*Urban Media Outlet*

You know rugby- that sport that kinda like American football but more European; fashion folks will know Ralph Lauren has been making a lot of money from clothes inspired by rugby gear these past couple seasons.

A Reggae singer is getting some flack in South Africa and France for singing the South African anthem off-key at a Rugby event.

South African flag

The performance of the singer, Ras Dumisani, ahead of a Nov. 13 rugby match between the South African and French national teams, was criticized by the South African Rugby Union, players, the national coach, political parties and newspapers. The embassy said it had the name of only one South African singer in France and forwarded this to France’s rugby union. The South African Rugby Union said it was “shocked and horrified” by the rendition, in a statement on its Web site.

The South African flag was also displayed the wrong way around, an error noticed too late to be rectified, it added.Dumisani, who lives in France, was born in Durban, South Africa

Dumisani is now giving interviews all over South African radio to prove that he knows the words to the anthem, can sing and is a reputable artist.

Here’s the video of the Ras singing the anthem at the game. Check out the faces of the players Some are trying not to laugh, others are mad, some are just like WTF??? Then the commentator pulls that snide remark as Dumisani is shoutin “RAAAAASTAFARIIII!!!”

(Antony Sguazzin)

Last week,  a man and a woman WHO HAD NO INVITATION, were allowed to enter Barack Obama’s first state dinner with no question’s asked until after the fact. The couple-Michaele and Tareq Salahi-posted pictures to their Facebook account and began taunting the media with their story, and so it came to light that they were not invited.

The Salahi's and President Obama at the state dinner

Meanwhile, the cia admits that it was a break down in security at one of the checkpoints. They also tried to make it clear that the couple went through all weapons checkpoints and that there were definitely no harm to the president.  They must be really embarrassed because the couple was overlooked (for whatever reasons) and allowed to enter what is supposed to be the tightest security for any one person in America on them saying that there ‘must have been some mistake.’

The Salahi’s were already ‘maybes’ for the “Real Housewives of Washington” series, and are using this story as more fodder to whore themselves out to reality TV. The man, Tareq, is a director on the Virginia Tourism Board.  Isnt this kinda like balloon boy’s parents doing something stupid in a bid to secure a reality show?

Even though the were allowed to enter, they knew they were not invited and lied to the CIA and the white house. Isn’t that against the law? Are these people really going to be allowed to live out their 15 minutes of fame as the ‘white house dinner crashers?’ Isnt that trespassing or some shit?

This couple straight up disrespected and embarrassed the president and the secret service while trying to cake from it- dont they deserve some type of punishment?

The Salahi's with the Vice President of The US Joe Biden at the official state dinner they crashed

If Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) boss Paul Campbell has his way, next year could see the start of a national female cricket competition, as the organisation looks to build on the success of the island’s young female cricketers and continue the sport’s development.

The move, besides being geared towards the growth of women’s cricket, is also being pursued as a strategic tool in the association’s push to attract more women spectators to the game.

Paul Campbell confirmed the developments and pointed out that the country can be proud of the steps being taken with regards to improving the sport among female players.

Campbell said, “It’s interesting to note that Jamaica is the first of the territories to have integrated women’s cricket into its programme. To date, they are still struggling to do that in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados has not done that yet also so in truth we are the leaders and we will continue to move forward in terms of our development programmes at all levels of the sport,” Campbell beamed.

Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies recieves the player of the match award during the ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup match between West Indies and South Africa at The County Ground on June 11, 2009 in Taunton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Jamaica’s female cricketers have been placed into sharp focus after the exploits of 18-year-old Stafanie Taylor, West Indies all-rounder who became the first female to be named JCA Cricketer of the Year after she cracked the world top ten rankings at number nine and number five as an all-rounder.

This also comes on the heels of the national Under-19 female team’s success at the regional championship earlier this season.

At present, there are approximately five local clubs which facilitate female players.

(Jamaica Star)

Last year Sting was boring compared to how excited I was. Im even more anxious now to see the undecided battle of last year be called this time around.  But as we all sit waiting for Sting, Sting is looking for more money.

