Caribbean Entertainment News Roundup

By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

Jamaican Roots Star To Keynote 2019 Toronto International Film Festival

Jamaican roots star Kerry Washington, who recently accepted an honor by Jamaica at its D.C. Independence Ball, is set to keynote the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. Washington will discuss her latest movie, American Son, in which she reprises the role she originated on Broadway in Kenny Leon’s adaptation of Christopher Demos-Brown’s play about an interracial couple whose 19-year-old son may have died at the hands of police – which will also get a first look in Toronto. The 44th Annual Toronto International Film Festival will take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada from Sept. 5-15, 2019.

Dancehall RiRi?

Looks like Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist, Demarco, is in for a big boost. Reports indicate the artist is listed in the credits for a new dancehall song from Bajan star Rihanna’s highly anticipated reggae album. The song is titled “Private Loving” and a Rihanna fan page shared a photo on Twitter this week of a registration for a new Rihanna song through her publishing company, BMI.

Rihanna has not released an album since 2016’s Anti.

Reggae Reggae Ice Cream

Jamaican Celebrity Chef Levi Roots is churning out his very own Reggae Reggae ice-cream. Roots whose real name is Keith Valentine Alexander David Bright Graham, has signed a three-year licensing deal with a Cornish ice-cream company to produce the unique range of ice-creams and sorbets. And it’s expected to launch next year.

“I am so excited to be launching my very own fabulicious range of the most delicious flavor ice creams you will have tasted,” Roots said in an interview with Cornwall Live. “Check them out and let your taste buds be jumping for joy.”

Congrats Sean Paul

Congratulations are inorder for Jamaican international dancehall deejay Sean Paul and his wife Jodi Henriques aka Jinx as the couple recently welcomed a new baby to their family.

Jinx made the announcement to her over 42,000 followers on Instagram early Tuesday morning. “Remi Leigh Heniques” was the caption placed on a photo of Jinx and her newborn baby girl in her Instagram story. She is the second child of the couple, who are already parents of a two-year-old son, Levi Blaze.

Shaggy And Conkarah Goes ‘Banana’

Jamaican star Conkarah has released a new single and soon-to-follow music video featuring fellow Jamaican and GRAMMY award-winning artist, Shaggy, who also co-produced the track. “Banana” is a modern re-flip of a timeless, classic melody complete with tongue-in-cheek humor in the true Caribbean tradition.

Written by Conkarah, “Banana” is a play on the 1956 hit Jamaican folk song “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)” from the legendary Jamaican songwriter/activist/actor Harry Belafonte and Irving Louis Burgie.

Billboard Reggae Charts

Pepper with ‘Local Motion,’ is back at number one this week on the Billboard Reggae Charts for the fifth week. In the number two spot is ‘Under Cover,’ by Kash’d Out while ‘Hybrid’ by Collie Budz slipped to number three. ‘Free Rein’ by Rebelution and ‘Reggae Gold 2019,’ on the VP Records label, complete the Top 5 this week.

Top Soca Stars Gearing up For Brooklyn West Indian Carnival

Top Caribbean soca artists like Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Lyrikal and Skinny Fabulous are among those set to raise the tempo at this year’s West Indian American Day Carnival in Brooklyn, NY. Dubbed the ‘largest carnival in North America,’ the artists will perform this year at Brassfest 2019 on Friday. Aug. 30th. The carnival weekend will kick off officially on August 29th with ‘Reggae Afro Beats Soca,’ which will feature Wayne Wonder among other acts. For more on the line up for this year’s WIADCA carnival log on to wiadcacarnival.org/.