Hitman Walle Condemned 'Merciless' Rumours as Insensitive.

Hitman Walle Condemns 'Merciless' Rumours.

Written by Shaun Cain

Legendary dancehall artiste, Hitman Wally, has denounced the widespread distasteful rumours surrounding the July 19, 2022 death of Leonard "Merciless" Bartley. 

Merciless, who had abused alcohol, was found dead in a motel on Beechwood Avenue in the Jamaican capital, Kingston.

The St. Catherine based Hitman, who released several chart-topping songs between the 1990s and early in the millennium, met Merciless between 1994 and 1995 at the heights of the “Lend out Me Mercy” hit.  The two men subsequently became very good friends and music collaborators. 

The late Leonard 'Merciless' Bartley

A very hurt Hitman Walle has told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on YouTube that he is very disappointed with the persons who have been posting on social media that Merciless was broke and hungry.  He described these persons as insensitive because they have failed to consider how their posts would affect the late artiste's family, friends and fans. 

He has pointed out that the misleading posts have also alleged that the "Gal Dem Gizada" entertainer died after taking viagra tablets, which were too strong for him. Hitman Walle stated that the posts pontificated that the artiste met his demise after he invited a female to his motel room and took the pills to boost his sexual performance. 

As Hitman Walle agreed to sensitise the public on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show about the kind of person Merciless was, he demaned that the public exercise patience and wait for the autopsy report. He warned that it is irresponsible to jump to conclusion. 

Hitman Walle

Hitman Walle, a native of  Spanish Town,

has paid tribute to Merciless, was arguably the king of lyrical dancehall clashes. He remembers the "Mavis" and “Mama’s Cooking” hitmaker as a very kind person, who looked out for his friends. He noted Merciless would do whatever he could to help anyone who was in need.

The highest water mark of his career was arguably a lyrical clash at the annual year-end showpiece event, Sting, in Jamaica two decades ago. The Warhead arguably outperformed Bounty Killer, Ninjaman and Beanie Man on the same night.

 

Merciless's career allegedly took a nose dive following his unrivalled performance at Sting in 2002. Hitman Walle has told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show that Merciless was side-lined on several occasions for shows and other commercial opportunities. 

Watch Hitman Walle's full interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show by clicking the picture above.

 

Hitman Walle asserted that this and other events in Merciless's personal life, including the sudden death of his wife, Keisha Gibbs-Bartley in Longville Park, Clarendon on the 3^rd of April 2015, had a profound effect on the entertainer.  He spent the rest of his life trying to come to terms, but never really succeeded. 

 

In order to help himself to cope with these deeply heart-breaking and despairing experiences, Merciless turned to the bottle. Hitman Wally acknowledged that although Merciless was a heavy drinker, the intoxicating spirits did not affect his ability to record and perform coherently.  He expressed amazement at the way the "Ol' Gallis" dancehall star would demonstrate his lyrical dexterity in the studio. He says Merciless, who was born in the small community of Turner in Chapelton, Clarendon on the 1st July 1971, was always energetic and confident.

 

As both artistes pursued their careers, they often ended up making music at the same recording studios.  Hitman Walle eventually produced some of Merciless's records. One of their latest productions will be released by Sony Music on the 19th August 2022.

Meanwhile, several fellow dancehall artistes have since paid tribute to the “Gal Dem Gizada” entertainer on social media. Among them are Bounty Killa, Beenie Man and General B.

 

Up to the time of publishing this article, the cause of Merciless's death was still not known.

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Shaun Cain is the presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on YouTube. He is a newspaper columnist, published author and former Jamaican radio presenter.

Windrush Travesty - Wise Wurdz (Official Video)

Gospel singer, Donovan Campbell, shares his humbling story on the Star G...

Donovan “Brother DC’ Campbell is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, author and life coach, who originally hails from May Pen in Clarendon.

 

The born-again Christian, who now resides in Canada, told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show that he grew up in a single-parent household.  He recalls that on many occasions, there was not much food on the table.  He says, there was no running water at his home, so he had to collect the precious commodity from a standpipe about a hundred yards away.

Donovan Campbell on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

 

A domestic accident almost took the May Pen native’s life.  When he was still a young child he accidentally drank kerosene oil.  He was taken to the May Pen Hospital and the prognosis was not good.  The doctors told his mother that his chance of surviving was very small. Campbell, who is now a Gospel recording artiste, remembers his mother getting down on her knees and pleading to god to save her son’s life.  He has rejoiced at the fact that the dark clouds had lifted, and he is happy to be here today. 

