LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

By Starapple

Interesting times lay ahead for dancehall. Last time I addressed the issue of the recent revocation of 4 major artistes USA visas. It is a topic that is not going to be dissipating anytime soon. Speculation
over the weekend has even pointed to the infiltration of our society by USA agents posing as consultants, tourists and so on. Funny that they feel free to enter our country and do as they see fit, yet other countries dare not exercise such an option, unless they wish to undergo severe sanctions.

Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor has recently recorded and produced an instant runaway hit [locally at least] by Beenie Man called Visa, Jah Cure has also joined in on the action and God knows who else; so very soon I suppose we will have a visa segment in the dance. Oh well. I am not sure if this is even a direction we would want to go in, given that we are going to be under siege very soon. It is not a simple
issue this whole revocation thing; many webs have been weaved and the normal 'we nah tek nuh chat' response that Jamaicans are prone to exhibit is not going to work. We are not a financial powerhouse so it is not a wise idea to take that route.


Anyway, given our current travails there abounds a great opportunity to rebuild and clean the moral fabric of our society and the music we consume and feed to the world. To be quite honest, even as an ardent lover of the Jamaican music form, over the 3 years prior to last year, what was being produced was rather wanting and unnecessarily violent, lewd and misogynistic. This is not even up for debate, this is a straight up fact. The songs gave the audiences a sugar high and made quick money for the artistes, but were basically the planting of seeds of future destruction. No matter how you would argue for change, the producers were unrelenting, the artistes were defensive, the deejays afraid to go against the grain and listeners great displayers of double standards [many chastising the music yet still playing the same music they chastised and railing to it and even paying to see the artistes perform].

This is not only the time to make the music pleasant to the ear once again, but entertaining. A number of producers have sprung up, likewise a number of artistes and current producers and artistes who
were already in the system have begun making changes. Quite notably Movado [Hold On Movy], Cash Flow Records, Don Corleone Records, Wasp, Chedda, Andrew and Wada Blood, Tami Chynn, Tifa, Timberlee, The Gangstress herself Stacious, Idonia, Charly Black and I could go on and on.

Alot of artistes are even exploring the reggae genre again, a number of old riddims are being 'licked' [rebuilt] over, but this is not sufficient. To garner momentum in the market place it takes proper
artiste management, industry structure, channels set up by government to facilitate development of the industry and a level of seriousness by the players in the industry.

It is not sufficient just to spit a few sentences of positive lines and then go and make a violent song. There has to be some consistency in an artiste repertoire. Proper song construction is needed in our
business, not just rhyming for rhyming sake. We need our artistes to go the extra mile and educate themselves and this does not have to mean tertiary education, because technology can afford many good usable information. More worth needs to be placed on good writers, the persons who can control input need to be straight up with the artiste when garbage is being delivered or when good content is being delivered poorly; 'yesmanship' is like a growing kidney problem, over time it leads to renal failure, artistes need to open their minds and exercise more topical diversity. In addition, alot of persons are
complaining of the non-jamaicaness in the sounds that are emanating from yard, that too is something which needs to be addressed. A set that is most times overlooked are the journalists who make exaggerated reports, who show up late for a show or dance and are only able to make a report based on the limited period they were present and not a comprehensive review, who interview only their 'friends' or artistes and producers they favor, and ignore and critique rather harshly those they might dislike in their written, audio and/or audio-visual reports. So far those who have made changes and have been consistent with palatable and well thought out lyrics are reaping the rewards with endorsements - Tifa, Ding Dong, D'Angel, Busy Signal, Chino, Konshens, Alibra ...and have been gaining popularity in the local sphere and overseas - G Whizz, Stacious, Andrew & Wada Blood, Professor, Cecile, I-Octane, Cherene Anderson, Natel, Romaine Virgo, Nicky B just to name a few.

We don't need a visa to make our industry better, but we do need some changes to be made. Becoming an entertainment Mecca should not be an elusive concept to us; afterall think, The Rolling Stones, Gentleman, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Drake (all international, Billboard charting acts) came here to record, why? Obviously, they were not forced, but drawn to something here. We have a magic that we will lose if do not stop taking what we have for granted. The self administration of cerassee tea to this industry bloated with toxins has to occur and it should not have taken an outsider to choke us to make us realize.

HEAVEN HELP US

BY STARAPPLE

It has been a rather interesting 3 weeks. So much has been happening in the Jamaican entertainment industry. The late night murmurings of the plausible revocation of some of the major stars (Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Idonia, Selector Ricky Trooper) visas had twitter buzzing more than a hive last Wednesday (March 31, 2010). Many thought it was going to be a mere April Fool’s day joke; unfortunately this was no Alice In Wonderland Fairytale. This is a reality that has quite a number of artiste’s defecating bricks faster than a mason can lay them.

Numerous articles have been written expressing deep concerned over the financial implications for Jamaica. After all, how much more can we really withstand? Let’s look at our industries: Bauxite is limping, coffee is draining, bananas are rotting, tourism will soon get a bullet because of the ever mounting societal tension, sports are trod ding along while entertainment is under serious pressure. It is not far fetch or conspiratorial to think that perhaps soon the major powers might institute technical trade blockages, issue statements which affect the willingness of possible visitors to grace our shores and even deny Jamaicans the privilege of a visa to their land.

Many a person integral in the dancehall sphere or fans of the sub-genre have insinuated that it is the homosexuals who have cause the dent to the genre and severe pressure on the artistes, but how true is this?

What is truly uncanny is that every time we suffer a laceration to the entertainment industry the gays are blamed, when in fact there are other factors which are stemming its development. In previous articles, I have pointed out a number of these factors and many other players have written and spoken on the subject.

The artistes will defend themselves and say that they are writing about what they have experienced or seen. That in itself might be true, but there are many artistes who directly tell you what to do in a violent manner in their songs. Many supply armaments, many engage in highly salacious behaviour and glorify it and many encourage behaviours which run contrary to what is written in their ‘HOLY BOOK – THE BIBLE’, many fail to make appearances at shows for which they have been paid, many give lackluster performances yet demand high fees, and frankly many do not even have performance prowess and lyrical wit.

A recent and disturbing argument which I have heard and one which is gaining fluency and flow is that the dancehall genre is affecting the airplay of indigenous music of other lands, how can this even be true when at the Grammys the winner is not presented with the Grammy at the live show, when the sales of the genre is so low, and when you look at the Billboard Reggae charts there is a weak representation of local artistes not to mention the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. It is perhaps only in the islands that you might hear more Jamaican music on their airwaves and even that too might soon change. Just look at the restrictions being placed on promoters in those islands where dancehall acts are supposed to be the major pull.

