Stan Evan Smith, Senior Music Writer for Jamaicans.com
This report is complied from Stan E Smith’s 2010 Entertainment News, Commentary & Reggae Reports which are heard weekly on radio & internet radio and online on:
WNSB Hot 91.1FM (VA), WGUN 1010AM (Atlanta. GA), WAEC 860AM (Conyers GA), CHRY 105.5 FM@ (Canada) One Caribbean Radio 97.9 FM HD2 (NYC) And
Read daily online @Westindiantimes.net (Norfolk VA), Jamaicans.com. (Fl.) https://blogs.jamaicans.com /reggaebreeze
This monthly listing is a general overview of some of the important events that occurred in the reggae/dancehall music industry for 2010. Some events may have been left out; however, this is not meant to be the definitive report or analysis of these events–just a snapshot.
Important Mention:
-Gyptian’s ‘Hold You’ peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Reggae album chart and #34 on Billboard’s R&B Hip Hop album chart, #4 on Billboard’s Heat-seekers chart; #69 on Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100; #31 on Billboard’s R&B Hip Hop Songs chart; and #77 on the Billboard Hot 100.
-Dec 09 Sean Paul Billboard Reggae Artiste of the year/decade Paul beat Matisyahu and Bob Marley & the Wailers for second and third respectively
Important Events -January 2010:
-The year 2010 opened with Shaggy’s Make a Difference Foundation hosting Shaggy and Friends concert at Jamaica House which was held on January 2,2010 with performances from acts such as Joe, Boyz II Men and Mario, Beenie Man, Machel Montano, Ding Dong, CeCile, T.O.K, Toots Hibbert, Sanchez, Baby Cham, Alaine, Queen Ifrica and Mavado.
The Bustamante Hospital For Children received $31 from the Shaggy-Make a Difference Foundation in 2009. The Shaggy and Friends concert raised about $29 million and was able to give the hospital $31 million.
–Killer issues public apology for his Anti Gay Tirade at Shaggy & Friends Benefit
.-Reggae singer Jah Cure and R&B/hip hop singer Keri Hilson record ‘World Cry’. He copped five nominations at the 2010 Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards (EME).
–Artistes join Haiti recovery effort: Promoters Tony Rebel of Rebel Salute and Walter Elmore producer of Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, donate part proceeds from their events to those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.
-Artistes Aid Haiti Recovery: Several musicians and artistes collaborated on Listen2theCall, which featured Toots Hibbert, Sly & Robbie, Marcia Griffiths, Maxi Priest, Diana King, Luciano, Barrington Levy, Beres Hammond, Beenie Man and dub poet Mutabaruka along with more than 25 others. Proceeds from the sale of the song went to the relief and rehabilitation effort in Haiti.
-Diana King releases song ‘Black Bodies” for Haiti:
-Buju Banton donates US$1000 along with clothing to Haitians earthquake relief victims. He pleads not guilty to conspiracy and gun charges and is held without bail
-Barrington Levy’s single ‘No War’ gets 500,000 spins on hip hop website
Important Events -February:
-German authorities ban music, by reggae artist Baby Cham; Bounty Killer; Capleton;
Elephant Man; Sizzla, TOK as they claim that lyrics advocate murdering homosexuals.
-Reggae Month celebrated: Official Reggae Month celebrations of Jamaica’s music culture scale down for 2010. Featured events included the Dennis Brown Birthday Special on Irie FM, and the week-long celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday in Negril, Shaggy, Steel Pulse, Sly & Robbie perform at Raggamuffin festival in New Zealand
-Sizzla arrested on gun charges in August Town
-Kymani Marley writes book entitled “Dear Dad: Where’s The Family in Our Family Today?
-Third World’s 35th Anniversary; group launches their 22nd album “Patriots”
–E2onair internet radio is launched by reggae singer Ed Robinson & Michelle Arthurton in New York.
-Gay group GLAAD protest Capleton reggae concerts.
-Jamaica Reggae Producer Phillip Smart sues a South African MTN: US-based, Jamaica-born reggae producer Phillip Smart sues a South African telecommunication MTN telecommunication company for alleged copyright infringement for allegedly adopting his sound recording Of his song `Hot This Year` in radio advertisements promoting the FIFA World Cup. MTN used the song for six months on radio in of his song `Hot This Year` their advertisements without his permission
-Stephen Marley Wins (2010) Reggae Grammy “Mind Control” (Acoustic) beating – Buju Banton “Rasta Got Soul”, Gregory Isaacs “Brand New Me”, Julian Marley “Awake”, & Sean Paul “Imperial Blaze”
-Capleton dropped from Ragga Muffins Festival set for Feb 20.
