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July 1st has been designated International Reggae Day, showcasing the impact reggae music has had on the world. Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady. Reggae developed from rocksteady music in the 1960s. The shift from rocksteady to reggae was illustrated by the organ shuffle, which was pioneered by Bunny Lee and was featured in the transitional singles "Say What You're Saying" (1967) by Clancy Eccles, and "People Funny Boy" (1968) by Lee "Scratch" Perry. The Pioneers' 1967 track "Long Shot...

Actress, singer and CoverGirl spoke person Queen Latifah hosts this year's BET Awards airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in LA lastnight. Queen "Dana Owens" Latifah has had the career that the grandest of dreams are made of. For over 20 years, she has consistently conquered music, television and film. She got her start in the early days of hip-hop, becoming a pioneer for female rappers. With songs like 1990's "Ladies First," and 1993's "U.N.I.T.Y.," the Newark, New Jersey native always managed to deliver an empowering message with clever rhymes and danceable beats. 2010 BET Awards Nominees and Winners: Best Female R&B Artist Beyoncé Mary J. Blige Melanie Fiona Alicia Keys Rihanna Winner: Alicia Keys Best Male R&B Artist...

Respected Jamaican-born chef, Collin Brown, has been shortlisted for the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs Awards in the United Kingdom (UK). Known as the 'Chef's Oscars' the awards recognise and reward the leading talent working in kitchens all across the industry. The 37-year old Trelawny native, who is head chef and owner of the Chef Collin Brown Restaurant in London's Docklands, has been nominated for the Ethnic Chef of the Year Award.

Having recently captured the theme song for the latest season of the popular HGTV series, Design Star, with the song "Flaunt It," Barbadian soca superstar and Atlantic Records recording artist, Rupee, continues to make incredible moves for the genre. "It's not easy trying to stay committed to a genre of music that so much of the world has yet to experience," reveals Rupee, who brought massive attention to the southern Caribbean namesake with his massive crossover hit, "Tempted to Touch." "Sometimes I feel as though I could cheat on soca and give in to the lure of going straight pop, R&B or even alternative; I dabble in all of these styles but soca is what made me." Rupee thus stays true to his love for the genre with two new...

Jammins Entertainment, promoters of the third annual Brooklyn Music Festival announced recently that Rexton "Shabba Ranks" Gordon will be one of the headline. Shabba who last performed at a major outdoor reggae festival in NY in 2004 is Jamaica's most celebrated dancehall artist. The icon is one of the most successful and most influential artists in the reggae genre. Throughout the 80's and 90's, he sold millions of albums and was one of the first hardcore dancehall acts to have crossed over, paving the way for other Jamaican reggae acts like Sean Kingston Sean Paul, Beenieman, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Shaggy, Wayne Wonder and Gyptian. Shabba will join hit machine B.O.B and Fabulous, multi platinum selling reggae artiste...

The police will be moving to seize the assets of at least 20 of the dons who have been taken into custody in the past month. Police Commissioner Owen Ellington this morning told a Private Sector Organization of Jamaica Chairman’s Breakfast that the police have decided that in addition to criminal action against these dons efforts will be made to trace, locate and strip them of their assets. According to Ellington the police is slated to move against one of these dons today when papers are served on him for his assets to be seized. But Ellington refused to name the don when questioned by The Gleaner. He urged the private sector leaders to support the police by freezing out criminals who depend on legitimate businesses to launder...

Christopher "Dudus" Coke pleaded not guilty to narcotics and gun trafficking charges at his first New York court appearance on Friday, having waived his right to a trial in Jamaica. Coke, who was remanded in custody by U.S. District Judge Robert Patterson, wore a blue prison smock and appeared calm. A lawyer who said he will represent Coke said he expects him to seek bail. U.S. prosecutors want to keep him in jail. Lawyer Frank Doddato told reporters Coke's defense team would fight the charges and not even concede "the time of day" to the prosecution.Coke faces life in prison if convicted.

Beenie Man who was supposed to replace Snoop Dogg in the Parkpop festival has also been cancelled to perform. The organisers made the decision known after receiving a considerably negative response over the controversial artist, infamous for homophobic lyrics in his songs.

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke arrested and is now being held at Spanish Town Police Station in St Catherine. The arrest occurred about 15 minutes outside the capital city this afternoon, said Commissioner Owen Ellington. The fugitive was handed over to police by Reverend Al Miller and is prepared to commit himself to due process and waive his right to an extradition hearing. The police station has been ringed by soldiers who have taken up strategic positions. Curious onlookers have begun gathering outside the police station.

Snoop Dogg was scheduled to perform at the Parkpop festival in The Hague on June 27, 2010. The organisers of free festival Parkpop have signed up Beenie Man to replace rapper Snoop Dogg who was banned from performing in order to "preserve the open and friendly atmosphere". Snoop Dogg's management issued a statement last week saying the rapper is astonished by the ban, pointing out that he is a regular on the European festival circuit and has never been associated with crowd trouble. Beenie Man has agreed in the contract not to perform any anti-gay songs during next weekend's event. Beenie Man was heavily criticised by main sponsor Pepsico for performing an anti-gay song at a reggae concert in Uganda last December and was...