From recent reports about 50 major players in the entertainment industry are being targeted and the police are being strict about cutting off dances / sessions. Is this related to the failed extradition of Dudus or is it that the people overseas are fed up with the overall lack of professionalism or our “artistes” and the poor quality of “music” that is being produced?

BADMIND IT IS

BY STARAPPLE
The other day I went into a shop ' pon di corner' and overheard a discussion on the issue of how Jamaican people badmind. Well, if you live in Jamaica or you follow the culture then hearing that being uttered would not sound unfamiliar; since it is a resounding topic in the dancehall sphere and in the daily bickerings of Jamaicans. There are many others which prevail, but badmind aka grudgeful, undermining behaviour is the focus this time around.

I walked away after my transaction and no I did not get involved into the discussion because in our culture, you would be greeted with a 'ah who did a talk to you', be shot the corresponding glance, cause a pause in the conversation with the accompanying hand on hip, complete with a back turn, followed by a resumption of the converation sans your input or a suspiscious eyebrow raise with silence from the other parties to the conversation. In other words, if you are not invited to the discussion, don't insert yourself unless you know the individuals.

A few hours later the discussion in the shop re-entered my mind in a curious way. I thought about how many discussions like that I had heard across the island in different age groups, sexes, class, educational levels, sexuality and income brackets and you know what, they all sound alike maybe some with a bit more body accenture, vocal levels, a varying blend of English to Patois or colorization of language.

What struck me was that, the issue of bad mind like our inefficient business practices and ever mounting national debt is nothing new, is acknowledge by most and many persons are self appointed authorities on the matter and most importantly, it is always someone who 'ah badmind dem', so I put it to you, if Jamaican people badmind and each and every one of them is always complaining how him or her badmind, who are they and if they complain about others, then are you not badmind too? More importantly, if we have so many Connoisseurs of the subject, how is it that it can't be controlled or reversed or better yet stopped?

TIDES ARE CHANGING

BY STARAPPLE

Over the years when an artiste needed a forward in the Jamaican dancehall sphere all they had to do was bawl out JAH and the crowd would shout RASTAFARI or they would utter some lyrics about ALL WHO NUH LIKE B***YMAN mek mi see you gun hand or ALL WHO NUH LIKE LESBIAN mek mi see you hand or from you know say you nah BOW mek mi see you hand and the crowd who rail furiously. Nowadays it seems the tide is changing.

Now we have female artistes singing about nothing being wrong with engaging in fellatio. Once upon a time that was frowned upon, now you will see men who would otherwise not move in a dance pumping their hands like they just won a race. We even have male deejays, Fudgie Springer anyone, encouraging females to give a polish and shine and women in the dancehall rail up carry on bad like they just heard that they won the lotto. Interesting indeed. Yet when Cecile sang do it do me baby, she was chastised no end. I suppose she was a ‘HEAD' of her time or maybe it is that women don't value themselves that much or our males don't place any value on women except on their dagger ability. I wonder what would happen if Cecile were to sing that song in Jamaica now, check it out on the Coolie Dance Riddim. I could go down the road of hypocrisy regarding the attendees at the dancehall and the selectors since it is a well known fact that many of the male selectors have a grand appetite for the punnany not only for slicing but for biting. That is a whole 'nother topic. Many have been known to devour the 'rending meat' with juices still fresh on their palate before they carry on in the dance, conduct a survey if in doubt.

Many women cry about inequality yet Tanya Stephens must be the only one who from early out who sang about a man goggling. How is it that women jump up and endorse fellatio yet none are deejaying or singing about cunnilingus and the women who go to the dancehall are not requesting this kind of music. Maybe they have been brainwashed by the music.

Now moving happily along to the issue of gays, anyone who attends a dancehall session now will notice that the forwards for shooting up gays are getting less and less and gaining prominence are the number of plucked eyebrows, tight pants, shirt and brief men [even if their rotund paunches resemble a woman 4 months pregnant] who take up the dancing space. Surely, it cannot just be the external pressures from groups like GLAAD even though they would certainly be glad to see how the men who fight for the video light would rival any of their compatriots in a gay parade; actually they would out dress and out dance them any day.

As a matter fact, it could be argued that the music nowadays does not lend itself to bodily socialization of the opposites sexes instead it seems like it encourage men to run out together or women to dance and massage themselves. At least when daggering was in swing, the men would touch the women albeit outrageously so.

Lord, even Shebada's party is the big to do these days with Ragashanti, Milk & Lisa Hyper all making appearances. Maybe we will soon have Rupaul & Wendy Williams as guests on Sting now that would sting wouldn't it.

VAGINA CHRONICLES

By Starapple

We have certainly come a long way in the dancehall. In the 70's - 90's we had a smattering of females in the dancehall, but 2010 we have more numbers and not only that, but more airplay. Let's see we have Dawn Penn, Sister Nancy, Lady G, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Queen Paula, Tifa, Stacious, Timberlee, Cecile, Natalie Storm, Tessanne Chynn, Tami Chynn, Shema, Alaine,
Ishawna, Aisha, Denyque, Baby Tash, Face, Ikaya, Lisa Hyper, Spice and I could go on and on and on. Point is not only are there numbers, but there is airplay and more appearances at stage shows locally and overseas.

Having done the rounds at studios and hanging with the men and speaking with those in the fraternity and outside of the fraternity you would be amazed at how far we have come. Once upon a time you would hear real sordid stories about how a female artiste would have to give it up [no need for gross writing here] over and over before she could get on a riddim and even then her song might get a regular mix or not even appear on the track listing. You would even hear of the men styling the women is the most demeaning of ways, regardless of whether she has talent or not.

It pleases me now that the women are getting more airplay and have more presence despite the fact that the men still dominate the charts. If you scrutinize any chart carefully the top 10 is predominantly comprised of males, which are unless they have a combination with a male. Most times the songs that are in the top 10 are not necessarily the best.

What I find particularly disturbing is that in this day and age when more women are matriculating into higher institutions of learning and more of them are graduating and holding positions of power; when more of the female artistes are high school graduates and possess more knowledge that their predecessors, why is it that more of their lyrics are not empowering
Tessanne, Aisha, Tami, Shema, Denyne, Raine Seville aside.

