The Source of Happiness / Good Always Triumph Over Evil

Sitting here thinking about how this world is filled with 'bad mind' people who want to bring you down, who try to prevent you from going where you want to go in life, and try to distract you from achieving your goals.

Human relationships are consistently found to be the most important correlation with human happiness. So maybe our goal should be to show others that they too can be happy - or at least happier in their situation. That way everyone will be a bit more pleasant to be around. This may be a bit selfish..but its for the greater good.

And remember, when you allow your light to shine, you inevitable motivate others to do the same.

Listen to Assassin reminding you that good ALWAYS conquer over evil while you read the article below giving you just another reason to stay focused and keep in the direction of your goals.

Assassin Good Over Evil - Assassin

Out there in the future somewhere is a goal of yours. You are always headed somewhere. That's human nature (for mentally healthy people), and I'm sure it's true of you. There's something you want, some condition you are aiming for or trying to move towards in your life. You have a goal, maybe many of them. You would like to be in better shape, you would like more money or a more secure future, you'd like to have a better relationship with your mate, or maybe there is something you'd like to create, some deed you'd like to do for no other reason than it feels right.

Regardless of what you're aiming for, the point is that we're never really satisfied with where we are (for very long at least), and we're always trying to get to someplace better, and that's a wonderful part of life. Lucky stuff happens now and then, of course, and it can make you happy, but you can't count on it. The only happiness you can count on is the kind you create with your own effort. This kind of happiness comes from the process of progress.

We think we'll be happy when our goal is attained, but that's not so. A great example of that is Christmas. Christmas night, when it's all over, people often have a feeling of sadness. You got all those presents, but you're sad because having what you want doesn't really make you happy.

Getting it is where all the fun is. And no matter how many times we hear that and agree with it, it almost always feels like we'll be happier when we arrive. But that's part of the game. Human nature.

The happiness that you can create comes from the process of progress. If I want to lose ten pounds and I get on the scale and see I've lost one pound, I'm not where I want to be, but I've made progress, and I'll feel pretty good about that. I'm moving in the direction I want to go. If need to save $3000 to achieve my goal of vacationing in Greece, and I'm saving a hundred dollars every week, I will feel good about it each week when I put that hundred bucks away. I'm making progress toward my goal.

We want to move toward our goals. People who bring you down do things that make progress more difficult or more painful. They'll remind you of the barriers in the way ("You're too young"), or they become the barrier ("I forbid you to go"). Or they'll try to hold you back or put your attention on what holds you back ("What about the children?").

Another way to slow your progress is to distract you: "You can do that later; come on, let's go to the show." Distraction is the hardest to fight. It is like enticing you with temptations that you

yourself enjoy. Like the person who is trying to lose weight and her spouse cooks her favorite (fatty) meal. People who bring you down tend to minimize the importance of your goals, and keep bringing up other (more immediately fun) things to lure you away from your purpose, slowing your process of progress. You will experience a short term enjoyment and a long-term misery. You might not feel any worse immediately, but it will begin a subtle depression as your goals lose out to entertainment or socializing. This is distraction.

Another form of distraction is to occupy your mind with unpleasant thoughts — reminding you of your "obligations," or telling you things that you worry about or things that make you angry. Fuming and fretting are not good uses of your mental resources. They slow your progress and bring you down. When you are worrying or angry, your mind is not being used to further your goals. And it's bad for your health and relationships.

Someone who brings you down might also tell you you're doing too much or too little, and in this way mess with your own rhythm and pace, tripping you up. They can make you feel bad by telling you you're doing more than you ought to, or make you feel bad by telling you you're not doing enough. An insidious way of keeping you distracted is for someone you love to be sick or out of control (drinking, for example) or in some way making it necessary for you to take care of him, effectively erasing the time you would otherwise work toward your goal.

Preschool Enrollment Lagging in Minority Neighborhoods

Surveys in several low-income Chicago neighborhoods have shown that some of the children who need preschool education the most aren’t getting it. Now a new report shows that the problem is widespread.

