand on Jamaica’s cultural landscape, Reggae Month has garnered international attention attracting over 20,000 attendees in 2015. The month long festival of events pays tribute to the indisputable global impact of Jamaica’s musical heritage.Under the theme “Reggae Mekyah”, Reggae Month 2016’s calendar of activities features JaRIA’s signature events including , Reggae Open University, the JaRIA Honour Awards and its signature Reggae Wednesdays which will transform Mandela Park with weekly performances every Wednesday as of February 3, 2016 from musical icons and rising reggae stars.

The announcement of this year’s theme is coupled with exciting news from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) who named Kingston as one of the 47 creative cities in the world, specifically named for music. Thus JaRIA will continue to play its part in ensuring that Kingston continues to be the mecca of reggae through its own events as well as endorsements of other events showcasing music all month long. In this regard, JaRIA invites all event organizers and promoters to submit applications for their respective events to be endorsed and included on the Reggae Month Calendar. The calendar is widely promoted bringing patrons from all corners of the globe to Jamaica, the reggae capital. All reggae, musical or cultural events in Jamaica, slated for February 1-29 are applicable. To apply, organizers are being asked to contact JaRIA via email jaria.org@gmail.com no later than January 20th, 2016.

About Reggae Month
Reggae Month was first staged in 2008 by the Ministry of Culture. In 2009 the festival was mandated to Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) as the lead organizing entity of Reggae Month as a way of fostering unity in the Reggae industry. JaRIA diversified the Reggae Month programme by establishing signature events which augmented its celebratory note. The focus of Reggae Month is “edutainment” highlighting Jamaica’s musical history and heritage. The programme has garnered international attention and pays tribute to the global impact of our musical heritage. The success of Reggae Month was made possible by the overwhelming support of the local media partners, music industry practitioners, dedicated government and corporate sponsors who share JaRIA’s vision of making Jamaica the Reggae Mecca of the World.

“Royal Hail,” the six-track album from veteran Reggae artist Mikey General, is among Reggaeville’s top albums for 2015. It was released digitally on August 13th, 2015, with full production credits going to Papa Michigan.

When he found out about the record being nominated as Reggaeville’s top Reggae album for 2015, Mikey General took to social media to ask his fans to vote for him. He wrote the following on his Facebook page: AH bless and protect us all.Please vote for my album in Reggaeville album of the year 2015Produced by Papa Michigan,Please and thanks!!!JAH love.

Here is the link with instructions on how to vote for “Royal Hail” by Mikey General: http://www.reggaeville.com/nc/albumoftheyear2015.html

Following his previous 2002 Grammy nomination for “A New Day”, reggae royalty Luciano receives the prestigious nod again this year for his latest album “​​Zion Awake”, released by JamStyle Records via VPAL ​Music, VP Records’ distribution arm.

The inspirational songwriter, brilliant singer and international ambassador of Jamaican ​Reggae, was born Jepther W. McClymont in Davey Town, near Mandeville in the parish of Manchester, Jamaica. Luciano is constantly working to advance and preserve roots and culture of the genre and maintains the integrity of the music by expressing spirituality and conscientiousness with sincerity. He remains a leader among the next generation Reggae artists who’ve held fast to the music’s original intentions.

“Zion Awake” is the perfect example of his steadfast mission to spread the message. The album is produced by Homer Harris, the man crucial to the entry of both Luciano and Sizzla to the reggae scene back in the eighties.

​Standouts include “Melody,” a song mixing lyrics of Barry Manilow’s “Mandy” and The Beatles “Yesterday,” the instant classic “Prophecy,” “Slavery” and the stellar rendition feat​uring Lutan Fyah of the Abyssinians’ classic “Satta-Mass-Gana.”
Link to purchase “Zion Awake” on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/zion-awake/id928720118

“Zion Awake” Track Listing

1 Come Alive
2 Slavery
3 Satta-Mass-Ghanna
4 Take More Than Money
5 Prophecy
6 Melody
7 Awake
8 Thanking You God
9 Not Easy
10 Wondering What You’ve Done
11 A Little Bit of Love Luciano
12 Songs

The green light has been given for patrons attending the popular annual Rastafarian-based music festival, Rebel Salute, in St Ann, to have in their possession and smoke a limited quantity of ganja at the event – slated for January 15 and 16, 2016.

The event, which was launched on Thursday, December 17, has been granted an exemption under the Ganja Decriminalisation Act.

Justice Minister Mark Golding said all patrons will be exempt as long as they follow the conditions set out by the law.

This includes sticking to the prescribed two ounces of the weed, and extends not only to the venue, but to persons who are on their way to the festival, who will be required to demonstrate that fact.

Minister Golding said it is the second exemption application to have been reviewed by an advisory committee that has been in place since the law was passed.

The first exemption was granted to a Rastafarian festival that was held in Negril.

The Justice Minister said a protocol has been established, which the police are working with. He said it has been successful so far.

This past weekend, Jam Link Intl. hosted the 2nd annual Aarhus Xmas Reggae Splash in Aarhus, Denmark. The live show featured performances by Omar Perry, Karamanti and Pops Jabu, all backed by the More Fyah Band. After the event, the promoters posted the following on their FB page:

Jam Link Intl. would like to say thank you to everyone who came out to the 2nd Annual Aarhus Xmas Reggae Splash, as well as all those who worked behind the scenes to make it a success. Special thanks to the live performers: Omar Perry, Karamanti, Pops Jabu and the More Fyah Band. Also want to thank our selectors: Ruby Sound, Denali Sound, Kali-Ma Sound, Tiger Moth, DJ Jazz, Dancehall Ceasar and Papa Bongo. A big thank you to V58 for hosting us again this year and special thanks to our sound engineer for the night, Don Brock. To the Jam Link Intl’s graphics and media team: Thomas (graphics) / MJ Magazine (media), we say thanks. Finally, to everyone who shared the event on social media or told a friend about it, we thank you as well.