Most of their lyrics revolve around the glue that they have, the tightness of their thing, how firm their bodies are, their ability to 'tek' your man, how well they can swallow the male 'member', how they would deal with their matey and other base lyrics. Is this what women want for themselves, is this the true mark of success? It confounds me that the majority of the lyrics revolve around these topics. How different are their lyrics from the men? Why is it that a 'good' song does not have to contain these lyrics?

It was so refreshing to hear that new song with Michael Bolton and Tami Chynn 'Can You Feel Me' and the new Shaggy and Tessanne 'Never Let You Go', Top 10 Billboard qualities without going to menial, common lyrical construction.

All sorts of songs can be accommodated, but don’t the men do enough of a slice and dice job of degrading women already, why do we feel the need to do the same of ourselves? Certainly we can sing about more than just about what lies below our necks.

We Say It How We See It

‘AMEN GET RID AH DI BWOY’

BY STARAPPLE

Well the week started off on a violent note. Hmmm. Nothing new here I suppose since we are talking about Jamaica. This time though it involved former Empire Princess, Gaza Kim who as rebranded herself as Kym. Apparently, she received a firm whacking from men allegedly affiliated with the Empire who branded her as an informer. Many rumours abounded:


a. She allegedly informed Shorty [Kartel’s apparent number 1] of Kartel’s infidelity and was physically punished by Empire members.
b. She allegedly informed Shorty of the infidelity and was beaten by Empire ardents.
c. She allegedly informed Shorty of the cheating and men instructed by Kartel were ordered to mete out punishment.
d. She allegedly informed Shorty of a specific woman The Teacha was sleeping with and he along with other Empire followers beat her clean T.

Whatever the truth or reason, the reality is that the beaten took place. Only 17 years of age the young lady decided to leave the camp, but take note that that it is only a physical departure. Recent reports have informed that she signed away her publishing rights for all previously recorded material whilst in the Empire and is still contracted to Kartel’s record label for another six (6) years. Interesting!! I find this rather interesting, Prince anyone, or should I say ARTISTE. Remember when he felt trapped and changed his name from Prince to just The Artiste. Maybe Kym is hoping that by changing her name from Gaza Kim to Kym will make her a new artiste. Perhaps legally it is a way out, but let us not fool ourselves we know badmanism is rife in our dancehall culture. That aside what is even more frightening is that many older artistes would cuss about how producers would take all their rights so now if they don’t perform or do dubs they cannot get any money from composition royalties. Many articles and discussions have been written and had about the rights of the musicians, writers, and artistes yet it seems as though many are ignorant or just too hungry to get in the entertainment circle that they just sign and sign to anything just to get a piece of the spotlight. Knowledge is power, but it can be a destructive weapon by those who possess it. It is indeed ironic that Kartel besides singing about violence and sex, spits rhymes about injustices and inequality yet it seems many an injustice takes place in the Big Yard.

Hopefully, contained therein the contract is a clause which would allow an artiste to exit if physical breach to his or her person or mental state occurs. Even if there is no such clause it is obvious that the traumatized young lady has no express desire to remain a part of ‘The Empire’ so why bind her hands?

A request for a lobby by on air and in the dance deejays has been suggested to release Gaza Kim for her contract, but even if that were to happen, what about ‘cyan ketch kwaki ketch him shut’ [if you can’t directly get to your target you attack their other points of weakness] and we know certain artistes vest their minds deeply on the 48 Laws of Power.

It would be deeply regrettable if anyone from the Alliance or aligned to the Alliance would seek to make mockery of the Gaza Kim beating in song or rhyme. We all know what would occur. Gully vs Gaza year 2 and another year of corrosion to Jamaican music. This would only help to eradicate the hard work put in by older artistes and help to line the pockets of a few who take advantage of the highly illiterate Jamaican population both in Jamaica and in the diaspora and persons who like to listen to Top 10 Jamaican music so they can feel ‘IRIE’ or be in the loop.

It’s a shame and utter disgrace this incident and even though Kym might ‘Amen get rid ah di bwoy’, it will haunt her in years to come and even women who enjoy dancehall. We really need to take a stand. In life there is Sun and Moon, Day and Night, Dry and Wet and the combination of them makes for balance in life. Chauvinistic behavior in dominance really does not help in forward movement.

I hope this is not a sick joke by the Empire for publicity or maybe many pundits were right that the Empire will soon fall apart. You can trick a person once but you can’t keep tricking them over and over with techniques that follow a familial path.

WHY DO WE TURN A BLIND EYE ON PEDOPHILIA?

BY STARAPPLE

2009 had some disturbing news but this year it seems like its going to continue. Recently the Star carried a headline about a 10 year old that gave birth; yes you read right. We hear of child trafficking through Trinidad; Zebra once again in jail for alleged pedophilia and these are just some of the dread child cases of note. Now it's quite fascinating that Jamaica is a country with a dense church population. There is no lack of articles and persons who chastise gays quite vividly because the bible says so, yet the numerous songs on gallis behaviour (infidelity anyone) draw not even a bicker. Then there are the songs on having a young girl or even virgins; pardon me what of the Bible here. Well maybe the church should keep mum again given the numerous cases or priests and pastors having sexual relations with youngsters. What is
apparent is that the bible is used as a selective defense.

Now there aren't many books available, show with scenes and many person purporting pedophilia sex so how is it that it happens with such regularity here, how is it that many persons know of it happening and remain virtually mute, to what extent does the fact that it is taking place and not being address help shape a nation of dysfunctional relationships (because the children become adults with
unresolved emotional issues). Why don't we as a nation defend our children or maybe harbor pedophiliac fetishes and only the brave ones exercise them and get caught. Nb: I find it interesting we love to have retro parties (parties that take you back to the past - often to youth and childhood), we like schoolas parties (where you dress in high school uniform like outfits - to childhood again), we love Madonna's Like A Virgin insanely, cartoons and we turn a blind eye to the money men with young girls.
Maybe we can initiate change here.

HOW YOU CAN SPOT A JAMAICAN ON A FLIGHT OR IN THE AIRPORT:

BY STARAPPLE

1. They are always arguing with the flight attendant over seat position; even when the seat they are in was assigned to someone else; and insist on not moving so much so it becomes almost like an IMF round of negotiation between the flight attendant and the stubborn Jamaican; hence we are always delayed.