The report, “Why Isn’t Johnny In Preschool?” is based on over 5,000 interviews in 19 low-income African-American and Latino neighborhoods across the city. The research was conducted by POWER-PAC, a parent offshoot of the group Community Organizing and Family Issues (COFI), and other nonprofit partners.

Their surveys found that 40 percent to 64 percent of preschool-aged children were not in any early education program. Factors that kept children out of preschool included lack of transportation, scheduling conflicts, immigrant families’ fear of deportation and a shortage of slots.

In a press conference held Thursday, COFI officials argued that many of these problems stem from a lack of information available to low-income families about their preschool options. They presented recommendations to address these issues, including:

Providing transportation, including vans, buses and “walking school buses”—adult escorts—to get children to and from preschool

Adjusting preschool schedules to be more compatible with the often-hectic work schedules of parents

Boosting public awareness through media campaigns, door-to-door home visits and grassroots outreach programs

Reducing co-payments for working-poor families who are not eligible for free preschool
Simplifying the registration process

POWER-PAC supports related legislative proposals, outlined on their website. You can also find a copy of the full report there.

Catalyst first reported on the challenges of enrolling poor children in preschool in 2007. Following a community forum that identified solutions, Englewood preschools reduced their vacancy rates. Catalyst reported further on the issues in its most recent issue of Catalyst In Depth.

Skerrit Bwoy (aka Sponge Bob) in Dutty Fridaze

I find this offensive and I want to tell you why.

I love my reggae parties, love my dancers, love the excitement and the extremity of the caribbean culture. One thing about our culture -- even if we have nothing else, we know how to have fun!

But when other races and other cultures try to make a mockery of us, it obviously bothers me.

Of course they got a clip of one of the most extreme DUTTY FRIDAZE party. Editted it and put it on Tru TV (also known as Court TV) and made fun of us.

But at least we have some recognition on real television stations...idk

Is bad publicity good publicity?

The Uncle Rukus Reality Show

If you've never seen this, set aside 20 minutes, click here, and click now. But beware - this episode of Boondocks is VERY offensive, ignorant, yet hilarious!

The Boondocks The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show

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NYPD Police Officer Killed by Fellow Officer

A police officer chasing a theft suspect was fatally shot Thursday night by another officer after he failed to drop his weapon when ordered to, authorities said.

Officer Omar Edwards, 25, was not wearing a bulletproof vest and did not fire a shot, authorities say.

Authorities said Officer Omar Edwards, 25, was shot three times. The incident is under investigation.

Edwards was in plainclothes and carrying a handgun as he chased the suspect past a police car.

Authorities said the officer who shot him said he didn't realize Edwards was a police officer.

Edwards had just left the Housing Bureau Station House on East 124th Street, said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly at a news conference Friday. As Edwards approached his vehicle, he saw a man rummaging through it.

Edwards took out his gun -- a Smith and Wesson 9 mm -- and chased the alleged thief, 43-year-old Miguel Santiago, said NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne.

Meanwhile, a police cruiser with a sergeant and two officers, including Officer Andrew Dunton, had just turned onto 125th Street from 1st Avenue.

Santiago ran in front of the unmarked vehicle as it approached halfway up the block and the vehicle stopped.

The officer in the front passenger seat got out of the vehicle and shouted for Edwards to stop running and drop his weapon.

According to Kelly, the officers reported that, after the command was given, Edwards turned toward Dunton with his gun in his hand.

Dunton fired his Glock 9 mm six times, hitting Edwards three of those times -- once in the left arm, once in the left side and once in the back, according to police. Emergency crews responding to the scene found Edwards wearing a police academy T-shirt under his clothes and found his police shield and ID in his front left pants pocket, according to Browne.

Edwards, who lived in Brooklyn, was recently married and had two small children, according to CNN affiliate WABC-TV in New York.

On Friday, his relatives remembered him as a good person who achieved what he set out to do.

"He was a wonderful, wonderful child from when he was small," his father, Ricardo Edwards, told WABC.

"His desire was always to be a policeman and to play football," his uncle, Jerome Harding told the New York TV station. "And he did accomplish both, because he plays for the Police Department."

