The fast rising contemporary reggae artiste Keznamdi has been blazing a trail across the musical landscape with thought provoking lyrics woven together to form infectious melodies and has now heralded his arrival to the reggae scene by releasing his first EP, appropriately dubbed, Bridging the Gap.
Keznamdi, who has been winning fans on both sides of the Atlantic, sees Bridging the Gap as a good chronicle of his musical and spiritually development through reggae: “Bridging the Gap means bridging all generations, all nations, and all cultures together through the music. Music is my life and the issues on the EP are topics that affect me to varying levels”.
Through Bridging the Gap , Keznamdi focuses on issues that appeal to all classes, races and age groups. The EP is sewn together with social commentary and thoughts on man’s interaction with each other with a fair amount of questions and answers on male and female relationships.
As Jamaica’s boxing fans gear up for the first match in Season 3 of the Wray & Nephew Contender tonight, a boxer has withdrawn from the competition.
Our team was informed that Dean Palmer, a member of the Andrew Boland led Yellow team, has tossed his boxing gloves in following the first challenge for the show set to kick off at 9:30pm tonight on TVJ.
One source told us, “him ketch him ‘fraid and never want lose so early”. Members of the promotion team were mot immediately available for comment on the causality for the Yellow team.
In recent weeks Jamaicans have been captivated by two online viral videos, mainly the VWSuperbowl Ad and the Harlem Shake craze. The latter has topped Gangnam Style attracting what Andrew Rauner dubs a ‘Psy-level mass phenomenon’ featuring Skydivers, underwater stormtroppers, newscaster (local and international) and more. The craze started after a man named Filthy Frank made this video dancing to Harlem Shake (by Brooklyn-based producer Henry Rodrigues aka DJ Baauer) without doing the ‘Harlem Shake’. Hundreds of copycat videos have since followed.
For Baaucer, much has come of this for a pretty much unknown fellow, except if you were a nerd scouring SoundCloud. Baaucer earned himself a place in music history by virture of being the 21st song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 Chart, since its launch in 1951; and it’s the Brooklyn DJ’s first song on the chart. According to Philip Sherburne in Spin, this is luck on top of luck. One thing for certain, Baauer should thank amateur videographer and Billboard for adding YouTube streaming data to the pile of numbers that determines where a song is placed on the Hot 100. A good addition since YouTube is where persons go first to check out songs, not Spotify, iTunes, or Radio–this is debatable but I won’t delve into that here.
The VW ad, which everyone should have seen, features an American office worker from Minnesota who owns a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle (I think they are cute – yes cars can be cute; I won’ accept an alternative opinion LOL) adapting a Jamaican accent to spread smile among his gloomy coworkers on a Monday morning. All this is done to the tune of 2013 Grammy Winner, Reggae Category, Jimmy Cliff, who happens to be Jamaican . The commercial done to air during the Superbowl, with an early release on YouTube, caused controversy with characterisations and opinions ranging from uncomfortable and racist to likes and appreciation. Jamaican tourism officials, including the poirtfolio minister, affirmed their support of it in articles carried by USA Today and the Associated Press; both with a combined audience exceeding 190 million readers.
John Lynch, director of tourism at the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) in a Jamaica Observer article had this to say, “The interest this commercial has generated is incredible and speaks to the power of the Jamaica brand…We hope this sparks an interest in persons who have not yet experienced the destination to come visit; enjoy a memorable Jamaican vacation, our people and most important, Get Happy in Jamaica.”