2. They always have their documents well put up even after they move off from Immigration to Customs; everything well hidden so much so it takes about 5 minutes to find them

3. Just before landing, the flight suddenly smells like you walked in a perfume or cologne store; cause Jamaicans have to freshen up before they meet immigration

4. They are the ones in deep conversation with the Immigration officer; smiling and greeting as if they are the Immigration Officer

5. They always have the loudest discussion on their cell phones even when the captain just instructed them to turn off all electrical instruments and wait for the flight attendant to tell them 2 times after that that they have to get off as though it's the first time they are hearing it

6. As the plane lands on the tarmac; even if they were in a deep sleep during the flight they jump up like they were tasered and take off the seatbelt faster than Usain in Berlin and try to take down their 50 lb luggage so they can get to the front of the plane before it gets to the gate; even if they were in seat 33D

7. No matter how well dressed they are a scandal or lada bag is a must; even if it contains expensive items or they have to walk with a Mega Mart, Price Mart or Bashco bag

8. The women always wear some impossible heels even though they know that all flights that originate from Jamaica and that land in the USA are always given the gate farthest from the Immigration Counter; the men always have on the latest sneakers or kick me come kill me boots that are squeezing the daylights out of their toes. Regular born in the USA Americans wear whatever.

9. Jamaicans are the only ones you will see bending under the cue belt instead of following the line to get to the immigration officer

10. They are the only ones to hold spaces in the check in line and the Immigration Line.

11. They consistently never have anything to declare even when they are visiting for one day to the USA and have 3 bags that look like they weigh a tone.

12. Jamaicans are always reading the Immigration and Customs forms over and over like it's the first time they are seeing one; checking and rechecking and even when they get to Immigration they have to step aside to fill out something that they missed; holding up the line in the process

13. Even if they are not hungry they will accept the food that is served on the airline; look carefully and you will see them stuffing it in their luggage which is already straining at the zips;

14. After they manage to trick the check in agent and get on board the aircraft pass the flight attendant with hand luggage that should be on a cargo plane or a barge; they look around in amazement at the storage bins wondering why they are so small and why their hand luggage can't fit; even upon realizing that it can't fit they will launch into a mini powerlifting competition raising the fluffy piece of luggage as many times off the floor or passenger seat to the bin as possible trying to force it in; HOW IN THE WORLD DID THEY GET PASS THE CHECK IN AGENT AND FLIGHT ATTENDANT IN THE FIRST PLACE? I think the key is to eye lock the check in agent and flight attendant so they never look down at the oversized hand luggage.

15. Even after they get the confirmation email which says you are allowed only 1 piece of check in luggage of a maximum weight of 50 lbs you will find them at the check in counter opening 3 - 5 very massive suitcases removing sneakers, sugar, toilet paper, radio and such the likes and hissing their teeth the entire time and cussing under their breaths that "afta it cyan weigh more dan 50 lbs" which always hold up the line;

16. You can always spot a Jamaican who is coming back a yard because when they are at the overseas airport they always want to take picture at the drop off point even when the signs STATE CLEARLY that NO PARKING, ONLY DROP OFF.

17. They always are the ones in the cars you see circling the pickup area about 50 times like they are in a rally; when it would have been cheaper to park.

18. When they land overseas if they don't have a roaming cellular or no coins to make a call; look carefully that person you see edging closer and closer to you and circling nearby who suddenly ends up by your side wanting to borrow your phone to make a call is more than likely a Jamaican

19. They are always the ones who are stripping off the most number of items when they have to go through the security check points cause Jamaicans have to floss; they have to be extra with everything down to platinum filling

20. They are always cussing the Security Agents who upon checking their hand luggage discard their perfume, make up, cologne, toothpaste, lotion and salon size shampoo because they are not in a zip lock bag. The Jamaican is always wondering out LOUD why a scandal bag not good enough.

We Say It How We See It

ALAS

BY STARAPPLE

Last year was the Gully Gaza Year and at the close a truce was called, Thank God. Since the start of the year it’s been a bit more enjoyable to party. It’s like there has been a tension lifted from the partying atmosphere. Persons who would like a Mavado song, but before the truce wouldn’t rail to it are now doing so joyously and a lot of other songs are getting to the ears of listeners. What the deejays who spin music can now do is please stop discounting party goers and play a wider selection of music. That is for another article.

So far the men have called a truce even though Stephen McGregor has issued a song which is clearly throwing darts at Vybz Kartel; let’s see what the response will be to this.

Remember the year before coming off Sting, Kartel and Mavado had a clash to which we can’t clearly call a winner and the rest of the following year (2009) we had a rather factious year. Well last year Lisa Hyper (nee Hype) had a nasty expose which found her grappling with the Emperor’s Mic. Everyone except maybe those doing battle in the Middle East and those suffering in Somalia and Rwanda saw the pic and tongues were set wagging.

Stacious did a song which Hyper felt came as a direct attack at her, IKAYA did a song, apparently Face did a song. Well Timberlee, Baby Tash, Tifa and Pamputtae did not do songs so it begs the question, how did they get embroiled in the Hyper Soup?

Lisa Hype came out with guns blazing and responded to Stacious’ song since she perceived it as an attack on her. The Gangstress responded and the former 1st Lady of the Empire retorted. Well that war was soon shortlived since The Gangstress had loftier future ambitions.

Sting 2009 came and Hyper came to war, but with whom? She received forwards and boos and recovered from her boos by persisting. Well Pamputtae had finished her performance and Spice was next in line for the stage, but there was no performance by her. Why, what happened? Instead we had General B and Kiprich. The General became only known by B and had to buzz off. Well that aside Spice’s absence cause a lot of furore post Sting.

Nuffy called her a coward. Spice asserted that she was next in line after Pamputtae and Nuffy saw her, but because they had personal differences he ignored her and called up the other act. Nuffy claimed he had seen her and then he did not and so he moved on to the next artiste because he figured since he knew she was a coward she was afraid of the ball of fire that Hyper had built.

Hyper’s set primarily constituted a machete wielding exercise at the women in dancehall. She has since gone on to explain that she was sparing no one and was doing what was never done before. If Hyper is as bad as Nuffy claims why did he not allow Spice to go on the stage and have Hyper run in on her performance so that we could have a LIVE WAR instead of a studio wars. Spice penned a song addressing Hyper who had voiced a slewing song post Sting. Spice shot back like a sharp shooter, Hyper came back with two songs (one of which uses Baby Wayne’s flow from THE TRUTH, note carefully that she also uses a piece of Lady Saw melody from If Him Left). The last piece interesting given that Lady Saw has expressed her displeasure at the direction that the music is moving and how Hyper has behaved. She even went further to advice Spice publicly on Ragashanti’s programme telling her it was a war that was not worth it and that she needed not to respond any further as her career was more international than that.