Edwards was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital at 11:21 p.m. Thursday, according to Kelly.

"Tragic accidents like this are another reminder of the dangers our police officers often face as they keep our city the safest big city in the nation," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday.

"Rest assured we will find out exactly what happened here, see what we can learn from it so it may never happen again. All the city's prayers are with Omar Edwards and his family."

Five eyewitnesses, along with 20 people who reported hearing gunshots, were interviewed by police.

The officer who fired the shots has 4½ years' experience, authorities said.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative duties while the shooting is investigated.

Police later arrested the alleged thief on suspicion of breaking into Edwards' car.

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Jah Vinci and Popcaan -- To The World

Kartel is taking over and thats just the fact of the matter, everywhere you go you hear, "Gaza STRAIGHT! Empire to the World!" At least, I do. In the past six months, Kartel has made it to the top with four number one songs, with my favorite being 'Virginity' with one of his new artists, Indu.

Kartel, being the king of the Portmore Empire signed a few new artists to be a part of his unit. Artists like Lisa Hype, Black Ryno, Shawn Storm and my two favorites right now -- Jah Vinci and Popcaan. But whats going on with the "First Lady", Omeil?

Regardless of how you feel about Gaza versus Alliance - you have to adore Jah Vinci - and even Kartel for having an ear for music when it comes to our next generation of artists because I consider myself a hard critic to new artists and even I'm a fan!

Its hard to choose between Gaza and Alliance because I've been such a big Mavado fan for a while, yes I do agree that Kartel tore him up on stage at Sting '08, but I do enjoy his music, and I don't appreciate so many people dissing him once the new year started!

But Kartel on the other hand, he left the Alliance on his own to start his own empire, allowed young, new and fresh artists into the scene and literally took over. I have to respect it.

At the same time, I think his choice in Lisa Hype was a sketchy one and I would have much preferred Omeil to take her place. (I'll write about her later...)

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Scientists Identify New Lethal Virus in Africa

Scientists have identified a lethal new virus in Africa that causes bleeding like the dreaded Ebola virus. The so-called "Lujo" virus infected five people in Zambia and South Africa last fall. Four of them died, but a fifth survived, perhaps helped by a medicine recommended by the scientists.

It's not clear how the first person became infected, but the bug comes from a family of viruses found in rodents, said Dr. Ian Lipkin, a Columbia University epidemiologist involved in the discovery.

"This one is really, really aggressive" he said of the virus.

A paper on the virus by Lipkin and his collaborators was published online Thursday on in PLoS Pathogens.

The outbreak started in September, when a female travel agent who lives on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, became ill with a fever-like illness that quickly grew much worse.

She was airlifted to Johannesburg, South Africa, where she died.

A paramedic in Lusaka who treated her also became sick, was transported to Johannesburg and died. The three others infected were health care workers in Johannesburg.

Investigators believe the virus spread from person to person through contact with infected body fluids.

"It's not a kind of virus like the flu that can spread widely," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which helped fund the research.

The name given to the virus — "Lujo" — stems from Lusaka and Johannesburg, the cities where it was first identified.

Investigators in Africa thought the illness might be Ebola, because some of the patients had

bleeding in the gums and around needle injection sites, said Stuart Nichol, chief of the molecular biology lab in the CDC's Special Pathogens Branch. Other symptoms include include fever, shock, coma and organ failure.

Genetic extracts of blood and liver from the victims were tested at Columbia University in New York, and additional testing was done at CDC in Atlanta. Tests determined it belonged to the arenavirus family, and that it is distantly related to Lassa fever, another disease found in Africa.

The drug ribavirin, which is given to Lassa victims, was given to the fifth Lujo virus patient — a Johannesburg nurse. It's not clear if the medicine made a difference or if she just had a milder case of the disease, but she fully recovered, Nichol said.

The research is a startling example of how quickly scientists can now identify new viruses, Fauci said. Using genetic sequencing techniques, the virus was identified in a matter of a few days — a process that used to take weeks or longer.

