Jamaican reggae dancehall artist Daniel "Chino" McGregor sees the release of his debut album, Chino, on May 24, 2011 on the VP Records imprint. The highly-anticipated studio effort from one of reggae's dynasties, Chino being the son of reggae icon Freddie McGregor and brother of acclaimed producer Stephen "Di Genius" McGregor, composes a new formula in reggae and dancehall music.
Best of the Best 2010 went down in Miami, Florida. Since then your girl has been a bit occupied with some personal issues so I apologize for the delay in getting this to you. That being said, Best of the Best was a great show in my opinion maybe not the best but great! As usual, the show was very well attended. There were throngs of flag flying folks as far as the eyes could see. Of course, you know I got the exclusive interviews, photos, and backstage insight!
After a two year hiatus, The Soul Train Awards Show is back and in a big way!! The show presented by BET's spin-off channel Centric. The show will simulcast on BET and Centric on Nov. 29 at 9 pm ET. The show will be hosted by Academy Award nominee actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Scheduled to perform are Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill plus many others.
This year's show will also pay tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson won more Soul Train awards than anyone else in the history of the show and he will be honored posthumously with a special Entertainer of the Year Award.
Facing another possible concert cancellation on his "Rasta Got Soul" tour, reggae icon Buju Banton sat down for a meeting this week with leaders from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Buju Banton's concert stop in San Francisco had been highly protested and set for cancellation so Buju along with his manager Tracii McGregor made the decision to participate in the face-to-face meeting. The issue at hand is the lyrics to Buju's 1992 song "Boom Bye Bye". The song has been described by gay activists as inciting violence against the LGBT community and fostering homophobia. On the subject, Buju stated "I don't perform the song anymore. The reality is, I've gone past that." Last week after a canceled L.A. concert Buju said "At this point, I can only hope that my body of work speaks for itself and that anyone still offended by the lyrics of my youth will take the time to explore my catalog or come to one of my shows before reducing my character and entire musical repertoire to a single song." I agree with Buju in that one song does not an artist make.
From my perspective, the meeting was necessary however, I'm not sure if anything new really came out of it. Buju has been asked by the LGBT leaders to take a stand in support of gay rights issues even possibly hosting a town hall in Jamaica (I'd love to be a fly on the wall for that one!). Buju didn't make any such commitments. Instead, I think Buju is hoping his life's body of music will be the example and not one song written 17 years ago. "I've been actively doing some of the stuff you mention,"referring to his his anti-AIDS organization called Operation Willy founded in 1994.I am an avid fan of Buju and have been following him for quite some time. I cannot recall ever seeing him perform the song including last month's performance at the New Jersey Reggae Fest (pictured above). "I don't advocate violence, Rastafari is not about that". Nuff said Buju!
Any fan of dancehall music is more than aware of the Gully vs. Gaza battle that has been brewing for some time between Bounty Killer, Mavado, and Vybz Kartel et. al. Recently, while at a party, Bounty Killer decided to address the mounting tension linked to the ongoing rivalry. In sum, Bounty Killer still and always will rep for the Gully Side but this does not mean there should be violence over which side you represent. Sort of like Democrats vs. Republicans - can't we all just get along????
Gully or Gaza take your pick but no need for anyone to die over this issue. As for me, me deya pon de Gullyaza side!