-International Reggae Conference, University of the West Indies, Mona.
-Mighty Diamonds Received Ragga Muffins Festival Award Of Recognition, Long Beach, CA.
-Jimmy Cliff received Linkz FM Lifetime Achievement Award in Jamaica.
Important Events -March
-DJ Flippa Mafia jailed for illegal entry into USA
-Sing-jay Mavado officially release from reggae Indie label VP Records.
-Jimmy Cliff inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. According to Rolling Stone Magazine Jimmy Cliff stole the show at the ceremony, belting out “The Harder They Come.”
-Singer Luciano unable to travel abroad after a shoot-out between a gunman and police officers at his home and he is accused of harboring a fugitive. Luciano maintains his innocence
-Buju Banton’s defense filed an emergency motion for bond (bail) with the federal courts. Buju’s lawyer says he has lost lbs 40.
-Jamaican Government set to crack down on tax delinquent artistes
-Reggae DJ Louie ‘Gangalee’ Culture got shot in Jamaica
-President and CEO of Universal Music Group Distribution, Jim Urie, added Busy Signal’s cover of the Phil Collins hit ‘One More Night’ to his annual compilation album
Important Events- April:
-Ky-mani Marley begins 27 city book tour April 8-30.
-US Visas revoked for Bounty, Beenie, Mavado, Aidonia and Ricky Trooper.
-Bounty Killer arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and denied bail.
–Ziggy Marley working on movie song with controversial theme
-Sean Kingston and Sean Paul nominated for Best Reggae Video at the 2010 Japan MTV Video Music Awards (VMA)
-Vybz Kartel banned from St. Lucia, Barbados, Guyana and Grenada.
-Jah Cure arrested by police in Jamaica and appeared in court on ganja charge.
-Reggae’s Crown Prince, the late Dennis Brown named one of National Public Radio’s (NPR) 50 Great Voices. He was named among Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald. Dennis Brown’s music charted on iTunes and Amazon charts, three songs *#1 with Love and Hate, *# 3 with Milk and Honey; and *# 4 with Bless Me Jah on Amazon, fourth most dominant online music store in the US, Love and Hate # 3 on iTunes chart, Digital sales account for one-third of global music sales.
-DJ Mr. Lexx’s sexual Rape case dismissed in New York – he is summoned to community service.
-Jamaican artist Black Ryno blocked from entry by police in Trinidad. Officials claimed his music influences and ignites gang behavior.
-Mr Lexx got robbed in NY of his US$4500.00 Gold chain.
Important Events –May:
-International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA): Queen Ifrica wins four
awards, Soca star Machel Montano (three), Reggae singer Gramps (three) at the York College Performing Arts Centre in Queens.
-Government of Jamaica Investigating Ban on Dancehall Artistes by CARICOM Countries
-Tanya Stephens releases her seventh album, ‘Infallible’ for free online
-Mad Cobra Shot 3 times in his hometown of Portmore, St. Catherine.
-Jamaican music figure Norman ‘Sid’ Bucknor died of cancer in the U.K.
-Ricky Trooper investigated by the US Authorities for brandishing a gun in his YouTube video tirade.
-DJ Busy Signal launches his clothing line.
-DJ Mad Cobra’s house sprayed with bullets.
-Oniel Edwards of dancehall group ‘Voicemail’ died from multiple gunshot wounds.
-Buju Banton’s Trial date pushed back to September
-MTV launched official dancehall chart show.
-Reggae singer Tessanne Chin & Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr. engaged.
Important Events –June:
-DJ/Author Macka Diamond launched her book ‘The Real Gangster’s Wife’ in June for Caribbean-American month, at the South Regional Broward College Branch of the Broward County Library in Florida.
-Dance hall Sing jay Ding Dong barred from entering Trinidad and Tobago.
-DJ Beenie Man surrenders to police in Jamaica and is arrested and charged for allegedly ation on a case by case basis) assaulting L.A. Lewis.
-Karl Young, the founder of the world’s first all reggae radio station IRIE FM in 1990 and ZIP FM in 2002 Died.
-Bob Marley inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame.
-Caribbean American Cultural Conference staged by the Caribbean American Caucus at the Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn on June 18th and 19th.
-Reggae AMPPS 1st Annual Dinner Dance in New York: Honorees were Pat McKay (Radio Broadcaster, XM Radio), Anthony Downbeat Rockwood (Soundman), Howard “Sir Tommy’s” Mapp (Soundman), Sharon Gordon & Carlyle McKetty (Coalition To Preserve Reggae), Junior Forbes (Caribbean American Cultural Conference). The Hon. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke.