Along with Fauci's institute, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Google also helped fund the research.

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Bob Marley's Photograph Not Selected for Jamaican $5,000 Bill

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Cultural stakeholders in Jamaica say that music icon Bob Marley should have been on the new Jamaica $5,000 bill (US$70) and not former prime minister Hugh Shearer, whose impact, they claim, wanes in comparison to that of the reggae legend.

Bob MarleyThe Jamaica Observer said that some see the khaki-coloured note as a political counteraction to the JA$1,000 bill, which bears the image of Michael Manley, former prime minister and People's National Party politician.

"I can't understand why someone who has done so much for his country has been side-tracked," Cleveland Brownie, chairman of the Recording Industry Association of Jamaica said in reference to Marley. "If we were to measure the impact of all politicians and other cultural icons, I think that Bob Marley would exceed all the others," Brownie said. “The BBC declared One Love the song of the century and Time magazine called Exodus the album of the millennium.

I need not say more," he said. However, the Head of the Edna Manley School of Drama, Eugene Williams, went against popular opinion and chose Louise Bennett-Coverty over Marley. He said Shearer could never compare with either.

Black Women More Likely to Have Vitamin D Deficiency

These days I’ve been on a vitamin kick. I’ve realized the benefits of vitamins and know that its one of those things where you don’t realize how great they are until you’ve tried it. You suddenly have that youthful, stress-free glow that you only seem to get when you’re on vacation. Skin is now clear, you have more energy, you’re focused, and more importantly, you’re happy and healthy– so take a look at this article, and get in where you fit in.

Black women are nearly three times as likely as white women to have a vitamin D deficiency, which is linked with an increased risk of the vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the New York Times reports. Black women likely have lower levels of vitamin D because the higher amount of pigment in their skin prevents the body from absorbing the vitamin.

For the study, researchers led by Lisa Bodnar, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, examined 209 white pregnant women and 260 black pregnant women at a Pittsburgh clinic. More than half of the women had low levels of vitamin D, the study found. Women whose vitamin D levels were 50 nanomoles or less had a 26% increased risk of BV, while women whose vitamin levels were less than 20 nanomoles had a 65% increased risk of the infection. About 52% of black women had the infection, compared with 27% of white women, the study found (Bakalar, New York Times, 5/26). The study found that 93% of women with BV had low vitamin D levels and that BV prevalence decreased as vitamin levels increased.

In addition, although black women were more likely to have BV, white women who had low levels of vitamin D were as likely to have the infection as black women. Poor diets and obesity also contributed to a vitamin deficiency. Bodnar noted that black women are less likely than white women to meet dietary recommendations for vitamin D. Bodnar recommended that women discuss their level of vitamin D with their physicians and that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin, which typically includes vitamin D.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Bodnar’s research team has received NIH funding to conduct a study of whether vitamin D deficiency in women increases the risk of poor birth outcomes and whether high infant mortality among blacks can be attributed to factors such as obesity (Templeton, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 5/23).

New Age Gays in Dancehall

The Caribbean culture has always been known to be notoriously homophobic, but this will not stop homosexuals in the Caribbean from enjoying their life, regardless if people disapprove of their lifestyle. Now it looks like homosexuals in Jamaica has carved out a place for themselves in Kingston’s dancehall scene.

Some people are starting to call it the “Shebada Phenomenon”. And while we are on this topic, have you had a chance to see Shebada? Click on your new tab, visit youtube, and search for Shebada or Bashment Granny. Although it’s funny, I would not recommend avid homophobes to take part in it. Shebada is the name of the ‘borderline’ character in this comedic Jamaican play.

More and more gay men are now gaining confidence, celebrating their femininity, and as they grow assertive, no longer lurking in the closet for the down-low, instead they are ‘out and bad’ at your local bashment. They are often dressed in full gay regalia, freedom rings, nails, extensions and mascara. All that’s missing is the handholding and other public displays of affection.

