No Bail For Buju

Before the Dawn, is Buju's newest CD, which will be released September 28th, but even so this CD is bitter sweet for the Jamaican born reggae singer as he sits in a Tampa jail. Earlier this week, Buju's drug trial was declared a mistrial by a juror of 12 people. The group was split as to the guilt/innocence of the 4 time Grammy nominatee.

Despite the verdict in this controversial case of conspiracy Buju will not be going home anytime soon.  His bail was promptly deny after being filed by his attorney.  The judge was apparently not satisfied with the his attorney's reason for requesting bail.  A new trial is set for early December.

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More Fire For Capleton

The Port Maria born native, Clifton George Bailey otherwise known as Capleton has come over more fire recently. The Gay Liberation Network (GLN) is threating to boycott his upcoming concert which is scheduled to start in September commercing in New Haven Connecticut and cuminating in Stone Mountain Georgia.

The GLN wants to cancel the concert because they fear that Capleton lyrics are homophobic in nature and threaten the lives of gay individuals. Capleton has desputed the allegations made by the GLN.
Photo by reggaephotos.de

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Really get to know more about Capleton, the fiyah man.
Check out is new CD, soon to be released.

Can Jamaica Lose Reggae?

This Roots and Culture flyer was displayed in Moscow, Russia. Even in a place as cold and as foreign as Russia, reggae rules. The Japanese love it, the Latinos too have their own favor of reggae known as Reggaeton.
So is reggae just for the Jamaicans? And is reggae just performed strictly by Jamaicans? The astounding answer to that question is, no. We might not be the only own performing and it certainly is not just for Jamaicans. The whole world loves reggae, but the most interesting question is, Can Jamaica lose reggae? Can it be taken over by other countries eager to overthrown Jamaica as the leader in reggae music. Again the answer is no.

As Jamaicans we should feel a certain amount of pride in knowing that we are imitated global. But that is all, it is. It is an imitation. No one anywhere can produce the sounds of reggae like a Jamaica. There is only one
Reggae is an intimate part of the Jamaican culture, it is our roots.
Photo by dubwise.ru

Jamaicans or Japanese?

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Buju Banto Rising Star or Convicted Felon

Earlier this year Buju Banton was arrested and alleged to have purchased a significant amount of cocaine from an informant he recently met. He is charged with possision of a dangerous drug with the intent of distribution.

Mark Myrie, the 4 time grammy nominee, otherwise known as Buju holds fast that he is innocent and has been framed by a close associates. Despite being arrest and jailed, Buju will release his latest album, "Before the Dawn" which is scheduled to be released later this year.

Sound out about the fate of Buju. Will he be found guilty and forced to spend the rest of his life in jail or will be cleared of drug possesion charges?
Photo by zzzkuba

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Images Buju Banton Videos of Buju Banton WikiPedia talks about Buju Banton Support Buju Banton. Check out:Before The Dawn

The Abyssinians

In 2002, I had the opportunity to meet the members of the Abyssinian, a Jamaican roots music group that gained much notarity with their rasta anthem "Satta Massa Ganna", a popular roots tune in the 1960's. The group tours occasionally, but seem to have lost the splendor of the early roots years. This may be partially due to the steaming controversy forged by 2 of the original members of the group. But that's a story for another day.

I had the opportunity to speak with them at length after the show. They remain optimistic about their future, root music and their abiding spirituality in Jah. Photo Credit PaulaGrant

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Really get to know more about the Abyssinians . Check them out: Satta Massagana (Dlx) (Ocrd)

Elephant Man

Elephant Man is probably one of Jamaica's most popular DJs. His energetic antics on and off stage make him a favorite for many dancehall enthuses. It wouldn't be an understatement either to say that he is one of the most colorful character in musical industry.

His dance moves are sizzling and his songs are outrageous. What do you think about Elephant Man? Can he bus a move pon deh river? Photo Credit: nicholesky

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Ms Lou Talks About Language & Mento

One of Jamaica's greatest heroes of all time is Hon. Lousie Bennett. She was a comedian, author and talk show personality and so much more.

