BEENIEMAN ASKS GAYS FOR FORGIVENESS

Kingston Jamaica: DANCEHALL kingpin Beenie Man has apologised for his gay-bashing songs in a YouTube video, possibly bringing closure to over 10 years of acricmony with gay rights groups.

The video was posted yesterday on rototomsunsplash.com, website of the popular summer reggae festival. This year the Rototom Sunsplash will be held August 16- 22 in Spain

Beenie Man is scheduled to perform on the show. In the one minute, 35-second message, a remorseful Beenie Man pleads:

"Please I am begging you do not have me up for some songs I wrote a long time ago. I love each and every one and am just begging each and everyone to do the same," he said.

Beenie Man also expressed his respect for every human being "regardless of which race or creed, regardless of religious belief, regardless of which sexual preference you have including gay and lesbian."

His apology comes after years of intense pressure from the gay community, which caused many of his shows in North America and Europe to be cancelled.

Organisers of the Rototom Festival issued the following statement on its website:

"We have received and we are happy to publish a video message of Beenie Man in which he wishes to clear out any doubt about his position concerning homophobic lyrics appearing in some of his old songs. We would like to think that his words can put an end to all the controversies that the subject has generated."

Also posted on the site is a copy of the 2007 Reggae Compassionate Act signed by Moses Davis, the deejay's real name.

Other dancehall acts including Capleton and Buju Banton, allegedly signed the Reggae Compassionate Act, drafted by the organisers of Rototom to appease gay rights advocates.

Source: Jamaica observer

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GUYANA PROVIDES THE BACKDTOP FOR KG'S LATEST VIDEO

The video for gospel singer KG's latest single, Ride Out The Storm was shot during a recent trip to Guyana. And although some may question her patriotism, KG quickly dismisses any suggestion that she is anything but totally Jamaican.

"Actually, it was Guyana who chose me and, naturally I jumped at the opportunity," she explained. "Furthermore," KG added, "as an artiste, I am developing my fan base and with the love that I was shown by the Guyanese people on my recent trip there,  I feel honoured to have shot a video there."

According to KG, it was during a conversation with some newfound friends in Guyana that the subject pf her video for the single came up and an offer was made for her to do the video shoot there and then. In no time, she and the video director, Colin S.Edghill Telford, linked uo with his team to put together the storyboard and from there everything just flowed.

"I could feel God's hand guiding this project. They chose the location, Promenade Gardens, a beautiful place that was perfect for the message of the song. It felt as if I had worked with this team before, despite the fact that we hardly knew each other," KG stated.

The storyboard for Ride Out The Storm relates the experiences of a couple facing difficult times in their relationship and the way in which God turns around things for them through their storms.

The video is in the last stages of editing and is due to have its premiere by the end of May.

KG's singles Ride Out The Storm, Highly Favoured and Blessed, God Alone. Lifting Up Praise, Lord Do Mi Again and the controversial Who Me, You Mad, have been generating much feedback from both the gospel and secular arenas. 

Her debut album is almost completed and is due in stores by mid-year.

I-OCTANE ON SIX-WEEK TOUR

Top singjay I-Octane kicked off his six-week “Crying to the Nation” tour in Canada on

May 4 at Club G in London, Canada. He concluded his Canadian leg over the Mother’s Day weekend making stops in Mississauga, Hamilton and Montreal.
His song Mama received an overwhelming response as many embraced it to say thanks to their moms.

The Digicel Brand ambassador will now turn his attention to Europe where he’s expected to be among the headline acts on three festivals.
His first stop will be in Paris on Wednesday, May 16. The following day he turns his attention to the Amsterdam Reggae Festival at the Heineken Music Hall.
The singjay’s final European Stop will be on Saturday, May 19 at the Reggae Splash Festival in Toulousse, France.

The Caribbean will be his next stop — Bermuda to be exact on May 23 before winding down his tour in the United States. May 27 will see him sharing stage with some of the hottest reggae and hip hop artistes on the prestigious Best of the Best show in Miami.
Other stops in the United States will include Brooklyn, Massachusetts, California, Philadelphia and Hartford.

I-Octane who has delivered gems such as Lose A Friend, My Life and Puff It has maintained his track record with current hits such as My Story, L.O.V.E. Y.O.U. and Burn Dem Bridge.

The Stab Vampire singjay will perform on a major event in Jamaica on June 22 before closing out his tour at the St Kitts Music Festival on June 29.

CE'CILE PART OF US VIRGIN ISLANDS HUMANITARIAN EFFORT

Reggae/dancehall artiste Ce'Cile can now add humanitarian to her résumé.
The artiste recently participated in the Women Wise Conference in the US Virgin Islands. The aim of the conference was to provide young women in the territory with positive role models and outlets to share their concerns.
Ce'Cile was one of the panellists at the conference, which also included Virgin Island (VI) recording artiste Mada Nile, Deputy Marshall Ann-Marie Wong, VI author Marcy Heist and Caribbean Education Initiative (CEI) President Nicole Hutchins.
The 1st Annual Women Wise Conference was held at Charlotte Amalie High School in St Thomas, and at the St Croix Educational Complex.
The event is the brainchild of CEI vice-president and radio personality Rashidi 'Rash on the Radio' Clenance.
CEI was founded by NBA star Tim Duncan and is a non-profit organisation aimed at improving education opportunities for people in the Virgin Islands and also the Caribbean.
According to Ce'Cile, "I was very happy to be a part of Women Wise as I understand the need for persons seen as role models to help send positive messages to young women, and I'm aware that music doesn't necessarily do that," she told THE STAR.
Panel discussions included topics on health and wellness, positive body image, conflict resolution, building a future and community resources.
Ce'Cile also plans to focus her humanitarian efforts in Jamaica.
Source: THE STAR

Mavado Found Guilty

By Christopher Thomas, Gleaner Writer 

WESTERN BUREAU: 
Dancehall Hall star David ‘Mavado’ Brooks was this morning found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm and malicious destruction of property, when the case against him concluded in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate’s Court. 

The deejay was sentenced to pay a fine of $80,000 or six months in prison on the assault charge, and $20,000 or six months on the charge of destruction of property. 

The charge against Mavado stemmed from an incident on July 22, 2011 when he and members of his entourage reportedly attacked a St James man, identified as Henry Cunningham; and his son, Oshane Cunningham, in what was described as a case of road rage. 

During the altercation, the Cunninghams sustained multiple injuries and the vehicle in which they were travelling was damaged. 

Following the sentencing, a pitiful-looking Brooks, who had pleaded not guilty to the charges, was escorted from the courtroom by police officers and taken to an adjoining holding area.

Source: jamaica-gleaner.com

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