 

As the Campbell grew older, he recollects how his mother struggled to look after him and his 4 brothers.  One day, the singer/songwriter decided that he had to do something to help take the pressures off his mother.  That was the point when his entrepreneurial instincts took over.  He started selling sweets to his school mates, which brought in some money to supplement the outgoings of the household.  

 

The man of god adds that he subsequently realised that more money was still needed to sustain the family. As a result, got himself a job at a local supermarket.  He reveals that his contributions had a big impact on the family and his mother was grateful for his support.

 

After graduating from the Vere Technical High School in the parish, he got a job at the May Pen Hospital.  The life coach says he found strength in the fact that the same institution where he almost died, had turned out to be the very place that he would find employment several years later.

 

Having survived against the odds, Brother DC is now helping others to overcome their own adversities through music, motivational speaking, and life coaching.  Only recently he co-authored the book, Our Life’s Journey, with his wife Samantha. 

Donovan & Samantha Campbell.

Also, it was not long ago that he released his first album, God + Me = Purpose.

Cover of Campbell's new album.

Brother DC’s works are available on all major digital platforms including Amazon.

Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show reflects on Robbie Shakespeare influenc...

For a very long time, the drum and baselines of the musical duo, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, simply known as Sly and Robbie, have been tightly woven into a great many records that we have grown to love over the years. 

Robbie Shakespeare
(Maureen Cousin's pic)

Shakespeare’s passing on the 8^th December 2021 at the age of 68 following a kidney surgery, has left many musicians and fans alike reflecting on the larger than life reggae soldier that had suddenly disappeared from the frontlines of our musical heritage. 

 

Shakespeare was born in September 1953 in Kingston, Jamaica and grew up in the east end of the country’s capital.  He was raised in a musical family and spent most of his youthful years around up and coming musicians.  His brother’s band, The Emotions, used to sharpen their skills at Shakespeare’s house. It was as a result of that early exposure that he developed a deep love for the bass guitar. By the early 1970s, he had established a name for himself in the Jamaican music industry.  

 

Armed with his powerful base guitar, Shakespeare watched over the music, ensuring that its familiar and inspiring accompaniments were always melodious and pleasing to the ear. In so doing, he helped to give Reggae and Dancehall music its unique sound.

 

He later met fellow musician, drummer Sly Dunbar, and the two became very good friends.  In early to mid-1970’s, they teamed up to create the formidable musical duo, Sly and Robbie.  They would go on the change the sound of Reggae and dancehall music forever. In 1974, they set up their own record label, Taxi Records. That was the beginning of the musical taxi juggernaut that transported so many fledgling artistes to stardom.

 

Shakespeare helped to deliver several notable records to the listening public. In fact, he is thought to have either played on or produced more than 200,000 recordings. His finger prints were all over the Wailers’ “Concrete Jungle”; Burning Spear’s “Marcus Garvey”; Ini Kamoze’s “Here Comes the Hot Stepper” and Black Uhuru’s “Red” albums.  Over the year, he had also contributed to the works of Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs, Black Uhuru, Yellowman, Sugar Minott, Daddy U-Roy, Beenie Man, Capleton and the Florida, USA based singer, Talmigila, among many others.  

 

With Shakespeare and Dunbar working together, the two musical giants eventually built a repertoire that soon drew the attention of international audiences. The Taxi Gang, as they later called themselves, packed their instruments and strummed off to pastures new. The Taxi Gang zipped across the world, adding their unique musical flavours to the works of some of the most powerful names in international music.  They have straddled the Pop world, working with Joe Cocker, Sting, Gary Barlow, Cyndi Lauper, Joan Armatrading, Sinead O’Connor, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Carly Simon and Grace Jones. 

 

Shakespeare also contributed to the motion picture soundtrack album to the John Singleton’s 1993 film, Poetic Justice, starring Janet Jackson and Tupak Shakur.  He played on the Chaka Demus and Plyers track, “I Wanna Be Your Man”, which was released on the album.  The Poetic Justice soundtrack album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200 Chart in August 1993.

