*Clarendon Music Awards*

The parrish of Clarendon in Jamaica will see Veteran Artists Everton Blender and Glen Washington headilne this year's inaugural Clarendon Music Awards, today, at the Quarry. This year music award will also give the Lifetime Achievemnt Award to reggae artist Derrick Morgan.This event is aspected to be packed with stars such as Peter Austin and the Clarendonians, Bunny General, Cashewman,Merciless,Carlene Davis, Tommy Cowan, Stephen McGregor, Silver Cat,Keith Campbell and Assailant. Clarendon has produced several music talents such as the world famous Clarendonians, Millie Small, Barrington Levi,Toots Hibbert,Freddie McGregor,Coco Tea,Liz Mitchell,Denroy Morgan and I-Octane just to name a few names you' ll may familiar with. Some of these artist will receive special awards for their outstanding career achievements and for their cultural and social contribuition to their parish.

*Youth View Awards 2011 *

Last Sat 5 feb the Youth View Awards went down  at National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston. The YVA's is a people choice awards that offers a creative vehicle for Jamaican teens and young adults’ voices to be heard! The categories included favourite celebrity in entertainment, fashion, sports, and the coveted award of celebrity role model of the year! Hosted by Teyanna Taylor, Chino and Lady Rennae, the event was packed with a lot artists like Aidonia who performed "Evil Head", Voicemail, G Whizz sang "Life" while Tessane Chin celebrated Bob Marley's birthday singing his "Woman Hold Her Head and Cry "and also Etana sang "Redemption Song" and her own  "Roots". To-Isis did a redemption of "I can transform ya"which talked about bleaching while Teyanna Taylor did an amazing dance and she also went into the crowd bringing already excited fans to scream even more.Chino did a medley of  "Who God Bless" Protected" and "From Mawning". Din Dong was in the house and danced with Ravers Clavers,Elephant Man was there and all di Gaza Camp .Vybz Kartel, which just launched his own clothing line on the market for males and females, called Addi, brought home 4 awards one with Russian for best collabo of 2010. 

List of winners and some videos of the event above. 

Tiana,Vybz and Chino scored the biggest!

YVA 2011 List of winners:

Favourite Music Video

Holiday by Ding Dong and Chevaughn

Sound of the Year 

Renaissance Disco

Best Dance Group

Sample Six

Best Chart-topping Song

Love Dem  Vybz Kartel

Favourite Local Sports Team

Reggae Boyz

Favourite Artiste of the Year

Tifa

Favourite Artiste of the Year (male):

Vybz Kartel

Favourite Group

Voicemail

Cultural Artist of the Year

Tarrus Riley 

Producer of the Year

Stephen McGregor

Favourite Local International Act

Sean Paul

Favourite Male Dancer

Ding Dong

Favourite Female Dancer

Mystic

Gospel Artiste of the Year

DJ Nicholas

Favourite Radio Personality

ZJ Liquid

Best Fashion Icon (female)

D’ Angel

Best Fashion Icon (male)

Beenie Man

Best Local Clothing Brand

Cooyah

Favourite Entertainment Show

Review

Best Female Artiste

Tifa

Best Male Artiste

Vybz Kartel

Favourite Video Director

Jay Will

Favourite Female Sports Personality

Shelly-Ann Fraser

Favourite Male Sports Personality

Usain Bolt

Young Hot and Hype Female

Tifa

Young Hot and Hype Male

Chino

* Bob Marley To Become Jamaica National Hero*

Jamaican Cultural  Minister  Olivia Grange told at  national  jamaican radio audience, yesterday, and to those that gathered  at the Bob  Marley  Museum,         in Kingston, to  celebrate  the singer' s  66  birthday, that Marley was "a great Jamaican" and she "supports the idea of making him National Hero".                  The order of National Hero's is Jamaican highest honour. The Minister also said that people who believe Marley should be make a National Hero should formally present their case with letters and petitions and she would advocate in their behalf. Currently Bob Marley holds Jamaica's Order of Merit,  as so he      is addressed, The Honourable Robert Nesta Marley, OM.

*Selector Jazzy T of Renaissance Sound Kingston*

Popular Renaissance selector Jazzy-T , the one that parties on his B-Day with  the world’s fastest man – Mr. Usain Bolt –  spinning  the tracks  at his  birthday  bash was chilling on MissGaza's couch last night.  It wasn't as fancy as when  DJ Usain Bolt did work alongside Jazzy-T himself,  and a long  list of popular  sounds and selectors including Renaissance, Stone Love, Black Chiney, Richie D. South Floridians,at the Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida  this past 17th of January but it was a honor to link with such a great  Dj & Selector,  part of one of the most legendary sound. Jazzy T is Good ppl ,cool & genuine he even drop a shout to MissGaza.

