Vision Newspaper Canada - July 2014

DOUBLE AWARD WINNING COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

July 2014 / SUMMER

CAN

Three Cheers for Omi! >> page 7 Plus

Wiz Khalifa among many performers at Reggae SumFest >> page 6

Yohan Blake pulls out of Common Wealth Games >> page 11

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Vision / Summer 2014

The Caribbean Puerto Rico pursues water rationing measures amid moderate drought SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ Puerto Rico says it will implement strict water-rationing measures if a cluster of thunderstorms headed toward the Caribbean does not generate enough rain.

NEWS

Head of Jamaica rights group Around the world resigns amid flap over sex Fake concert booker who stole falsely promising shows by education program for wards of $3M by Rihanna gets prison state

More than 50 per cent of the U.S. territory is facing abnormally dry conditions, with the island’s southern region and a small area in the northeast experiencing a moderate drought.

She says she was unaware of the sex education program in six children’s homes before taking the job earlier this year.

The executive president of Puerto Rico’s water and sewer company says areas in and around the capital of San Juan would be affected by the measures. Alberto Lazaro said Wednesday that hundreds of thousands of customers in those areas would receive water every other day.

The initiative was intended to prevent the spread of HIV in Jamaica. But critics say it was inappropriate for youngsters.

The lack of rain has caused an estimated $20 million in agricultural losses. The government declared a state of emergency earlier this month as it seeks U.S. federal aid. by: The Associated Press

Dominican authorities destroy 2,000 seized guns; metal to be used for peace monument SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic _ Authorities destroyed roughly 2,000 firearms Monday and plan to use the mangled metal to build a monument promoting peace.

The Dominican Republic’s attorney general, Francisco Dominguez, and other officials gathered in the capital of Santo Domingo to watch a steamroller destroy the haul of guns seized by police over the years.

The metal from the destroyed weapons will be given to sculptor Jose Ignacio Morales, who has been commissioned to build a peace memorial.

It’s not yet clear where the sculpture will be located or when it will be completed.

In recent years, some 70 per cent of the Caribbean country’s nearly 2,000 annual killings have been carried out with guns, most of them illegal. Police and interior ministry officials estimate there are roughly 200,000 guns in the nation of more than 10 million people.

KINGSTON, Jamaica _ The head of Jamaica’s most prominent human rights group has resigned over a sex education program implemented in children’s group homes.

The controversy has made headlines in Jamaica for weeks.

The Associated Press

Kay Osborne is a former manager of a local TV station who became director of Jamaicans for Justice in April. She announced the end of her tenure as director of the group on Sunday.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force said a two-day operation this week by police and soldiers netted 41 suspects in western Jamaica.

Raids took place simultaneously in several communities on Monday and Tuesday.

Officials say one of the arrested suspects is a high-ranking drug supplier in the Caribbean. by: The Associated Press

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced the sentencing of 39-year-old Meceo McEaddy on Tuesday.

His co-defendant, 48-year-old Sylvester Vincent Carroll, of New Jersey, was sentenced this month to three to nine years in prison. Both pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grand larceny, scheme to defraud and other charges.

The Associated Press

Police arrest 41 people suspected of involvement in lottery scam rings KINGSTON, Jamaica _ More than three dozen Jamaicans have been arrested as suspected lottery scammers, police on the Caribbean island said Wednesday.

NEW YORK _ A New York man who stole millions of dollars from clients by falsely promising to book performances by world-famous recording artists like Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber has been sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.

Vance says the two stole about $3.7 million from party planners around the world. He says the scheme began in 2010 when the duo took $825,000 from a Brazilian company that believed it had booked Rihanna for concerts in Rio de Janeiro.

a target in another country that they have won an international sweepstakes, but they first need to wire money to cover taxes. People who fall for the trick and send payments then get harassed for more money by aggressive swindlers who bombard them with calls.

