5/23/10

Jamaica: Gunfire, fire bombs in barricaded slum

a demonstrator displays a cardboard with a message in support of Christopher "Dudus" Coke during a march in Kingston on Friday.



By DAVID McFADDEN, Associated Press Writer

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Masked men torched a police station and traded gunfire with security forces in a barricaded slum in Jamaica's capital Sunday, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.

Sporadic gunshots rang out in gritty West Kingston where defiant supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke, a Jamaican "don" who is widely suspected of controlling gunmen in the Tivoli Gardens neighborhood, have transformed the area into a virtual fortress cut off by trashed cars and barbed wire.

In barricaded Hannah Town, close to Tivoli Gardens, black smoke spiraled into the sky from a police station set aflame by molotov cocktails.

Officers fled the burning station in impoverished West Kingston, where a 2001 standoff between gunmen and security forces killed 25 civilians, as well as a soldier and a constable

Jamaican media have reported just two wounded so far: a police officer and a civilian, both hit by gunfire.

Sunday's violence erupted following a week of ever-higher tensions in the capital over the possible extradition of Coke to the United States on drug and arms-trafficking charges.

After Prime Minister Bruce Golding reversed his long-standing refusal to extradite Coke, the alleged kingpin's supporters began barricading the streets and preparing for a fight.

Earlier Sunday, police urged the neighborhood boss to surrender, calling the heavy barricades encircling his slum stronghold a sign of "cowardice."

The U.S., Canada and Britain issued travel alerts on Friday warning of possible violence and unrest in Jamaica. Most islanders have been steering clear of downtown Kingston entirely.

The state of public emergency, limited to the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, will be in effect for one month unless extended or revoked by lawmakers, the government said.

Coke is described as one of the world's most dangerous drug lords by the U.S. Justice Department. He has ties of loyalty to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party and holds significant sway over the West Kingston area represented in Parliament by Golding, who stalled Coke's extradition request for months with claims that the U.S. indictment relied on illegal wiretap evidence.

Golding's fight against the extradition strained relations with Washington, which questioned the Caribbean country's reliability as an ally in the fight against drugs. His handling of the matter, particularly his hiring of a U.S. firm to lobby Washington to drop the extradition request, provoked an outcry that threatened his political career.

Coke, who typically avoids the limelight, has remained silent. He faces life in prison if convicted on charges filed against him in New York.

Jamaica's political history is intertwined with the street gangs the two main parties helped organize — and some say armed — in Kingston's poor neighborhoods in the late 1970s and 1980s. The gangs controlled the streets and intimidated voters at election time. In recent years political violence has waned, and many of the killings in Kingston now are blamed on the active drug and extortion trade.

But the Rev. Renard White, a leader of a Justice Ministry peace initiative that works in Jamaica's troubled communities, said Coke is a strongman who wields "enormous power" and whose followers are ready for violence if they think it is in his best interest.

"Clearly the government has to take a strong hand, but they must also tread very, very wisely so people are not hurt," White said. "But a lot of these guys in Tivoli Gardens, they are really pretty desperate."

Coke was born into Jamaica's gangland. His father was the leader of the notorious Shower Posse gang, a cocaine-trafficking band with agents in Jamaica and the United States that began operating in the 1980s and was named for its members' tendency to spray victims with bullets.

The son took over from the father, and expanded the gang into selling marijuana and crack cocaine in the New York area and elsewhere, U.S. authorities allege.

Lawyers for Coke — who in addition to "Dudus" is also known as "Small Man" and "President" — have challenged his extradition in Jamaica's Supreme Court.

Gyptian - Nah Let Go (HOLD YUH PART FEW) MAY 2010


Gyptian - Nah Let Go (HOLD YUH PART FEW) MAY 2010


5/21/10

DEMARCO - WINE ME NUH GYAL (HOLD YUH RIDDIM) {MAY 2010} F.M.E / RICKY BLAZE

Thought I was done with the Hold Yuh Riddim from last week, now Demarco comes with another addition. This is the last day with the kids at Disney its been a long week, their vacation is over. Count down to mines now, three weeks I will be in Jamaica.

