Caribbean Entertainment News Roundup

By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, Oct. 18, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

This Dancehall Star Is Blasting Fast Food Giant Wendy’s

Jamaican-born dancehall artiste Tanya Stephens is blasting fast food giant Wendy’s for denying her bathroom access. Stephens took to Instagram to put the company on blast. Here’s her full post:

“Almost peed on myself in Wendy’s today. Ran to the restroom and was rejected by this little guy and a sign which instructed me to go get the access code from the cashier. The thought of dripping all over their floor with an audience of other patrons kept my screaming bladder in check.

“Dear restaurateurs…I know you think you’re being savvy businesspeople when you lock your fucking toilet doors, but walk with me now. Do ALL your patrons use your restrooms EVERY time they purchase? NO. What percentage of your customers actually use your shit house? Do you even know??? Do you think enough people come seeking refuge at your door to justify your customers having to do the wee-wee dance back to your cashier? And what of potential customers? Every restaurant which has ever refused me when my bladder is about to burst is a restaurant, I will NEVER spend a dime with. The times when you are empty may just be the gap created by your penny-wise pound foolish repulsive mentality. I have bought food at Wendy’s on a few occasions. This is the FIRST TIME I’ve ever used their toilet.”

Reggae Musician Caught Up In Windrush Scandal Is Dead

Jamaican reggae singer Jashwa Moses, who had been caught up in the Windrush immigration scandal, is dead.

Moses, who left Jamaica at aged 12 in the 1960s, spent years fighting for the right to call the UK home. He was forced to jump through red tape in his bid for citizenship before eventually securing it with the help of Bristol City Council deputy mayor Asher Craig.

But sadly Moses died at 64, before he had the chance to take advantage of his hard fought for citizenship.

Brother Of Trinidad Born Rapper Fails To Get Conviction Set Aside

The brother of Trinidad born rapper, Nicki Minaj, Jelani Maraj, has reportedly lost his bid to have his 2017 rape conviction set aside.

According to a Newsday report, State Supreme Court Justice Robert McDonald denied Maraj’s request to set aside the jury’s verdict. Maraj was convicted in November 2017 of sexually assaulting his now-former step-daughter.

Prosecutors alleged that Maraj began sexually abusing the victim at 11 years old and repeatedly raped her between April and November 2015. Defense attorneys for Maraj argued that the allegations were fabricated in an attempt to extort $25 million from the defendant’s famous sister.

Maraj’s trial attorney, David Schwartz, told Newsday that the verdict should be vacated because “there was clear jury misconduct.”

But Judge McDonald disagreed and reportedly determined that “not every misstep by a juror rises to the inherent and prejudicial level at which reversal is required.” He also added that Maraj failed to meet the burden of proof that any misconduct occurred during the trial.

Count Down Begins To Miami’s Bob Marley Celebration

The countdown is on to the Bob Marley Celebration in Miami this November. Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley will join his brother Stephen Marley for Miami Beach Pop Festival’s All-Star Celebration of their father Bob Marley on Nov. 8th. The star-studded event led by Stephen has also announced planned appearances by Nacho, Jack Johnson and Arcade Fire’s Win Butler.

The collaborative concert at the debut festival will feature live performances of Bob Marley’s classics with these artists and surprise guests backed by a reggae band at the South Beach location.

Shaggy, Sean Paul For Australia

Jamaican dancehall and reggae stars, Sean Paul and Shaggy, have announced plans to tour Australia together next year. The two will also headline the now sold out One Love Festival on the Gold Coast on Feb. 1, 2020. The two will also perform in Melbourne on January 29th before a show in Sydney on the 31st and a February 2nd concert in Perth.

The news comes as Paul will be presented with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander for his’ contribution to the global popularity and promotion of Reggae Music’ on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 21.

The dancehall artiste, whose real name is Sean Paul Francis Henriques, will be one of 143 Jamaicans who will be conferred with national honors at Kings House, the official residence of the Governor General of Jamaica on Monday, .

Billboard Reggae Charts

Stick Figure’s ‘World On Fire’ again returned to the number one spot on the Billboard Reggae Charts this week. It marks six weeks on the chart, five of which have been at number one.

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