 

In addition to making music for other artistes, Shakespeare produced albums of his own.  These include: Language Barrier, Rhythm Killers, Taxi Fare, Rhythm Doubles, Dubrising and Friends.  After being friends and making music for more than 4-and-a-half-decades, Shakespeare and Dunbar sped off with the Grammy Award for the Best Reggae Album in 1999.  It was their unyielding friendship that brought them the award, as the album, “Friends”, edged out the other nominees. 

 

12 years later, Shakespeare appeared in the BBC documentary, Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul, in 2011. The focus of the documentary was on the life and work of this musical giant, who passed away in September 2020.   

 

Shakespeare’s departure from this mortal coil has left a gaping hole in the heart of Reggae and Dancehall music. So massive was his influence on the music of Jamaica that it might take decades to see his kind again.

Robbie Shapespeare's tribute on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

Even though many of the younger artistes did not work with Shakespeare, they accept that his contributions to the Jamaica’s musical heritage were phenomenal.  

As the music industry mourns Shakespeare’s leaving, Jamaicans were able to view his body on Sunday, 6^th February 2022 at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.  The country’s Culture Minister, Olivia Grange, says she knows that Jamaicans have been waiting for a chance to say goodbye to Robbie, who along with Sly, has contributed so much to our music.  A condolence book was also opened at the National Indoor Sports Centre. 

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel. 

Check out the channel today.  Please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment.

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Reggae singer, Pressure Busspipe, eyes Europe

United States Virgin Islands native, international Reggae singer, Pressure Busspipe, currently has Europe in his sights. The Caribbean national plans to take his brand of conscious music to a doting audience on the continent in 2022. The artiste, whose latest album entitled Heights of Greatness, was released in August, has told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show that Europe has been courting him for some time and he is ready to visit and share his catalogue of righteousness.

The artiste recently engaged the services of the United Kingdom-based Robert Rex Entertainment to help lay the foundations for his arrival on the continent.

The Heights of Greatness singer noted that he and his team have selected Robert Rex Entertainment after receiving recommendations and doing their own research.  

The Rastafarian singer who grew up in the capital of the US Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, is confident that this entertainment promotions agency is best placed to help make his trip to Europe an impactful one.

Pressure Busspipe is one of the Virgin Islands' biggest and best-known musical exports. He is a righteous singer, who has fully embraced Reggae Music and Rastafarian teachings.

Born Delyno Brown in the early 1980’s,  Pressure Busspipe was exposed to the music of Jamaica when he was a still a young child. He explained that he paid very close attention to the constant servings of righteousness that Reggae delivered. The singer said he felt a natural connection to the music, as it depicted life without the glossy pictures that often veil the pervasive hypocrisy and double standards among humanity.

Pressure Busspipe boasts that his father was a member of a popular local reggae band and he used to admire his dad’s works. As he watched his father perform, Pressure Busspipe eventually began to feel the urge to get involved as an artiste.

He originally started his music career as a drummer, but since finding his voice, he retired his drum sticks and high hats.  The singer points out that, as he received his appointment from Jah as a messenger, he realised that he was chosen to write and perform conscious lyrics that motivate and uplift humanity.

A look at his repertoire revealed that Pressure Busspipe released his ‘Love and Affection’ album in 2007 with the title track finding fame due to the deep emotions it stirred among the lovers of reggae music. Two years later, the singer published his ‘Coming Back to You’ album.  Not long afterwards, ‘The Sound’ echoed.  Again, the St Thomas native showed he is a vocal powerhouse.  His ‘Virgin Islands Nice’ record caught the attention of the island’s tourism department, which used the song as the backdrop of an extensive marketing campaign to attract visitors to the sun-kissed US Virgin Islands.

As Pressure Busspipe continued to build his repertoire, he released the ‘Africa Redemption’ collection of songs, which featured international star, Chronixx.  His next album, ‘Red Rose’, rocked and released its attention-grabbing fragrance, which created an endearing pathway that took it all the way onto the Billboard Reggae Album Chart where it peaked at number 8. The singer’s latest album, ‘Heights of Greatness’, has been widening the Rastafarian artiste’s fan base around the globe. 

Pressure Busspipe's impact as a prolific musical messenger has been duly acknowledged. He received the Caribbean American Movers and Shaker Award for International Artiste of the Year in 2017.  The Atlanta, USA-based singer and his father, Irvin “Brownie” Brown, were honoured by the US Virgin Islands Senate in 2018 for their musical contributions.

You can watch Pressure Busspipe's FULL Star Gazing with Shaun Cain interview here.

https://youtu.be/DGj-51C_-js 

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel.