Let’s hope that Spice heeds the advice and not descend into the quagmire that Hyper set for herself. We are a country of 9 day wonders and seem to relish scandal after scandal. Hyper not only sets a bad precedence for young women (gloating at sleeping with the boss), but display a trait that is highly destructive: TRAMPLING ON ANY ONE JUST TO GET AHEAD. Including those who were not critical of her career in the war, at least Tifa while being physically challenged has not allowed it to hold her back. Whether the ‘file’ that Nuffy has given to Hyper for Spice is incomplete or incorrect is irrelevant, he was afraid and unable to resolve his differences with Spice and used another female to do his deed. Maybe we ought to examine our men in dancehall. How are we so homophobic yet our men in dancehall trace more than the women? NOT ARGUE, but TRACE.

Let’s hope all the women in dancehall ignore HYPER so we can get on to good music and not big fish in a little pond behaviour as lyrics of this kind does nothing to further the genre overseas.

TOP TEN THINGS JAMAICANS DO AT CHRISTMAS TIME

BY STARAPPLE

Well it is Christmas so I will make it light this week. After all we will be saddled with enough taxes next year that even boxers with holes and panties with stretched out waistlines will still be worn.

• Paint their houses. Why does the house have to be painted, white wash anyone? It is not a law, it is not a commandment. It will still be the same house the 31st of December of the old year as it will be on the 1st of the next year.

• Middle and top brass managers try not to have to go to work (SMIKLE anyone) because strangely it seems like at this time of year workers seem to have crosses following them so they need more cash or some strange expenses appear so they kinda get cozy with the boss. Not to mention workers in general try to avoid work. Suddenly someone in the family dies (even if they were dead years before), a child is ill, or they feel ill (even though they have an airline ticket for North America), they met in an accident and the list goes on.

• Bosses go to office parties, enjoy sufficient libation, pretend to be drunk just so they can put it on on a co-worker they have the hots for all this time.

• Throw away perfectly good clothes, even though not a thing wrong with them. Then they go out and buy some even if they have to borrow the money or trust the clothes

• Men will find all reasons to be upset with the girl on the side just so he can drop her until the New Year and avoid extra expenses during the Christmas; ladies will start going to parties heavily in November so that they can hook a man for the Christmas and get some hot clothes, new hairstyle, and mani- and pedi- money.

• They will visit grandma or mommy’s house and eat the same Christmas dinner they have been eating every year since they were a child (if is the only time the parents see their child); some will eat the food even though they wish they had a dog by the table foot to just filter off the food cause it just doesn’t taste good, but you want mama fi feel good

• They lose all common sense and drive like darn idiots on the road. They cause a lot of congestion not because there is a long line, but because SELFISHNESS becomes premium and generally drivers don’t know how to change lanes properly. Let’s not even mention the fact that pedestrians refuse to use pedestrian crosses and develop an uncanny habit of just walking out in the road despite an oncoming vehicle or just standing wherever they want in the middle of a busy road and cuss you out or cut their eye if you ever dare to honk your horn

• They go to church even if it is for the one and only time of year they do it and then they hurry back to the car of home to change off so they can enter back to reality by reveling in pagan behaviour

• They try to make peace with someone they malice over foolishness in the spirit of the season and as January morning comes around, war resumes.

• They try to bleach (stay up all night) to party; the ladies will wear 10 steppers (shoes that you can only wear for 10 steps before you want ‘dash dem off’ cause your feet feel like your matey obeahed you); the men will wear outfits they just bought from a vendor they just passed because men generally try to pretend Christmas is not here (it means they have to spend more money or find a stash to give x, y, z …..)

I know right, you are dropping off your chairs now. Add some more to the comments section so we can all have a good laugh

LIFE IT IS A LESSON, STILL WE ANSWERS TO FIND

BY STARAPPLE

Well by now you must have heard that after this bleak Christmas, the New Year is going to be like a permanent midnight. Recently there was a Black Friday type event uptown and just this week something of a similar nature was launched in downtown. While they have seen success so far, I can bet you come next year retailers are going to be downscaling faster than spit falls to the ground. Estimates from the Bank of Jamaica has so far shown that the amount of money in circulation (which normally increases during the Christmas season) is far lower than last year. No surprise here. Riding on an electoral campaign, this Government which promised jobs jobs and more jobs and no taxes has literally made the proverbial wolf inna sheep clothing seem like a scrawny gal, they mastered pitching better than any best actor or actress Oscar winner.
When we experienced the blowout from these get rich schemes and announcement of a recession in the USA, our same brilliant Finance Minister and Prime Minister proclaimed that we have nothing to worry about since we would not be affected, clearly they were living in a shiny bubble. Amusingly, the Finance Minister recently said that we have lost our appetite for risk. Hmmm, I wonder why. Earl Jarrett from the JN Small Business Loans Limited Board said that Jamaicans are not taking advantage of business options because we are not aware of the opportunity. If that was not the most embarrassing statement to be made by a Mr Jacket and Tie, please tell me of another.
Let’s see what has happened so far:
a. GDP has fallen by 4%
b. GCT will now increase again to 17.5%
c. Over 40,000 persons have lost jobs with more to come
d. Public sector wages will be frozen for 2 years; yet government consultants are getting astronomical fees which are stupidly justified by the parliamentarians
e. The P.M has increased the public sector wage bill from $84 billion to $125 billion, a 50% increase. Don’t mention the fact that they have less consultants but are paying out more.
f. Purchasing Power has been estimated to have fallen by 20 – 25%
g. Remittances declined by 17%, which has seen foreign exchange inflows plummeting by US$300 million
h. Minister Tufton has said that we have lost $24 million since the last 5 months at 3 of our sugar estates due to theft; Aubyn Hill better hurry and sort out the sale of our estates since he is being paid a tidy sum only to apparently be collecting a hefty consultant fee
i. Our Hotels have seen our hotels dropping our rates by 30-65%; apparently it has worked, but obviously that leads to a revenue decline, less gratuity for hotel workers (even that is now being taxed).
j. Taxes are going on Raw Food Stuffs such as fresh fruit and vegetables, ground provision, meat, poultry (chicken anyone), fish, cornmeal, corn beef, pickled mackerel, herring, salt fish, peas and beans, onion and garlic, sardine, mackerel, bread, bullas, biscuit, crackers, sugar, salt patties, oats, oil, syrup, eggs, sanitary napkin, activities for which an admission is charged by any cultural or other organization, servies rendered by an undertaker in relation to burial, creation, including the supply of the coffin
So now you can’t even think of shopping in the markets because they too will be charging GCT there. I think the one that has struck me the most as being backward is the tax on fresh fruit and vegetables. After heavy promotion of the NHF and healthy lifestyles and preventative medicine, the very same things we need to help feed a body in a healthy way is the same thing we will be taxed on. Lu! What is amazing is whether you choose to die or live this administration is going to suck you dry. What is amazing though is they have allowed to remain exempt: payment of dividends and interest and travel tickets for international travel, BRAIN DRAIN AND CAPITAL FLIGHT ANYONE?
The gap between the UPPER CLASS and the MIDDLE AND LOWER CLASS will no doubt expand more than a fluffy girl. Just to party, just to survive will leave us in pain. Previous administrations have contribution to the current situation, no denying that and it will take perseverance to get through this, but what is sure is that we will see our country being sold out to foreigners who have more bargaining power (our dollar is worth nothing), a decline in morale, more crime, more extortion, more diseases (due to the stress)