-Bounty Killer Freed of Assault Charge
Important Events –July:
-Brooklyn Music Festival: Gregory Isaacs’ latest US show.
-Gyptian’s ‘Hold Yuh’ peaked at # 31 Billboard R&B Hip Hop Singles chart
-Corporate company Red Stripe Beer returns to sponsorship of live music events in Jamaica after they withdrew their support in 2008
-Dance hall reggae veteran Lincoln ‘sugar’ Minott died of heart complications in Jamaica.
–Singer Alaine launches her own record label 1thirty1 Record Label
-Buju Banton celebrated his 37th birthday in Florida jail.
-Jamaica Association of Veteran Artist Award (JAVA) First Year Inductees To The Jamaica. Music Hall of Fame: Clement “Coxone” Dodd, Lord Flea, Louise Bennett-Coverly, Vere Johns, Count Ossie, Alpha Boys’ School, The (original) Wailers, The Skatalites , Olive Lewin, Arthur “Duke” Reid, Ernest Ranglin and Derrick Morgan.
-DJ Elephant Man’s benz seized by Jamaican tax authorities for $10 million in taxes owed.
-I-Octane hailed as the best performing act at 2010 Reggae Sumfest in Jamaica.
-NY’s Irie Jam media cancels annual Irie Jamboree reggae festival.
-The deejay/singer duo of Chaka Demus and Pliers sues UMG for more than US$10 million in unpaid royalties and accountability for record sales in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan.
-Deejay Bounty Killer honored for his contribution to Jamaica’s music at Reggae SumFest
-The New York base Putumayo Record, a world-beat music company released Tribute To a Reggae Legend, a 12-track album tribute set to superstar Bob Marley featuring artistes from Africa, Brazil, Canada, and the United States.
-Donna Hope-Marquis Ph.d, popular dancehall author and lecturer, released her second book featuring the realities of dancehall culture touchy topic of sexuality in the dancehall with Man Vibes: Masculinities in Jamaican Dancehall.
Important Events-August:
-Sugar Minott Buried.
-Great Britain Trojan Records reissued ‘Everything I Own’ by singer Ken Boothe. The single ‘Everything I Own’ hit #1 on the British national chart in 1971 and Boothe‘s ‘Crying Over You’ also entered British Top 20 chart.
-Gyptian’ ‘Hold You’ peaked #3 on Billboard Heart seekers Songs Chart
-Gyptian joins Damian Marley & Nas on their Distant Relatives 2010 US Tour.
-Lady Saw, Partners with Toasting Music to Release New Album, My Way
-The #1 UK Dancehall & Reggae artist Gappy Ranks (Greensleeves Records and Publishing) introduced to US market via VP Record release.
-Gaza DJ Popcaan arrested in a big brawl at the airport in the Bahamas.
-Jamaican Producers Jam 2 Productions, Jammy James (Jam 2) & Camar Doyles (Flavaunit) sue Hulk Hogan daughter for failing to neither compensate nor credit for production work on her “The Redemption” album.
-Bounty Killer’s Range Rover and Land Cruiser seized by Tax Dept for $ millions in taxes.
-Buju Banton Trial begins and ends in a hung jury.
-Jamaica court ordered the eviction of the Bunny Wailer’s Millennium School operated the in Mona, St. Andrew, Jamaica, for failure to pay over more than JD$1.2 million in rent owed.
-Diana King launches the ‘Think like a Girl Music’ record label and inks licensing deal with Warner Music Japan!
-The Wyclef Jean, Barrington Levy, Shaggy and Snoop Dogg, collaboration on
“Murderer” made history as first ever track to be featured by iTunes on both the Hip Hop and Reggae pages simultaneously.
-Gyptian records remix of Travis McCoy’s mega hit single ‘Billionaire’
Important Events –September:
-Vybz Kartel’s “Clarks” featured on Canada’s ‘You Think You Could Dance’.
-Bob Marley School for the Arts Institute Hosts The Reggae Music & Technology Expo and Reggae Walk Of Fame Induction Ceremony 2010 at Cinema Paradiso, Fort Lauderdale, on September 10-11, 2010
–Bob Marley Named # 11 on VH1’s Top 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
-Bob Marley’s family loses copyright case against Universal Music Group (UMG).
-Bounty Killer arrested for assaulting a woman with a hammer. Woman then withdraws charges
-Tuff Gong Distribution announced the release of the 30th Anniversary of Bob Marley’s Live Performance album ‘Live Forever’
-Mavado signs endorsement deal with LIME.