The Associated Press

The suspects’ identities were not US agents crack down on multimillion dollar Caribbean drug immediately released. Cars, laptrafficking ring tops and high-end electronics were among items seized. Police also SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico _ Authorities say they have indicted 10 suspected members of a multimillion- alleged they found ``lead sheets,’’ dollar drug trafficking ring that distributed or lists with names, addresses and massive amounts of cocaine throughout Puerto phone numbers of people in other Rico and on the U.S. mainland. countries targeted for the scam.

The indictment accused members of the group of generating $127 million in revenue by trafficking Colombian cocaine from the Dutch Caribbean territory of St. Maarten by boat and plane for almost a decade. Nine of them are in custody.

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Victims of the cross-border telemarketing fraud are often elderly Americans who get cheated out of their retirement savings.

Millions displaced by religious violence in 2013: US global report

WASHINGTON _ The U.S. says millions of people were forced from their homes because of their religious beliefs last year.

The State Department on Monday released its 2013 report on religious freedom around the world. It said in conflict zones, mass displacement has become the, quote, ``pernicious norm.’’

The report said that in much of the Middle East, the Christian presence is becoming ``a shadow of its former self.’’

Hundreds of thousands of minority Christians have fled Syria after three years of civil war.

The report highlighted more than one million people being displaced in the Central African Republic during 2013, amid an upsurge in Christian-Muslim violence.

In Southeast Asia, anti-Muslim violence spread from Myanmar’s volatile west to central Meikhtila, with up to 100 deaths and 12,000 displaced.

Jamaica’s lottery scam often begins with a phone call that informs

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Exposing the talent in our communities.

Vision Newspaper UK: Editor in Chief : Nadine White, Editor: Nadia Akram, Correspondent in Jamaica: Deana Meyers Contributors: Francesca Quass, Yemi Abiade, Samantha Dennis, Claire Daley, Christopher Millier Vision Newspaper Canada: Editor in Chief: Alwin Squire, Editors: Samantha Deschamps, Kelly Deschamps, Marilyn Marshall

The Associated Press

Vision / Summer 2014

Community

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More than a third of Americans reported to collection agencies for unpaid bills and debts share of Americans in collections has remained relatively constant, even as the country as a whole has whittled down the size of its credit card debt since the official end of the Great Recession in the middle of 2009.

By Josh Boak THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON _ More than 35 per cent of Americans have debts and unpaid bills that have been reported to collection agencies, according to a study released Tuesday by the Urban Institute.

These consumers fall behind on credit cards or hospital bills. Their mortgages, auto loans or student debt pile up, unpaid. Even past-due gym membership fees or cellphone contracts can end up with a collection agency, potentially hurting credit scores and job prospects, said Caroline Ratcliffe, a senior fellow at the Washington-based think-tank . ``Roughly, every third person you pass on the street is going to have debt in collections,’’ Ratcliffe said. ``It can tip employers’ hiring decisions, or whether or not you get that apartment.’’

The study found that 35.1 per cent of people with credit records had been reported to collections for debt that averaged $5,178, based on September 2013 records. The study points to a disturbing trend: The

As a share of people’s income, credit card debt has reached its lowest level in more than a decade, according to the American Bankers Association. People increasingly pay off balances each month. Just 2.44 per cent of card accounts are overdue by 30 days or more, versus the 15-year average of 3.82 per cent.

Yet roughly the same percentage of people are still getting reported for unpaid bills, according to the Urban Institute study performed in conjunction with researchers from the Consumer Credit Research Institute.

Their figures nearly match the 36.5 per cent of people in collections reported by a 2004 Federal Reserve analysis.

All of this has reshaped the economy. The collections industry employs 140,000 workers who recover around $50 billion each year, according to a separate study published this year by the Federal Reserve’s Philadelphia bank branch.

Health care-related bills account for 37.9 per cent of the debts collected, according to a new report commissioned by the Association of Credit and Collection Professionals. Student loan debt represents another 25.2 per cent and credit cards make up 10.1 per cent, with the rest of

the collections going for local governments, retailers, telecoms and utilities.

retirees who live on fixed incomes and may struggle to pay medical bills, Salazar said.

