News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. Feb. 2, 2017: Here are the top stories making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for the week-ending Feb. 3, 2017.
ZIGGY MARLEY FOR GRAMMY’S PREMIERE CEREMONY
Jamaican-born musician, Ziggy Marley, born David Nesta Marley, is among the performers set for the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 12th. The Premiere Ceremony will take place at Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live internationally via GRAMMY.com/live.
Marley is up for another Grammy nomination this year in the Reggae Category. Other 2017 Reggae Grammy nominees are Rebelution, J. Boog, Devin the Dakta & J.L, Raging Fyah and SOJA.
Bajan star Rihanna has eight nominations this year including for Record of the Year.
The Premier Ceremony will precede the 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards which will be broadcast live on CBS from the Staples Center at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Award-winning television personality and performer James Corden is set to host the event.
RIHANNA
Caribbean superstar Rihanna, who is in Malawi this week working with students there to further the mission of her Clara Lionel Foundation, is weighing in on the travel ban by Donald Trump. Rihanna, who recently joined the Women’s March in NYC and who had made it clear she was a Hillary Clinton supporter despite being unable to vote in the US election, made her opinion known the ban on Twitter.
“Disgusted! The news is devastating! America is being ruined right before our eyes! What an immoral pig you have to be to implement such BS!!,” she Tweeted on Jan. 28, 2017, echoing the sentiments of many in the US and around the world.
NICKI MINAJ
Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj is also weighing in on the Trump ban. The rapper tweeted this week: “The most harmful thing you could ever take away from another human being is hope,” in response to the immigration order by the Trump administration. She also added the hashtag “ProudImmigrant.”
SHAGGY IN PAKISTAN
Jamaican reggae singer Shaggy is taking his music to Pakistan. The singer will be one of the main attractions at the opening ceremony of HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on February 9th. Renowned TV host and movie star Fahad Mustafa will host the ceremony, a spokesman of Pakistan Cricket Board said here on Friday.
SEAN KINGSTON
Jamaican American singer Sean Kingston has released the first single off his upcoming ‘Made In Jamaica EP.’ The song, called “Chance,” features incarcerated Jamaican dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel. The Murda Beatz-produced beat features Kingston slowing things down a bit with a feel-good, R&B vibe. The ‘Made In Jamaica EP’ drops March 17th.
BOB MARLEY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
As part of the celebration of reggae legend’s Bob Marley’s 72nd birthday this Feb. 6th, his son Rohan Marley has launched a contest to find the biggest Bob Marley fan in the U.S.
Fans are encouraged to enter by downloading the Official Bob Marley App powered by EscapeX via the iTunes or Google Play stores and writing in the comments section about why they are the biggest Bob Marley fan. The winner, plus a guest, will be flown to New York City to have lunch with Rohan Marley and share memories about his legendary father. The contest winner will be announced on February 8th.