Guiness Stout and Magnum tonic were major sponsor in the last decade but since the contract has not been renewed for 2009, Isaiah Laing of Supreme Promotions is still looking for dontations to make sure everything is paid for for the show held on December 26 every year.

Sting may not be able to pick up any sponsors because of its stigma as an unpredictable, dirty-mouth, bottle-throwing event but even so Sting is often the make or break  forum for upcoming artists to face a hungry, insensitive crowd and dancehall needs it if it is to be worth anything. The crowd is impatient because they are eager for the climax- the clashes or head to head lyrical battles- where the artists who have been beefing allthroughout the year(s) try to crown themselves settle their differences on stage together.

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HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean region may have experienced a slight decline in new cases according to the UN AIDS agency, women still remain the most affected.

HIV prevalence is especially high among young women, says UNAIDS researchers. This may be due in part to still risky behavior on the part of some younger people. For instance, according to a 2004 national behavioral survey in Jamaica, nearly half (48 percent) of young men (aged 15–24) and 15% of young women had more than one sexual partner in the previous 12 months

In Haiti alone, HIV prevalence among pregnant women in 2006–2007 ranged from 0.8 percent in the western part of the country to 11.8 percent in one urban setting.

Children are also still affected. Last year alone, 2,300 added to the new infection rates from the disease. And paediatric antiretroviral coverage in the Caribbean is also higher (55 percent) in December 2008 than the global treatment coverage level for children (38 percent).

The Caribbean has been more heavily affected by HIV than any region outside sub-Saharan Africa and has the second highest level of adult HIV prevalence – 1 percent –1.1 percent.

But in a region with some 240,000 reported cases and 20,000 new cases alone last year, just one thousand less than the 2001, the time to celebrate a decline, however, small, seems far away.

cwn

Moses Michael Levivy, better known as the Rapper Shyne, is sharing his experience in a New York prison with prisoners in Belize.

The rapper, now the most famous deportee, broke away from `hibernation` from his penthouse at the renaissance tower in Belize City and visited the Hattieville Prison on Thanksgiving Day in the U.S., Thursday, where he spoke to about 400 inmates.

His visit was mainly to inspire the inmates. He told them that he never thought that a `young dude` who had a hard life in Curassow Street would reach the highest level in America culture.

`Anything is possible,` Levivy said.

He urged the prisons that they must not sit in prison and cry but plan their lives out as he did.

Levivy was deported to Belize a month ago.

But he urged that there can be no excuses. Shyne has not disclosed what plans he has for the future.

Source: cwn

Today, while watching PBS I came across an interesting piece about a man named John Mackey.

John Mackey is an NFL Hall of Famer who played American Football in the 1960’s and 1970’s with the Baltimore Colts. Now, John Mackey is only 68 years young….. and living with dementia.

Mackey lives in complete assisted living and is taken care of by his wife, Sylvia, who believes that his mental deterioration was caused by the powerful blows suffered to his head while in the NFL.

Mackey in 2007

Mr Mackey says, ” Every year, he would go back to the Hall of Fame ceremony, and, every year that I went back, I noticed that more and more players — and these were Hall of Fame guys — had dementia.”

Slyvia began to investigate whether American football-induced hits and concussions could  lead to illnesses like Alzheimer’s and dementia and how the NFL should go about protecting the men who play the sport. These former players with mental issues from their time playing American football could not receive disability care from the league because they could not prove that their injuries where from the NFL.

A University of North Carolina study into 2,500 former NFL players  would show they faced a 37 percent higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease than other men their age.

In response the NFL and the NFL Players’ Association started the “88 plan”-Mackey played in #88- which provides $88,000-a-year for nursing home care and up to $50,000 annually for adult day care for the former players suffering from football induced mental issues.

While its good that they are taking care of the former players, it left me thinking about what will be the fate of the T.O’s and the Reggie Bush’s of today… Even worse what about the boys and girls playing from age 4???

Its a hard one to think around because this is like the top most sport to Americans but it is being found to be very dangerous.

