Caribbean Entertainment News Roundup

By NAN ET Editor

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019: Here are the top headlines making news on the Caribbean entertainment scene for this week:

Haitian Roots Rapper Jailed

Haitian roots rapper Kodak Black who became a nationwide sensation, will serve three years and 10 months in prison for lying about his criminal record to buy guns.

The Pompano Beach native, born Dieuson Octave to a Haitian mother, was admonished by federal judge this week for having a lengthy record of criminal misdeeds.

The judge sentenced Black for lying about his record while purchasing or trying to purchase six pistols on two separate occasions at Lou’s Police and Security Equipment in Hialeah. One of the guns later was found at the site of a Pompano Beach shooting in March. Black’s 2018 album, “Dying to Live,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts,

A Veteran’s Day Honor For This Reggae Star

Jamaica’s Grammy-winning dancehall recording artist, Shaggy, was honored recently by the United States Marines for his service. Shaggy was one of the recipients of the honor at a Veterans Day Dinner held as a fundraiser on November 7, 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Shaggy, whose given name is Orville Burrell, said he was honored to be linked to the event and its cause and is looking forward to having a continuing friendship with the Home Base program for a long time into the future. The proceeds from the event go directly to supporting mental health and wellness programs available at Home Base to address the “invisible wounds” suffered by veterans, currently serving armed services members, and their families. These wounds include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, depression, co-occurring substance abuse disorder, and challenges in family relationships.

Shaggy enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1988 at the age of 20. He served in the Persian Gulf War in a Field Artillery Battery in the 10th Marine Regiment.

Hollywood Actress Makes A Caribbean Arts Appeal

Guyana-born Hollywood actress, CCH Pounder, who many know as Dr. Loretta Wade on NCIS: New Orleans, is making an appeal for Caribbean arts on behalf of a well-known Caribbean Diaspora organization.

After attending the 14th Annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) where she was a judge at the CTFF Incubator Program’s Big Pitch Breakfast and saw 18 aspiring producers from all over the Caribbean and African Diaspora pitch their stories for a chance to win $10,000, she is calling for donations to expand support of the wide talent in the Caribbean community.

Pounder has joined CTFF founder Frances-Anne Solomon in the CaribbeanTales Donation Drive to raise $100,000.00 to continue and expand the work. “We can do this together. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation and a complimentary CTFF pass for the 2020 season with a minimum donation of $500,” Pounder wrote in a email pitch. So far the effort has raised over US $18,000 of its $100,00 goal. Here by donating here.

Skip Marley Teams With Grammy Award-Winning Artist H.E.R.

Bob Marley’s grandson, Skip Marley, has teamed with two-time 2019 Grammy Award-winning artist H.E.R. via Tuff Gong/Island Records to release a new single titled “Slow Down.”

The single is a partnership between Tuff Gong and Island Records. The two made their debut performance of the song at H.E.R. and Lauryn Hill’s Hollywood Bowl concert last month.

Buju Banton Line for Wynwood

Everything BB, Grammy winning Buju Banton’s official apparel collection, will launch a special holiday pop-up shop on November 28th thru December 1st in Wynwood, Miami.

The collection will invite shoppers to purchase the Official Buju Banton T-shirts from his line Everything BB, as well as a few exclusive from his yet-revealed 2020 merchandise line.

Founded on July 15, 2017, by like-minded fashion devotees, the official clothing line of Grammy award-winning Buju Banton, aims is to help spread a message of love and peace on unique designs that depict Buju Banton paying homage to Africa, freedom and liberation, as well as conscious and inspirational themes with matching reference graphic.

The Everything BB Pop-Up Shop Location will be at Wynwood Block 2621 NW 2nd Ave Miami, Florida 33127 on Friday, Nov 29th from noon to 8 p.m. EST; Saturday Nov 30th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST and on Sunday Dec 1st from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Count Down Begins To Strictly The Best 60

VP Records will release its Strictly the Best 60th edition on November 22. It will include current and breaking hits from some of the top artists in roots reggae and dancehall including “One Way” by Vybz Kartel, “Glow” by Romain Virgo and Christopher Martin and “General” by Christopher Martin and “Together we Stand” by Richie Spice.

STB 60 combines two discs of hits in one package. Every year, the ‘Strictly The Best’ compilation, delivers original illustrated cover art that is as dynamic as the music. STB 60 features an illustration by Japanese artist Murasaki, inspired by the scenery of the VP Records 40th Anniversary Concert held at Summer Stage in Central Park, New York in August.

The full tracks are as follows:

Disc 1 – Singers

1. Play That Song (remix) – (feat. Agent Sasco) – Duane Stephenson

2. General – Christopher Martin

3. Only One – Beres Hammond

4. Girl Like You – Busy Signal

5. Breakfast In Bed – Tessanne Chin*

6. Million Reasons – Alaine

7. Change My Mind – Freddie McGregor

8. Lost My Heart – Kumar Bent*

9. Progress – Romain Virgo

10. Babylon Bridge – Emeterians (feat. Kymani Marley)

11. Better Tomorrow – Raging Fyah

12. Together We Stand – Richie Spice*

Disc 2 – Deejays

1. One Way – Vybz Kartel

2. Wileside Government – Jahvillani

3. Dutty Badmind – Alkaline

4. Clean Like Jesus – TeeJay

5. Glow – Romain Virgo & Christopher Martin

6. Something To Say – I-Octane

7. Life Short – Chronic Law

8. The Trophy – Shane-O

9. 1Option – Squash

10. Charge – Masicka (feat. Dunw3ll)

11. No Stress – Noah Powa (feat. Shams The Producer)*

12. Hold Back – Kes

13. Red Skirt – Munga Honorable