The delinquent debt is overwhelmingly concentrated in Southern and Western states. Texas cities have a large share of their populations being reported to collection agencies: Dallas (44.3 per cent); El Paso (44.4 per cent), Houston (43.7 per cent), McAllen (51.7 per cent) and San Antonio (44.5 per cent).

Other cities have populations that have largely managed to repay their bills on time. Just 20.1 per cent of Minneapolis residents have debts in collection. Boston, Honolulu and San Jose, California, are similarly low.

Almost half of Las Vegas residents_ many of whom bore the brunt of the housing bust that sparked the recession_ have debt in collections. Other Southern cities have a disproportionate number of their people facing debt collectors, including Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida; Memphis, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; and Jackson, Mississippi.

A few major factors appear to be driving the delinquencies, said Eric Salazar, the Texas and Florida manager for the credit counselling agency GreenPath.

First, many of these workers have low-paying jobs in construction and services, in addition to minimal education on their finances. ``There is not the income growth to save and they have to make survival decisions,’’ Salazar said. ``You make the decision to pay for the roof over your head and to feed your family and that’s all you can afford to do.’’

Secondly, these states are home to

Only about 20 per cent of Americans with credit records have any debt at all. Yet high debt levels don’t always lead to more delinquencies, since the debt largely comes from mortgages.

An average San Jose resident has $97,150 in total debt, with 84 per cent of it tied to a mortgage. But because incomes and real estate values are higher in the technology hub, those residents are less likely to be delinquent.

By contrast, the average person in the Texas city of McAllen has only $23,546 in debt, yet more than half of the population has debt in collections, more than anywhere else in the United States.

The Urban Institute’s Ratcliffe said that stagnant incomes are key to why some parts of the country are struggling to repay their debt.

Wages have barely kept up with inflation during the five-year recovery, according to Labor Department figures. And a separate measure by Wells Fargo found that after-tax income fell for the bottom 20 per cent of earners during the same period.

Community

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Vision / Summer 2014

Toronto Mayoral Candidate in Attendance at Caribana Junior Carnival Parade many pillars, and the creative industries are one of the most important. It’s time we recognized the sector’s importance to our economy and quality of life, and acted on the decent plan we have.”

Toronto Mayoral candidate Olivia Show has confirmed to CARIBANA™ Arts Group that she will be in attendance for Flags and Colours in the community of Jane and Finch on July 12th, 2014.

Joining junior revelers as they masquerade handmade costumes, Olivia Chow’s presence at CARIBANA™ Flags and Colours demonstrates her commitment to the arts, and her view that the arts is one of Toronto, and Canada’s economic pillars which must be advanced for artisans to succeed. Ms. Chow states “our economy is built on

Now in its 15th year (3rd as Flags and Colors) this event has become one of the highlights in the Jane and Finch community, which sees hundreds of families enjoy the festivities of Caribbean culture, and participate in the costume making process.

The 2014 festival is proud to welcome Soca legend Anslem Douglas, panist Pan Man Pat, Hip Hop star Subliminal aka Sean Mauricette, soca teen sensation Ngozi, the Ngoma drumming ensemble, Pass The Torch and more to its stage on Saturday July 12th, 2014 for CARIBANA™ Flags and Colours – Junior Carnival.

Toronto’s colourful and annual affair takes place at Yorkgate Mall in the Jane and Finch community which sees hundreds of children and youth dressed in

Venue: Phoenix Concert Theater Date: July 4, 2014

Supercat

Venue: Guvernment Date: July 18th 2014

This year is expected to be ground breaking for CARIBANA™ Flags and Colours since part of its outreach includes agreements with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) to visit schools in the community to show costumes and make presentations. The organization will also work closely with York Gate Mall management, Toronto Police Services (31 Division), the Jane and Finch Boys and Girls Club, JFCCO, and other community groups to continue to have a significant impact on the culture, economy and social development of the area.

What ’s On

Events Order at the Border Faith Evans, Carl Thomas

costumes that are a reflection of the rich cultural heritage of Caribbean carnival. They will be on display as masqueraders parade along the route from Jane Street and Shoreham Drive, south to the Yorkgate Mall parking lot. The parade will begin at 12 noon and end at 1:00 p. m.