When you visit our channel, please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment. 

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Hearts of Talent Set to Beat Loudly inside Wembley Stadium.

By Shaun Cain 

Grand finale of the Hearts of Talent is scheduled for the 27th November 2021 at the famous Wembley Stadium in north west London. The Hearts of Talent, the brainchild of businesswoman, Jasmine Dale, has been attracting much attention from national organisations. The show is now operating in partnership with the National Health Service (NHS) North West, The London Metropolitan Police, public communications and promotions company, Clear Channel, The English Football Association (The FA) and Wembley Stadium. 

Shaun Cain and Jasmine Dale.

Jasmine Dale is a businesswoman, community activist and visionary.  She was born to West Indian parents and raised in north west London. She attended John Kelly School in Neasden.  She spent her entire life in Brent, so she feels a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility to the Borough.  Jasmine started her own hairdressing and beauty business in Brent. Her business specialises in several African influenced styles such as plaits and cornrows. The Brent native recalls that it was not easy running her business, as the daily challenges could be overwhelming sometimes. However, she persevered and learned how to balance the demands of being an entrepreneur.

Jasmine, whose father served in the British Army for 9 years, revealed that one of the reasons she set up her own business was what she described as the need to be earning money while being of some value to her nation. 

 

For several years, a major social problem began staining the fabric of the nation’s capital. Knife crimes were rampant throughout the London.  Stabbings became a mainstay in the news. Almost every day there was a stabbing, which often resulted in someone dying.  Common among the statistics were black youths. Despite the intervention of the police, these incidents persisted. After spending many years operating her hairdressing parlour on Blackbird Hill near Wembley in north west London, where some of her customer had been victims of knife crime, she decided to step in.

 

Jasmine felt that the youths’ attention needed to be refocused on something that will give them a voice by encouraging them to put down the knife and pick up the microphone. As a result, she created the Brent Factor Talent Showcase. The Brent Factor Talent Showcase, which started in Brent in 2018, provided opportunities for the Borough’s young people to showcase their singing, rapping, dancing, spoken word and film-making talents.  She told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show that the youths needed to hear positive things about themselves, so that they could be motivated to follow their dreams. She declares, “it’s there for them to build their self-esteem, think differently about employability and find an alternative to being in a gang.”

 

The show has been receiving support from the business community in Brent and from the Local Authority.  The Brent Factor, as it’s commonly called, received entries from across London and other parts of the country.  The popularity of the show continued to rise.  It subsequently became clear that a more strategic outlook was required. Jasmine sat with her team and brainstormed.  Following the meeting, she engaged the services of a marketing agency to help deliver the show’s message more widely, so it reaches more youths across the United Kingdom.  As a consequence, the Brent Factor brand was supplanted with the Hearts of Talent. “The Hearts of Talent means a lot to me as a person.  It’s a passion project and I believe it will mean a lot to the society, to the younger generations,” Jasmine explains.   

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel.

When you visit our channel, please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment. 

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Make Music that Remains Relevant for Years to Come, demands Fullie Charge.

 

Reggae and Dancehall Artistes Must Make Music for the Future.

By Shaun Cain 

London, UK: 31st August 2021.

Dancehall artiste, Fullie Charge, is encouraging his fellow entertainers to start making music  that will be relevant for years to come.

In an interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on 29th August 2021, the "Nah Give up the Fight" artiste explains that this is the only way Reggae and Dancehall artistes will be able to leave a legacy from which future generations can take inspiration.

Host Shaun Cain and Fullie Charge

Fullie Charge, who was born in the Jamaican capital, Kingston in the 1990s, lost his mother tragically when he was just a teenager. He has found solace in music, which he has been recording and performing for much of his life.

He maintains that music is supposed to inspire people, and if it focuses on the common human experience, it will positively impact successive generations in the future. According to him, the music that is being made nowadays seems to have a very short shelf life, as after a few days being released and enjoyed, it's forgotten.

The "Pain Inside" entertainer has noted that although Bob Marley passed away more than four decades ago, his music continues to inspire people all over the world and help them to cope with life's challenges. 

Fullie Charge feels that Reggae and Dancehall music should give people vision and hope. The "Be By Myself" artiste has promised to lift people's spirits through his records. He notes that life has given him a diverse range of experiences that enables him to emphasise with people from different backgrounds. The Harbour View resident believes music born out of empathy connects with audiences and wedges itself into the psyche of the human race.