Ms. Bennett is to be credited for giving patois, the everyday language of the Jamaican people, a rightful place in the Jamaica's conscientiousness. She encouraged Jamaicans everywhere to embrace the "bad language" that we all grew up hearing day and to recognize that it too has it's place in defining who we are as Jamaicans.

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Really get to know more our Ms Louise Bennett. Check out: Yes M Dear: Live

Marica Griffiths

Marica Griffiths
Photo by Paula Grant

Marcia Griffiths, one of the orginal members of the I-threes was in rare form in this performance in Boston Masschusett. In a little corner of Boston, she sang songs only a songbird could sing.

And of course, this concert would not have been complete without her singing one of the best songs for any line dance -

Damien Marley

Damien Marley
Originally uploaded by Paula Grant

This picture of Damien Marley was taken in Boston Massachusett about 5 years ago. This was an awesome concert. He also had his brother Ziggy Marley there. It was so difficult to get any photos because his manager (I suppose) forbade any pictures to be taken. What they didn't know was how determined I can be. I managed to get a few pictures. This was one of the best ones.

Hottest Regggae Artist

I had a difficult time deciding how to title this poll. I thought about "Favorite Reggae Artist", but decided to go with Hottest Reggae Artist. Maybe they are the same thing to some people. Are these artists your favorites or are they the hottest?

Alton Ellis

Photo by Trojan Warrior

Alton Ellis Rules

For over 40 years, Alton Ellis has been singing the songs that everyone loves to hear the world over. In this shoot, he belts one out for his audience in the Basque Country, a region between Spain and France, in the south-west of Europe. Enjoy the music of Alton Allis.

Bounty Killa

Photo by a trying youth

Bounty Killa

With a name like Bounty Killa, what would you expect from from one of Jamaica's wickest DJ? After being shot in 1986, he took the dreaded name of 'Bounty Killa'.

Born in 1972, in one of Kingston's poorest communities, Bounty Killa aka Rodney Basil Price soon realized that DJ'ing was what he was borned to do.

Elephant Man

Photo submitted by Daniel Heaf.
Elephant's Man's 'Pon deh River' might have been a hit for main stream reggae, but personally it didn't do much for me. I'm not knocking Elephant Man, the artist. He's just not my cup of tea when it comes to reggae. Please no hate mail. It's just my opinion.

Jimmy Cliff

Photo submitted by offshore.
The famed star of 'The Harder They Come', a story of a Jamaican rude boy was born James Chambers in the parish of St. James.

Seen here in this 1979 shot, Cliff toured widely to much of Europe Latin American and Africa, singing his 'Wonderful world, beautiful people' and his own penned song, 'You can get it if you really want'. More Jimmy Cliff hits.

Cecile

Photo submitted by [bass].

Watty Burnett

One of Jamaica's legendary reggae singers. Watty Burnett was born in the parish of Port Antonio and was a member Congos and for a period of time worked under the guidance of Lee Scratch Perry. Check out recordings by Congos
Photo submitted by Joshua B.

Shaggy

Photo submitted by partagas66.

Born Orville Richard Burrell, this Kingston native migrated to Brooklyn, NY and found his passion for DJ'ing. His single Boombastic helped to put him on the front page of reggae. Soon after, other hits followed, 'It wasn't me', 'Angel' and scores of others hits. More Shaggy hits

Beenie Man

Photo submitted by Daniel Heaf.

Sim Simma! Reggae Grammy nominee Beenie Man is best known for his DJ Reggae hit Sim Simma, but the DJ Don is not contended with simmering down any time soon, especially after crooning with one of today's hottest R&B divas, Janet Jackson.

Burning Spear

Burning Spear, originally uploaded by dizzyisland.

One of many singers responsible for idolizing Marcus Garvey.

Red Rat

Red Rat, originally uploaded by jusan.

Jamaica's Red Rat performing in 1999.