Live entertainment will follow until 5:00 p. m.

Order at The Border Freedie McGregor, Jah Bouks and more

Venue: Opera House Date: July 4, 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Jay-Z & Beyonce On the Run Tour

Venue: Rogers Center Date: July 19h 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Rakim

Venue: Phoenix Date: July 4th, 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Wiz Khalifa, Ty Sign, Under the Influence tour

Venue: Molson Amphitheater Date: July 29th 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Maxwell

Venue: Massey Hall Date: July 5, 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Lionel Richie

Venue: Molson Amphitheater Date: July 30th 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

Now in its 47th year, CARIBANA™ focuses on the Caribbean carnival arts and their potential to create positive change in the lives of children. This year, the organization aims to have 500 children in the parade.

For further information about CARIBANA™ Flags and Colours contact Henry Gomez via email: henrygomez@caribana.com or by calling 647-655-6282. Also contact Monica Pollard via email: monica@caribana.com or by calling 416.706.4848. Send media inquiries to Natasha Von Castle via email: L3Publicity@gmail.com.

General inquiries may be answered at www. caribana.com

Family & Children Future

Venue: Sound Academy Date: July 11th 2014 Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ca

August Alisina

Venue: The Guvernment Date: July 31st, 2014

Flags & Colours Parade Carbiana Junior Carnival

Place: York Gate Mall (Jane & Finch) Date: July 12th 2014 Admission: Free

Canada Day - Fireworks

Place: Ashbridges Bay - Beaches Queen & Woodbine Date: July 1st 2014 Admission: Free

Unity Festival

Meastro Fresh Wes, Biz Markie, Airplane Boys and many more

Younge & Dundas Square Date: July 23rd - 26th 2014 Admission: Free

Vision / Summer 2014

Community

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Music

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Vision / Summer 2014

I-Octane, Bounty Killa, Tessanne Chin, Wiz Khlaifa and many more took the stage at the annual Reggae Sumfest “I’m always nervous performing at home because Jamaicans are tough people to please but I am very happy with tonight’s outcome,” revealed Jamaica’s Tessanne Chin – and NBC’s The Voice season five winner – minutes after delivering a flawless, headlining set at Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay. Surrounded by her family and management team, the exceedingly gracious Chin posed for numerous photos with fans prior to reminiscing with Billboard about her Sumfest debut in 2007, which coincided with the release of her breakthrough single “Hideaway.” “It felt like my career was just beginning back then so to return this year and perform “Hideaway” alongside songs from my new album ‘Count On My Love’ is a dream come true.”

Reggae Sumfest was developed to increase visitor arrivals to Jamaica during the traditionally low summer tourism season; over three nights Sumfest annually attracts nearly 25,000 patrons from around the world, according to Executive Director Johnny Gourzong. Held at the open-air Catherine Hall Entertainment Complex Sumfest’s 22nd annual staging, July 17-19, presented forty Jamaican dancehall and roots reggae artists alongside internation-

al acts, Jason Derulo, Wiz Khalifa and Future.

Prior to Derulo’s well-received set on Friday’s International Night, which included a guest appearance by 2007 American Idol winner, his fiancé Jordin Sparks performing their hit “Vertigo,” he shared with Billboard his fondness for beef patties – the humble Jamaican fast food staple – and a lifelong love of reggae. “My father lived here for 12 years and Bob Marley’s music was played in our house, so there’s always a hint of reggae in my music. I’m really excited to perform for my Jamaican fans,” Derulo said.

Wiz Khalifa told Billboard he was humbled by Jamaica’s love for him and expressed interest in working with local artists. “Reggae’s message brings people together and that’s been really influential to me; if I could collaborate with any artist here it would be Beenie Man,” he acknowledged.

Also on Friday night, upcoming Rastafarian sing-jay Jesse Royal made his impressive Sumfest debut and roots reggae sensation Chronixx

delivered a beautifully nuanced, mesmerizing set while Jamaica’s Sean Paul triumphantly returned to Sumfest after a 10-year absence with an energetic performance on Saturday’s International Night 2.

