Top Finalists Announced for Antigua Barbuda Global Music & Media Awards

This past Tuesday, the 10th Annual Antigua Barbuda Global Music & Media Awards (ABGMA) announced the top finalists for the Island Groove Awards, Media Awards, and Gospel Music Awards via their official Facebook and Instagram pages.

With over 60 categories and 245,143 votes cast across three segments, the finalists represent the pinnacle of creative and media excellence and showcase the diverse talent in music, media, and entertainment from Antigua, the Caribbean, and beyond.

The ABGMA will kick off on Thursday, November 28, 2024 with an Empowerment Summit preceding the Embark Gospel Voice-Caribbean Edition Artist Showcase. The Summit will feature inspiring talks from industry professionals, including Andrew “Smilus” Dorsett, Lady C, and Shoggy Shoggz. It will be hosted by Dr. Apostle Stanshaw Cornelius, founder and chairperson of ABGMA and president/CEO of So Arise Music International.

 Artists, musicians, and other industry professionals are invited to register to attend both the Empowerment Summit and the Embark Gospel Voice-Caribbean Edition Artist Showcase for free. Tickets are available for the general public. For additional information visit: soarisemusic.com/embarkgospelvoicecaribbean. This incredible event will celebrate the best in music, media, and gospel artistry.

Rock The Bells Cruise 2024 Is One Month Away

Excitement is building for the upcoming Rock the Bells Cruise, happening on November 13-17. The Norwegian Gem leaves the Port of Miami on November 13 at 3:30 p.m. and will make stops in Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau in The Bahamas before returning to Miami. 

The impressive lineup includes Busta Rhymes, Method Man & Redman, Jadakiss, Scarface, Rakim, Talib Kweli, Digable Planets, Twista, Goodie Mob, Sa-Roc, and others. Some of hip-hop’s best DJs are also on the program: Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mannie Fresh, Kool DJ Red Alert, DJ Epps, and that is just to name a few. For more info, visit rockthebellscruise.com.

Praise In The Park 2024

Everyone is invited to Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica, for the annual Praise in the Park gospel concert on Thursday, October 17, starting at 5:30 p.m. local time. This year’s performers are Kevin Downswell, Johnmark Wiggan, and Carey Sayles, with host Markland Edwards at the helm. It is free and open to the public. 

Praise in the Park 2024 is being powered by Credit Unions of Jamaica, with additional support from sponsors Cuna Caribbean Insurance, Cumax Wealth Management Ltd., New Insight Event Services, and SIPS.

Lyfe Jennings Has 3 Dates At Blue Note Hawaii Next Weekend

R&B and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and instrumentalist Lyfe Jennings will be doing six sets at Blue Note (2335 Kalakaua Avenue) in Honolulu, Hawaii, next weekend, October 18-20. On all three dates, he will do two sets, the first at 6:30 p.m. and the other at 9:00 p.m. 

Jennings is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Lyfe 268-192,” and as such, has just re-shared a rebooted version of his 2004 megahit “Must Be Nice.” He also released its official video, which has a lot of the original actors from the first visual. If you have not yet seen it, click here or on the image above to check it out, and remember to like, comment, and share.

Vote Of Thanks From The Organizers Of The 2024 Aarhus Reggae Festival

So the 2024 Aarhus Reggae Festival has come to an end. We at Jam Link International would like to sincerely thank everyone that supported the event this year.

To those who stopped by our acoustic stage, we thank you. We are sure you will agree that Katinka and Kamla Marie made it worth your while. The ladies were amazing, and their great showmanship has inspired us to create a similar platform next year.

A heartfelt thank you to Henrik and Thomas from Marley Coffee (for keeping us warm), to Thomas and the Cookadeli Food Truck, and to Jeff the chef and the Jamaican crew from Hotpots Jamaican cuisine

Give it up for Jade from Melanin Spot for creating the Reggae Market Place with beautiful jewelry, t-shirts, and souvenirs. Thank you Joseph Still Cool for setting up Rastaman Vibration with the original vinyl shop and for supporting Katinka on stage with your steal drum.

