News
218 news in 2007
All reggae / dancehall news
December 2007
- Richie Spice, reggae's new prince
You can condemn dancehall artists and love reggae artists: the English critics hailed Richie Spice's performance at the Brixton Academy on 8 December…
- How to do without the majors?
Something new on web 2.0: we knew MySpace, which lets artists create their page and share their tracks. The platform No Major Muzik, launched today, goes…
- VP launches its vintage label
17th North Parade: almost 50 years ago, this address in Kingston was just an ice cream parlour until Vincent Chin and his wife Patricia set up their record…
- MTV Base speaks French
MTV Base will speak French tomorrow. MTV France will launch the 100% French version of its music channel on Friday 21 December. Now in the language of…
- No Sting for Beenie Man
Contrary to what we announced previously (news of 21/11/2007), it seems that Beenie Man will not take part in the Sting Festival on 26 December. While some…
- Chino's debut
Like father, like son, as they say. While Stephen McGregor, one of the sons of the Freddie of the same name, is increasingly establishing himself as a…
- Jamaica in the grip of a wave of violence
As 15 days devoted to fighting violence against women have just ended, Jamaica is experiencing a particularly serious wave of homicides. In Jamaica, violence…
- Tiken Jah Fakoly unwelcome in Senegal
"As of today, Tiken Jah Fakoly is declared persona non grata in Senegal." These are the words of Ousmane Ngom, the Senegalese Interior Minister. Invited to…
- Scare Dem Crew reformed
We recently told you about the release of the Alliance's first album, planned on VP in 2008 (read news of 26/11/2007). Some tracks are already circulating…
- First album for Etana
One of the revelations of the end of the year, the young reggae soul princess Etana has just joined the VP stable. A first album, "The Strong One", has…
- VP: new website, new store
Clearer, richer, with videos, a forum... VP has just stepped up a gear on the web. Its new site breaks with the previous one by offering clearer navigation…
- Made in Jamaica, DVD coming soon
"Made in Jamaica", Jérôme Laperoussaz's film released in cinemas last year, will come out on DVD on 31 January 2008. After the soundtrack released on two CDs…
- Tiken back home
After five years in exile, Tiken Jah Fakoly returned to Ivory Coast on Saturday 8 December, at a concert called "Le retour". Fakoly was welcomed in triumph by…
- Africa Unite 2008 in Jamaica
Although the event was originally to be held in South Africa, the Africa Unite 2008 concert organised by the Marley Foundation will finally take place in…
- Elephant Man, the album at last?
For over a year now we have thought we had the final word on Elephant Man's new album, "Let's get physical", the long-awaited no-show on Puff Daddy's label…
- Alton Ellis in hospital
Alton Ellis was reportedly rushed to a London hospital at the start of the week. That is what the Yardflex site reports. The ska and rocksteady pioneer has…
- Grammy Awards, the nominees
Once again the list of five nominees for the Grammy Award for best reggae album of the year gives pride of place to the sacred monsters who are regulars at…
- Half Pint goes Universal
The year is ending well for veteran singer Half Pint, who has just signed a deal with Universal. The major and the singer have already agreed on the making of…
- Welcome To Jamrock, third edition
The third edition since its launch in 2005, the Welcome To Jamrock concert will take place on Friday 21 December at the Constant Spring Football Club in…
- Beenie Man changes management
Are his marital troubles behind it? Whatever the reason, Beenie Man has just changed management: out goes Mafia House, a company set up in January 2007 with…
- Neg'Marrons, the return
We last left them in 2003 with a third album, "Heritage", which had not repeated the feat of their "Bilan": in 2000, the Neg Marrons, carried by the title…
- Tyrone Taylor has died
His name is unknown to most reggae fans, and yet Tyrone Taylor had his moment of fame in 1983 with his lovers rock hit Cottage in Negril. The singer, who was…
- "Inna Heights", ten years on
It is ten years since the release of "Inna Heights", Buju Banton's fifth album, two years after "Till Shiloh" in 1995. Among the deejay's very best albums…
- Senegal Hip Hop Awards
