"I WILL BE EXONERATED" - KARTEL

Vybz Kartel has issued a statement to the press regarding a statement by the police naming him as a "major person of interest" in St. Catherine. He has consented to be interviewed by the police this morning.
I, like millions of other Jamaicans, have certain concerns about the potential violation of my civil rights and liberties during this State of Emergency, however, I will grant the police an audience this morning as they have declared me a "major person of interest", and placed my name on a list populated by a number of alleged criminals.
This is not the first time that the police force has attempted to smear my reputation based on half-baked assumptions and ridiculous rumours, but as it happened then, I know I will be exonerated once again. I have nothing to fear. Fear makes men believe the worst, but I believe in our justice system, however flawed it may be, and in the end, I will be vindicated. I remain confident that the security forces will act with professionalism in this matter.
I have engaged legal counsel to safeguard my rights, and the truth will prevail.
I know I will be exonerated.

Lauryn Hill Breaks Her Silence

Lauryn Hill hasn’t granted many interviews as of late, but NPR managed to score some one-on-one time with the reclusive singer during her visit to the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, Calif., earlier this month.
Reporter Zoe Chace was invited to ride in the former Fugees member’s car following her performance and soon found out that Ms. Hill, as she prefers to be called, is doing just fine despite the rumors.

On why she stopped putting out music: “There were a number of different reasons. But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it’s important we have an environment—and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it’s important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected. Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates.”

On wanting to sing more: “I’m trying to open up my range and really sing more. With The Fugees initially, and even with Miseducation, it was very hip-hop—always a singing over beats. I don’t think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context.Where people can hear a bit more.”

On why she started to perform again: “I don’t know if you know this, but I have five children. The youngest is 2 now, so she’s old enough that I can leave her for a period of time and know she’s going to be okay. That’s one reason. And I think it’s just time. I’m starting to get excited again. Believe it or not, I think what people are attracted to about me, if anything, is my passion. People got exposed to my passion through music and song first. I think people might realize, you know, ‘We love the way she sounds, we love the music, but I think we just love how fearless she is. How boundless she is, when it comes to what she wants to do.’ And I think that can be infectious.”

On staying healthy: “I think if I was created with such power or an ability, then what’s also been put in me is the blueprint for the responsibility part, as well. I have to take care of myself in order to take care of this gift, which has affected so many. I don’t treat it lightly. It’s important to me to be healthy and to be whole.”
Source: www.rap-up.com

AGENT SASCO, I-OCTANE TO LEAD DIGICEL’S SUMFEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Digicel, sponsor of Sumfest for the 10th consecutive year, recently announced the two faces that will lead the company’s Sumfest Marketing Campaign — Agent Sasco and I-Octane. The announcement was made during the official launch of the Reggae Sumfest 2010, came a week after the telecommunications company reported that they have teamed up with international producer Demarco to produce the vibrant and energetic rhythm titled “Next Generation”.
Agent Sasco, after rebranding himself from his former name — Assassin, is said to be leading a revolution in the Jamaican music industry. Commenting on his involvement with Digicel’s Sumfest marketing campaign Sasco expressed, “something like this is a testament to my character as an artiste and something that I am very proud of.”
I-Octane, a fresh face that also has one of his recent singles (She Deh Yah Fi Mi Love) featured on the Digicel Sumfest rhythm, also echoed similar sentiments stating that, “being one of the faces of Digicel’s marketing campaign for Sumfest definitely adds a new dimension to my career and it’s truly an honour to be a part of the Digicel family in such a big way”.
Digicel’s marketing campaign for Sumfest is gearing up to be the hottest marketing campaign for the summer with the telecoms provider promising customers great value offers. According to Shelly-Ann Curran, Senior Sponsorship Manager at Digicel, “Our line-up of activities this year has led us to forge some fantastic partnerships that will ensure that our customers continue to benefit from superior value and amazing offers. We have also joined with Motorola again to continue wowing our customers with the latest innovation in mobile technology and we will be announcing these details very soon. It’s going to be a great summer for Digicel and our customers and we’re looking forward to it”.

IKAYA CONNECTED AT PIER 1

Female deejay Ikaya is said to be feeling good about the her performance at the event dubbed Colour Me Purple which was held at Pier 1 in Montego Bay, last Saturday.
Sharing the stage with Lady Saw and Ce’Cile, the up-and-coming artiste held her own going on right after a fiery performance from the bad gal of dancehall Ce’Cile.
Ikaya opened her set with Amber Alert before going into singles such as Good Up Good Up and closing out with Best Wine (a counteraction to Gyptian’s Hold Yuh).
“I was really heartened by the warm reception I received. It’s shows that my music is reaching its target,” commented Ikaya about the crowd’s response to her performance.
In other news the video for her latest single Money Ova Man is enjoying chart success
on both Hype TV’s VTX and RE TV’s MVP video countdown charts.
The video is currently in the number two position on both charts.
The single is also receiving good rotation on local airwaves.