Yet, it’s Sumfest’s Thursday Dancehall Night that dependably pulled the largest crowd, estimated by Gourzong this year at 12,000.

Highlights included a riveting lyrical display by Agent Sasco, Bounty Killer’s incisive social critiques and female singer Spice, who donned male drag to attain deserved props in the testosterone-laden genre.

As the tropical sun rose over Catherine Hall minutes before 6 AM, I-Octane held the majority of the crowd in place with renditions of the numerous hits that earned him

the night’s prestigious closing slot.

Shortly after leaving the Sumfest stage, I-Octane wentto the studio with producer DJ Frass and recorded “Jah Mi Seh” aimed at his detractors, especially Mr. Vegas who continually criticized the selection of I-Octane for Dancehall Night’s crowning position. “I am the only artist in Sumfest’s history besides Beenie Man to close Dancehall Night for two consecutive years, which is a great accomplishment for a young artist,” I-Octane told Billboard. “Even if I am working overseas, I come back to Jamaica for Sumfest, it brings visitors to Jamaica and is an important showcase for our artists locally and globally.”

By Patricia Meschino source: Billboard Magazine

Vision / Summer 2014

Music

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Three Cheers for Omi! of my lips!”

“I’ve always admired Busy’s music, flavour and positive vibe; my team and I decided that he would be perfect to collaborate on this track with.”

- by Nadine White Since exploding onto the music scene in 2012 with hit song ‘Cheerleader’, Omar “Omi” Pasley has come a long way. Hailed as “new don of urban pop”, he has also enjoyed acclaimed success with follow up singles ‘Standing on all Threes’ and ‘Fireworks’. He is currently managed by Clifton “Specialist” Dillon who is a much-respected musical figure, a super producer and the former manager of dancehall giants Patra and Shabba Ranks. Omi is his latest signing and dubs their compelling coalition as “fate”, stating “I have learned a lot from Specialist…I definitely believe that this was written in the stars”.

music. I am more confident with this feedback and will be doing more to perfect my set”.Prior to this, Omi inked a recording deal with Ultra Music – an affiliate label of powerhouse Sony Records.

Having just recently announced this news, he is absolutely thrilled and has been putting the finishing touches on a debut album.

Production-wise, this song has a swinging sixties doo-wop rhythm with archetypal electric guitar undertones. This vintage sound is something that Omi has dabbled in before; ‘Cheerleader’ borrows from the iconic Jamaican ska sound, which was also prevalent in the sixties. Is this modern-day tribute to “old school” music a deliberate move? Omi reflects: “since ‘Cheerleader’ a lot of people have been asking for that throwback vibe. People seem to love that familiar sound and I like recording it, so it made sense to do it”.

With a European tour in the immediate pipeline, some of Omi’s destinations include Italy, France and the Netherlands. He will also stop by in London on 27th July to perform at the grand debut of Pelpafest at the ‘Milan Palace’ in West London. This will be co-hosted by the legendary Daddy Ernie and feature some of dancehall and reggae’s finest artists.

Check out Omi’s website for more information, as well as details of future developments:

At the moment, the young star is promoting his brand new single ‘Colour of my Lips’ which features dancehall artist Busy Signal, “I’ve always admired Busy’s music, flavour and positive vibe; my team and I decided that he would be perfect to collaborate on this track with.”

Despite being a desirable Last year was a successful one physical attribute, it isn’t very often that a song is dedicated for Omi. Before returning to Jato lips! This is a testament to maica for Christmas, he enjoyed a critically acclaimed appearance Omi’s limitless pen; he is a prolific songwriter who writes all of at the Cayman Islands Internahis material, “everyday people tional Music Festival (CIIMF) on brag about their assets from their 6th December, where he performed alongside R&B icons Per- clothes, cars to their features. I chose to write about my lips as cy Sledge and Ginuwine, “I was it was always a subject matter surprised that people in Cayman amongst the ladies, particularly in knew my songs and could even high school. They liked the colour relate to the stories behind the

leased ‘Cheerleader’ which was remixed with a “dancehall vibe” by billboard producer Ricky Blaze.

