Wyclef’s plea for quake-hit Haiti– Haiti’s most famous son, Haiti-born recording artist, musician and producer, Wyclef Jean, on Tuesday night In a statement issued hours after the quake struck Haiti, he called on the international community to offer emergency to the Caribbean state hit by a massive magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Tuesday. Wyclef urged people to “act now” to help the 2 million people in the capital Port-au-Prince who were directly affected. “I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. “Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion unlike anything the country has ever experienced “There are four million Haitians outside of Haiti and this is the time for … them to step up and call their congressman,” Jean told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “We need a state of emergency right now.”
Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis Leads PADF-OAS`s Haiti Relief Campaign-PRNewswire-USNewswire/report that Haitian American actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, who plays the `Haitian` on NBC`s hit series `Heroes,` is leading a public awareness campaign to raise money for the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Pan American Development Foundation and the Organization of American States announced. Jimmy Jean-Louis will appear in television public service announcements, print ads and online.
The actor found out that his parents in the Haitian capital are safe, their home was destroyed by and other family members died in the earthquake. He’s returning to Haiti where he will provide first-hand reports on the situation on the ground by satellite telephone for PADF.
Hollywood Stars for Haiti
CaribWorldNews out of New York, report that Hollywood stars are pitching in to help Haiti as that nation grapples with the after effects of the Tuesday, January 12th earthquake. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated a whopping $1 million to Doctors Without Borders emergency medical operations responding to the earthquake.. The organization said it is dispatching additional emergency staff, including a surgical team and equipment to establish a 100-bed inflatable tent hospital with two operating rooms. Embattled Golfer, Tiger Woods, is said to be pitching in $3 million to Haitian singer, Wyclef Jean. Jean foundation, Yele Haiti..
Madonna Donated $250,000 to Haiti, asks fans to help
Hollywood’s biggest names: TV show star LL Cool J of NCIS’ and Sean “Puffy” Combs, actress Demi Moore, and singer Shakira, have been Twittering on their pages asking fans to donate to Haitian relief.
Music industry pledges Haitian support:
The Jamaican Music fraternity is also embracing the Haitian cause. Musicians and promoters are pledging their assistance in a variety of ways.
OutAroad.com website is reporting that despite his legal problems reggae star Buju Banton has announced that he will be lending a helping hand to the people of Haiti. The incarcerated artiste, Banton has pledged to donate US1000 along with clothing and other necessary items. The incarcerated artiste, Banton has pledged to donate US1000 along with clothing and other necessary items.
Pepsi Rebel Salute 2010:
DJ Tony Rebel, promoter of Pepsi Rebel Salute, and Pepsi’s Marketing Manager Denise Dixon is worked out dedicating 30- minutes to one hour Pepsi Rebel Salute in Jamaica on January 16th (tonight) to the people of Haiti and collect funds from patrons willing to donate.”
Proceeds from Coke Zero concert for Haiti relief: All the money made from the Coke Zero concert in Jamaica Saturday Jan.16th featuring international superstar Sean Kingston, and Etana, Ding Dong, Elephant Man, Demarco, Alaine, Tifa to be held at the LIME Golf Academy in New Kingston will be donated to relief funds for survivors of the 7.2 magnitude, earthquake in Haiti. From the $100 that persons paid over to Mother’s and Burger King to redeem tickets, to every dollar collected at the gate for the event, proceeds from drink sales, everything we will just hand over to Food for the Poor for them to activate our support and get aid to the persons who need it most.”
The Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) group — whose members include Oscar-winners director Oliver Stone and actress Charlize Theron, and actors James Franco and Josh Brolin — joined the appeal has a Project Haiti fund which has helped the construction of several key facilities including a hospital which was destroyed in the quake.
The Associated Press reports that George Clooney and MTV are working together to stage a telethon for Haitian earthquake relief, Though the roster of celebrities that will participate has yet to be determined, Clooney’s rep tells The AP it will likely air on Jan. 22 on all MTV networks — including VH1, Comedy Central and CMT — as well as on ABC, NBC, HBO and CNN.
Actor Ben Stiller’s charity raises money for children in Haiti.
One Touch Charity Organization-President and founder, Sophronia, McKenzie and reggae/dancehall songstress Raine Seville co-founder of the One Touch Charity Organization in Jamaica spoke to a variety of persons who have pledged their assistance under the One Touch Banner. According to Seville they received assistance from the Rotaract Club of St Andrew, promoter PJ Wright of Wright Image, producer TJ White, Bugle, Fed Ex, S&A Beautique, Coca Cola and Lascelles in the form items such as food, clothes, medicines, soap and disinfectants, among other necessities.”
Steve Urchin/Brand New Machine and superstar Sean Paul also assisted the Haitian cause. They did a celebrity birthday party Paparazzi for Sean Paul who celebrated his birthday last Friday. The proceeds from the entrance fee will go towards Haiti.
Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival Jan 24-29, have introduced a food-relief program to assist the victims of the earthquake. Working with local agencies, TurnKey will collect and package non-perishable food items from patrons attending the annual festival for delivery to the impoverished nation. Patrons could also leave donations at ticket outlets
Beenie Man Pledges to help Haitian Earthquake Survivors– Beenie Man issued a press release stating that he has been deeply moved by the devastation that was caused by the earthquake. He has pledged to lend his artistic skills in any way to help raise funds and has already contributed money to the Yele Haiti charity to aid humanitarian efforts.
