2014

Payola is a big no-no in the music business, and yet it is a persistent problem. Payola is the word used to describe the act of a record label or other interested party paying a radio station to play a certain artist (either in cash or in goods). The practice has obvious implications: when money…

Ariana Grande and Miranda Lambert among first to sell rare merchandise and VIP concerts to fans through streaming service   Spotify has added a new way for musicians to make money from its streaming music service, through a partnership with US company BandPage. The pair have teamed up to enable artists to sell “VIP experiences”…

by RHIAN JONES Sony Music Entertainment has introduced its first music flash sales app in the UK, Album of the Day, for iPhone and iPod touch. The free app gives music fans limited-time access to purchase their favourite artist’s albums at discounted prices of up to 70% together with background information and preview clips. Users…

One week before setting off for concerts in Croatia and France, famed Jamaican reggae star Barrington Levy will regale Tobago’s reggae fans on August 23 at Pigeon Point. Levy, who is widely regarded as reggae royalty, will share the stage at Reggae on the Beach with another reggae legend, Everton Blender. The two are part…

By Ed Christman   Not only is J&R Music World coming back, but it’s returning sooner than anyone thought. In October, J&R will launch as a store-within-a-store inside Century 21’s flagship, located across the way from the World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan. The store closed its doors this past April. J&R Music and Computer…

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer Deejay Agent Sasco is part of the wave of contemporary dancehall recording artistes who are now releasing 1990s-inspired music. According to the lyrical Assassin (the previous and alternative name under which he performs), he always wanted artistes to revert to the type of music created in that era of Jamaican popular…

By Howard Campbell Observer senior writer OF the countless sound systems Jamaica has produced, few match the achievements of Stone Love, which celebrates its 44th anniversary this year. Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, the man who started Stone Love in the Molynes Road area of Kingston in 1972, will receive the Order of Distinction during the…

By: Jamaica Observer   When guitarist Dwight Pinkney moved to Kingston from Mandeville in the late 1960s, there was plenty of work for session musicians. Pinkney, whose career started with The Sharks at Studio One, has been awarded the Order of Distinction for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music. The 69-year-old will receive…

New York, New York.  Reggae artist Richie Stephens performed live to launch his album “Real Reggae Music”, which features 14 songs. Stephens performed songs from the new album showcasing his experience and versatility as a seasoned reggae musician, compelling the audience to shout out their appreciation. Despite being held at 10.30p.m. on a Sunday night…

By Kevin Jackson Observer Writer   Singer Romain Virgo continues a busy recording schedule with a cover of British singer Sam Smith’s hit single Stay With Me. It was produced by Niko Browne for Lifeline Music. Virgo has another cover — Michael Bolton’s Soul Provider — which is making the rounds. He has also released…

Reggae got another international boost on Tuesday when Stephen ‘Ragga’ Marley made a special appearance on BET’s 106 & Park. The eight-time Grammy-winning artiste made a brief showing on the evening show to premiere the music video for one of his most recent tracks, Rock Stone. The single is one of several tracks from his…

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior writer   MARCIA Griffiths, one of reggae’s enduring talents, leads a field of entertainment stalwarts receiving awards in the annual National Honours and Awards. Griffiths will receive the Order of Distinction (Commander class) at the ceremony which takes place October 20 at King’s House. It is the country’s fifth highest…