Similar issues have arisen in other sports such as kickboxing but I guess these dudes know what they are getting into a suit up and run out on the field.

Rihanna is often seen rockin Alexander McQueen but this week (on the promo trail for new album Rated R) she popularized these fly fly fly houndstooth booties (McQueen has dubbed them the ‘Dogtooth Boot’)

They have a 1 inch heel and are available in black/ivory. 

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This year, Bob Marley’s 1973 Album Catch A Fire was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.  The album included “Stir It Up”, “Slave Driver” and “No More Trouble”.

Other’s to be inducted this year are Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad;” Janis Joplin’s “Pearl;” Louis Armstrong’s “Lazy River;” Muddy Waters’ “I Feel Like Going Home”; James Brown’s 1966 single “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” and the Isley Brothers’ “Twist and Shout”.

Grammy Hall of Fame Inductees 2009

The Jamaica Observer’s famed cartoonist, Clovis, delivered a Lisa Hype picture with a mantra yuh always hear granny say: If Yuh Lie Wid Dog, Yuh Rise Wid Flea.

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MONTE CARLO- Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who became one of the world’s most recognized athletes, and American women’s 400 meters world champion Sanya Richards were named IAAF world athletes of the year on Sunday.

Bolt, who won the award for the second year in a row, wiped out his 100 and 200 meters world records with stunning runs in the Berlin world championships in August.

“He has raised (his performances) to an unbelievable level,” International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack told a news conference, calling Bolt a brilliant runner in both his specialties.

“He brings a lot of prestige to our sport,” Diack said. “He is one of the best-known people on the planet.”

Richards, who previously won in 2006, described the honor as being on the same level with her Berlin victory, her first global title.

“I am going to be dancing all night,” the 24-year-old Richards said ahead of the IAAF’s annual gala.

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sanya Richards, Usain Bolt and Lamine Diak at the World Athletics Gala

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Have a Laugh! Check out big mama here shakin it up to some Kartel. Unfortunately the chair was shaking too and eventually…. well you know the rest

Legendary singer and actor Jimmy Cliff recently traveled to Nigeria to receive an award for Peace Ambassador from the Economic Commission of West Africa. While there he sat in an interview with Jamaican broadcaster Lindsey Barrett. Read the rest of this entry »

Sound system selector Kevin ‘Squingy’ Bennett, of the long-time popular ‘clash specialist’ Bass Odyssey sound system, reportedly died early this morning in the Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, Florida, where he was being treated for an undisclosed terminal illness that he had been battling for years.

His death comes just days short of the first in a series of fund raising dances that were planned on his behalf – to be held in various U.S. cities, starting with Brooklyn, New York, this Saturday, November 28. It’s likely that the events will still be staged in order to raise money for his funeral expenses and family.

Condolences to the family, friends, industry associates and fans of Squingy.

Growing up in an Afrocentric household meant that I had to listen to O.G rappers like Gil Scott Heron and The Last Poets preach the “ites, gold and green” blackheart (womb)man message. Of course, I was upset because I thought it was boring  and because I couldnt understand  why they thought it was important to teach a gyal pickney in the 90’s about ‘revolution’ and the ills of the ‘tell-lie-vision‘.

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What is clear is that “reggae music”, with Buju Banton at the helm, has transformed into the international face for homophobic Jamaica. Since “Boom Bye Bye” (originally recorded in 1988) Buju has become nothing more than a violent gay hater

See entire post here and check back in the next week for part 2

Dancehall artiste Mavado and his manager Julian Grifitth-Jones have reportedly extended the olive branch to rival artist Vybz Kartel to attend Mavado’s birthday Party on December 5 to publicly squash the ongoing beef.

At first this seems like a move to be praised by anyone who would really like to see an end to the Gaza/Gully feud, but as far as I can see this was a fukkry move by the Gully Gad to further blight the Gaza Emperor because it was damn near 100% that the invitation would be turned down, therefore giving the idea that Kartel is against a positive link up.

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Jennifer Hudson is set to star in a drama that casts her as the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

       “Winnie,” based on the Anne Marie du Preez Bezdrob biography “Winnie Mandela: A Life,” begins shooting May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.       