What’s more, a ‘club remix’ of ‘Colour of my Lips’ is scheduled for release soon which comes courtesy of Ras Dub - “Ras Dub is a very good producer from Panama and the link up came about quite spontaneously! However, the vibe just flowed and everyone is happy with the outcome”.

www.omimusiconline.com

However, he makes it clear that he is not carving out a niche for this kind of sound, aptly offering further food for thought, “it’s hard to be boxed in when you’re a creative artist and also have a creative team”. Through Omi’s expanding catalogue of tunes, we have seen that music is always subject to interchange, experiment and evolution. Since signing up with Ultra Music, he has re-re-

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Music

Vision / Summer 2014

PHARRELL WILLIAMS Choose music for ``NBA 2K’’ NEW YORK (AP) _ Pharrell (fah-REL’) Williams will curate the soundtrack to the next ``NBA 2K’’ video game.

Williams says he tried to choose songs that were ``diverse but yet still proved to be motivational to gamers.’’ His selections will be revealed later this summer. The game comes out October 7.

VYBZ KARTEL sues police

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jailed entertainer Vybz Kartel is suing the Jamaican police commissionerand television station “Television Jamaica (TVJ)” for allegedly runing his reputation, distress and embarrassment” by comments made on the programme All Angles.

Where the police commissioner claimed Vybz Kartel was a police informant.

BRUNO MARS up for Emmy

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ OK, he can act some _ as anyone who saw him on ``Saturday Night Live’’ can attest. But Bruno Mars up for an Emmy? It might make you feel better to know he’s getting the nod for a musical performance. His Super Bowl halftime show is among the nominees for ``Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program.’’ Among those competing with Mars _ President Barack Obama. He’s nominated for his appearance with Zach Galifianakis on ``Between Two Ferns.’’

JENNIFER LOPEZ gets water mite named after her

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -Jennifer Lopez’s music made a group of scientists feel so happy, they named a water mite after her. Biologist Vladimir Pesic of the University of Montenegro says his team listened to Lopez’s songs while writing up their discovery of a water mite in a coral reef between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. He says her music kept them in such a

good mood they named the mite Litarachna lopezae. It was found more than 70 metres below the surface of the water. Their report appeared in yesterday’s edition of the peer-reviewed online journal ZooKeys.

BEYONCE

leads MTV music video awards nominations

NEW YORK (AP) _ She ambushed the music world with an album she didn’t promote _ and that featured videos for each song at release. Not only did the move

by Beyonce pay off in sales, it is earning recognition at the upcoming VMAs. Beyonce is up for eight MTV moonman trophies, including the honor for video of the year for ``Drunk in Love.’’ Iggy Azalea

and Eminem are each up for seven awards. The video of the year award is an all-female affair, crashed only by Pharrell Williams.

His ``Happy’’ goes up against Beyonce’s ``Drunk in Love,’’ Miley Cyrus’ ``Wrecking Ball,’’ Azalea’s ``Fancy’’ and Sia’s ``Chandelier.’’ The awards air August 24 from Los Angeles.

FOOTA HYPE arested

Well known selector Foota Hype was arrested recently for breaches of the Night Noise Abatement Act. Foota was reportedly playing at the LIME LIGHT club in Kingston when he was allegedly arrested after he went over the slated 4a.m. lock off time. Joseph Bogdanovich, the CEO of Downsound Records with which Hype is signed, giave Irie FM’s Music News the 411. The night noise abatement act prohibits the playing of loud music and there are regulations that music at dances or other places of entertainment must be turned off after certain hours at nights.

JAH CURE to headline creole festival

Jah Cure will be one of the headline acts on the 18th edition of the annual World Creole Music Festival in Dominica. The reggae singer is the only Jamaican on the lineup so far, for the event which takes place from October 24-26 at the Windsor Park Stadium in Roseau. The roster of artistes is chock full of sounds from all over the world, including West Africa, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Haiti, and Trinidad, which is being well represented

by Kerwin Dubois and Destra Garcia.