-Judge declared mistrial in Buju Banton’s drug case.
-Dancehall DJ Ninja Man seeks judicial review on bail application after two years in police lock up.
-Norma Dodd, widow of the father of Jamaican music, legendary producer Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd, dies
-Island Records celebrates its 50th anniversary with the release of the book, The Story of Island Records: Keep on Running
-Trojan Records announced the release of Harder Road To Travel, a two-CD retrospective of the singer Jimmy Cliff’s work.
Important Events –October:
-I-Octane inked endorsement a deal telecom giant Digicel to represent the Digicel brand.
-Head of Shocking Vibes Entertainment Patrick Roberts’ BMW X5 seized for $millions owed in taxes.
-Reggae singer/songwriter Duane Stephenson performs at the World Food Program in honor of the United States Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton at the George McGovern Leadership Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
-Reggae singer/songwriter Duane Stephenson opening act for The Wailers on US tour
-Gay rights group, The Gay Liberation Network, planned to protest Capleton’s October-9 concert in Chicago.
–Don Corleon Record’s digital album “Major & Minor Riddim” which features the single “Let’s Do It Again” by J. Boog peaked s at #1 on the iTunes Reggae charts in Japan and New Zealand, and climbed on the best-selling reggae songs on the iTunes US charts.
-Chaka Demus has life saving operation.
-Buju Banton granted bail in an immigration court with severe restrictions and house arrest.
-Gyptian wins Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Award, the equivalent of the US Grammy, for Best Reggae Act in England.
-UK Exhibition on the life of Ska legend Laurel Aitken
-Gregory Isaacs, Reggae Singer/Songwriter, Dies in UK at 59.
-Jamaica’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture launches Reggae Marathon 2010 (Half Marathon and 10K races) to promote the development of new events to bolster Brand Jamaica. Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Turnkey Productions, (producers of Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival) and a calendar of activities with Turnkey Productions, local and overseas organizations.
-Dancehall-reggae artists Busy Signal, Gramps Morgan, Bunji Garlin, Etana, Konshens and the Alliance brand launched online store; They merchandise a range of dancehall reggae street gear on reggaemerch.com.
-Jamaican Music Icons Ernie Smith and Big Youth honored by US Congress and Coalition To Preserve Reggae in NY.
-Renowned Music sound system Merritone celebrates its 60th anniversary.
-A new film, A Dance For Grace, puts Jamaica’s reggae dancehall troupes at the center of its optimistic plot.
Important Events –November:
-Reggae singer Ed Robinson releases “Our Heroes”. It was added to VP’s Reggae Gold.
-German reggae artiste Gentleman and Jamaican reggae singer Chris Martin’s single ‘To the Top’ surpassed four million views on YouTube
-Sonia Pottinger, part of Jamaica’s the Big Three with Coxson Dodd and Duke Reid; Jamaica’s first and most success female producer dies.
-Toots & the Maytals appears on NBC’s Jimmy Fallon show in NY, and join an all-star list of musicians from New Orleans in a special Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute performance to Fats Domino at the Playhouse Square’s Palace Theatre in Cleveland.
-Dancehall sing-jay Serani’s ‘Skip to My Luu’ hit added to Hot 97’s daytime rotation on the #1 radio station HOT 97 in New York. This is his 3rd single added to the station’s rotation in two years.
-Buju Banton out on bail.
-DJ’s Mavado and Vybz Kartel held in jail over night in Jamaica.
-Rita Marley honored with Marcus Garvey Lifetime Achievement Award at the 17th Annual Caribbean American Heritage Awards Gala hosted by the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington DC
–Bayside Rocks Festival: Salutes Bunny Wailer, Steel Pulse, Toots & Maytals, Midnite, Cultura at Bayfront Park, Fl
-Judge denies Buju Banton’s request to perform at live concert on Dec.26.
-Gyptian wins Best Reggae Artist Award at Soul Train Awards in Atlanta beating Vybz Kartel, Damien Marley, Jah Cure, Mr. Vegas and Gramps Morgan.
-Gyptian joins Mary J Blige’s UK tour.
– A collection of portraits, performances and personal shots by photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker are now on exhibition in New York. Bob Marley and the Golden Age of Reggae
-Duane Stephenson completes first half of South American Tour: Peru, Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador.
Important Events- December:
-54th Annual Grammy Awards – Best Reggae Album Nominees: Before the Dawn: Buju Banton, Revelation: Lee “Scratch” Perry: Made In Jamaica – Bob Sinclar and Sly & Robbie, Isaacs Meets Isaac: Gregory Isaacs & King Isaac, An Acoustic Tribute To Peter Tosh – Andrew Tosh
-Dancehall DJ Busy Signal Drew 50,000 at his First concert in Gambia while another 10,000 left outside waiting to get in.