“From wah day ya, dem out like bees, dem de a every dance, sometimes yu see a pack a dem, usually ‘bout eight or so, and dem travel in three Kingfish or three vans. And dem out de, dem have a class, dem well-dressed, in some European styles, like Jean Paul Gautier and dem spend dem money. When mi keep my dance, dem buy out di bar.” One female promoter laughed.

“Dem man ya anno fool, dem can tek care of demself and dem have connections, but dem still move careful because mi hear man and man say dem ah go kidnap two ah dem bwoy de already,” one male observed.“But to me, is like Jamaica ah get foreignized, almost like dem accept it and just look the other way, ‘cause it obvious say dem gay because dem, even when the selectors dem say ‘too much b bwoy ah come a dance from wah day ya’. It nuh jerk dem; dem just a party fi di better.”

Some people believe that the homosexual community is territorializing the dancehall space and taking their claim for acceptance within the culture.Now, it seems, even the anti-day songs are no longer a hallmark of shame for the New Age gays who see the songs as a badge of honor. “It’s really funny, when I attended college in the UK, the gays would walk out and take the centerstage when the anti-gay music played and now I am back here living in Jamaica, I see the same thing happening, when the funny man song dem start, dem walk out and say ‘whoi’ and tek centerstage,” one female public relations agent at a energy drink company said.“Mi just pap up when mi see it because dem feisty and loud and fulla drama. Mi like dem and dem like me because dem always mek me laugh and dem compliment me and tell me that I look good, and den they will say ‘girl, me a goodas too, mi like yu style’. They make me laugh,” she said.

Most Jamaicans feel differently of the matter, they are no sharing in the joke. They believe that gays are making a mockery of an art form that they struggled to bring to the world scene. Their good humor is further challenged by culture slights such as a popular youtube footage of a gay asian boy dancing to a dancehall song, an example that merely underlines the dilemma for dancehall: as more cultures are being exposed to dancehall culture, Jamaicans lose the right to tell these new recruits how to appropriate the music into their own lives.

At home, many men bite their tongue and chafe when they see beautiful and popular young women hanging out with men of questionable sexual inclinations, and that trend has spread to the poorer classes who accept these social outcasts as one of them.

“The downtown girls dem love dem, mi see dem spar wid Big Bottom Angella and she nah mek nobody do dem nothing. I guess we just have to accept them, but mi know dem still have to be careful, nuff people ah talk from wah day ya, but nothing no happen.”

I am very curious to see what becomes of this, especially since the Prime Minister recently stated that there is no room for gays in his cabinet. With this new found enthusiasm towards the undermining of the homosexual community cause more violence and hate for Jamaicans or will this be a move towards opening a new chapter and turning a new leaf in Jamaican society?

Buju’s Expressive Response Letter to Critics

Now for the mini update.

During the launch of Rasta Got Soul, Buju’s latest album, at the University of West Indies, Buju stated that he did not think Bob Marley was the greatest reggae artist and because so many are fanatical at what he’s achieved in reggae music it is stunting the growth of reggae music as a whole. It is denying artists who work hard only to be known as a shadow of Bob Marley and preventing them to flourish beyond the “glass ceiling”.

Many agree, many disagree but the point is that this statement has caused so much controversy within the reggae culture that a gentleman who’ve been following the story wrote a letter to the editor of the Jamaican Observer to express his views.

Read his letter – here!

Well, because of all the attention this statement is getting, Buju also wrote a letter as a response to his critics. Read his response below.

Send me an email at Doms@TheWickedestTime.com and tell me what you think!

Dear Editor, To the supporters of an ignoble regime who choose to hold our people and our music in stagnation, I respond personally. Yes.You all took my statement out of context and I am not surprised. I am quite aware of how much you would like to tarnish, but you cannot stop truth.

This music evolves like everything else in life. For you and all your so called 'musicologists' to say the music is all about one person is totally unfair to those like myself who have been making a significant contribution.Now, let us get this clear, Bob was great, talented, charismatic, the teacher, the father.But what about Peter Tosh, Alton Ellis and Bunny Wailer?

We owe our musical greatness not just to one individual but concerted effort by a brave set of people. Now after almost 50 years have gone, a new sound and a generation have emerged.

