Booyaka! Reggae has a new reason to big up its chest. It has a new entrant into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Singer Jimmy Cliff has just been inducted and will be presented alongside this year’s other inductees ABBA, Genesis, The Hollies and The Stooges with the award at a ceremony taking place inside the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on March 15, 2010.

Cliff, who has already been “knighted” with the Order of Merit, his native Jamaica’s highest honour, becomes only the third reggae personality to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The first was reggae legend Bob Marley in 1994, followed by Island Record’s Chris Blackwell in 2001. But, it was Cliff who first popularised reggae internationally.

Cliff did this primarily through his acting performance in the film “The Harder They Come” which introduced reggae to a worldwide audience and changed the image of the genre from cruise ship soundtrack to music of rebellion and inspiration. Hit records like “Sitting in Limbo,” “The Harder They Come,” “You Can Get It If You Really Want,” and “Many Rivers to Cross” cemented his reputation and made him the first international reggae superstar, simultaneously creating the model that Bob Marley would soon follow.

In announcing the inductees Joel Peresman, President & CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation said: “We are very happy to present this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as they represent a great cross-section of artists that define the broad spectrum and history of rock and roll and people that have contributed immeasurably to our business.”

Cliff will be inducted at next week’s ceremony by longtime admirer and friend Wyclef Jean of the Fugees.

The induction comes on the eve of “Existence”, a new album by Cliff and his first major US tour in five years which will include dates at Bonnaroo and the Hollywood Bowl, this summer.

Photo: Copyright Boomshots © 2010.
Copyright Michael Conally for Yush © 2010. All Rights Reserved.

Jamaica really does know how to buck a trend! After its escapade competing with the imfamous bobsled team in the 1988 Winter Olympics, the warm climate island is defying conventions again!

This time it’s got the bob sled being pulled by a team of dogs in its entry in Canada’s biggest dog sleigh race.

The annual 1000-mile “Iditarod” competition is a gruelling trek across the Canadian Yukon from Anchorage to Nome. The lone driver steering the 16-pack dogs and making history as the first Jamaican to compete in the event is Newton Marshall, 27, a former horseback tour guide.

The Jamaican bobsleigh team caused a sensation in 1988 when they took part in the Winter Olympics – inspiring the Hollywood film Cool Runnings. Heaven knows what this latest adventure on ice will inspire!

Today is International Women’s Day and I must say big respect to all women. A special respect to those who’ve shown me love and those to whom I have shown or would like to do the same!

But what exactly is IWD about? Is it just another day for us to commercialise? Or is it to focus our attention on a topic of real substance?

The idea of IWD came about in 1911 because a woman named Clara Zetkin (leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for Germany’s Social Democratic Party), thought every country should mark an annual Women’s Day to press for her gender’s demands. These include a demand for better pay, voting rights and an end to discrimination.

The event was officially recognised in 1975 by the United Nations, which officially sanctioned the day and started sponsoring it. Today, it is largely dedicated to inspiring women worldwide and celebrating their achievements.

What does having this day mean to you? How do you celebrate and/or commemorate it?

Yesterday, at precisely 16:53 (or 4:53 p.m.) Haiti time the Jamaican Haiti help initiative Listen 2 the Call was launched. It’s a song recorded by a glittering array of over 30 leading Jamaican artists and personalities in aid of Haiti development in the aftermath of the earthquake which struck that nation on January 12, 2010.

Produced by Handel Tucker, Listen2theCall features many of Jamaica’s greatest talents including Sly & Robbie, Toots (of Toots & The Maytals), Marcia Griffiths, Maxi Priest, Diana King, Luciano, Barrington Levy, Beres Hammond and dub poet Mutabaruka along with more than 25 other artistes and musicians.

The project, which is co-ordinated by brand specialist Andrea Davis (International Reggae Day), was the brainchild of songwriter Raymond Azan (For Jamaica Inc.) and producer Handel Tucker (Jamaican Groove Society).

Proceeds from the song and video will be donated to Haiti’s recovery and rehabilitation; the goal being to provide a way for everyone to help, not just today, but for years to come.

MORE INFO

Official Website: Listen2theCall

I have a major issue with the double standard and dishonesty of gay people who are hell bent on sustaining the lie that reggae music promotes violence or that DJ Buju Banton promotes the murder of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transexual people. There is no evidence that any of these claims are true.

What is actually true is that Buju did record a song called “Boom Bye Bye” which did express strong condemnation of homosexual individuals and practices. But that was 20 years ago! He has since apologised for this and no longer performs this song in his set. This has clearly not satisfied gay groups like the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and others which are campaigning against his current album “Rasta Got Soul” from winning the 2010 Reggae Grammy.

The album is an excellent collection of songs that celebrates the joys of a Rastafarian lifestyle as well as highlighting social deprivation, love themes, spiritual upliftment and socio-political observations. There is nothing on this album lashing out at homosexuality. Buju’s 1995 conversion to Rastafarianism is the chief focus not only in this collection but also in his life generally.

This has not stopped the LA GLC from being “rather upset” at “the appalling Grammy nomination for Buju Banton, a performer whose music promotes the violent murder of LGBT people.” Apart from being a barefaced lie this statement is maliciously evil and is designed to demonise not only Buju but reggae music and Jamaica in the process. This is unforgiveable.

Gay groups would like Buju to speak out for gay rights in Jamaica but since homosexuality is not something a bonafide Rastaman like Buju can support, this has not been forthcoming. And why should he make such public service announcements? That would be like asking a strict vegetarian to eat meat to curry favour with meat eaters or a fundamental Jew to embrace Islam to make Muslims feel good.

