IRAWMA Winners!! The 25th Anniversary of the International Reggae & World Music Awards held on May 6th at NY’s Apollo Theatre announced the 2006 winners. Damian Marley copping 4 awards – the Bob Marley Award for Entertainer of the Year, Recording Artist of the year, Best Song of the year, "Welcome to Jamrock" and the best album of the year, "Welcome to Jamrock”; Marcia Griffiths took home Best Female vocalist; Sean Paul, Best Crossover Song, "We Be Burning”; Beenie Man, Best Male D.J. / Rapper; Macka Diamond, Best Female D.J. / Rapper; Machel Montano, Best Calypso/Soca Entertainer. Other entertainers such as, Capelton, Luciano, Papa San, Jah Cure, Kanye West and more all took home coveted awards. Congrats to you all!!!

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Reggae Sumfest hails women performers!! Music lovers all across the world and in Jamaica make preparations for the big show which already boasts a stellar lineup, but undoubtedly the entertaining and versatile ladies of dancehall are expected to bring their own flavor, dynamism and powerful lyrics to the show. The Queen of Dancehall, Lady Saw, promised she will make her showing at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest an unforgettable one.

The Ethiopian Lion Family Community Youth Movement presents A Musical Outcry and Fundraiser The M.I.S.S.I.O.N Unfinished Business: “A tribute to the International women and child, OUTCRY against Drugs and Violence in Jamaica and S. Florida” at Samuel Delevoe Park Sistrunk Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL On Sunday, May 21, 2006.

According to Lion, the organization’s director, "The organization's mission is to make a difference in the lives of inner city youth's every where and to stir response to duty's call."

The event will feature alongside Ethiopian Lion Family Studio One Veteran, Youth Man Promotion Sugar Minott with Fyah Pashon from Jamaica and selected rising artists from South Florida who will deliver conscious roots reggae and culture rhythms all backed by The Nubian Players Band. The Lion Cub youths will be drumming and singing spiritual melodies.

There will also be authentic Caribbean foods, natural juices, games, and storytelling and bounce houses for the children. This event is FREE admission with love donations of necessary school supplies for underprivileged children in Jamaica. This event is from 10 am - 6 pm and welcomes any sponsorship or monetary donations. This Ras Tafari Reunification aims to feed the multitude by spreading the universal message of H.I.M. Haile Sellassie I's love and teachings to all humanity regardless of race, religion or gender.

As I’m writing this, I have the lovely Barbados sun, gleaming into my room with the radio playing.  No, it’s not playing soca, as I would have hoped, but rather, reggae.  There is a lot of potential for soca to reach the heights as reggae, though given the direction soca has taken, I’m sure the sounds will be completely different than what jost of us have become accustomed to hearing. 

Reggae Sunsplash, is back and has started to create controversy. Jamaica has set the entire entertainment industry abuzz. Everyone is talking about the return of the greatest Reggae Festival in the world. The artistes, both local and international, are thrilled with the opportunity to participate in the Reggae music festival credited with launching Reggae music, creating “the Reggae superstar” and expanding Jamaican culture across the globe. In order to remain true to the spirit of Sunsplash there will be something for everyone over four nights; roots and culture, ‘higher love’, hardcore, as well as our heroes, warriors and the stars of tomorrow.

Some top performers confirmed include Elephant man, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Morgan Heritage, Luciano, Gregory Issacs and Maxi Priest. In the meantime, SUNSPLASH officials have been in discussion with the management of deejay Beenie Man in an attempt to resolve issues that have arisen from a contract signed for the artiste to appear exclusively at the summer festival. Questions recently arose when the organizers of another summer festival, Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest, announced that Beenie Man was also billed to appear as the headline act along with Bounty Killer at their event. Reports are that requests were also made by members of Beenie Man's management team for some amount of flexibility. Sumfest is slated to take place from July 16-22 in Montego Bay, while Sunsplash will be held at the Richmond Estate in Priory, St. Ann, from August 3-6. For Sumfest, among the confirmed acts are Capleton, Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Baby Cham and Busy Signal.

Greetings! The month of April sure passed by quickly.  St. Thomas Carnival is upon us and Jamband is heating things up.  I recently got a chance to hear their album and while Daddy Friday is no longer with us, Jamband is here to stay.  New lead singer, Pantha, has a voice reminiscent of Friday, but brings his own flavor to the band.  Check their new tracks, “No Jamband No Carnival,” and, “Wha You Mean By That,” and you’ll see they’re still coming strong as ever.  I predict Jamband will dominate the road with their music this year.  What would be a greater tribute to the late Daddy Friday than to continue the music that he loved so much!

So, last week I was making predictions as to who would do well this summer.  One of those individuals, Orande “Bomani” Charles, was in New York recently and collapsed and broke his jaw in several places.  He is expected to recover, though it will take some time.  His presence for Vincy Mas is undecided, but I do wish that he recovers quickly.  For those unfamiliar with the name Bomani, you may be more familiar with his music.  He had a big tune in 2004 with his winning Road March tune, “I Am Soca,” as well as his popular song with various names depending on who you ask, “Booty Call/Turn ‘Round/Shake It.”  No matter what you call it, the song is hot!  In 2005, Bomani brought us a nice groovy tune, “Wet,” that has picked up pace in soca parties everywhere.  Let’s all pray that Bomani gets better soon, and hopefully he’ll be back to doing music in the near future.