Beenie Man and Wyclef Jean collaborated on the songs, Love Me Now and Lie Detector.”Wyclef Jean and I share a passion for improving communities throughout the world and he has always been very hands-on when it comes to looking after his home nation so I can’t imagine what he is going through at this very difficult time,” Beenie Man, who has also spearheaded social and environmental programmes in tough inner city areas such as Craig Town, Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse in his native Jamaica, said. Beenie Man
McDonald’s Contributes $1 Million, Donations to Disaster Relief Efforts in Haiti –
The Verizon Foundation Announces $100,000 in Grants to Aid Earthquake Victims in Haiti, PepsiCo Foundation donated $1 million to the earthquake victims in Haiti and PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) will provide Quaker products as well as bottled water and Gatorade for the disaster victims through its bottlers in Florida and the Dominican Republic
Viacom Inc, whose companies include MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, announced Wednesday that it was setting up a $500,000 matching gift program, with donations going to the Red Cross. The Walt Disney Co also announced it was contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross
Jamaican Opposition Leader Portia’s and Prime Minister Golding visited Haiti
Associated Press report that more than 7,000 nurses in the United States have volunteered to go to Haiti to help injured survivors of the devastating earthquake
Jimmy Cliff to receive Linkz FM Lifetime Achievement Award
Reggae legend Jimmy Cliff will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award when the western Jamaica-based Linkz 96FM hosts at the second Linkz Awards – The Cupid Edition at Margaretville in Montego Bay on Friday, February 12.Roger Allen, CEO of Linkz FM. Said “Once again, we will be recognizing the contribution that talents from western Jamaica have made to the development of the Jamaican entertainment industry,” said It is our belief that the works of these talented individuals should not go unrecognized.
Sophia Brown gets ‘Universal’ deal-Reggae songstress Sophia Brown having signed a one-year, one-album distribution deal – with options – with the Universal Records label. It is a move, she says, to truly go global and takes her one step closer to realizing her dream of winning a Grammy
Chino nabs 6 nominations
The Reggae/Dancehall artiste Daniel McGregor, aka Chino the son of reggae legend Freddie McGregor, has been nominated for six awards in this year’s Youth View Awards (YVA) and Excellence in Music and Entertainment Awards EME. For the YVA’s he was nominated for: ‘Male Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Young Hot & Hype Male Artiste of the Year’ , for the EME’s he was nominated for ‘Breakthrough Artiste of the Year’, ‘Singjay of the Year’ and ‘Most Improved Artiste of the Year’ and ‘Song of the Year – Dancehall’ for From Mawning.
Bashment Granny’ movie to debut at Carib June 16
There are plans for premieres across the Caribbean, the UK, USA and Canada. The ‘Bashment Granny” premiere will take at Carib, Cross Roads, St Andrew, on June 16. It will be screened at Cinemas Island wide.
Among those stars are Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsey, Maxwell ‘Maama Man’ Grant, Garfield ‘Bad Boy Trevor’ Reid and Stede ‘Jooky Jam’ Flash. There are also persons who were not in the play of the same name, including Apache Chief and Sarge, Trudy Bell, Donald Thompson and Patrick Smith.
There will also be a big premiere in the US either in Florida or New York. And there is a special showing in the UK” Toronto, Canada, and number of Caribbean islands including Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua and The Bahamas.
Dean Fraser, renowned saxophonist, will be doing the soundtrack for the movie and an album will be produced. The intention is to go for reggae in the theme song. However, on the soundtrack “not everything is going to be reggae.
Barrington Levy’s No War gets 500,000 spins on hip hop website
Barrington Levy’s new ‘No War’ video has been creating waves in the US market since its release over a week ago. “The video has over 500,000 views on worldstarhiphop.com, and the video will be on MTV, BET and VH1 Soul. Mr. Levy released his new video ‘No War’ at a critical juncture and the message in the music calls for everyone to unite as we are all one family, if one of us is hurt then all of us hurt as well,” Daddy Biggs, chief executive officer of Platinum Camp Productions, said. The video features cameos from Ninja Man, Louie Rankin, and Wayne Wonder amongst others.
A release from PCP said that “Barrington Levy and the Platinum Camp Productions family extend their deepest sympathies to the people of Haiti in their time of despair.”
Locked out – Jamaican acts finding it more and more difficult to get into some countries
US visa for Vybz Kartel
Reliable YardFlex sources have confirmed that visa restrictions have been lifted from dancehall artiste Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer. “He has been given a permit that allows him one entry to the United States,” the source said, adding that Kartel will be able to work on this visa.
Kartel, whose last performance in the US was nearly five years ago, has since been trying to renew his work permit for that North American country, without much success. Interestingly, the reason for the US embassy’s refusal to grant the dancehall artiste a visa has never been fully disclosed and this has led to various speculations. A prolific hit maker, and the self-styled Gaza President, Kartel has a huge following and is in high demand for shows in the US. Last year, an intense and much-hyped rivalry between himself and the Gully God, Mavado led to intervention by the Jamaican government. Posted by YardFlex