There seems to be a fascination with Jamaica in the Western and Central European nation of German, or otherwise as another company (the electronics store Saturn) in that country showed favour to Brand Jamaica though in a highly controversial ad. The commercial intended for German TV made its way on YouTube in late January and shows two coffee shop attendants trying to brew coffee, which results in the burning of the Jamaican Flag. The experience is captured through CCTV and out of respect for the Jamaican flag leads to a demonstration. Here is the video:
The following subtitles are scripted in German; the following is the translation in English using Google Translate:
Wenn sie meine Fahne verbrennen, verbrenne ich ihre – If they burn my flag, I’ll burn their
Wir alle lieben Jamaika diese leute verbrennen die Jamaikanische Flagge- We all love these people burn the Jamaica Jamaican Flag
The words of the soundtrack are familiar because it’s that of Murderer by another famed Jamaican, Barrrington Levy. In school I was taught to burn a flag was offensive, in fact it is considered desecration. Friend and Attorney-at-Law, Stephen Greig notes: “under German criminal laws it is illegal to damage the German flag and it is also illegal to damage or revile flags of foreign countries. What we do not know is if there is an exception for dramatic works such as a play or a commercial.”
I couldn’t resist sharing the video with friends and associates, particular since at the time my Twitter timeline by the twitter-heavy-wigs, or anyone for that matter, but I saw everyone talking about who was doing Harlem Shakes videos locally et cetera. The opinions I got were varying and included references saying we couldn’t expect better particularly because the old Nazi ideology that demanded the purification of ‘the Aryan race’ and ‘the German blood’ originate in the said country, upset and ‘what if’ questions.
On the German AD
Could the baring of the Jamaican Flag in the kitchen speak to the presence of the Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee being used by the coffee shop or is it the coffee of choice? Should we think of this more deeply? Should we as a people, and through our Tourism Minister and agencies like the JTB, condemn this (after all like the Volkswagen commercial this has gained traction with over 450,000 views on YouTube) and ask for its removal? Or should we accept?
To be frank, I’m not outraged as some of my fellow country folks with the Saturn Ad, I’m okay with it. I think it helps put us (Jamaica) in the international scope and once again make us relevant and leaving Jamaica in individuals’ minds. It is clear from all intents in the video they wanted to be associated with the Jamaican brand, it immediately took me back a couple years when Sydney Bartley (former Director of Culture now Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Culture) said in a presentation, “anybody who wants to be somebody wants to be Jamaican, the only person who doesn’t want to be Jamaican is a Jamaican”. I have no idea about his views on the matter at hand, but I hope you get the picture that clearly Jamaica sells. The Germans did it with the VW Ad (that so many persons got up in arms about, including persons who don’t recognize Jamaican Creole as a language) and Saturn is at it again.
We can agree that the flag should never have been burnt or stomped on, but should we not be making a hullabaloo? @mrsseven65 in responding to Dr. Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Senior Lecturer in Cultural Studies at the University of West Indies, Mona, on Twitter said it well. @mrsseven65 puts it well there are other things to be up-in-arms about like the Tivoli Incursion, a very topical and pertinent issue, which we’re yet to get answers on.
@CultureDoctor if one was/is quiet about the tivoli murders and extra-judicial killings they shld chk thmselvs if they all vocal bout a flag
Protocol experts and others might say pull the ad, but come on folks the Saturn ad is daring, it’s brilliant; yes I like it! Perhaps it is because I’m a rebel why I like it. Let’s snap out of the talks about asking for the ad to be pulled since it touches on so many issues, chief among them cultural sensitivities & free speech. My honest gut opinion: let’s not get tied up in this flag furore, certainly the folks at JTB can find a way to take advantage of this free publicity and marketing. Go Jamaica!
As always, I welcome your thoughts on the matter, do share with me below.
December 1 is celebrated around the world as World AIDS day. Leading up to, and after the day, there is an increase in the number of messages related to HIV education, diagnosis and treatment that are aired. A lot more persons talk about the virus and people get tested to know their status. Compared to the early stages when many misconceptions were popular being HIV-positive is less frighten; in that more information are available, support groups and medical research to help you live positive.
A few years ago, 2006, I met a young man who was living with HIV and interviewed him for the Sunday Gleaner’sOutlook Magazine. The story published on December 10 was my article of marking World AIDS Day that year, I wish to share the article with you in it entirety or you could read it at its original location by clicking here.
The acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) are threatening Jamaica’s future as scores of young people fall victim to these deadly diseases. More frightening are the statistics indicating that scores of young people between the ages of 15 and 29 are contracting the virus.
Today, Outlook Youth has decided to shed some light on HIV/AIDS in the form of an interview with someone living with HIV.
Meet 27 year-old Alan,a normal-looking young man, who lives a relatively normal life except that he is living with HIVfor over three years.
Alan, who is not promiscuous, said he was rather surprised when he learnt that he had the virus. “I’m not the promiscuous type. I had expected that to happen to someone else,” he revealed to us. “But that is just how life is.”
According to Alan, everything started out with some minor health problems which he began to worry about. After several tests returned negative, he was advised to do an HIV test. “At first I refused, as there was no way in this world I thought I could have it because I was a faithful partner,” he told Outlook Youth. “Then I remembered when my girlfriend and I had some problems, I had a fling – so I decided to do the test ’cause there was nothing to lose, I thought.
“When the results returned, I thought they had got the samples mixed up, and then when the second test confirmed the first, I was even more stunned than the first time. At that moment, it was as if I was in another world, I didn’t have time to think and again I said the result was wrong. The doctor assured me that it was right and that I needed to accept the truth as that was the only way in which I was going to move forward.
“What was I to do now? It was the end of the road. I thought that there was no hope in life and all had ended. It was best that I had been run over by a truck,” Alan said.
“I knew I had a close-knit family but what would they think? I asked myself. Life was now filled with a lot of questions and doubt. But somehow I would have to reveal to them that I was HIV positive so it was best to do it now,” recalled Alan.
When he revealed it to his family, they were shocked and had a lot of questions for him, some of which he had no answer to. However, they stood by him through everything. According to him, they were the ones who, perhaps, kept him going when he thought of giving up along the way, either by suicide or other means.
Today, Alan, despite his condition, is working assiduously to promote healthy lifestyles amongst youth and other age groups. He believes that being infected with HIV has opened up doors for him and has allowed him to see things in a different perspective.
His advice to teens is, “having sex is fun, but when you have a death ruling and life is limited, that can be depressing … if you can’t withhold, make up your mind to use a condom always.”
Today, Alan is pursuing his dreams by completing a course in psychology.
#HashCon 2012: An Advocacy Challenge for Jamaican Bloggers by UNICEF Jamaica
This post was made in submission for the UNICEF Jamaica #HashCon2012 ”Positive SHEroes: Strong women working towards an AIDS-free generation”. Click here for more info.
When AIDS emerged in the 1980, it mostly affected men, however today females accounts for almost half of the number of persons living with the HIV strain. Worldwide the business of HIV/AIDS is a foremost of some, if not all, governments. HIV/AIDS is describe in many circles as a pandemic, simple to say its a huge problem. While much have been done to advance knowledge of HIV through awareness and science, several barriers/challenge exist, chief among them are challenges faced by women; the general focus of what today’s post will be about.
A few years back, at the peak of my youthful exuberance, I interviewed a young man who was HIV-positive. The interview was a enlightening one, and was done for a World AIDS piece. Through the interview I learnt of the challenges and the daily encounters of a male living with “the most deadly virus”. It was also a window for me as I later spoke with females who also had HIV, it was from there that I saw the challenges that they face and found it fitting to take part in the UNICEF SHEroes competition.
The use of ‘Sheroes’ is a gender specific term to the often male thought of ‘heroes’, it gives a feminine touch and focus.
The number of HIV-positive women and girls continues to increase. From the statistics most of the females who suffer from “the deadly virus” or “big A”, as it is often refer by the common-man locally, are usually in the prime of their productive lives. In that they are often young females, fruitful, with a whole future ahead. Many persons are at times dumbfounded as to how members of our society still manage to contract HIV, particularly young people, despite what they consider increase awareness, access to contraceptive, all with the aide of technology. Whilst those might be right, the issues are far more entrenched. They are entrenched in:
1. The power of condom negotiation with their partner(s)
2. Cultural/Religious Ideologies
3. Comprise standards
4. Awareness
All of which can be solved.