5/20/10

SIZZLA - REGGAE MUSIC (GUN POWER RIDDIM) MAY 2010

Breach of Trust

5/15/10

BUGLE, CHEVAUGHN & RAZZ N BIGGY - SUMMER BREAK (NOTICE PROD) MAY 2010

Vybz Kartel-Touch A Button and Leavin Come The Morning May 2010






Massicker - If Ah Neva You (MAY 2010) VIRAL SOUNDS / RYMSHOT

Glenford "Lee" Prospere, better known as MasSicker or "King Mas", is a prolific young singer/songwriter/composer/selector whose star has only begun to shine. As long as anyone can remember, this son of a calypsonian as been captivating audiences with his smooth vocals and over the years this artist has grown into a total musical package. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 21st, 1987, MasSicker, affectionately called "Lee" by close friends and family, was born into a very musical environment and a very musical Caribbean family. His father, Glenford T. Prospere AKA "Supreme", a legendary calypsonian on his island of Montserrat and calypso monarch, is a guitarist, pianist, songwriter and vocalist who he would watch and listen to very keenly along with the rest of the band at his church who would play gospel music in mainly reggae and calypso styles. His mother, Pauline Prospere of Clarendon, Jamaica, is not a musician but nurtured his talent by surrounding him with music from birth and encouraging him to perform at church events. It was this initial exposure and the encores that were often demanded that added fuel to the inborn musical fire within him. MasSicker, who overcame a 7 year bout with a childhood disease, was born a fighter and a rebel who always questioned and fought that which he saw as unjust or untrue. Before he was a teen he showed disdain for religion and the politics therein and was met with resistance when he began showings signs that he would not be his father's successor (his father had become a bishop by time he was 12). Nonetheless, his family bond was not broken and he was able to branch out and follow his passion by performing in various plays, choruses, and talent shows throughout his teenage years touching the genres of gospel, r&b, and of course, reggae music. At the age of 17, after much meditation and searching, MasSicker found Rastafari as his philosophy and began writing songs inspired by the likes of Bob Marley, Sizzla, Capleton, & Jah Cure. However, as an American born West Indian child, his influences were very diverse which give MasSicker a great amount of versatility is his style from R&B, to dancehall, to calypso, to culture and lovers rock. However, it was a lovers reggae tune entitled "Ackee in my Saltfish" that first garnered the attention of many, including the TCOOO label who he came in contact with in 2006. Subsequently, he released his first true smash entitled "Look Around", a social commentary inspired by world events at the time that it was penned, which has enjoyed great success. It has been selected by iTunes to join the ranks of Damian Marley, Jah Cure, Tarrus Riley, & T.O.K amongst others in it's iTunes Essentials "Rising Stars: Reggae" compilation and is currently enjoying rotation on both the IRIE and ZIP FM radio stations in Jamaica. At 22 years old, "King Mas" is continuing to perform, tour, & produce hits. Most recently, the self produced "Mek Dem Gwaan” and the crossover smash "Loving Forecast" have been bubbling on the underground scene. He is looking to release his debut album in early 2010 but is keeping most of his project under wraps. Look out for this promising young artist to step out in a big way in the near future and "MasSicker" babylon with words, power, and sound

Collinjah Inna di club

5/14/10

ANARCHIC - POSITON (RESONANCE RECORDS)

DEXTA DAPS - HERE TO PARTY (SEANIZZLE PROD) MAY 2010


 About Dexta Daps
In this day and age of music influences, Contemporary Reggae Music, has become a commodity that has crossed over to Rhythm and Blues, Hip-Hop/Rap, all the way to the Pop world. With this success reaching the masses of the world,we would like to introduce the future of Contemporary Reggae Music that will catapult to be that next big thing in the Reggae-mainstream arena. DEXTA DAPS, Born Louis Anthony Grandison Jr, grew up in the mean streets of Seaview Garden in Jamaica which were the stomping grounds for such reggae legends as Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Garnet Silk. Growing up in the poverty stricken streets he learn to take out his frustration the best way he knew how, through music. " I would hear the melodic voices of the kids crying for help, and the sadness of the people. Their voices, and hunger for retribution was very inspiring for me, and made me want to sing songs of happiness and joy." Dexta Daps He has been compared to Sean Paul and Maxi Priest with his versatility and unique voice. His style is different and refreshing and with his debut first singles, "Save Me Jah" & "May You Be", he has proven that. Shaking the dancehall up from Rochester to New York all the way to down to Florida and throughout the United States. DEXTA DAPS has made a movement of young and old packing the party to hear his songs play. He also demonstrates that he has the Dance-Hall abilities with his underground hit "Seaview" The management team of Music For Life and the amazing production of Beatmania, he has recorded an unbelievable album called "Da View". If you have other questions or concerns, please contact: Pirate Entertainment, Inc. …………………. 914-530-7252 WWW.PIRATEENTERTAINMENTINC.COM 

Charly Black - Money Mi Want (TOUCH RIDDIM) SUPA BLUNT PROD.


Tommy Lee AkA Mobay "Gaza Sparta" - Gypsy {Part 2 Unrelease Track} Gaza - May 2010 - Da Whiz Prod




Movado Feat Idiggz Gyal Dem Love Mi Daily {PayDay Prod} May 2k10




5/8/10

Bencil - Hustling (FULL TIME RIDDIM) INNA MI HOUSE MUSIC








LINK:  http://www.myspace.com/bencilgz

Terreance Wilson also known as"Bencil" is a 18 years old that was born and raised in Portland, Jamaica, in a little scheme called Fairy Hill. Bencil is a easy going person, a person who get along easily with others. i am very loving person. Am a past student at the Titchfield High School where i studied business. Titchfield High school, is where Bencil was inspired by friends who as the same love and passion for the music. I build a group called Graderz, in the year 2006. Graderz is a musical group which highlight great musical talent of each members. It is my real friends who give me the strength, and confidence to carry on in the field of music. I leave Portland to pursue my career in music, in the parish of Kingston on 04,August,2009. I saw Kingston as the place of opportunities where he could get the chance to show Jamaica and the rest of the world his potential. He began linking with Jessy and Mario Sanders, where he record 3 songs under their label; OD Music. i was then introduce to CD master, where i was now working along with the label Inna Mi House Music. Biggs, who is the superior of Inna Mi House Music, and CD Master sound, who believe in my talent and decided to show my talent to the people. Along my journey i have written a song for Mr Easy called "all about the Geez." the first song i ever composed for an artiste. i am on my way on a musical journey and will complete this journey, by doing hard work and being persistent.

Bounty Killer & Busy Signal - Summn A Guh Gwaan (DAMAGE CONTROL RIDDIM) JUKE BOXX PREVIEW


Bugle - Consequence (FULL TIME RIDDIM) INNA MI HOUSE MUSIC



Mavado and Assassin - unda yuh skirt (catalog riddim) May 2010






Assassin-Dem Sick {Catalog Riddim May 2K10 Di Genius Prod}






2010 Protoje - Dread (Official Music Video)












Black Ryno-One Pack A Clappas { May 2010} Supa Blunt Prod










ISHAWNA - WHO'S THAT GIRL (JAM 2 PROD) MAY 2010