In nurturing his skills as an artiste, he has crossed paths with some of the pioneers of Jamaica’s music industry, who have imparted a lot of knowledge, and they have even advised him to practise and hone his craft.  Fullie Charge has met and reasoned with veterans, Errol Dunkley and Ken Booth. He says they always welcome young artistes that exhibit a burning desire to continue building on Jamaica’s musical heritage.

Errol Dunkley, Fullie Charge & Ken Booth

Earlier in his career, the artiste, who is also a graduate of the Clan Carthy High School, contacted several event promoters that gave him the opportunity to showcase his talents.  He has performed in Rema and Rae Town in Kingston, and at other locations across Jamaica.

Among Fullie Charge's catalogue of recordings are: "Pain Inside", "Naah Give Up the Fight", "Be By Myself", "Naah Kill Nobody", "Eyes On You" and "The Ultimate Being" among others.

Watch Fullie Charge's interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show. Click the picture.

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel.

When you visit our channel, please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment. 

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Was Joshua Barrett pushed from the Wailers?

Manager of the Wailers, Aston Barrett Jr, has sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding former lead singer, Joshua David Barrett's sudden departure from the band. Speaking with host, Shaun Cain, on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on Sunday, 22nd August, he initially tried to downplay there was tension between Joshua and the band, saying the singer just wanted to move on. However, later in the show, he confirmed that Barrett has left the band amid criticisms of his singing. 

Joshua David Barrett.

Joshua, who opened for the Wailers at one of their concerts in 2012, has sung with the band on tours to Europe, North and South America and other parts of the world after joining in 2015.  

The Wailers' manager pointed out that a few of the longer serving members had told Joshua that he needed to sing differently. 

Aston Barrett Jr on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

However, the drummer and guitarist admitted that the tone of the criticism was too strong. He argued that the group's former front man should not have been expected to sound like his predecessor, Bob Marley.

Barrett Jr, who took over the band after his father, Aston 'family Man' Barrett, retired due to ill-health, revealed that Joshua did not take kingly to the comments.  As a result, his relationship with some members became strained and he, subsequently, felt his position was untenable.

A disclaimer that Joshua wrote on his Facebook page prompted suspicions that all was not well between himself and the Wailers.  

The American born singer's Facebook statement read: "contrary to this advertisement, Joshua David Barrett will not be performing on this version of the wailers." The announcement was made in response to a poster that appeared below his disclaimer on the platform with the caption, "Tickets on sale for the Wailers on Saturday, September 11." Joshua's photograph was included alongside the other members of the Wailers. 

An analysis of Joshua's narrative seems to indicate that the poster was released without any consultation with Joshua.  After the singer saw the advertisement, he instantly distanced himself from it on the social media platform.   

As the fall-out continues to unfold, Barrett Jr reflected on Joshua's association with the band and paid tribute to the singer on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.  The head of the Wailers pointed out that Joshua David Barrett has served the Wailers with distinction. He has emphasised that the singer has done a lot of work representing the band and sharing its core message of peace, love and unity.

Our efforts to reach Joshua for a comment have not been successful.

Meanwhile, the Wailers head has hinted that there could a collaboration with Cuban-American international pop singer, Gloria Estafan of "Rhythm's Gonna Get You" fame.

Gloria Estefan and husband, Emilio.

The drummer and guitarist told the Star Gazing Show, that the band has selected Estefan's husband, Emilio, to co-produce their next album. They met with the former Miami Sound Machine musician on Thursday, 19th August, to work out the details of the production arrangements.

Emilio Estefan produced "One World - One Prayer", which received a Grammy nomination at the last Awards. The band was edged out by the late Toots Hibbert, who passed away recently.

Watch Aston Barrett Jr's interview in this edition of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain show. Click the picture below.

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel.

When you visit our channel, please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment. https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=stargazing+with+shaun+cain  

Are Rastas forgetting the teachings of Rastafari?

Are Rastas Abandoning the Teachings of Rastafari?

By Shaun Cain 

Emerging Reggae artiste, Ras Kaneo, has expressed despair at what he has described as an apparent lack of desire among some members of the faith to uphold righteousness. Speaking with host, Shaun Cain, on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show this week, he has argued that one of the main factors driving this trend is that some members are simply using Rasta to achieve their ulterior motives.  

