Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel’s 2016 hit single “Fever” was certified silver in the UK on Friday by the British Phonographic Industry for selling over 200,000 units, despite never charting in the UK. Kartel’s only appearance on the UK chart was in 2003 with a collaboration with Zena titled “Been Around the World,” which peaked at number 44. Kartel’s “Fever” appears on his 2016 album, “King of the Dancehall,” which reached number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. In 2017, the track reached number 23 on the Rap Airplay chart and number 36 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The song wa ..read more

The music video for Sam Smith’s new single Gimme with Koffee and Jessie Reyez landed on Friday (January 13), and Jamaican fans have some thoughts on the spectacle. Smith, Koffee, and Reyez gathered in New York City to shoot the video for the clubby Dancehall banger with Jamaican-born, Brooklyn-based director Jeano Edwards. In the video, the cameras follow Smith and Reyez into an underground gay club where they join Koffee already inside enjoying the company of a few female friends. It’s clearly a place to let loose and be yourself without apology.   ..read more

LISA Hyper was released from the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) on Tuesday afternoon after successfully undergoing treatment for depression. The dancehall deejay had been admitted to the facility a week ago. “The treatment was successful. The doctors, nurses and staff at UHWI were very professional. All I need to do now is take my medication on time and I have to stop smoking marijuana — I have to recognise that and accept that fact, and I will not relapse,” she told the Jamaica Observer. She urged other creatives and artistes who may be struggling with depression to seek help ..read more

Dear Editor, Given the absence of Spice, the self-titled queen of the dancehall, from Sting 2022, all attention was given to social media sensations and so-called dancehall artistes Queen Ladi Gangsta and A’mari “DJ Mona Lisa”. Since the announcement that these two melodramatic “queens” were going to be given a slot at Sting, it heightened both patrons’ and online supporters’ interest in what the show had to offer. We know that neither of them is a top-notch artiste, though we cannot deny that they both possess some lyrical capacity. Ardent fans fall in love with their music, especially when t ..read more

ENTERTAINER Lisa Hyper was admitted in the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) in St Andrew on Wednesday. She is in stable condition. She spoke to the Jamaica Observer and said that as a result of her illness, she has been forced to miss a number of contracted dancehall events such as Fyah in Da Ville alongside Skeng, a two-week tour in England, and another show in Manchester. “I would like to apologise to the promoters and to my fans, but my health struggles have pushed the situation beyond my control. Right now, I don’t know how long I will be on this ward but when I get out, I am ..read more

A far cry from the glitz and glamour of social media fame, Candy says life is not always a ‘wow’. Candy, whose given name is Kerisha Brandon, first rose to fame in 2019 after a video of her dancing to Vybz Kartel’s Come Home went viral on social media. Since then she has been known for her unfiltered personality and her infamous catchphrase ‘Can I get a wow?’ But Candy says fame has not equated to financial security in her life. “Right now me nuh have nuh food, mi nuh have nothing. Mi child, she gone a school right now and me wah go di shop fi buy likkle foodstuff and me cyah do it ..read more

When Shaggy recorded his Hot Shot album, containing “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel”, the label dismissed it as a throw-away album with “no hits”. “It Wasn’t Me” wasn’t even released as a single. But a series of happy accidents, some illegal downloading, and sheer determination, propelled “It Wasn’t Me” to become one of the first viral crossover hits. VICE met up with Shaggy on the 20th anniversary of Hot Shot which coincides with the release of his brand new Hot Shot 2020 album.   ..read more

Jamaican dancehall artiste Aidonia and his wife Kimberly Megan’s son, King Khalif Lawrence, passed away yesterday. Khalif, age 9, reportedly lost his battle with cancer. Several members of the Dancehall fraternity took to social media to express their grief and condolences Shenseea shared her condolences in a Tweet yesterday, following the news of the child’s death. “My heart is breaking for u Aidonia and Kim omg,” she wrote. “This hit different, prayers for my brother @aidonia4thgenna,I can only imagine the pain #jahjahm,” Wasp wrote, alongside a photo of Aidonia and Khalif. Producer Skatta ..read more

Baby Tash, the first queen crowned in the Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall competition, is now the proud holder of a university degree from The University of the West Indies (UWI). The entertainer, whose given name is Tashon Williams, walked across the stage during last Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Mona and collected her Bachelor of Arts in Entertainment and Cultural Enterprise Management (Major), and Integrated Marketing Communication and Psychology (Minor) degree. “It feels amazing,” she said of her UWI conquering feat. “Coming from an inner-city community and a family where educati ..read more

Story via TMZ – Migos rapper Takeoff was shot multiple times, resulting in his death … according to the report from the medical examiner’s office. The Harris County Medical Examiner lists Takeoff’s primary cause of death as “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arm.” It appears the office has concluded its investigation, as they also state Takeoff’s body is ready for pickup for funeral services. As we reported, Takeoff was gunned down after shots rang out following an argument outside a Houston bowling alley early Tuesday morning ..read more