-Grenadian church leaders launched a protest against Christmas Eve concerts featuring Jamaican artistes Beenie Man, Mr. Vegas, Assassin and Jahvinci
-President/founder of Jamaican Association of Female Artistes (JAFA), and Entertainment lawyer Sandra Alcott, died on December 30 in Jamaica.
–Reggae/Dancehall artiste Chino McGregor’s song ‘From Mawning’ (Never Change) is the #1 purchased and downloaded track/ringtone on Japan’s most established ringtone site
-Judge gives Buju Banton the go ahead to perform at concert Jan 16 in Florida.
-Prosecution Fights Buju defense motion to have the gun charge against Banton dropped. His lawyer David Markus claimed that the charge is `multiplicitous` and `without merit, ` and should be denied.
-Co-chairman of the Reggae Grammy Committee Roger Steffens predicts Gregory Isaacs will win 2010 Best Reggae Album Grammy
-Reggae music keyboardist pioneer Glen ‘Capo’ Adams, a member of the Hippy Boys and the Upsetters, (Lee ‘scratch’ Perry) two of the most influential bands in reggae history died in Jamaica at age 65. Adams wrote Mr. Brown according to Producer Bunny Lee Glen brought that great organ shuffle to reggae
-Dubtonic Kru wins the Jamaican leg of Global Battle of the Bands competition
-Zola Burse, (Tour Manager) died in Florida
-International Reggae singer Buju Banton placed under house arrest at his Tamarac, Florida home
-A 15 member group of disgruntled musicians, including respected lead guitarist Lebert ‘Gibby’ Morrison, and bassist Donald ‘Axeman’ Dennis, formed an organization Protest Now And Save Reggae (PNASR) against a distinct media bias toward dancehall music in Jamaica have to push for a level playing field for other forms of reggae music. They release a song, ‘Reggae Rescue From Freefall’, to help push their point. It will be distributed to all local media and, based on response (airplay, etc); results will be sent to the Broadcasting Commission, the independent body that monitors airwave standards
–Lady Saw’ open Diva Records, her recording studio in Jamaica. Kriss Kelly, Chanel and
Temptress are some of the artistes Lady Saw is working with on her label. After a seven years absence Lady Saw’ returned to the ‘Sting’ stage show December 26
Online Music Store iTunes, the dominant online music store in the US listed her latest album. ‘My Way’, is her first 100% control of songs and production, on The Best of Reggae for 2010
-Shaggy hosts Christmas Gala at Bustamante Hospital for Children where they handed out gifts, gave brief performances, and spread much cheer among the children, their parents and the staff.
-Vybz Kartel’s “Gaza 2.0” album sold 6000 units (VP Distribution)
–Morgan Heritage keyboardist and singer Gramps announced decision to become a professional football player.
-17 North Parade, a division of VP Records announced the release date “Steely and Clevie historic compilation album, the Digital Revolution featuring their top hits (release date January 25, 2011).
-Sister Carol celebrated thirty years in the music business as a solo artist on Dec 5, 2010 with a showcase held at Sullivan Hall located at 214 Sullivan St in New York City. Sis as she is affectionately known released her new single entitled “Mother Earth” and new video.
-Tarrus Riley & Dean Fraser, Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander for World —Festival of Black Arts and Culture in Dakar, Senegal on December 19
–Wayne Wonder Gets Release from VP Records
-Home Circuit Court judge denies Ninjaman’s application for bail on the grounds that the witnesses in the case were being threatened. Ninja man has been in custody on gun and a murder charges for the March 16, 2009 murder of Ricardo ‘Ricky Trooper’ Johnson
-Dancehall group T.O.K, along with the LIVE WYYA BAND does a special concert performance at the International Conference Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe.
-Black Eyed Peas sampled Barrington Levy’s ‘hit ‘Here I Come’ on the track ‘The Coming’ their latest CD ‘The Beginning.’ This is the 40th time ‘Here I Come’ has been sampled
-VP Records’ Dennis Brown compilation The Crown Prince of Reggae: Singles 1972 to 1985 debuted at #10 on Billboard Magazine’s Reggae album chart
-Reggae artists Tifa, I-Octane, Ce’Cile and Chino lent their voices to the World Aids Day concert at National Heroes Park in Kingston
-Toots performed for 40 million viewers in the UK on BBC 2’s Jools Holland Hootenanny show.
