Entertainment News
December 2005

Vybz Kartel Ties the Knot

Vybz Kartel (b. Adidjah Palmer) tied the knot with his lover of four years, Stacy Elliott on December 22, 2005 in a private ceremony before a marriage officer at the Registrar General Department branch office on Trevennion Park in Kingston, Jamaica. The rudebwoy deejay proposed a week earlier, "Last week, mi just get up mad and decide fi do it, is like mi get a wedding fever from wha day because my babymother's mother got married recently and I was the best man for the groom, so I just decided to do it... It's all good, I am in love, I am happy, this is just glorious," said Kartel. He met his bride at a stage show in Brooklyn in 2001 when they immediately hit it off. Elliott, a 31-year-old bank supervisor, grew up in Kingston until age 8. She currently lives in the Bronx, New York. The couple plans to honeymoon in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Hype TV Joins DIRECTV’s WorldDirect™ Programming Platform

DIRECTV’s culturally-relevant programming continues with the addition of HYPE TV, the first and only 24-hour Caribbean music and entertainment channel. HYPE TV is available on an a-la-carte basis for $9.99 per month with the purchase of any DIRECTV base programming package.
Based in Kingston Jamaica, Hype TV is designed for viewers who have cultural ties or simply desire to learn more about the region’s rich and vibrant heritage. “The number of people of Caribbean descent living in the U.S. continues to grow, along with a corresponding demand for programming pertinent to their culture,” said Aaron McNally, vice president, DIRECTV International.

Hype TV shares the Caribbean experience through music, fashion and culture, with programming directly from Jamaica, Trinidad, Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Lucia and featuring Dancehall, Soca and Reggae music. Viewers may tune into "Video Friday" for its Friday night club setting, and "VTX" The Caribbean Video Countdown, which showcases the region’s top artists and features celebrity hosts from Caribbean music and fashion.

Super Cat Has Run-In with the Law

Super Cat (b. William Maragh) known for hits 'Don Dada', 'Cabin Stabbin', 'Si Boops Deh', and 'Nuff Man ah Dead,' was badly assaulted by Long Island police officers over the Thanksgiving weekend. The alleged beating took place in Long Island, NY outside of Off Track Betting (OTB). Allegedly Super Cat attended the OTB with a friend and after placing a bet with the cashier realized that it was not the bet that he wanted to make. When he returned to the cashier to rectify the situation, the cashier notified him that the race had already started and there was nothing that could be done at that point. Super Cat was upset and by all indications, created a scene. OTB employees called the police when the situation got out of handand the police escorted Super Cat out of the building. Surprisingly the ticket that the cashier had given him had actually won some money and Super Cat asked police if he could return to the OTB to cash his ticket.

He was granted permission but after he tried to go back in, the cops reportedly jumped on him and beat him for about ten minutes. Super Cat had to be hospitalized and was also arrested and charged. He was released after making bail for an undisclosed amount. This is not the first run-in that Super Cat has had with the law. In 1991, he was acquitted of killing Jamaican entertainer Nitty Gritty in New York. The toaster was alleged to have shot 'Nitty Gritty' during a dispute in a recording studio.

Music News

Matisyahu, the dancehall toasting Hasidic Jew, recently released a video for "King Without A Crown." The video can be seen exclusively on mtvU ÜBER.

JetStar Records has recently coupled Jah Cure with Richie Spice for their "Toe to Toe" Series. The tracks alternate between artists with mostly already released material. Other Toe to Toe match-ups have included Luciano/Bushman, Capleton/Sizzla, Elephant Man/Vybz Kartel, and Sanchez/Ghost to name a few.

There is now a way to get a glimpse of Jah Cure in prison. Downsound Records is streaming his latest video, "True Reflections" which was recorded in jail. To watch the video, click here. Other videos on the Downsound site include Fantan Mojah's "Hail the King" and DYCR's "Misunderstanding."