"They are just exploiting Rasta and what it can give or bring them. They are forgetting what the mission is all about and what you should do as a Rastafarian, as a little bingy man, as a Bobo Ashanti or a Twelve Tribes. We are forgetting our duty," he lamented.  Ras Kaneo has emphasised that the prevailing attitude thrives because, "we are forgetting ourselves and our spirituality, chasing after visas and other material things."

He has noted on the show's on YouTube, "we used to sing about the suffering and how people feel, but as soon as we get there we get comfortable, we forget all about that." 

Ras Kaneo

Ras Kaneo has pointed out that the behaviour of some of the most prominent Rastafarian figures in the music are clearly drifting from the teachings of Rastafari. The Linstead native has expressed disappointment in these artistes' apparent abandonment of the Rastafarian values. According to him, they can be seen on social media excessively indulging in alcohol and other practices that undermine the movement.

Ras Kaneo has revealed that when he was growing up, he used to look up to these artistes as role models. He saw them as Rastafarians that were firmly grounded in the faith. The "Say A Prayer" artiste recalled that his decision to become an artiste was influenced by some of these entertainers. He said they gave him hope and made him very proud to be a Rastafarian. 

When the Star Gazing host, Shaun Cain asked Ras Kaneo how can Rastafarian teachings be brought back to the the forefront of the socialisation of the nation, he offered, "our Rastafari brothers and sisters and the elders need fi gather back the fire, the unity, the love, the joy. Mek we rise that forward again. We need fi see the love from the Rastafari community a spread, not just locally but universally, internationally. We need fi see the Rasta community getting up and pushing forward because the battle is not yet won."

The Linstead-based entertainer, a graduate of the Dinthill Technical High School, maintains that he will always to make righteous music that reinforces the teachings of His Majesty. His latest album is due to be released in another few months. 

Click the link below to watch Ras Kaneo's full interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

Ras Kaneo speaking on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

Windrush Travesty - A Tale of Ungratefulness!

  By Shaun Cain 

The never ending injustices being done to members of the Windrush community have not escaped the gaze of Jamaica's dub poets.  Wise Wurdz, a St. James, Jamaica-born poet and musician, has been vociferously chanting down the painful horrors of Jamaicans, who emigrated to Britain up to the mid to late 1970s on the vessel, Empire Windrush, to rebuild the western European nation after its infrastructure was ravaged during World War 2.

Wise Wurdz has poignantly related the unimaginable suffering of the families whose lives have been ripped apart by deportation in one of his recent songs entitled the "Windrush Travesty".

In the "Windrush Travesty", which is currently available on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music and other major online distribution platforms, Wise Wurdz recalls the Windrush Generation's contributions to the rebuilding of the United Kingdom after the war, which ended on the 2nd September 1945.

Poet, Everton 'Wise Wurdz' Lawrence

Britain has been deporting members of the Windrush Generation, who have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom (UK). Wise Wurdz, whose real name is Everton Lawrence, has strongly condemned the practice. 

However, the issue that seems to escape the headlines is what happens to the deportees once they land on Jamaican soil and Britain washes its hands of them. There is also a lack of regard for the families left behind and the emotional trauma they face.

The Windrush Travesty: Exploring a side of the Windrush debacle rarely highlighted.

In a stern and composed vocal delivery accompanied by an unhurried and engaging one-drop rhythm, Wise Wurdz launched into an unabashed tirade, "Windrush Empire left a trail of dark clouds hanging in mid-air of uncertainty; taken from a land of gold to restore a land of old left in ruins of war."  He admonished, "a place known as Great Britain, my parents built you.  My forefathers helped to restore your beauty; drowning in buckets of sweat and tears, but you had an ulterior motive, when you passed your laws denying others from studying the law."

Wise Wurdz, whose real name is Everton Lawrence, continued, "like raging fire I felt your wrath.  A common man from the Commonwealth is reduced to common minnow." 

The Spoken Word performer brought to the fore the chilling experiences of the persons thrown out of Britain to begin a new life in an unfamiliar land. "The morning was cold like the icebergs of the ocean. Teeth were grinding like chainsaw as frost puffs from the lips like an extended spliff. The whistling sounds of the 'featherless bird' grew louder, as the dulcimer bag was clutched tightly with memories of the past."    