Was fun like it was my b-day, over all when Jazzy T called his homeboy Mr Demarco and passed me the phone. Demarco gifted me his new hot joint "Still a get by" MAAAD CHUNE that is in heavy rotation on my playlist since and Mad Respect to Jamaica and its incredible artists always keeping it real. Big Ups Jazzy T always welcome in my crib!DeMarco Me Giving Thanx!Big Ups all da way Ghost & Gavstar too. 

The Renaissance crew are DJFoodie, DJ Smoke, DJ Pepsi, DJ Mykie E and DJ Christuff. Jazzy T,Dr Dre ,DJ Delano and DJ Blaze.

If you are not familiar with the legendary Ranaissance Sound here a brief head up.Renaissance Sound have been in the Sound System business for over 21 years and they are still fresh and killing it on the  dancefloors. Also, i think,  owning  some  of  the best and craziest  Dubplates on the scene now a days.Renaissance's  credo  of  great mixes and less talking,  will  show  excerpts  of a documentary  about  the  sound that is  being  produced  to  commemorate its 20th birthday.

One of the founding members, Delano Thomas, said Renaissance Disco was started  by himself  and  a former  member,  Devon  Chin, in 1989. Other Renaissance pioneers included Mix Master Marvin, Ian, Michael Edwards, Ronald McLean and DJ Marlon (deceased).

Renaissance Disco's first major debut was at a venue on Waterloo Road, where a party  was  being  put on by the original RAS Promotions. Both  Renaissance and Stone Love played at that party .Delano's crew  has been  working on a lot of remixes since their beginning, when they couldn't afford dubplates, till they did the remix of Beenie Man's Dancehall Queen and Bounty Killer's Nitro. 

Renaissance Sound System was also get known for breaking hip hop into dancehall .Delano Thomas was the personal deejay for Sean Paul, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man and Born Jamericans, while they were on tour. Renaissance always  kept in touch with the public as it simultaneously played at numerous events in Jamaica and the rest of the world. The sound system has played in countries like Germany, Japan, United Kingdom and throughout the Caribbean.Renaissance Disco now has many different  faces, not only Thomas, with his unmistakable eyepatch, Michael Edwards and Mix Master Marvin, who freelances with the sound system, are the only founding members still in the group. Big Ups Renaissance!

*Clarendon Music Awards*

Clarendon  Music  Awards  will  take  place  on Sat 12 feb 2011 at the Quarry, in Clarendon, Jamaica.

The first Annual Clarendon Music Awards is the brainchild of David Anderson of Temperature’s Entertainment Limited. This  organization  is  known  for the ultra  successful  show,  “The High School Link-Up Showcase”  that  links  past students from all high schools in Jamaica.
"This event will feature the biggest names in the entertainment industry as well   as emerging local talent from in and around Clarendon." Mr. Anderson,  who is also the chairman of the event, said.
Anderson contends that Clarendon has produced several musical talents such as the world famous  Clarendonions,  Millie Small,  Barrington Levy,  Toots Hibbert, Freddie McGregor, Coco Tea, Liz Mitchell,Denroy Morgan and I - Octane  to name a few.  Along  with  Mr. Morgan,  some of  these  individuals  will be presented this year  with  special awards for their outstanding career achievements and for their cultural and social contribution to the parish of Clarendon.

I-Octane has scored nine nominations in this year's inaugural  Clarendon  Music Awards. Other major artists such as Vybz Kartel, Mavado and Tarrus Riley have also earned multiple nominations.

This event is also expected to be an economic boom to the economy of Clarendon, as  i t is  expected  to  create   short  and  long  term  employment  for    community members and create new revenue for small businesses in Clarendon.Part  of the  proceeds  from  the  event  will  be  donated  to the  Clarendon  Street People Association - CLASP  and  the  Paediatric  Ward  at  the  May  Pen Hospital, in Clarendon.
The event will be hosted by radio and TV personalities Lady D and Sasha Bling, and  there will be performances from Professor Nuts,Merciless,Anthony Cruz,Assailant,Silver Kat,Kashu-Man,Singer Jah and many other local artists.