Music

Vision / Summer 2014

TW

TOP 15 VOCAL

1. Nesbeth - Ole Ganga Lee 2. Taurrus Riley - My Day 3. Cronix and Pyramid - Mi Alright 4. Jesse Royal - Modern Day Judas 5. Loyal Flames - Break Free 6. Richie Stephens & Oriel - Give a Reason 7. Bugle ft Lady Saw - Infidelity 8. I-Octane & Kymani Marley - A Yah Wi Deh 9. Cronixx - Spurlina 10. Romain Virgo - Soul Provider 11. Exco Levi - Walk in my Shoes 12. Tom Laing - One more Thing 13. Hezron - Check 14. Loyal Flames - Rolling down the Highway 15. Droop Lion - Ghetto Life

TW

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TOP 15 DANCEHALL

1. Kranium - Knobody has to know 2. Mavado - The Yuh 3. I-Octane - Your Eyes 4. Demarco - Good Book 5. Gage - Kitty Kat 6. Vybz Kartel - A Di Truth 7. Vybz Kartel - Punany a Mi Best Friend 8. I-Octane - Trendsetta 9. Mavado - Rise to the Top 10. Popcaan - Only Jah Know 11. Alkaline - Holiday Time Again 12. Spice - So mi Like It 13. Kalado - Personality 14. Iyara - Haters a Pree 15. Vybz Kartel - Without Money

LONDON CITY LOCK RADIO MONDAYS 4PM TO 6PM

Album Review

Tessanne Chin Count on My love

Maxi Priest Easy to Love

Common Nobody Smiling

Soulja Boy King Soulja

Count on My Love is Tessanne Chin’s first album since her independently released 2010 set In Between Words.

More notably, it also follows the Jamaica native’s triumphant 2013 run on The Voice. Concise and polished, Count on My Love plays to Chin’s strength as a vocalist who can easily adapt to a number of stylistic backdrops — with touches of dance-pop, R&B, and, of course, a significant amount of contemporary reggae.

Reggae Superstar Maxi Priest is back with his first new studio album in almost a decade. The album titled “Easy To Love” has 11 new songs from the reggae icon and features Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden, Clive Hunt and labelmate Beres Hammond.

“Easy To Love” is an eagerly awaited album from one of the genre’s most familiar and much loved voices.

Chi-town emcee Common is set to release his next album titled Nobody’s Smiling. The album which feaures up and coming artists from his home town also has Jhené Aiko, Big Sean & Cocaine 80′s on a few tracks. On the standard cover art you can catch Common by himself, while on the deluxe version you can see artists such as King Louie, Lil Herb, Dreezy, Lil Bibby & others. Nobody’s Smiling was executive-produced by No I.D. and will reportedy address the ongoing violence in their city of Chicago, Illinois.

On July 29th the day after Soulja’s birthday, he releases King Soulja 3. Soulja enthusiastic about the project in an interview with Forbes. com he exclaimed “it goes hard — its very hip hop. There are records I go crazy on.” But, above all else I am focused on continuing the momentum.” Recent collaborations with Drake and Nicki Minaj, has Soulja re-entering the spotlight. He’s also rumored to be collaborating on upcoming projects with Diddy and Lil Wayne.

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Release Date: July 22, 2014

Release Date: July 29, 2014

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Music

Vision / Summer 2014

Vision / Summer 2014

Blake Pulls Out of Commonwealth Games

by Yemi Abiade

Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake has issued an apology to Scotland following his decision not to take part in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 25-year old Olympic silver medalist decided against his participation in order to avoid jeopardising his preparations for the next Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

Glasgow 2014 but it’s in my best interests. I’m sorry I’m not going to be here, the Scottish people have really been looking out for me, but they understand the level of competitive person I am.” The 100m world champion (2011) continued, “It was a tough decision to make, but when I was talking to my manager and my coach they both said I had to get back to the level I was at before.

There are the World Championships and Olympics coming up in the next couple of years and I have to be at my best for that.”

Blake’s decision is perhaps justified after his failure to finish the men’s 100m Diamond League which took place in Glasgow from Speaking on his deci11-12 July, a day after sion, Blake said: “Of his announcement. course I’m disappointed What’s more, he pulled to be missing out on up – partway through

sports

the race – and stumbled onto the track during another recent race.