       The film will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, the veteran South African filmmaker whose 2006 movie “Yesterday” was Africa’s Best Foreign Film nominee, and who also directed “Cry, The Beloved Country,” and “Sarafina!”       

       Winnie Mandela has been depicted as the mother and wife who was a steadfast supporter of her activist husband and who was jailed herself for campaigning for his release and fighting against apartheid.       

       Her image subsequently took a hit when she was associated with a bodyguard who murdered a 14-year old alleged informer, and she was later convicted of fraud.

       The filmmakers will tell the whole story, good and bad.

       “I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Hudson said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.”       

       Hudson is also expected to sing the film’s theme song.

My dad used to used to sing this to us as yout’s.  we thought he was crazy, come to find out years later its a real song…

THIS IS THE ORIGINAL!! Big Yout’ did make a more popular version but Gardiner’s came first. RESPECT DUE!!!

Gardiner

The ‘n’ word, the most stinging name that could be thrown at a black person, has had a curious relatively recent history, springing up in rap as an accepted reference for black performers and their ‘homies’. Naturally, this was paralleled on the streets, with many a young black male referring to his close friends as “ma niggers”.

 

A couple decades earlier, though, as Michael Manley surged to Jamaica House on a wave of black pride, and The Wailers broke new ground with Catch a Fire, Boris Gardiner was contracted to do the soundtrackof the movie Every Nigger is a Star. And, along with his brother, Barrington Gardiner, he wrote a song of the same name to head the soundtrack, which he created for the flick.

 

“I had the experience so I took it,” Gardiner said. “I had done the music for the pantomime Music Boy in 1969,” he added, naming it as one of the best ever. “Oliver Samuels made his debut, Fae Ellington was the reader backstage. Miss Lou, Maas Ran, Buddy Pouyatt, all of the greats were in it,” he said.

So “I took the contract, made the deal, sat down with my brother”. And, having been given a sense of what was happening in the movie Every Nigger is a Star, they set about making the soundtrack.

The opening lines of the title song (“I’m not sure anymore just how it happened before/The places that I knew were sunny and blue”), Gardiner says, sees the person in the song in a reflective mood, looking back at generations past and events that had occurred. The ’sunny and blue’ refers to Africa, then comes the fortitude and self-belief (“I can feel it deep inside, this black nigger’s pride”), which are given voice:

“I have no fear when I say and I say it every day

Every nigger is a star.”

The second verse speaks to loneliness and, eventually, a belief in a better place of acceptance and recognition:

“I have walked the streets alone

Twenty years I’ve been on my own

To be hated and despised

No one to sympathise

But there’s one great thing I know

You can say I told you so

We’ve got a bright place in the sun

Where there’s love for everyone

And every nigger is a star.”

“It is not knocking anyone, but it is turning around the word ‘nigger’ to make it more positive,” Gardiner said.

not deep in reggae

He did Every Nigger is a Star as a ballad and tells The Sunday Gleaner, “Maybe I was not deep in reggae at the time. And as a balladeer, I thought it would appeal more to the public. They would understand it more.”

Gardiner does not know if Every Nigger is a Star was ever released as a single, as he had no control over the song, and comments: “In those days, we did not have our things together. And we got burnt. Ninety-nine per cent of us in the business lost a lot.”

The movie lost a lot, too, as it did not turn out how it had been conceptualised. “They did not really have a strong movie. It came out like a documentary in the long run. Carib packed to capacity, waiting on something to happen. People were very disappointed. The movie flopped,” Gardiner said.

Source

50 Cent will play Santa for single mothers this holiday season as part of “50’s Money For Moms” contest, in conjunction with BET.

Entrants must explain in 200 words or less why she — or a single mother the writer knows — deserves to win one of three grand prizes of $10,000 each from 50 Cent. Details and entries are available at www.bet.com/Site/contests_50cent.

The effort is part of his promotion for new album “Before I Self Destruct,” which was released digitally on Nov. 9 via Shady/Aftermath/Interscope and became available in stores this week.