Must we subject them to the scrutiny of an age gone when our reality is much different?Give us a chance to grow.Bob was never loved by you in life.You are all hypocrites who I think are all the real cause why our music has failed to grow over the years with your open embrace for what would contribute to the backwardness of a nation.

If only you would get paid for doing meaningful work. You think we all are stupid if you are not the slave driver's protégé.

Buju Banton
10 Carlisle Avenue
Kingston 8
Jamaica, W.I.

Buju Banton Being Chastised For His Statement about Bob Marley

So earlier this week Buju Banton stated that he wouldn’t consider Bob Marley to be the greatest Jamaican musician, he says that he feels that this fixation on the reggae icon is exactly what is stunting the growth of the reggae industry.

We all know that no one would really appreciate this comment because, come on, we are talking about our beloved Robert Nesta Marley, but really, Buju isn’t entitled to an opinion?
I feel like Caribbean folks are the first ones to speak their mind, even when the topic has nothing to do with them. A friend of a friend may have boyfriend problems and Caribbean folks will be sending out advice before anyone else, so can you really judge the man because he have his own outlook?

“I want Jamaican music to be seen not through the pretext of some man that died 20 years ago, but as a pretext of a living being, working earnestly. If man cannot do what others have done in these times we might as well die, “ he told a mixed crowd at a launch of Rasta Got Soul, his new album, at the University of the West Indies on Thursday. “You know they say that the greatest musician in Jamaica is Bob Marley. I don’t believe that, because we have greater musicians to come. Bob was the most promoted and well promoted and we have to appreciate that because it’s our culture but don’t kill out culture with one living one. Enough is enough.”
Below is a letter to the Jamaica Observer in Buju’s defense. What do you think?

Dear Editor,

No one said Bob Marley was not a great musician but the situation of whether or not he is the greatest is a relative one.The attention that Buju Banton is getting from the media and some Eurocentric individuals is unfair and many of the critics were not even present at the launch to hear the context in which the statement was made. It is no doubt that these persons are overlooking the fact that Jamaican music is being stifled as each time a song comes out of Jamaica it is supposed to sound like Bob Marley.Since Bob Marley was promoted as “Jamaica”, to embrace the dynamics of inspiration and modernism is to not produce “good music”. It is now that many persons know how lucrative the image of Bob Marley is that they are able to look beyond his “natty head” and chastise Buju. We are stuck and until we realize that reggae is not Bob and he is not the embodiment of the only good Jamaican music we are stagnating our young musicians.It is no secret that the Marley name is the most promoted commodity in reggae music as even now his name is synonymous with reggae.

Having moved from a time when it was abominable to play the Rasta man songs, it is surprising that many are now rising to proclaim him as the greatest when every day other Jamaican talents are fighting to be recognized. Some time ago I was fortunate enough to see a launch with Roger Steffan on PBC Jamaica and he recounted a situation in which he was asked, “what can someone do to win a Grammy?,” his response was “change your last name to Marley.” Such a perspective challenges Jamaicans to question whether our other musicians are getting the attention they deserve.

Why should the greats like Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff be subject to the shadows of Bob Marley since over the years there has been so much controversy to whether or not Bob Marley penned many of his “hit songs.”I recommend that the persons who are taking Buju Banton’s comment out of context sit down and form an official Reggae Industry and stop allowing foreign factors like Roger Steffans to determine what is “good Jamaican music”. Music is dynamic, embrace the change (by the way Asafa was the greatest until Bolt dethroned him). Give talent a chance.

Tami Chynn Wants Freedom from Universal Motown Records

Something crazy is going on at a label when an artist says that being a part of the label was similar to being in an abusive relationship! That’s ridiculous! Even worse, a four year abusive relationship.

Songstress Tami Chynn is in the midst of parting ways with major international label Universal Motown records. Tami stated, “I just don’t think they know what they were doing with me, I don’t fit into any mold that they have and it’s difficult when you don’t fit into what they want for you.”

Tami Chynn’s yet to be released album, Primadonna, would have been her first major project on that label but unfortunately for her, if she is released from the label, all the rights of that album along with her other album, Out of Many One, which was released by Universal in Japan would belong to Universal Records.