The solution to these cannot be attain overnight, neither can they single-handed be achieved by a lone female. It requires the empowering of our women to challenge the inequities of society and to stand firm in matters of sexual reproductive health. Most of all our women need us; the society, men, persons of influence in society that people listen to/have an audience or can impact change to challenge existing culture. However, it is through small challenges that discrimination, unemployment, abandonment, violence or other seclusion/ills against our women can change once they are identified as being HIV-positive. It is imperative to note that change will not come overnight, however change can happen with the support of the society at large.
In matters of condom usage, while its general seen that the man should carry the condom a woman should always have a pack of condom, after all sex is not a one-person show. Women MUST insist on their partners “no glove, no love”. The decision to protect ones health, whether HIV or otherwise lies with you.
The idea of a christian majority country or the cultural proposition that a wife/woman should submit to her husband/man, should not foolhardy be followed. I’m not about gaining the wrath of my fellow male species, so allow me to defend myself. A man and his significant other should be open to dialogues about matters of the heart and sex. One should know what the other prefers, dislike and most importantly not to put their partner at risk. Each should know the other status, with mutual HIV testing at random intervals to reaffirm trust that each other is HIV-free. There are talks in certain quarters that men are not opened to the idea of doctors, however if a man loves and respects you he will make the visit.
Live by standards, lay grounds about how intimate involvement will work or expectations. Multiple partners, cheating, no-condom/’bare-back’ and dishonest should not be the basics on which relationships are built. Indicate to your partner that these will not be tolerate, once these are outline at the get-go a man gets the indication the standards by which the relationship will be judged.
Another thing one must be aware of each other status, as well as the methods available to protect each other. Whether it be the female condom with the use of spermicide, dental damps, or other forms of contraceptives. Including the contraceptives that should be used along with other methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections. As we look to greater awareness and break barriers, let us look to advancing the rights and sexual reproductive health of females living with HIV. It could happen to anyone, get the knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and correct erroneous information were they are being communicated.
My final comment might cause some persons to hurl missiles at me…but here goes. If a female “locks shop” (no sex) because her partner refuses to wear a condom he will get the message that she is firm about protecting herself. Don’t risk your life for a one fling/sex because your man doesn’t want to wear a condom, don’t be guilty by the idea/thought of him straying; it sounds hard but your life carries more value.
The power is in all of us, let’s not be a victim. Negotiate condom usage…no glove, no love.
At about 8:05pm tonight a truck transporting MAGGI Products overturned along the Bog Walk Gorge, just outside Kent Village.
The accident it seem was a result of mechanical faults. We observed Commuters along the corridor descended on the contents being carried on the flatbeded Leyland truck, removing big boxes and small boxes bearing contents of MAGGI SEASON UP items, while a man/worker who seem to have been on the truck back laid on the asphalt CRITICAL INJURIED!
Police who arrived on the scene some 20 minutes after were not immediate forthright in assisting the injured man who was elevated from the road pavement to one of the pallet by a JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) officer and another man with one youngster hold a torch light.
The is believe to unconscious as he still had a pulse, however, he was bleeding badly.
My fellow Jamaicans…
Last Sunday, I advised my party’s central executive that I would not seek re-election at the annual general conference to be held next month and I would step down as Prime Minister as soon as a new leader had been elected. I had come to this position after deep contemplation and prayer, seeking to do what is best for the country and the party.
The timing of my announcement might appear to have been awkward since I was preparing for my mother’s funeral, but it was unavoidable and let me pause here to express thanks on behalf of my family for the outpouring of sympathy at her passing. Let me explain the timing.
The annual general conference of the JLP is scheduled to be held on November 19 & 20. As stipulated in the party’s constitution, the deadline for nominations is October 19. Sufficient time, therefore, had to be allowed for potential candidates to consider offering themselves and meet the October 19 nomination deadline. Sufficient time had to be allowed, as well, for the delegates to contemplate their choices since they would not have been anticipating that a vacancy would arise. But it was important not to have too long a period of uncertainty regarding the leadership and direction of the government.