In Dakar, hip hop rules. And the Hip Hop Awards, now in their seventh year, are unmissable. But this year, reggae and dancehall will be at the party: not in…
- A busy Christmas for Jah Cure
He told us he was saving himself for his Curefest show before kicking off a series of concerts: now that the event is over, Jah Cure is on the sea routes of…
- Lucky Dube's killers before the courts
A month and a half after the death of Lucky Dube, attacked by men who were trying to steal his car, South African justice has already made considerable…
November 2007
- 30 years on, Exodus reissued with a book
It is exactly 30 years since the release of "Exodus" by Bob Marley & The Wailers. Regularly cited in rankings of the best albums (Time Magazine even named it…
- Inna De Yard, the best of
Almost three years after its launch, Inna De Yard, Makasound's acoustic series, is treating itself to its first best of. Since 2004, Kiddus I, Linval…
- World Clash: another title for Mighty Crown
As every year, the World Clash was held this weekend at the Amazura club in New York. And once again, it was Japan's Mighty Crown who won, taking the trophy…
- A first album for Munga
With the success piled up single after single, since the bloody Nuh bad like I, it is only logical that the release of the first album from Munga Honourable…
- 2008: the reggae tours to come
The big names of reggae will be back in France in 2008. We saw them not long ago, but Israel Vibration will tread French stages again next April to support…
- Sting 2007 line-up
Portmore on 26 December. The different chapters planned this year are titled "Dancehall's Finest" with Beenie Man and Bounty Killer, among others, The…
- Wayne Marshall solo and with the Alliance
His first and most recent album dates back to 2003. In other words, an eternity. A member of the Alliance, less in the spotlight than his comrades Bounty…
- The Wailers at the US Congress
The work of Bob Marley and the Wailers has already passed into posterity. But to make sure the recordings of the most famous Jamaican trio are kept safe, the…
- Groundation grows every year
Every year, Groundation grows a little more. In France, their audience now extends beyond the reggae circle. Last year, you had to be very quick to hope to…
- Ja'Sound will not take place... in Bagnols
The latest twist in the long litany of troubles that have dogged the festival since its last edition in 2006, followed by last year's "hibernation": Ja'Sound…
- New album for Kiprich
Shaggy's protégé on his Big Yard label returns with a second album, which he is currently putting the finishing touches to. After "Outta Road" (2005), Kiprich…
- Winston McAnuff, Takana Zion & Manjul
We know that Winston "Electric Dread" McAnuff is a true stage animal (his 50-date "Paris Rockin'" tour convinced even the most sceptical), and we were curious…
October 2007
- Yaniss Odua meets Straïka & Matinda
Three at once: for its first project, the label Legalize Hits has not brought together the least popular of francophone artists, calling on Yaniss Odua…
- Admiral T: two concerts cancelled
Last year, several gay rights associations, including An Nou Alle, opposed Admiral T's tour going ahead. To calm tempers, he agreed to repeat on the mic (read…
- First album for Zareb
The artist once known as Mr Flash has since changed his name to Zareb and has teamed up with Germany's Pow Pow. It is with them that he is about to release…
- Dub Station #4
This is already the fourth edition of Dub Station, launched to mark the return of the Garance Reggae Festival this summer in Paris. After Gussie P and King…
- Rodigan crowned at Riddim Clash
David Rodigan has filled his trophy shelf a little more by winning Riddim Clash 2007, held on Saturday 20 October in Düsseldorf, Germany, in front of 2,000…
- Apple Gabriel in concert
Apple Gabriel will play in Paris in November. Founder of the trio-turned-duo Israel Vibration with Cecil "Skelly" Spence and Lascelle "Wiss" Bulgin, Apple…
- Lucky Dube murdered
South African singer Lucky Dube was shot dead on Thursday evening in Johannesburg, as thieves tried to steal his car. In the evening, while he was in…
- Daddy Mory: concert postponed
Gentleman's concert, originally planned for tonight, ultimately gave way to the national strike. Daddy Mory's, scheduled for 20 October at the Elysée…
- Alpha Blondy, new album and tour