We saw the outstanding execution of reggae music by all the singers, selectors, and musicians. First to our hardworking selectors, Tiger Moth, Riddim Fex, and Kalima Sound, thank you for kicking the festival off with roots reggae and lots of dubplates.

To all bands and singers:  
Kass Smith, the Jamaican/Mexican Reggae veteran and entrepreneur who traveled for 3 days straight to come kick off the live show in authentic reggae style, showing his versatility and showmanship with his voice range, dance moves, and crowd interaction—the complete entertainer. Nuff respect Kass!

Norrisman from Kingston, Jamaica, based in Sweden, showed his experience, class, and stagecraft, starting off slow and completely turning Volume Village upside down! Big up yourself, Norrisman!

Exco Levi, the Jamaican Canadian champion reggae ambassador, touring and promoting his “Born to Be Free” album did not disappoint. He captivated the audience with his melody and style with both old-school riddims and songs from his new album and showed why he is a force to be reckoned with—Bless Up Exco! Thanks to Ditte and Kamla for joyfully providing harmony during the Exco Levi performance. Your beautiful melodies enhanced the showcase, and showed that there is love for reggae in Aarhus City. Nuff Respect.

Tormod and the Hafizi Crew, you guys showed top-class professionalism and delivered an awesome show with stamina and energy from start to finish, thank you and Nuff respect! 

To Unstoppable Fyah – your love for the music is resolute. You are super talented and your career will only blossom from here on, Nuff respect!     

To Ancel and Tenner – Drivers and Artist logistics in Copenhagen, thank you so much, you guys rock! Chalot – Thank you for your support and consistent presence on Social Media!

King Kenny, DJ XZYL, PhatGal, Clovis, Big Foot Sound kept the Afterparty bubbling – Thank You all for the music and good vibes. Collectively and individually you all made it a night to remember! We would also like to say a big thanks to the entire staff and crew at Volume Village for partnering with us this year, and for their hard work and professionalism. 

To our Sponsors: Maria Jackson 27 Magazine, Aarhus Kommune and Gaffa – thank you for getting behind the vision.

To our Jam Link International family and extended family (volunteers): Henzel Korslund Clarke, Winston Williams, Shelly-Ann Jackson, Anne Korslund Clarke, Yoandry Ethian González, Elin Arnadottir and Lara Larusdottir, Kay Fash, Yvonne Pederson……… thank you for helping to make the vision a reality.

And finally, to you the patrons, who came out to the event, we say a sincere thanks from all our hearts to yours. We love and appreciate your support, and we look forward to seeing you next year.

Jam Link International’s next big event is the Bob Marley Birthday Celebration in February 2025 – more information coming soon.

DJR Unleash Global Chart Results (07/10/24)

#1. Love Is Where You Find It  Asante Amen – 1 Harmony Muzik

#2. Description – Inspiiyad – Inspiiyad Muzik

#3. Breathe – Ch4se

#4.  Smile Today – Hezron – Tads Records

#5. Caribbean Vacation – Fancy D. – Zenith Zone Records

The above chart airs on Disc-Jock Redeem‘s Positive Vibrations radio show on BoBo 89.1 FM in the Cayman Islands each and every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (CST), with rebroadcasts on Movements I Radio on Sundays at 1:00 p.m. (CST), and One Harmony Radio on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m. (CST).

Catch Cham At The Webster On Oct. 27th

Dancehall star Cham (formerly Baby Cham) will perform at The Webster (31 Webster Street) in Hartford, Connecticut, on Sunday, October 27th. This is an all-ages event that’s scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. local time. 

As this show is happening a few days before Halloween, the organizers are having a Halloween costume contest that will see the winner getting US$1,000. The judges will be looking for the sexiest, scariest, and most creative ideas. Click here for more info.