*Rebel Salute 2011*

Rebel Salute at St Elizabeth's Port Kaiser Sports Club may be a Jamaican roots reggae festival, but there's no Red Stripe  in sight.  Their  strict  no   alcohol, no drugs and even no meat policy means it's all about the music. Rebel  Salute   has been   going  strong  for  15  years  and  past  performers  have included  Burning  Spear and Jimmy Cliff.
The positive messages that Rebel Salute has championed for almost two decades  is an important step in reconnecting dancehall to positiveness.
Beres Hammond is back and better than ever after a 7 years absence .
Rebel  Salute  has  always  prided  itself  in  recognizing  and  promoting  up  and coming  talent  such  as  Tarrus Riley and Queen Ifrica that  have  gone, over  the years,  on to international acclaim yet still keep going back on Rebel's stage , as well as I-Octane, another rising star that has been on that stage for the past 3 years and  was joined also  by: Tanya Stephens, Ken Boothe, Khago, Chuck Fenda, Fanton Mojah, Junior X, Spanner Banner, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-stars and many more as part of a more efficient billing this year.Rebel Salute happened in St. Elizabeth's Port Kaiser  last  Sat 15th of Jan. Official site in unreachable because of the huge amount of hits of these past days but MissGaza will soon provide the highlights.

*Stone Love's 38th Anniversary Winners*

The Jamaican Award season officially started with the popular 
Sound System , Stone Love celebrating its 38th anniversary on 
the scene, last weekend in Portmore, St. Catherine.
Some of the industry's finest have been honored with an Award 
from Stone Love,that includes different artists as well as another
Sound System, Renaissance, that celebrated its 21st Anniversary 
on the Jamaican Music Scene.Please take a look at the categories!

{*LIST OF WINNERS*}
.King of Dancing 2010 (local and internationa
Ding Dong
.Best Male Dancer 2010 (international)             
 Sample Six
.Best Female Dancers (international)                   
Dance Xpressionz
.Best Male Dancers (local)                                        
T & T crew
.Best Male Dancer (local)                                          
M.O.B.
.Best Female Dancer (local)                                     
Cartoon
.Best Dance Move                                                          
Swag Team
.Best New Slang                                                             
Wire-Sadiki (G Unit)
.Best Portmore Dance Group                                   
Card Unit
.Best Pouch Selector                                                    
Boom Boom
.Best Video Man                                                            
Jack Sour
.Best New Female Artist                                             
Ikaya
.Best New Male Artiste                                               
Khago
.Best Culture Artiste                                                    
I-Octane
.Best Female Singjay                                                  
Tifa
.Best Male Singjay                                                       
Mavado
.Best Female Deejay                                                   
Sheba
.Best Male Deejay                                                        
Vybz Kartel
.Best Female Singer                                                   
Cherine Anderson
.Best Male Singer                                                        
Jah Cure
.Stone Love Selector of the Year                          
Bill Cosby
.Best Comeback Artist                                              
Future Fambo
.Best Stone Love Promoter                                     
Colonel (St Mary)

*Vybz Kartel - Real Talk*

There are semi - official rumurs about Vybz Kartel  and  Movado

probably not performing at Sting 2010 in Portmore, St. Catherine,

Kingston, most likely for security reasons and the audience being

disappointed and saying the 26 December Show will be  loosing 

its charm.MissGaza will dig about it and post news here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Talking about Addi The Teacher I came across this cool interview.

It is  almost 10 minutes long. It's dated back  2006. Decided  to share 

it because it shows a different Kartel from the one portrayed in most 

of  his videos. He's extremly  clear, fresh and  focused, real.

The interview keeps it real on so many subjects from Bounty Killer, 

to Vybz's breakings  into the industry,to his meeting with Don Corleon.

He talks about the origin of his unique style,about  artists  that inspire

him and he starts with a list that includes Bob Marley  as first  name 

and ends with Beenie Man.

Kartel comes real about the press ignoring his social songs and he  

also talks about garrisons and political culture  in Jamaica, music,

police and politicians from Kartel's point of view. A smart point of

of view.When the video was released he just had  build his label so 
he  also explains  everything about   Adidjaheim Records.

A very cool video to get to know the Empire's founder  closer.