WHAT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE

BY: STARAPPLE

Well Christmas is almost here and despite the number of job losses, promoters are still (just like radio stations) trying to get a piece of the sponsorship dollar and hopefully cash in on a successful party. It has been a very challenging year on the entertainment scene. So many things make it tense at the moment: our music is not selling as it used to, demand for dubs are down, a number of the promoters who had the money that needed cleaning who used to put on sessions have been locked up or in hiding, the 'get rich schemes' are a thing of the past, the once vibrant lotto scam artistes are being killed or scraped up (plus they have to put their flossing under control), the government's deadly tax collectors are on the prowl for the big spenders, the police and parish councils have party promoters by their balls and at will do away with permits or refuse permits.

The mayor of Kingston has now said that promoters will have to pay a $50,000.00 cess as it is costly to clean up after them. In addition, I saw an article in one of the dailies that the government is now seeking to rely on tax collection by consumption tax; if this is true then the cost of putting on a party will become more expensive and either the promoters pass on the costs to the patrons or suffer a slimmer profit margin. This is definitely going to be an interesting situation ; especially since a number of parties have flopped since year with scanty numbers in appearance or person who attended barely bought liquor.

Let me add the wrench to the whole situation: the police recently issued a statement to the effect that if a party is being held in an area which they deem to be a tense or dangerous area, they would revoke the permit. I can see how this is going to heighten tension because more than likely subjectivity is going to rule high in the decision. What factors are they going to use to say an area is unsafe to keep a party? Please don't use the response that anywhere where there is likely to be an outbreak of gunshot or physical violence because that would be everywhere in Jamaica, look at what happened at the Quad, most recently Fiction, NO WHERE IS IMMUNE.

Danville Walker has had to find innovative ways to stimulate persons to bring things in through the port (now offering a flat rate to importers) when normally we are accustomed to having a backlog at the port starting from November; vendors in Downtown Kingston who are a great indicator of the economy are complaining that this year will not be a good year; many hairdressers and barber are seeing their clients less; people are recycling their clothes more and I could go on and on.


So how are we going to many partying fun again? No concept is new; nothing is more exciting than the other. We have seen it all before heard the music all before. Everything is the same except the financial state of the country. How does a cut off time of 12 am Monday - Thursday and 2 am on weekends work for promoters. How does it help to increase the profitability? We talk about building a vibrant entertainment industry, but it is more than just making music, videos and films (let's not even go there on the latter). The outlet music is not only on the internet, tv and radio, but also parties and promoters are feeling it. When they feel it there is a multiplier effect; from payments to hairdressers, barbers, wig shops, clothes shop, liquor retailers, taxi men, vendors, sound systems, deejays, security personnel and more. What's going to happen next year? Hotels get moratorium; why can't promoters get a break too?

HYPE IS JUST AN ILLUSION

BY STARAPPLE
Recently it was reported that Squingy from Bass Odessey was gravely ill and was in the USA for treatment; then sadly one week later we received the sad news that he had passed. I remember watching Bass Odessey and Coppershot in the Guiness Clash and Squingy’s name was called a few times not only from those in the clash, but those in attendance. Amazing, the arena of dancehall is quite a spectacle; make that an experience.

Entertainment can be very addictive and destructive to both those who soak it in and to those who purvey it. Do those in the industry put too much stress on themselves or do those who enjoy good entertainment have unrealistic expectations of those who provide it?

Serious questions and not something we should take lightly. I think what struck me the most is a statement that Squingy issued before he died:

“For years, I’ve been traveling and entertaining the world. I’ve given everything to my fans and neglected my own body. I have a terminal Illness and it’s time for me to focus on maintaining my health as best I can. Moving to the US is going to allow me to receive adequate health care.”

There are several things which can be taken from his statements:

Our health care is wanting;
There is no privacy in our health care;
We have become so callous that many would take pleasure in chastising
an ailing selector and so on …

And is much more that could be extrapolated from his statements, but what is evident is that many persons in entertainment spend so much time trying to please fans that one’s own health is never really taken into account only for granted, family life is often put on the backburner, friends come by the shipload when you are sailing on a high and desert you when the wind blows unkind and the illusion that has to be built to draw fans in came become highly debilitating in the long run and causes many an otherwise rational person to have unrealistic demands from the entertainer.

Just think of some of the celebrities who come to mind when you think of meltdown and serious personal crisis Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Gregory Issacs, Ninja Man, Nadine Sutherland and many other Jamaican entertainers who are highly drugged up on either marijuana, marijuana with extacie, beadie, copious amount of alcohol, excessive sex with a wide number of partners, numerous children spread far and wide with different baby mothers and the list goes on.

Maybe these things happen though because there is the constant need to please and better the last performance, never see come see or we the audience never allows failure and that places punitive stress on the entertainers.

We live to accumulate things and show off and hype; yet in the end when the soul is stripped from the body we have nothing. We need balance and not just the balance pon **cky head that we aggrandize.

ARE WE ON THE DOWNLOW?