“It’s very sad, that’s all me and those albums are connected to my heart strings, but you know what, I’m an artiste and I can do more stuff” she said.

Chynn is patiently waiting and in the mean time, working with various producers around Kingston with no intentions of signing to another label, at least not anytime in the near future.

She recently completed tracks such as Forever Your Girl for producer Baby G on the “Good Love” riddim as well as The Way That I Love You from Arif Cooper.

As far as her relationship status, Tami is in a devoted relationship with Deejay Wayne Marshall. Although rumors are spreading about a marriage between the two sometime this year, she clarified that she can definitely see herself as Wayne Marshalls’ wife, but right now, at this time in their relationship, they’re just enjoying each others connection.

Kelis Filed for Divorce?!

As much as this power couple works to keep their personal life as personal as possible, the news is out! No! We don’t want to hear that another beautiful black couple is having a rocky relationship, but it happens to the best of us. Kelis, who is now seven months pregnant with Nas’ baby, cited irreconcilable differences on the petition she recently filed.

Kelis is believed to be requesting spousal as well as child support which is just heartbreaking, I’m sure to the couple as well as their fans worldwide.

Rumors spreading across the blogosphere state that it may be a cause of verbal abuse within the relationship. But right now, who knows? Maybe it’s just crazy hormones due to the pregnancy? Couples break up to make up so hopefully Kelis and Nas are soon able to mend their ways because I believe a marriage is final and you have to keep working at it. Marriage is not for quitters!

Kelis, 29, and Nas, 35, met at an after-party hosted by P. Diddy for the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. They got engaged a year later and married in Atlanta in 2005.

New Riddim Releases May 2009

The release of a pair of stellar compilation albums featuring strong roots and culture music and messages. Stingray: Collection Volume 13 and Stingray: Showcase combine reggae music's best vocalists, from the foundation period through to the present, singing powerful messages of consciousness over a variety of roots, roots rock reggae and lovers riddims.

Boasting the finest musicians from Jamaica and the United Kingdom, Stingray is proud to bring forward Marcia Griffiths, Mykal Rose, Luciano, Morgan Heritage from Jamaica as well as UK reggae stars Prince Malachi and Peter Huningale and many, many more. Including riddims and songs that have previously only been available on 7" or CD, these two compilation albums will be available on Itunes and e-tailers world wide on May 5th.

Stingray Collection Volume 13 is the latest in Stingray's amazing series of serious roots selections. Featuring musicians like Mafia & Fluxy, Ruff Cut, Millenium Band, Sly & Robbie and Gumption Band, Stingray puts a high premium on good music in this collection. The legendary and timeless Marcia Griffiths opens the album with a beautiful song appealing to heads of government and world leaders to do what they can to fix the "Cold World" we live in.

George Nooks maintains the vibes over the same riddim on "Consider Yourself Lucky". Reggae fans will consider themselves lucky to have artists Da'Ville ("Firm Meditation"), Luciano & Errol Bonnick ("Crusader For Life"), crooner Roger Robin ("No Retreat") and Bushman ("Bloody City") on the same album. Not to mention that roots and culture fans will be heartened by the appearance of Morgan Heritage whose Bobby Digital produced track, "Go Down Falling Angel", will be available digitally for the first time here on Stingray Collection Volume 13.

The love is not all lost however as Glen Washington wonderfully demonstrates on "Unconditional Love", Prince Malachi's "Show Love", "Nite Shift Lady" by Frankie Paul and Anthony Que's "Truly Bowled Over". Anthony B & Lukie D's "Hustling" and Sylvia Tella's "A Change Is Here" complete the collection with messages of reality. With lover's, roots and kulcha as well as conscious deejays on the reality tip, Stingray Collection Volume 13 is a bright ray of sunshine for reggae and music fans just in time for summer!

Jah Cure’s Hot New Single

I really haven’t been up on my roots and culture like I should be, but now that I am getting back in the swing of things I realize that I can ALWAYS rely on the sweet sound of Jah Cure to remind me that I should never stray.