Britain still has much to learn about equality and how this ethical dilemma should be handled where its citizens are concerned, regardless of their race, creed or the numerous factors that make us different. Equally, it is yet to show sensitivity to the impact of its random disruption and displacement of families.  

How much due diligence was done to ascertain whether it was legal to deport all of the persons that were deemed devoid of any lawful right to remain in Britain?  It would appear that these deportations orders are being motivated by factors other than thorough investigations and irrefutable evidence that should engender the removal orders. 

Following several legal challenges, the list was whittled down to fewer than one-third of the initial number announced by the Home Office. 

Although the passengers that did not make the flight have been granted only a temporary reprieve, it is hoped that the necessary checks will be done to put those cases to bed, whichever way they go.

There is no suggestion here that wrongdoing should be condoned by the British government. The argument proffered is that the proper checks be done to ensure that those being ostracised from the European country, by law, do not have the right to reside in Britain. 

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel.

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Reggae Artiste Wants to See Kumina Trending

Reggae and Dancehall artiste, Jahnno, wants to get Kumina trending in Jamaica.  Kumina is a type of Folk music that has been brought to Jamaica by African slaves from Congo.

Jahnno, a profoundly spiritual and culturally sound entertainer,  is  a member of the Gwarra Cherry African Kumina Band that performs at tourist resorts, wakes and other events. He was born in Red Pond, St Catherine into a family that surrounds itself with this traditional African art form. He has told the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show that his father, uncle and grandmother were skilled Kumina performers. The Kumina enthusiast recalls that when he was a child he used to observe the elders drumming, singing and dancing. When he got the chance, he would practice privately because he loved and understood Kumina and its historical significance.

Jahnno on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.

The entertainer declares that Kumina in Jamaica today is essentially a celebration of the ancestors that fought to secure our freedom from the shackles of slavery. He wants this aspect of the Jamaican culture to be modernised and preserved, so future generations can maintain the tradition of celebrating valor of our ancestors.

The artiste is aware of the way Kumina is broadly perceived nowadays, which causes many Jamaicans to resist past efforts to encourage wider acceptance of and participation in it. The Gwarra Cherry African Kumina Band member attributes the prevailing attitude to a lack of understanding of the music and reassures that there is no reason for anyone to be fearful of Kumina.  He questioned, "how can you be afraid of the people that fight to make us free?" 

Jahnno says he has a plan to 'young up' Kumina but he was not ready to reveal the details just yet. 

The Red Pond entertainer recently collaborated with fellow recording artiste, Pink Boss, on the sobering and inspirational track, “Hopefully”. He explains that the song is an expression of his journey and aspirations.

Click the image to watch Jahnno's interview with host, Shaun Cain. 

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel. Check out the content on the channel today. 

Please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment.

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Prominent record producer calls for adaptation of dancehall music for international audience

By Shaun Cain 

Prominent Jamaican record producer, Akiem 'Quanboss' Bingham, has argued that the dancehall needs to adapt its output to suit a wider international audience. In an interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on YouTube, the Quanboss', Chief Executive Officer of Quantanium Records, has urged Jamaican artistes and producers to modify the language and lyrics, expeditiously.

Akiem 'Quanboss' Bingham

The Quanboss, who founded Quantanium Records in Spanish Town, St  Catherine, Jamaica more than 10 years ago, has produced records for Govana, Vitch, Chronic Law, Nvasion, Siva Hotbox, Nervz, Laa Lee, Navaz,  Charly Black and Jahmiel.

The Quanboss is the genius behind Jahmiel's breakout songs, "Gain the World" and "Great Man", Laa Lee's "Quack Quack" and Govana's "Bake Bean" and "Dozen". 

He has told the show's host, Shaun Cain, that the music will become more appealing and accessible if a greater number of people outside of Jamaica can understand the language in which the songs are recorded.

He was responding to a question prompted by the recent furore among dancehall acts, who believe that they are being overlooked for Grammy nominations/awards (Best Reggae Album).

Language barrier

The Quanboss contends that language barrier could be a major issue for potential consumers that do not speak Jamaican. He has proposed that the artistes use more English on the records that are being marketed internationally. He has pointed out, "although our language is a significant part of our heritage, we have to decide if we are going to export a standard product (dancehall music) to a market that cannot access it, or adapt it to suit their needs." In terms of the lyrics, the Quanboss maintains that, just as there are clean versions and uncensored options, a similar strategy could be pursued for the export market. According to him, this makes commercial and cultural sense, as the needs of the main constituents of the music are being satisfied simultaneously.