BY: STARAPPLE

A paradoxical thing in Jamaica is that we are so full of talk of badmanism yet when people come around to abuse us; we mumble, forget it after 7 days and move along. A strange state of affairs given our mouths almighty.

Since the advent of internet access at high speeds and file sharing sites; it seems as though dancehall and reggae record sales have met with doom and gloom. Just look at the measly sales of some of our so called big stars. No names necessary here. You know them.

Just recently, I scanned a few sites and file sharing is a big deal. As riddims are sent out promotionally to deejays, in a few minutes they are up on sites available for download by anyone besides persons in the industry and for sale by persons who do not even have a licensing agreement with the creator of the music: neither the writer nor music composer. As much as we feel that Japan and Europe are the last bastions of real aficionados of our music, they are also the hot spots for illegal downloads and sales. Check the internet if you fail to believe.

When the internet and file sharing gained prominence a number of persons locally were cynical and then they came around thinking it would further the music. Yes, but for who though? Certainly not the musical composers.
.
Alot of persons are not intimate with the process of music making and a lot of persons don’t care. All they get is the finished product and maybe go to a party and hear a good joint, hear it blasting on the radio or get a hot mix tape and bop to it. That it is illegal, they generally don’t care.

Ok so file sharing and illegal downloading might get the music out and make it popular; and might ought to be underscored here. A direct negative result of this is that our artistes have resorted to hustling out the business: overcharging on dub plates, overcharging for shows, collecting and not showing up, charging major dollars to voice a tune; only a few innovative ones like ‘DI TEACHA’ have gone into merchandising and product branding, VYBZ Rum anyone.

We really need to find some resolution to the loss of sales because when dubs are voiced hardly does an artiste return to a producer (who might also be the composer) and give him/her a portion of the dub plate money. Hardly is there an artiste who blows up big time and gets some shows who will return to music composer to say “see ah food ya”; so we really need a way to stem this bleeding of sales by inappropriate persons and the illegal distribution by unscrupulous persons.

We know how to crack any code to anything, certainly we can figure out a way to make it hard to get our music for free. One thing that some producers will do is send out a song ripped below cd quality or turn up some of the instruments such that there is some degree of distortion, but that does not reflect well on a producer. Encoding cds doesn’t even really help except for air play detection overseas. Perhaps a brilliant Jamaican can develop the technology such that if you download a song or songs without paying for it, your computer crashes, your ip address is identified and if previous credit or debit card information of the user has been used on that same computer then deductions are made from them. How long are we going to bled of our creativity? Why do we stay on the downlow while they download?

PROUD AH BLEACHING

LISA HYPE

BY: STAR APPLE
Colonialism is a bitch to hell. We cry for independence yet we do so many things which only slave masters would unto a slave. I had the unfortunate opportunity of reading an article in a trash daily. Proud Ah Mi Bleaching was the caption. Proud Ah Mi Bleaching? What the hell!! In this day and age with so many “enlightened” people, no pun intended, we here on the rock are bleaching like sandfly pon beach after sundown. What the hell!!
Anyway back to my point, apparently, Empire artiste Lisa Hype has done a song with the same repulsive and puzzling title. Proud ah mi bleaching. Surely there are other topics to write about or have we become so base and starved of creativity that we had to resort to write that rubbish. We have artistes writing about bleaching – encouraging it and now a woman, writing, espousing and deejaying a song about this destructive practice.
A quick look at Wiki Answer provided a summary of the harmful effects of bleaching:
Skin bleaching destroys the black pigment found in the epidermis (top layer of the skin). Exposure of the dermis layer, underneath the epidermis layer, to the harsh weather will increase the incidence of skin cancer. The dermis cannot compensate for the absence of the epidermis and coupled with the hot sun… one will get a higher risk of cancer.
Thus we can see that despite having fairer skin as desired, skin bleaching is also damaging to our skin.
What I would like to know is how we have degenerated in a nation of damn nonsensical persons. We exclaim to no end that we are proud to be black, Black represents strength and so on. So why do we feel the need to bleach.
I did a survey of some Jamaicans and both men and women felt that it made them more desirable; since men and women prefer light skin person. Kiss mi neck back wi really lack self esteem down here.
To add insult to injury, Lisa Hype has gone on to say that she nuh know who nah bleach out here. I would like to know which self absorbed world she is living in.
Even with knowledge, the mere lack of reasoning ability and lack of self esteem have really done us over. Slavery could not have done us that badly, since we have some outstanding Jamaicans across the globe and not for criminal acts committed.
Families and communities are bleaching. Schoolers are bleaching. Like seriously, when are we gonna get comfortable in our own skin and out of many one people. Thank god for artistes like Queen Ifrica, cause not everyone wants to look like a purple dragon.
Why is it that Jamaicans like to take on the more scarring practices of other cultures? Are we spiraling downward and refuse to see it or just don’t wish to see it.

TO DI WORLD

Colbie Caillat

BY STARAPPLE
Any publicity is good publicity, or at least so they say; I don’t think Kanye would be agreeing with that right now or the NBA Baller whose matey blasted their romping on the internet; lest not even mention our own local celebrities whose prowess and form would make the VMA’s seem as boring as our parliamentary debates.

It is debatable that dancehall is viable. In this article we are going to overlook production quality, lyrical content, music videos, artistes who collect for show and fail to show, badmanism and payola; that will be for another article. Publicity is a critical element to any artiste development. Previously, you had a few dominant publicists in the industry or avenues for publicity; now the avenues are many.

There are about ten dominant social networking websites with Facebook being the number 1, followed by My Space, and Hi 5 is now number 5, the rest are negligible. Twitter has raced around MSN, Yahoo and Gmail. So if you are talking about getting out there, that is minor nowadays (publicists still have a role, but now you have these auxiliaries).

What is rather befuddling is that you have some smart artistes who have put up good biographies on their site, even put up players so that fans can preview their songs and even post blogs; kudos to them. Then there are others who obviously seemed more concerned with Farmville and at all hours of the night letting you know ‘they are going to bed’, ‘they have a headache’, ‘they are watching this and that show’, ‘they are eating this and that candy bar’ and all sorts of utter irrelevant rubbish.

It begs one to wonder if that is why we have so much ‘lyrically wanting’ songs perpetuating the airwaves and dancehall. Seems most of these artistes spend substantive time all hours of night and day twittering and facebooking that their brainwaves go flat when it comes to being lyrically creative. We are not living like the Kardashians, we are still producing a stepchild of reggae which has sales that are like a morsel of candy instead of a nice big slice of bread pudding.

