Staff Writer70TH ANNIVERSAY OF BOB MARLEY’S BIRTHDAY TO BE CELEBRATED—01/17/15
Jamaica’s government is scheduling a series of events in February to mark the 70th anniversary of Bob Marley’s birth. Wykeham McNeil, Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, noted that Marley’s contribution to music, and music’s contribution to tourism on the island, cannot be overstated. Marley died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. Celebrations will begin on February 6, 2015, with a series of discussions at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
HARVEY SAYS CHRONIXX HAS STRONG WORK ETHIC—01/18/15
Bernard “Touter” Harvey, the keyboardist for Inner Circle, said that Chronixx has the same work ethic as the late Jacob Miller, previous lead singer of the band. Miller was killed in a car accident 35 years ago. According to Harvey, Chronixx reminds the band of Jacob Miller in his sincerity and commitment to music.
MINOTT SAYS JAMAICA DOESN’T PRODUCE REGGAE AS IN THE 1980S—01/20/15
Echo Minott, Jamaican dancehall and reggae artiste, has stated that many of the island’s contemporary artistes may not do well in European venues because their recordings will not appeal to the musical tastes of Europeans. He said reggae from Jamaica is different now than it was in the 1980s, and that the genre’s current focus on “di sex ting” will not appeal to audiences in Europe.
SIZZLA TO RELEASE 71ST ALBUM—01/22/15
Jamaican reggae and dancehall artiste Sizzla Katonji will release his 71st album in April of 2015. The album will be entitled “876” and will include songs about “leaving mi marijuana alone.” In addition to his new album project, Sizzla is calling on other Jamaican artistes to take actions that prevent them from being exploited by unscrupulous publishing firms and record producers.
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