I believe the gays continued action against Buju is vindictive, malicious and unfair. It speaks volume that while they are comfortable with the freedom and right to promote their lifestyle choice without hinderance they are happy to prevent a Rastaman from enjoying the same privilege to promote his soulfully uplifting music.

If that’s not grand hypocrisy then please tell me, my dear friend, what is.

This year 39 artists submitted albums for Reggae Grammy 2010 consideration from which the final five albums were selected to be voted on. The eligibility period ran from October 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009.

The actual 2010 Grammy Awards ceremony itself will be held on January 31, 2010 at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles, California, USA.

The final five:-1. Rasta Got Soul — Buju Banton [Gargamel Music, Inc.]
2. Brand New Me — Gregory Isaacs [Tad's Record]
3. Awake — Julian Marley [Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic]
4. Mind Control: Acoustic — Stephen Marley [Ghetto Youths/Tuff Gong/Universal Republic]
5. Imperial Blaze — Sean Paul [VP/Atlantic]

The full list of nominees:-

1. The Aggrolites – IV
2. Anthony B – Rise Up
3. Buju Banton – Rasta Got Soul
4. Benaissa – Tables Turn
5. Ce’cile – Waiting
6. De Apostle – King Of The V.I.
7. Easy Star All-Stars – Easy Star’s Lonely Hearts Dub Band
8. Lutan Fyah – Justice
9. Terry Ganzie – Loose And Running
10. Gyptian – I Can Feel Your Pain
11. Inner Circle – State Of Da World
12. Gregory Isaacs – Brand New Me
13. The Itals – Let Dem Talk
14. Jah Cure – The Universal Cure
15. John Brown’s Body – Re-Amplify
16. Kronik – Breaking Loose
17. Lady G – Rated G
17. Terry Linen – A Better Man
19. Julian Marley – Awake
20. Stephen Marley – Mind Control – Acoustic
21. Mavado – Mr. Brooks…A Better Tomorrow
22. Mishka- Above The Bones
23. Fantan Mojah – Stronger
24. Sean Paul – Imperial Blaze
25. Prezident Brown – Common Prosperity
26. Queen Ifrica – Montego Bay
27. Rebelution – Bright Side Of Life
28. Tarrus Riley – Contagious
39. Sizzla – Ghetto Youth-Ology
30. Mikey Spice – Walk A Mile
31. T.O.K. – Our World
32. Shango Trex – Shango Trex
33. Various Artists – Chemistry Riddim
34. Various Artists – The Hit List
35. Various Artists – National Pride
36. Various Artists – Reggae Gold 29
37. Various Artists – Reggae Jammin Vol. 1
38. Glen Washington – Destiny
39. Westbound Train – Come And Get It
Who would you like to/think will win?

1. Jamaican music (this include roots rock reggae, dancehall reggae, ska, rock steady, mento).
2. Gangsta (or bad boy) Style (Jamaica introduced the style conscious to wearing their shirts outside their pants.
3. The foundation for rap (Jamaica invented the concept for rap back in the late 1960s/early 1970s and called it "toasting". On Bob Marley’s "Put It On" he sings: ‘I’m not boasting…feel like toasting’…).
4. Dub (instrumental version of a track’s A side, usually spiced up with echo and other effects).
5. The Remix (we call it the version where you basically have the one rhythm and slight variation of content on it. For instance you could have a singer, a rapper, an instrumentalist, etc. all doing their own special performance on the one basic rhythm track).
6. The DiscoMix (long-playing 12" vinyl records, now largely obsolete.).
7. Bob Marley & the Wailers (Marley’s ability to unite opposing politicians and sensitise the world to the dynamics of Jamaica’s indigenous music, the beauty of our local woman in the form of a Jamaican Miss World and politics is still a landmark).
8. Personalities (Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Mary Seacole).
9. Rastafarianism.
10. Dreadlocks.
11. Bauxite (Jamaica is currently the world’s second largest exporter of Bauxite, falling short only to the much larger Australia. In an earlier decade it was the world’s biggest exporter of bauxite, the raw material for aluminium).
12. World, record breaking athletes (among them, of course, Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Donald Quarrie, Merlene Ottey, Herbert McKenley, just to name a few).
13. Inspiring Holiday Destination (home of author Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond novels; through Sandals Jamaica invented the all-inclusive holiday resort concept.)
14. Jamaican patois (Ali G’s displacement of Jamaican language and style is what gave the character his quirky resonance).
15. Gold (at one point Jamaica was the gold capital of the world, attracting many pirates from all parts of the globe.).
16. Sugar.
17. Rum.
18. Liquor (Tia Maria and others).
19. Ganja (Jamaica’s term for marijuana; also called The Weed, among others.).
20. Blue Mountain Coffee.

Can you think of other ways Jamaica has impacted on the world?

I’ve seen some excellent PhotoShop retouching work in my various media roles, but the one on the cover of the latest W magazine isn’t one of them! It shows actress Demi Moore in a stunning outfit that flatters the figure of a 47 year old mother of two.

However, take a closer look at the photo and you’ll see a large chunk of her left hip (our right) has been digitally removed. She’s a mutant! Click here to see a bigger version of the photo.

Maybe the general public isn’t all that interested in the technicalities: if things look okay to them they’ll probably accept it.

But in the eyes of professionals this is like having a piece of manure on your face in public which many can see but is not saying anything to you.

I suspect this photo mutilation will not stop the public from gobbling up the magazine though. It’ll be interesting to know how this issue sell, as compared to the other 11 issues from this year.

If December’s sales figures are greater than at any other time then that’s saying something. It would confirm the public at large needs better appreciation of art, media and manipulation!