https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnYBkEE05bA

This video by the Jolly Boys is called Perfect Day. As I wrote about the other day, we saw them perform on Saturday night. It was delightful. My day today though? Not so much. It has been one of those days where you never seem to get traction to achieve anything. Also, my new shoes broke and after an all-morning meeting, I arrived at work to discover that the power has been out since Saturday. So I had to turn around and come home to work, where I am now trying to catch up.
So it is not a perfect day for me, however, as always, I am grateful for the little things, like this Jolly Boys video. Enjoy the rest of your day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3yaSfWIXWg

Somehow, Vybz Kartel continues his prolific output of dancehall music, even from jail. Kartel (real name Adidja Palmer) is incarcerated on a murder charge. But he continues to put out music. As far as I know, there is no recording studio in jail, so there are a few possibilities: he is recording songs over a cellphone, they have indeed installed a recording studio for Mr. Palmer in jail, or his producers are releasing previously recorded songs.

In any case, people don’t seem to care that he is in jail on a murder charge. His music remains as popular as ever. At a recent awards show I attended, every time they called the Teacher’s name (as he is also known), the crowd went bananas.

Read a Jamaica Observer now if you wish:

JAILED entertainer Vybz Kartel will now have to remain behind bars pending the outcome of his murder trial on March 27.

On Friday, Justice Glenn Brown denied a bail application that was made on Kartel’s behalf by his legal team in chambers last week Friday. The prosecution had opposed the application, submitting that it has strong evidence against the artiste.

The application relates to a charge of murder against the artiste for the 2011 killing of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams in Havendale, St Andrew, allegedly over the disappearance of an illegal gun.

Kartel is charged along with five other persons, including fellowartiste Shawn Campbell, who goes by the stage name Shawn Storm.

Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, is also charged with two other men with the murder of Portmore, St Catherine resident Barrington ‘Bossie’ Bryan. He has been offered $3 million bail on this matter.

That trial was on Monday scheduled for March 27.

The other day, I had a conversation with a Jamaican friend who works with youth from a range of communities. We were discussing the role of popular culture and role models in Jamaican society. He said some youth have no one to look up to, so they rely on successful entertainers like Vybz Kartel and, in past years, Bob Marley to tell them what’s up, what’s right and wrong, or even just inform them. Sometimes that is the only way they know what is going on in the world around them.

Unfortunately, there is a dearth of positive role models here in Jamaica, at least in popular culture. There are a few “conscious” reggae artists and athletes like Asafa Powell and Veronica Campbell Brown.

After this conversation, it struck me how courageous of Romain Virgo it was to put out this video condemning rape. In North American society, we might not need a video or message like this telling boys and men to wait, not to force a girl into sex. But here, especially recently, it seems there are frequent headlines about girls and women, even boys, being raped.

So for someone such as Romain Virgo, to take a stand such as this, when he does not have to, is remarkable. Hopefully his message translates to the “ghetto youth” (a Jamaican term, not mine) and they give some thought to this message.

anywayourun:

“Ira Glass on Storytelling”
Ira Glass is the shit. Truly. It’s always healthy to be reminded of what he’s talking about in this video. 

Thanks Shaya for posting! Awesome!

You’ve heard of Gangnam style I’m sure? Here is a Jamaican version. There is also a version by Elephant man, but this one has an entertaining video. Enjoy?

This is who everybody is going bananas for these days. Tommy Lee. He is from Flankers, a community in Montego Bay, and a protege of famed Deejay Vybz Kartel. A few of his songs evoke some sort of demonic, devilish imagery. It is kind of bizarre, imagine a gothic dancehall artist. I read an interview in which he said that he was inspired to write lyrics after a family member died. He is talented, no doubt, and a fresh voice. Enjoy.

The other day, I met US President Barack Obama’s favourite reggae artist. At least, that’s according to the artist himself, who is called Warrior King. He was in attendance at the conference I was at last week, on copyright laws. Many other musicians attended, seemingly a lot of Rasta artists. During the conference, after the lectures, the moderators allowed time for questions. People had a lot to say, most expressing discomfort with the music industry and the lack of opportunity. Usually at conferences like this, the question and answer period is a time for people to vent, and that they did. Many people were agitated, but it seemed the Rastas were pretty laid back and they prefaced their comments by saying “Blessings” or “Respect.” But back to Warrior King. He was one of several people who came to talk to me, thinking I was in the industry and could be a connection. He first made contact by softly touching my arm and saying, “Respect.” It was quite lovely. He then made his pitch, telling me her performs a lot and that he is Obama’s favourite artist. He gave me a card. He was also one of several people who asked if I was married to the only other white person in the room, a man of about 50 and a Brit who was the main presenter at the conference. Just a snapshot for you today of the conference.