Limited lyrical themes

The Quanboss, whose latest releases include "Chappa Fi True", a collaboration between Navaz and Nervz and Jahmiel's "Unbroken", has observed that the recurring themes that seem to define dancehall music are too narrow and predictable. He says he thinks this myopia is restricting the ability of the genre to fly freely, break through new frontiers and gain more fans. "To me, I think it's the content. A lot of us don't study the songs [album's] that get Grammy and go number one. If we did, we would ensure the issues addressed are broader," the Quantanium Records CEO argued.

You can watch the Quanboss' full interview by clicking the image below.

Click the image above to watch the Quanboss' full interview on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show.  

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author, voiceover talent and the producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel. Check out the content on the channel today. 

Please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment.

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Dancehall artiste, Siva Hotbox, calls for a return of righteousness to Jamaican music.

By Shaun Cain 

Dancehall artiste, Siva Hotbox, is calling on Jamaican artistes and musicians to clean up the country's musical heritage.  He wants Reggae and Dancehall music to return to its original purpose of being a vehicle to disseminate righteous across the globe.

                                                                                      Siva Hotbox 

Siva Hotbox, who was born in St. Andrew in the late 1990's, is this week's guest on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Show on YouTube.  He laments that there is too much negativity in the music and it is not helpful to the country and humanity as a whole. "Reggae music in Jamaica now is not moving like the root [origins of the genre], it is moving like the stem.  Our music needs  be more conscious, so it can motivate the people to improve themselves and be more respectful and generous towards each other," he argues.

In reflecting on his own journey, the entertainer considers himself to be someone that has climbed very slowly from the abyss of poverty on a tattered string of hope that threatened to yank him back several times. The artiste says life was so difficult for him as a child, he sometimes wonders how he and his family survived.  However, he says he thanks God every day for those mercies.

The March Pen Road, Spanish Town artiste told the Star Gazing with Shaun Show that he has since managed to reframe his childhood experience, which has made him mentally, spiritually and physically tough.

         Siva Hotbox on the Star gazing with Shaun Cain Show.  Click the image above to watch the full show. 

His educational journey started at the Excelsior High School in Kingston. After the family moved to Spanish Town, he had to make the daily commute to and from Mountain View Avenue.  The distance was just too much for him, so his mother asked for him to be transferred to the Spanish Town High School.  

 

After finishing school, he did odd jobs, but, aside from the wages, they did not bring him much satisfaction.  That was when his enterprising skills took over and he started his first entrepreneurial pursuit.  He began selling clothes on the streets of the old capital.  He quickly learned to apply the business concepts of costs, revenue, value added and profit.   According to the “Game Haad” entertainer, he did very well in business. He is planning on commencing a new business venture very soon.  

 

But while he walked the streets hustling, he kept humming, singing and toasting.  He even toasted for some of his customers and they loved it, and sometimes they even bought more of his products than they had originally planned.

 

The “Ransom” artiste remembers that one day a friend told him that he knew a very good local producer that might be able to help him launch his career.  Siva Hotbox was puzzled as to who the producer was.  When he learned that it was Akiem ‘Quan Boss’ Bingham of Quantanium Records, he instantly became excited.  He told himself that he had to write an impressive song to bolster his chances of working with the Quan Boss.  

 

That meeting turned out to be the gateway to the hit song, “Piece A Dutt”, which simply means that most challenges, if approached carefully and thoughtfully, can be as easy as a piece of cake to solve.  Since that productive start, he is still associated with the Quantanium label. He has contributed to the recently released “Ghetto Superstars” medley featuring Vitch, Nervz, Navaz and Jayeleah.

 

With a catalogue that includes popular tracks such as 50 Bars, Life Liva, Line Affi Jerk and Ransom, Siva Hotbox is on the verge of a breakthrough.  His next release is expected to be his highly anticipated collaboration with fellow St. Catherine artiste, the “Great Man”, Jahmiel, who also records on the exemplary Quantanium label.  

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Shaun Cain is a journalist, author of the Reggae Larger than Life Fun and Games Book, voiceover talent and producer/presenter of the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain Interview Show on the Star Gazing with Shaun Cain YouTube channel. 

Check out the channel today.  Please remember to subscribe, like, share and leave a comment.

https://m.youtube.com/results?search_query=stargazing+with+shaun+cain