The first Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon in four decades feels neglected in his country, and said Monday he deserved a glimmer of the domestic fame enjoyed by compatriot Usain Bolt. Dustin Brown lost his Grand Slam debut to French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer of Austria. Despite the 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 scoreline, it was a triumph for the 25-year-old Brown, who broke into the top 100 last month after travelling for years to European tournaments in a camper van so he could save on expenses. The last Jamaican man to play at Wimbledon was Richard Russell in 1970. He failed to qualify in 1972. Russell was also the last Jamaican man to appear in a Grand Slam tournament, losing in the second round in the French Open in 1974.

Last night Jay-Z and Eminem teamed up for a special concert on the roof of the Ed Sullivan Theater building. The two performed three songs during their set, which took place 13 stories high, 140 feet above Manhattan. The two rappers were taping a segment to air on Late Show with David Letterman on Friday, 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The two rappers appearance is to help kick off their co-headlining two-stop tour, Home and Home, at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sept. 2 and at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sept. 13.

The 4th Annual Reggae Music Achievement Awards (RMAA) held last Saturday June 12, 2010 at the Jamaican Canadian Association, recognized those who have inspired the growth of Canada’s Reggae Music Industry. A night of commendations and live entertainment the prestigious event was well received by the audience and members of media from across Canada. 2010 Reggae Music Achievement Award Recipients: Life Achievement Frankie Paul General Tree Dennis Brown Award Lance Ingleton Artist of the Year Steele Best Male Vocalist Tony Anthony Best Female Vocalist Mandy Woods Best Reggae Single Take A Bow Best Reggae Album / CD Man The Music Special Song Writer Winston Richards International Radio DJ Winston Barnes Best Male...

Grammy-winning musician Ziggy Marley has bought a Los Angeles home for more than $700,000. Mature trees shade the Spanish-style house in the Beverly Centre area of LA. It was built in 1929 and described as a 'fixer-upper'. The home includes high ceilings, a living-room fireplace and hardwood floors. The 1,600sq ft house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms while fruit trees fill the backyard.

Torrence "Lil Boosie" Hatch Baton Rouge-born Louisiana rapper,was indicted by an East Baton Rouge Parish grand jury Thursday afternoon on a first-degree murder charge for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident in October that left one man dead. Although he has already been in jail for a period of time in St.Gabriel in Hunt Correctional Institute. There he is serving time for gun and drug possession charges probation violation. Unfortunately all these charges were brought over him because of Terry Boyd’s shooting death incident which was happened on October 21 last year. A grand jury also indicted Adrian Pittman, 36, and Michael Louding, 17, for first-degree murder in Boyd's death, If he is found quilty he could face the...

Dancehall promotion company Irish and Chin has inked a landmark deal with Stages Productions, top Jamaican play producers. Adding to an already prosperous business relationship between the two companies, in the Fall 2010, Irish and Chin will stage a complete U.S. tour of Stages' play "The Plumber," which is the most popular play in Jamaica right now. The tour, which will kick off in October 2010, will bring "The Plumber" to ten U.S. Cities. A noteworthy step in the rebirth of Jamaican theater, the tour will represent "The Plumber's" U.S. debut. Following their popular production style, which infuses dancehall and theater, Irish and Chin has nabbed DJ Roy and Road International for the tour.

Windel "Gyptian" Edwards was involved in a motorbike accident in Kingston Jamaica Today. Gyptian sustain a head injury and was taken to Andrews Hospital. According to his publicist Ralston Barrett a pedestrian reportedly stepped out in the path of the singer's bike causing him to lose control of the motor bike.

Live Interview with Father Keith and Lady Lyrical from Vibes Reggae Arena Approximately five years ago Squingy was diagnosed with a life threatening illness (Lung Cancer) which out of respect for him and at his request has been kept secret. Only a select few were privileged with knowing this sensitive information as this was necessary in maintaining his health. Squingy is said to be in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tampa Bay hospital, is rapidly deteriorating. Part 1 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf" width="400" height="35"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf"/> <param name="FlashVars"...

U.S. Border Patrol officials have four Jamaican in custody after they are believed to have come ashore on the north end of Palm Beach Florida this morning. The four men, who were first thought to be Haitian, appear to be from Jamaica, said Agent in Charge John Modlin. They are now in Border Patrol custody. No boat or vessel has been found connected to their arrival.

Clifford Chambers, security attaché at the Jamaican Embassy in Washington, told The Gleaner that more than 6,000 Jamaicans were now in US custody facing deportation proceedings. Between 2002 and 2009, more than 13,000 Jamaicans were deported from the US, the Jamaican Embassy says. Last year, the US showed the red card to more than 1,400 persons. Read Full Article: The Jamaica Gleaner