Jah Cure’s new hot single, entitled “Call on Me” featuring Phillisia warms my soul! Jah Cure – known for his positive lyrics which stress love and prosperity is something that we really need to be listening to these days, so support our positive artists, purchase their masterpieces, (spring) clean out the negativity in your heart and request this song to your local DJ.

I am all for upliftment – let’s bring each other up, not down!

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Event Coverage: Diff’rent Wenzdayz @ Gee’s Night Club and Lounge

So I went to Gee’s Night Club and Lounge (3415 52nd Avenue Hyattsville, MD) for the first time this past Wednesday. Now when it comes to what’s going down in the DMV as far as reggae, I usually have this under control but Gee’s threw me for a loop. Then I realized that Gee’s is usually known for their gogo events – but now their opening up to the reggae scene, which I appreciate because this area can definitely use a few more good reggae spots.

It’s in Hyattsville so it’s relatively close – to me at least, good security – so I felt safe – which is important because we all know how people like to carry on when they’re indulging in their drunken stupor, and this is DJ Ablazes’ dance, so I’m already entering on a positive note.
Now the bar, I had a problem with the bar – ok, so I have a story:

I get to Gee’s pretty early, definitely too early for a reggae event, so while the selectors are carrying on with their early jugglin’, I decide it’s time to sip on a drink. I get excited because when I get to the bar I spot my good, good friend – Wray and Nephew – and I order my classic Rum Punch. You would be surprised how many “reggae” clubs don’t have Wray and Nephew in stock!

I digress

(Am I the only one who HATES ordering Rum Punch and realizes AFTER the first sip that they put Bacardi in it?)

Anyways, I see two “older” ladies behind the bar posing as mixologists – which of course, I don’t mind, as long as they know how to make a Rum Punch.

But of course, they act just like the stereotypical elderly. I tried my hardest to get them to understand that all I want is my rum punch, but they simply can’t hear me. Not to mention, it looks like they can’t manage the loud noise so they stuffed their ears with cotton. Or was that a hearing aid? Lol! My bad, no disrespect.

So after yelling a few times, she eventually hears what I asked for – so I wait. Now to call them slow is an understatement, I’m talking about tar sliding down a pole, but I’m patient, it’s early, no rush…

She finally gives me the classic Rum Punch…yay!

I take my first sip, and we all know Wray and Nephew have a DISTINCT taste; I don’t taste a thing but fruit punch!

Are you serious? Or am I just a rum head?

And you know what she said to me?

“Sweetie, if it’s too strong, let me know and I’ll give you some more pineapple juice.”
I just had to laugh, she’s too cute…but of course I had to order another shot because I didn’t come out to drink fruit punch, I’m here for the party.

Now I understand that it’s a recession and grandma needs a hustle too, but this just isn’t going to work, it doesn’t even make sense, but I am sure they will make changes when they realize the err in their ways.

By the way – shouts to DJ ABLAZE! His annual birthday bash is coming up – Saturday May 9th, 2009!

Next chapter – the crowd. Ladies were free before 11:30pm on the guest list so you already know what that means. The ladies were out in NUMBERS, which is always a good indicator of an eventful night but EVERY girl found a seat as if they were just waiting on the men to trickle in and buy them drinks because I noticed that most hands were empty.

As the night progressed the well-dressed fellas, the shottas and the dancers started to make their way in, the night grew and the selector started to speed up his flow, which pleased me because from the earlier part of the night, I was a little worried. The music was slow…and depressing, everyone was sitting. Yes, I was worried.

But of course, add some Caribbean men to the equation and life is just better! Don’t quote me.

The night was fun, so if you ever saw the flyer and thought about passing through, definitely come out because it was a good night. There was an impressive turnout, aside from the early portion of depressing ‘break up to make up’ songs – the music was great and I honestly had that moment of disappointment when they turned the lights on reminding me that it’s a Wednesday night and clubs close at 2am.

I was pleased, especially since Wednesday nights were becoming bare – crossroads just ain’t doing it for me.