“CLARKS” HOLD’S FIRM @ #1 ON HYPE TV TOP 20 SINGLES CHART

Members of the Portmore Empire Vybz Kartel, Popcaan & Slim withClarks continues to grip the chart’s #1 spot for yet another.

I-Octane maintains his hold with Think A Little Time at the #2 position.

The general Mavado’s House Top climbs into the #3 place on the chart moving up from #4 and claimed the Shot To Watch title.

Multicultural artiste Ms Triniti steps in the top five with Mr. Deejay, now at #4 two spaces up from #6.

Fresh act Richie Loops’ My Cup is this week’s Greatest Gainer as it leaps three places up to take hold of the #5 position.

The chart New Entry goes to radio disc jock Sunshine, Unicorn and creator of Dancehall slangs Ching Ching with A Doh Care Anymore as it makes entry at #20 and produced by DJ Frass.

THE CHART AIRED FRIDAY'S @ 9:15pm WITH REPEATS DURING THE WEEK ON HYPE TV CAN BE VIEWED IN THE WEEKEND CHAT! NEWSPAPER ON FRIDAY'S, YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THIS WEEK TOP 20 SINGLES CHART ON HYPE TV WEBSITE JUST LOG ONTO www.hypetvjam.com




TOP 5 BUBBLERS

TW ARTISTE - TITLE - LABEL
01 Busy Signal – Night Shift – Tuff Muzik/Star Player Music

02 Bugle – Pearly Gates –TJ Records

03 Beenie Man – Under Curfew – Rose Gord Ent

04 Sophia Squire – Nah Fight Ova Man – Breddroc Music

05 Etana - Happy Heart - No Doubt Records
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TO GET HYPE TV CALL YOUR LOCAL CABLE PROVIDER OR LOG ON TO www.hypetvjam.com WATCH HYPE TV GLOBAL ON www.hypetvjam.com OR www.dancehallreggaeweseh.com

• Chart Compilation was done based on information received from the Sound Systems, Record Shops and Clubs Island wide.

Christopher Dudus Coke Turned Over to U.S. Officials

• Accused Jamaican Drug Lord Arrived in New York Thursday Evening

By RICHARD ESPOSITO and MARK SCHONE

Christopher Coke, the accused drug lord captured by Jamaican police Tuesday, was escorted by U.S. federal agents off a plane in suburban Westchester County, New York, at about 7 p.m. after his extradition from Jamaica.
He is expected to be arraigned in federal court in Manhattan on Friday.
Coke, also known as Dudus, who was wanted by the Southern District of New York on drug and weapons charges, was captured by Jamaican police on the outskirts of Kingston on Tuesday. He waived his right to judicial proceedings in Jamaica, according to a statement from the Justice Department, and was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Marshals service and the DEA.
U.S. Marshals, DEA agents and federal prosecutors had worked hand in hand with senior Jamaican military and police officials in an effort to effect Coke's surrender and extradition. His attorney had contacted U.S. authorities on Monday advising that Coke was considering turning himself in to the U.S. It was the first communication that U.S. authorities had had with Coke's attorney in several weeks.
"We are relieved that Coke's arrest and transfer to New York was not marked by the violence that had gripped the streets of Jamaica for so many days," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. "We look forward to presenting our case to a jury in a Manhattan courtroom and bringing Coke to justice."
Source: abcnews.com

‘PRAY FOR ME’, ‘DUDUS’ BEGS JAMAICA

HOURS before his extradition to the United States, former Tivoli Gardens don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke asked Jamaicans to pray for him.
In a two-page typewritten statement issued through his lawyer Tom Tavares Finson, Coke said he was leaving with a heavy heart, but was convinced he would be “vindicated”.
“Pray for me and God bless Jamaica,” Coke said. “I leave Jamaica and my family, in particular Patsy [mother Pauline ‘Patsy’ Halliburton], with a heavy heart, but fully confident that in due course I will be vindicated and returned to them.”
He said he had taken the decision to waive his rights to an extradition trial “on my own free will and have done so even though I’m of the belief that my case would have been successfully argued in the court of Jamaica”.
“I take this decision for I now believe it to be in the best interest of my family, the community of West Kingston and in particular the people of Tivoli and above all Jamaica,” he said.
Coke will be taken to the United States today, where he faces drug and gun-running charges.
Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com