In addition, the central executive which meets quarterly was, last Sunday, holding its last meeting before the annual general conference. I had to make my decision known then.
In the brief statement I issued on Sunday, I stated that the challenges of the last four years had taken their toll and it was appropriate now to step aside and make way for new leadership.
The last few years, perhaps, have been the most difficult period that any government has had to face. Like most other countries, we have taken a battering from the global recession and the recovery we are so anxious to see has been slow, the global environment still uncertain.
We have managed to avoid the kind of disaster we have witnessed in many other countries but the effects of the recession have still been painful for many Jamaicans.
I have worked hard these past four years, 16-18 hours a day most days, in navigating our way through these treacherous waters. We are beginning to see positive results: far-reaching macroeconomic reforms have been implemented; the economy has returned to a growth path, modest though it is; we are once again creating new jobs even though we have not yet restored the jobs that were lost; the rise in poverty has been cauterized.
While the worst may have passed, we are not yet out of the woods. There are challenges that remain on many fronts that will require strong leadership to overcome and absolute confidence in the authority of that leadership.
Questions about the role I played in the Coke/Manatt matter have remained a source of concern in the minds of many people. It was never about Coke’s guilt or innocence.
It was about a breach of our Constitution and had it been a person other than Coke it perhaps would never have become the cause célèbre that it turned out to be. We have since amended the Interception of Communications Act to permit in the future, the action that was taken in Coke’s case but which, at that time, was in violation of our Constitution.
However, the entire episode has affected me deeply and the perceptions that are held by some people have not been dispelled, notwithstanding the exhaustive deliberations of a Commission of Enquiry.
I cannot allow the challenges we face and the issues that we as a people must confront to be smothered or overpowered by this saga and the emotions that they ignite. It would not be fair to my country; it would not be fair to my party.
There are other considerations that led to my decision. It is time for my generation to make way for younger people whose time has come, who are more in sync with 21stcentury realities, whose vision can have a longer scope and who can bring new energy to the enormous tasks that confront us. The leaders of major countries around the world – for example, the United States, Britain, Canada, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Australia, and New Zealand – are all more than 10 years younger than I am. It is a worldwide trend and we in Jamaica should not resist it.
I was first elected to Parliament almost 40 years ago. In the next two months I will be 64. I feel it is time for me and people like me to make way and allow a new crop of leaders to step forward and unleash their energies and creativity. There are young people in my party, indeed in both parties, who are capable of providing the leadership that the country requires at this time. We must not, for the sake of personal ambition, block their emergence. My advice and counsel will always be available if and when required.
I told my central executive last Sunday that the next few weeks will be crucial not only for us as a party but for the country. The election of a new leader is a process that must be conducted in a mature, transparent and dignified manner. This is especially so since we form the government. In the past few days, I have been in contact with our major international partners and I have assured them that the direction of the government is firmly in place and that the transition will be smooth and seamless. The financial markets remain sober while they await the appointment of a new Prime Minister and confirmation that we will not deviate from the economic reforms on which we have embarked. In my remaining few weeks, I will continue to work as hard as I have ever done and hand over the reins of office gracefully to my successor.
The General Secretary of the party has already outlined the procedures for the election of a new leader. The Electoral Office of Jamaica has been asked to manage the voting process and everything will be done to ensure an orderly transition.
I have an abiding faith in my country and in the people of my country. Despite the formidable challenges we face, we can overcome; we will make it if we try and try hard enough, if we remain focused and committed not just to the next elections but to the future and the possibilities that are within our reach and must be placed securely within our grasp. This is not a time to be fearful or bewildered. It is a time for renewed hope and renewed effort.
I hope to address you one more time before I leave office and, as always, I pray God’s blessings on our nation and all its people.