The African griot, whose career spans more than 25 years, is back on stage for a French tour (see dates below), preceded by the release of his new album, "Jah…
- Shaggy honoured
On Monday 15 October Shaggy received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, for services rendered to Jamaica. The honour recognises a career begun…
- Tickets to be won for The Dynamics
The seventh edition of the Nuits Noires will welcome the Dynamics to the Bus Palladium on Saturday 20 October. This Lyon band has just released its first…
- SOJA on tour
The American band Soldier of Jah Army, or SOJA, began its second European tour earlier this month, after a string of festivals this summer (Reggae Sun Ska…
- Kebra Negast, the Glory of the Kings of Ethiopia
The Kebra Negast ("Glory of the Kings") is a text written in the 13th century, which traces, among other things, the meeting between Makeda, the Queen of…
- Jah Cure does not please everyone
The arrival of Jah Cure, released this summer, is not making everyone happy in the United Kingdom . While the public is turning out (the tour is reported sold…
- Gentleman: concert postponed
Owing to the national strike led by the SNCF and the RATP, Garance and Talowa Productions have decided to postpone Gentleman's concert, originally scheduled…
- Artikal Band, the compilation
Everyone has attended at least one concert where the artist was backed by the Artikal Band. Genuine marathon runners of the stage, able to carry a show for…
- Tiken Jah Fakoly on tour
The griot of reggae is back for a long French tour. In Paris, Tiken Jah Fakoly has already sold out the Olympia and so adds an extra date at the Zénith six…
- Gyptian in Paris
We had almost seen him in France a few days after his very good performance at the Sundance Festival in Holland (report of 28/08/2007). Ultimately cancelled…
September 2007
- Alpheus, "Eveything for a reason"
We told you about it last month with a megamix to listen to: Alpheus's second album, "Everything for a Reason", will be out on 29 October, on the French label…
- Lauryn Hill, best of and reggae
After two solo albums, Lauryn Hill released her first best-of this summer, with J Period of 101 Records. At a time when anyone can put together a compilation…
- Riddim Clash 2007
Last year, the Riddim Clash saw Bass Odyssey (JA), LP International (USA) and David Rodigan (UK) go head to head. It was the English gentleman who lifted the…
- Césaires de la Musique 2007
Launched last year (news of ), the Césaires de la Musique ceremony will hold its second edition on 22 October 2007, at the Casino de Paris. It will be…
- The All Blacks, music and reggae
At a time when France has plunged into rugby madness, Naïve is opportunely releasing the official compilation of the All Blacks, the New Zealand team: "All…
- MOBO Awards, the winners
The 2007 vintage of the Music of Black Origin Awards, held in London last weekend, has named its winner: Kanye West scoops the prizes for best hip hop artist…
- Admiral T on tour
Admiral T is back on the roads of France for a month-long tour starting at the end of October in mainland France. Note that a tour of the French West Indies…
- Latitude Reggae, the DVD
Remember, it was 29 January 2006. On the stage of the Elysée Montmartre in Paris, world and reggae artists were gathered under the leadership of Tiken Jah…
- Festival de Marne, the reggae line-up
From 5 to 21 October, the Festival de Marne will showcase more than 99 artists. In the midst of an eclectic programme including Rachid Taha, Grand Corps…
- Shaggy on Second Life
Always at the cutting edge, Shaggy has found the hippest ploy of the moment to gain international exposure: he has an alter ego on Second Life, the virtual…
- Black Roots, live session
In 2004 Makasound had already devoted a successful reissue to this mysterious British band, melodic to a fault, "On the frontline", which compiled two albums…
- Les Nuits Zébrées are back
At the dawn of their 4th season, Radio Nova's Nuits Zébrées are back in the capital. The concept is unchanged: the event is free (you just have to pick up…
- Morgan Heritage… as a sound system!
It is an unusual event that Soul Vybz Records, CO2 activity and Stay Up have put together for the second edition of Soul Vybz Party: bringing in Morgan…
- Curefest a victim of its own success
Already postponed because of the Jamaican elections (themselves delayed by Hurricane Dean), Curefest is set to see further changes to its schedule. A gigantic…
