January 28, 2009

Out of Kingston, Jamaica, news has been steadily streaming about fundraising efforts to help Haiti. One to note is a collaborative effort by the island’s principal mobile phone server, Digicel and reggae artists Shaggy on a musical fundraiser entitled “Rise Again.”

January 7, 2010

Mayor Michael Bloomberg scored a feather in his cap at the funeral services for Harlem power-broker Percy E. Sutton when he announced that an educational complex will be named in honor of the titanic personality.

After a four-day surveillance rendezvous of Jamaican Grammy-nominated, reggae, deejay Buju Banton, undercover federal officers nabbed drugs, cash and at least one weapon to find the artist in a Florida lock-up.

Reportedly the sting netted Banton and two accomplices who allegedly attempted to buy cocaine from undercover federal agents. Banton could get up to 20 years and may not get bail if a federal judge believes he would be a flight risk.

Millions of Americans who regularly watch the Oprah Winfrey TV show almost accept the daily broadcasts as a given. A staple repeated in homes all across the nation, for almost quarter of a century, the Harpo presentation has been omnipresent, entertaining, educational and sometimes controversial. That in two years, after the 25th anniversary edition, the hour-long talk show will no longer reliably mark every weekday in TV Guide seems to be sending some in a kind of frenzy not even the talk queen ever imagined. “Who will take her place?”
“Who can fill those big shoes?” “Who can we rely on to explain issues and things to the nation?” Those are some of the concerns some are expressing after last week’s announcement that Sept, 2011 will be Winfrey’s swansong from daytime talk TV.
“Oprah explained menopause,” Claudette Jones, a fan said. “She helped me confront my weight issues,” Georgia Blake added.
“She is the one who gave us Dr. Oz,” another individual chimed.

Michael Jackson stands alone as the single-most winner of American Music Awards in the entire world. Last week, the acclaimed king of pop copped another four to take his total to 23. The posthumous honor gave him four wins from the five he was nominated making him tops overall for winning the most AMA’s.

Walking into the Eugene O’Neil Theater recently was like walking into the Africa Shrine in Lagos, Nigeria where Fela Anikulap Kuti played infectious Afro-beat, communed with his followers and politicized the ills of his government. Onstage, corrugated sets reflected the tapestry that was magical when I visited the capital more than a decade ago. Missing though were women tending marijuana in huge, flat, weaved baskets. Along with long tables, they busily picked, sorted and separated the leaves as if nurturing a legal commodity. I recalled being fearful and timid that a police raid could land me in one of those awful jails. But it seemed then that I was the only one with such thoughts. It was business as usual for most and police, I was told often steered clear of Fela’s property.

Ziggy Marley welcomed Santa Claus to New York on Thanksgiving Day at the 83rd Macy’s parade. Bob Marley’s eldest son joined a long list of celebrated talents including: pop singers Carly Simon, Cyndi Lauper, opera singer Andrea Bocelli, country music star Billy Currington, Gloria Gaynor, American Idol's Katherine McPhee, rock band Boys like Girls and Jimmy Fallon and his late night band, The Roots and others.

This time of year, New Yorkers can always rely on Akeem Productions and the People of the Sun Collective to usher in the annual celebration of Kwanzaa at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. This year, the date is Dec. 19. Along with the student government, the aforementioned, conscious presenters plan to start the Saturday presentation at 4:00 p.m. and will shut down at 11:00 p.m. in the Medgar Evers College Gym at 1150 Carroll Street, Brooklyn.

A broader audience will experience the attraction savvy Afro-beat fans dedicated to Nigerian musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti now that his bio is being played out, eight times per week on the Great White Way known as Broadway. First presented Off-Broadway, the musical, theatrical, production won critical acclaim and is now the talk of the town with a dynamic actor portraying the controversial and politically active performer.

“My goal is to continue to bring Jamaicans together in America and rekindle fond memories of our beautiful island,” actress playwright Debra Ehrhardt stated. The immigrant actress penned a hilarious, partly true production she acted on stages throughout the United States; returning to New York at least three times to restate why after moving from the island, memories stick in her craw to force replays she hopes will make her crisscross the nation. "I live in America now but my heart will always be Jamaican,” the petite player confessed.

Prayers are on order for Trinidad & Tobago-born, NBA Hall of Famer and basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar. Reports are that after an examination last December, he learned he was suffering a rare form of cancer known as chronic myeloid leukemia. Since that time he has been receiving treatments and last week announced in Manhattan that he first experienced symptoms doctors diagnosed to be signs of leukemia.

Wanna be startin’ something? Cash in on any of the one-of-a-kind Michael Jackson memorabilia slated for auction on Nov. 21 at the Hard Rock Cafe New York in Times Square. Anyone will be able to purchase keepsakes that represent the life and career of the pop icon presented as Music Icons Auction at Hard Rock Cafe New York. It is MusicCares MAP fund to assist addicts on their journey to addiction recovery.

It was a family affair recently when the “One Love” festival, reggae tour arrived at the Times Square location of B.B. Kings. Headlined by Cocoa Tea, Capleton and Anthony B., the three Rastafarian talents were expected to deliver a delightful and uplifting, musical set to their loyal fans. Cocoa Tea fulfilled his obligation to the maximum.

It was an early Christmas for immigrants spotted by Haitian pop star Wyclef Jean recently when he walked the Times Square vicinity of Broadway handing out Western Union gift cards.

Fans of Peter Tosh will be happy to hear that plans are afoot to bring his legacy into the 21st century. With initiative to include the image of the acclaimed Bush Doctor in films, videos, internet sites, video games, apparel and TV, the new handlers of his estate -- Jam Inc -- will release a Tosh album next year. Often critical that the legendary Wailer and collaborator with Bob Marley has never gotten the kind of acclaim he deserves, some contend that the reggae ambassador -- second only to the king of reggae, Bob Marley -- has been deprived of publicity, royalties and the kind of marketing that would have made him  legendary in the music industry.