Spotlight on Midnite – A Star Rising

October 2002

We live in a world that accepts American hip-hop as authentic but American reggae as flaccid. Sort of like looking for french fries in Chinatown–sure you can find it, but it’s not the best, so why bother? American reggae has had a hard time finding an international audience that deem their music as authentic and as real as Marley, Tosh, or Beenie Man. There are subtle yet reinforced reminders that only real reggae comes from Jamaica, and no other place has the ability to produce talent that competes with the homegrown originals of Jamaican music. The charts, DJs and journalists constantly remind us of whose riddim and whose song is #1 in Jamaica. The award shows always hone in on strictly Jamaican reggae artists and therefore omit a great market and talent that is out there, pumping out great reggae music just the same. The time has come, for the many who thought only good authentic reggae comes from Jamaica– to bite their tongues.  Read more... (979 words + 1 image)

Pop Music Says “Hey Baby”

2001

Just when you thought dancehall music was appealing only to Jamaicans, the spunky, ska pop group No Doubt comes along to show you that dancehall is universal. No Doubt’s appealing sound is clearly their own, and there is truly no doubt this group has been soul searching for some new sounds to mesh with their own unique blend of pop, rock, funk and ska. The group’s new single, “Hey Baby” features the one and only Bounty Killer, a fun, lighthearted song that talks about the group’s encounters on the road.  Read more... (806 words + 3 images)

Rastafari – Way of Life

The world of Rastafari has come into increasing awareness, investigation and question as we dawn into the information age, and the many cultures of the world become globalized. The popularity of its native son Bob Marley has many of us asking, what is it? What propelled Bob into his faith and how did his faith tie into his mystique and his prophetic-like mannerisms?  Read more... (3992 words + 2 images)

Welcome to Gambia, West Africa

Despite

its little size on the map, Gambia is a country full of big things. With

English as their colonial language, Gambia’s official language is Wolof

and if you ever venture to the country, you better learn it! Culture is

the foremost thing that binds everyone together. It’s something that everyone  Read more... (1534 words + 2 images)