The video for "Road to Zion," the next single from Damian Marley's chart-breaking album, "Welcome to Jamrock," is available. Watch "Road to Zion" featuring Nas on MTV, BET, and on the web. Visit http://www.damianmarleymusic.com for links and more information.

Crooner Tony Curtis has been a busy man. He recently has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Caribbean music. He teamed up with rudebwoy deejay Vybz Kartel on the single "Smoking" on Don Corleon's Vendetta label. For some old school vibes he linked with Johnny Osbourne on the single "Follow Me" now available on Curtis' latest album "Ready For The World" [VP/Reggae Vibes]. Also on his latest release is a collaboration with Mahlon Stewart called "She Got It" produced by Michael "Jahmikes" Coburn. Lexxus joined forces on "Hot Gal" which is on Buju Banton's Gargamel label on the Garrison rhythm. Lastly, the soca vibes prevail on "What A Feeling" with Machel Montano. The track is on the Escape rhythm.

Swiss label Addis Records recently released the "Solid Ground" rhythm. Luciano, Fantan Mojah, and Natural Black are among the artists who have recorded on it.

Shaggy and Olivia top Richie B's Top 30 singles list for the week of December 22, 2005. The duo is spending their first week at number one with their single, "Wild 2 Nite" [Big Yard]. Richie B is the host of "Hot Mix" on Hot 102 FM in Jamaica. For the full list visit http://www.energybeatmusic.com/top30hitslist.htm.

Misc.

Restaurant Grand Opening. A new Jamaican-owned Caribbean restaurant opened in the South Bay Area in October. Back a Yard Grill is owned by Annetta and Robert Simpson of Back a Yard catering. The restaurant is located at 1189 Willow Road in Menlo Park, CA and for more information, please visit www.backayard.net.

The release of the movie "From Barbados With Love" will take place in Sydney, Australia. Bajan International singer/songwriter/producer and actor Magnet Man wrote, produced, and performed the film's soundtrack as well as acted in a lead role. This could be a first for a Bajan. For more info, visit Magnet Man's website.

Vetas is a magazine out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It offers Caribbean authors a place to write social and cultural commentary as well as findings from their research.

The Caribbean Cove, a Caribbean restaurant in Berkeley, California is now proud to offer free WiFi access and Red Stripe beer. The restaurant is located at 2556 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley, CA.

Show News

Families and Reggae music fans of all ages gathered at the Coconut Grove Expo Center on Sunday, December 4th, to enjoy the 2005 South Florida Family Reggae Festival. Concert-goers of all ages were treated to performances by Third World and Marcia Griffiths as well as Chrisinti (joined briefly by roots Reggae singer Everton Blender) and Miami's own 4th Dimension Band. Artists Evette, Natty Remo, Country Speng, Lady Spanner, and Binghi Bob backed by the Millennium Band gave their all.

Internet News

Reggae uber-label, VP Records, has launched a new website, www.vpreggae.com, intended to be the ultimate reggae store on the web. “The fundamental difference between VP Records Corporate site and our newly launched site is that you can also find titles that are not on our label. There is virtually an unlimited selection of reggae music to choose from--you can pretty much find almost any reggae record ever made,” commented Vice President Randy Chin. “Whether the album was produced in Jamaica, New York, or Europe, you can find it on VP Reggae; it will be the authoritative web site for Reggae music.” Available to all reggae fans across the US, www.vpreggae.com is currently up and running and taking orders.

Bigup Radio selector, DJ Boom, now has a residency at the largest streaming internet radio station for reggae. You can check out his show live every Wednesday morning and night, 9am and 9pm at www.bigupradio.com.

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Laura Gardner is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Jahworks.org. In addition to her journalistic contributions to various online and print publications, she is a graduate student of somatic psychology, and has worked alongside the Monterey Bay Reggae Fest, San Francisco's Reggae in the Park, and other music festivals in the Northern California area. She can be emailed here.