Colbie Caillat used it to her advantage by posting her music and going around and promoting her songs and now she is bubbly with constant shows. Instead what are we busy doing - blaming the government, sleeping around with other artistes man and woman, not showing up for overseas and local engagements because we have ‘gallis’ artistes busy watching the several ‘pums’ that them ‘own’, cussing out deejays for not playing their substandard songs and twitting rubbish.

Use the new media wisely, post videos of your interviews, clippings of your performances, tour dates, and upcoming projects. Spread seeds of usefulness.

DANCEHALL ARTISTES NEED TO STEP UP THE GAME

BY STARAPPLE
Jamaica is not a place you can describe to anyone and they understand what it is like. Even if you were to get Maya Angelou, Obama or even Muta himself; they would all fail to describe what we have here. Bauxite, sugar cane, bananas have failed us and now it seems tourism is heading in that direction. Usain is quite the talk of the town and yes he has brought major attention to the island, but given his propensity for fast driving he might soon become another fatality. Entertainment though is something that is undervalued and all we seem to have had in the past is much lip service from the reigning government about what is to be done and going to be done to make the industry more vibrant and better.
As a people we have been fiercely competitive, more than crabs in a barrel. In Entertainment it is flagrantly evident; take the Gully Gaza feud. It has elevated ‘Kartel’ to an almost kingly status [ya ya ya when was the last time Beenie had a hit, not to disregard his contribution] and ‘Mavado’ to a God albeit a ‘Gully God’. While their rae rae makes for trembling excitement locally what does it really do for the music overseas? Kartel can’t even access his major market that of the USA, instead he has to send his minions; with Jah Vinci and Gaza Kim being the only true talent in the Empire camp. The Alliance and Gully Squad is not as fraught with such problems; if only the Warlord could put his spliff tail away.
To my knowledge no unda gyal, bullet inna marrow, kill a faggot, matey, *** u mumma and all the other rubbish that we call ‘HIT SONGS’ have never won a Grammy neither have they done well on The Billboard Chart, never won a VMA, much less got a nomination. As a matter of fact the cussing of Shebada has made him a more viable entertainment product earning more than many of these deejays and consistently having sell out shows.
It is time we started thinking international and put aside lame childish lyrics. Buju and Sizzla are doing their best to not lose ground in the local market by defending ‘HOMOPHOBIA’ overseas; frankly it is only because their pockets are feeling it why they are bending a bit. Have we seen them on the Billboard? This is not a GAY defence, but there are many topics to sing about. Lots of current artistes often refer to ‘WE A JAMAICAN, WE NUH INNA DAT’. As far as I know we neva inna it when Toots, Jimmy Cliff, Freddie McGregor, Millie Small, Bob Marley started yet their songs are timeless and still getting airplay worldwide and they have never been barred from travelling or had anyone pepper spraying their concerts.
A careful look at the artistes who have done well overseas would reveal several aspects to their success: quality performances, properly structured lyrics, the ability to perform across genres and the audiences that come with it, fairly decent communication skills and a proper management team. Look at Burning Spear, Cecile, Sean Paul, Lee Scratch Perry and Cherene Anderson [only a mere 25 yrs yet she has performed to over 1 million persons] they have never been able to really grab the


local market, but overseas success cometh in abundance. As a matter of fact the number one song on the Billboard Reggae chart is not even a Jamaican it’s Jew, Matisyahu. Cherene Anderson’s song is now at #18 on the Hot 100. Cecile has signed a major deal with E, MTV & Tempo. Shaggy, Ziggy [he even performed at the White House]. At least Mavado seems to be making a change focusing on the international market, Jamaica is NOT the world. We don’t even buy music here. The world does! We need to step up our game.

A GUINEP TREE COMPETITIONS WE HAVE?

BY STARAPPLE

So the other day it happened that I found myself amongst some people who were discussing why it is we still have a dominance of certain artistes on stage shows, on charts and being given airplay. Then smady blurt out “How come we have so much ‘talent competitions’ and we nah see di fruit dem? Ah some guinep tree yuh zeet”. Now that was a serious question that really had me wondering.
The 3 most prominent right now came to mind; that would be Digicel Rising Star, Magnum Kings and Queens and The Tastee Talent Trail. We will leave out Dancing Dynamites since we are focused more on vocal talents.
Let’s break it out: Tastee had been around eons now (even though they revamped the competition 3 years now to The Trail), Rising Star a few years now and Magnum Kings and Queens is only 3 years old.
All three competitions offer cash prizes , training and exposure to industry operations and some even offer recording contracts with established Records Labels. Tastee with Penthouse and Rising Stars did it with Gee Jam Recording.
When Magnum Kings & Queens of Dancehall was launched its mandate was to unearth and showcase authentic Jamaican dancehall talent. It even boasted of affording up and coming talents the chance to rub shoulders with industry insiders ; rubbing shoulders is one thing. Gaining mileage and never running out of road while putting the knowledge you gain to use is another.
Why the winner dem nah win inna di real world?
Since Marvin Fishley won in 2007 and Kelvin Dixon in 2008 on the Tastee Talent Trail have their careers moved an inch? What are the names of their singles? Do they even have singles? What kind of publicity has been done? What do they even look like? Being the Big Kahuna in the Major Leagues of talent competition; It would be fair to say that Tastee has done a poor job in promotions.
Turning attention to Digicel Rising Star of all the winners perhaps the most successful to date would be Chris Martin if we are to use a criteria of popularity, number of bookings: local and overseas, number of past performances, airplay of original and covered material. Income earned will be left out since most entertainers are not forthcoming with this type of information.
What of past winners Cavan, One Third, Romaine Virgo, Cameal Davis? Let’s hope the best for Brown Sugar
Romaine Virgo would have to be the 2nd most successful. He has inked a deal with VP Records and has had a number of showings on the local entertainment circuit, but how about overseas? Nada to date. Is that due to school or lack of whip appeal?

Cameal was in the spotlight for a bit and now what, has the light dimmed?
One Third seemed poised to be the next boy group of the decade. They were hot for about a year after winning and even shared the stage with international artistes such as The Manhattans, Regina Belle, Alton Ellis and Air Supply but now it seems the air has been sucked from them. Maybe the split from their Management was not such a good move or maybe their management lacked the capacity to take them further.

To Be Continued