Jamaica and the British Empire today celebrates Emancipation Day, a day in which we individually recall the enslavement of our people. whether we be Jamaicans or Trinidadians, to free themselves of what we now have come to dubbed, ‘crimes against humanity’.
Many, the world around us, are quick to argue that we still remain ‘enslaved mentally’, citing claims of our dependency on foreign culture. Truth be told we’re who we are now because of where we’re coming from.
Our ancestral heritage have left was with numerous heroes and heroines, some of whom have been lauded for their efforts, in assisting us to achieve ‘freedom from Backra’. During this Emancipation and Independence week let us reflect on the strength, struggle/resistance, and above the reason these individuals along with the women, men, girls and boys who found for us to achieve what we now have.
At this time when all seem to be nothing but chaos, criminals are rampant, lawlessness seem to be the order of the day we MUST ensure that we don’t fall slaves to our fears of these elements that seem bend on crippling the society or fore-parents fought so hard to get, so we could live free of oppression and injustice.
If you ask me i will tell you, ‘yes, to move forward we need to renew ourselves in the conviction of our ancestors to combat the criminal elements that seem not to want the development of our economy and a just society.’
As i leave you in the strength of Nanny, Paul Bogle, Sam Sharpe, and our other National Heroes, i asked that you reflect our our National Anthem, Pledge and Song, for in them we’ll all find a conviction to make small and even large changes to our lives.
The National Anthem
Eternal Father bless our land
Guard us with Thy mighty hand.
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above Justice, truth, be ours forever,
Jamaica Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica
Land we love.
- for use in schools at the beginning and end of term and on other special occasions.Before God and all mankind, I pledge the love and loyalty of my heart, the wisdom and courage of my mind, the strength and vigor of my body in the service of my fellow citizens.
I promise to stand up for Justice, Brotherhood and Peace, to work diligently and creatively, to think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in beauty, fellowship and prosperity, and play her part in advancing the welfare of the whole human race.
- for use in schoolsI PLEDGE MY HEART (to the tune of “I vow to thee, my country)
I pledge my heart forever
To serve with humbled pride
This shining homeland ever
So long as earth abide
I pledge my hear this island,
As God and faith shall live.
My work, my strength, my love and
My loyalty to give.
O green isle of the Indies,
Jamaica, strong and free,
Our vows and loyal promises,
O heartland,’tis to thee
The Caribbean Airlines FLIGHT BW523 with 154 passengers after its crash land.
A report by the CMC News Team noted that Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said most of the injured were treated at the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital before being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
It is understood that the FLIGHT BW523 accident which had earlier connected from New York to Florida to Port of Spain occurred around 1:25 a.m (local time) Saturday. This is after the flight was after a delay from its originally 9:45 p.m Friday due time to arrive in Guyana.
Most of the passengers fled the wrecked plane without their luggage.
The Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Transport Devant Maharaj and CAL officials were scheduled to host a news conference this morning at 8:00 am (local time).
Demi Lovato in her comeback single after rehab "Skyscraper". Source: http://demilovato.com/
After spending some time in a treatment facility for her eating disorders, self-mutilation, depression and bipolar disorderDemi Lovato back baby!! She’s not only back, BUT she’s “rising from the ground, like a skyscraper” as the lyrics to her comeback single echoes.
While the song has been out just of two weeks, the buzz all over is that it could very well be threatening the reign #1 on the Billboard Hot 100Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock as it climbed in the #2 most downloaded song this week (I contributed to that too….we digressing).
(Credit: Courtesy of Big Champagne)
We’re not the ONLY ones giving praises to Skyscraper as stars such Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and Pete Wentz have tipped their hats off to Lovato.
Currently the star is putting the final touches to her 3rd studio album, a first since rehab. In an AOL interview Lovato hinted that she did not consider herself to be recovered and that she could even be considered quitting showbiz altogether. She disclosed that she’s looking to motivate others to get healthy, as well as saying that she see inspiration through actor Robert Downey Jr.