*The Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase*

While Miami is wrapped in an intense week of art
for Art Basel, Jamaica is experiencing The Travelling
Caribbean Film Showcase.
The Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase was initiated in 2007
with the participation of 23 countries.It features films and videos
in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Haitian Creole.
The showcase provides an opportunity for Caribbean film-makers
and producers to screen their work to the people of the Caribbean.
It happens from From November 28 to December 4, 2010.
There are 30 films in the showcase including an animated short
film from Jamaica, Anancy and Common Sense, directed and
produced by Andrew Davies, and written by Joan Andrea Hutchinson.
There's high profile and interest in two recent major feature
films: "RiseUp" and "Betta Must Come".
MissGaza previuosly blogged about both these cool Jamaican's flicks.
It's going down @ Sagicor Auditorium (New Kingston),The Bob Marley Museum,The St James Parish Library ,The Manchester Parish Library.

*Vybz's New Car and Videos*

New Vybz Kartel's car is the talk of the town in Kingston this week .
A 2010 S-Class Mercedes-Benz estimated to value over a million. (J$)
Addi loves his new ride and says: "It do everything except fly, the 
body can raise, it just have the whole driving experience, is like yuh
a drive pon air."
Kartel recently returned from a trip to Suriname where he said he 
performed to a crowd of over 20,000 fans. "Suriname was crazy, 
Kartel owns South America, dem love mi like dem love football," he said.
He also recently completed the video for the Duss medley and has a 
number of new singles just released and to be released soon.
Video is hot! check it out!2010 it's a dope joint!

*Nov 2010 TOP 10 Dancehall/Reggae Charts*

Top Ten Dancehall Singles November 2010
1 My Life (1 wk @ #1) – Shawn Storm – Adidjaheim/Notnice
2  For Your Eyes Only – Shaggy feat. Alaine – K-Licious Music
3 Jeans & Fitted (1 wk @ #1) - Vybz Kartel feat. Russian - Head Concussion 
   Records
4  Messiah - Mavado - Chimney Records
5  Touch A Button Nuh - Vybz Kartel - TJ Records
6  Irie - Andrew & Wada Blood - Deewaan
7  Nah Sell Out (2 wks @ #1) – Khago – Seanizzle
8  Girls Night Out - David M - BGM Entertainment
9  Stulla - Mavado - CR203
10  Drinking Rum & Red Bull (1 wk @ #1) - Beenie Man feat. Fambo 
    - Seanizzle Rec


Top Ten Reggae Singles
1  My Life (1 wk @ #1) - I-Octane - DJ Frass
2 Down In Jamaica - Kabbalist - Bamboo Music
3 John Prophecy - Strugglas - Roaring Tone Productions
4 Torn (1 wk @ #1) - Tony Anthony - Phylani Music
5 We Shall Find A Way (2 wks @ #1) - Hezron - Hard Shield Records
6 Real Man - Chuck Fender - Penthouse Records
7 Just As I Am - Misteree - Capsicum Records
8 Tears – Kurt Warmington – Infidelity Records
9  Comfort Zone - Busy Signal - Penthouse Records
10 Wildfire (Protect The People) - Tarrus Riley - Don Corleon

*STING 27 * PORTMORE 26/12/2010*

Sting is being defined "the Greatest One-Night Reggae Show on Earth", 
it goes down in Portmore, Jamaica, Kingston and this year  is the 
27th edition.
This year's edition was launched at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, 
New Kingston, on Tuesday ,announcing  Sting re added the Warriors 
category and  embraced a new main partner, telecommunications 
company LIME, first major sponsor in a couple of  years,after Guinness 
pulled off .
In past years, a 'Warriors' category on a Sting concert would mean a 
clash was definitely in the making,but not at the 27th staging, which
takes place at Jam World on December 26. 
There will be a "Warriors" Category but not a clash even if  Bounty Killer,
Beenie Man and Vybz Kartel, which has proved a volatile mix in the past,
are part of the crew of 13, which also include Etana, Khago and I-Octane.
There are also 13 'Bag Girls' including the 'Bad Gyal' Ce'Cile, Lisa Hyper,
D'Angel, Ikaya, Face, Pamputae and Tifa.
Also a  surprise performer is slated to hit the stage at 11:45 p.m.
Twin of Twins, Food Kartel, Tanto Blacks and Apache and Sarge have 
been charged with providing a combination of laughter and insight 
as the 'Sting Commentators'. 
Sunshine, Bambino and Liquid are designated 'Sting Disc Jocks', with
Nesbeth, Zamunda, Cush Hunta, Shawn Storm, Popcaan 
and Charlie Blacks are among those in the 'Spotlight' segment.
Who can't  make it to venue on Boxing Day Portmore, St Catherine, will 
still be able to follow the action live via LIME Mobile Tv. 
Lisa Hyper song about her leaving the camp.