Having subsequently left on a wheelchair, this is one of the succession of hamstring injuries that Blake has suffered during his two year career.

The sprinter’s manager, Cubie Seegobin, insists the reluctance of Blake to take part in the Games should not be seen as an insult towards the championships. “We made a decision based on Yohan’s condition not to compete at the Commonwealth Games and that was in his best interests,” said Seegobin.

“It’s nothing against the Commonwealth Games.

He has to do what is in his best interests.”

The Commonwealth Games begin in Hampden Park on 23rd July, lasting until 4th August

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Asafa Powell to run at Paris Diamond League meeting days before CAS doping hearing

PARIS _ Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell will run in France on July 5, days before his doping hearing at sport’s highest court.

the Court of Arbitration for Sport to cut the sanction to three months. The CAS hearing is set for July 7-8.

The organizers of the Paris Diamond League meeting confirmed his participation on Tuesday. Powell is free to compete pending the outcome of his doping appeal.

Former world champion Tyson Gay is also returning from a oneyear doping ban to compete in Lausanne, Switzerland, on July 3.

The American sprinter will then run at the Montreuil meet on July 7.

A former world record-holder in the 100 metres, Powell tested positive for oxilofrine in the Jamaica trials a year ago.

Powell appealed the 18-month suspension imposed by Jamaica anti-doping authorities, asking

Lobster, Crab, Shrimp.

Ackee and Salt Fish.

Snapper.

Jerk, Curry, Fried and Stew Chicken.

Many more delectable entrees.

Ask about our specials.

All meals come with: Rice and Peas, Rice or Cooked Food & Small Side of Vegetables (ALL PRICES INCLUDE TAX)

FILM

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Vision / Summer 2014

N.W.A. MOVIE RUNS INTO “Jamaican Mafia” ISSUE OVER CASTING Movie Trailer CALL Released LOS ANGELES (AP) N.W.A. often caused a stir with its music. And now that Universal Pictures is making a movie about the iconic rap group, a casting call for the film is creating controversy. The casting company put out an open call seeking women for the movie ``Straight Outta Compton’’ in four categories. One was ``A girls’’ _ hotties of any ethnicity. Then there were ``B girls who were ``light-skinned’’ _ and ``D girls’’ are described as `` African-American...

Poor, not in good shape.

Medium to dark skin tone.’’ After the casting call listing was skewered

by Gawker.com, Universal apologized for what it called the ``offensive’’ listing. And while the

casting company has removed the announcement from its Facebook page _ its Web site still

says it is handing the casting for extras for the movie.

Dubbed the “biggest Jamaican film to come out of the United States Jamaican Mafia is a mustsee. The movie features world-famous Jamaican talent” like Paul Campbell, who featured in films such as Shottas and Third World Cop, Fax, and dancehall’s ‘first lady’ Michelle ‘D’Angel’ Downer.

Written by Mykal Fax, the movie chronicles the life

of Zoolian Anderson, also known as Zoo-Zoo (played

by Fax), who gives up his job in the corporate world for a life of crime following revelations that he is the nephew of a powerful crime boss.

The movie was Produced

by Matherson, Griffiths, Dale Foti and directed by Vafomba Donzo of Donzo Productions.

Fashion & Lifestyle

Vision / Summer 2014

EVERYDAY LIFE LESSONS

Make Yourself a To-Dont List

by Marilyn Marshall

Most of you are quite familiar with the advantages that are derived from making “TO - DO LISTS”. In fact, majority of you who have used them can attest to their value by claiming that they can contribute to the reduction of daily stress, lead to improvement in relationships, increase happiness in the home and productivity in the workplace. If the “To-Do Lists” are so effective, why can’t we all stop and create meaningful “To-Don’t Lists”? I have put together a few statements that are thought provoking and could contribute to a new YOU. Here are some items that appear under my “To Don’t List”.

Don’t expect to just stumble on to success.

Stumbling on to success is quite rare so don’t expect to wait around for success to come to you. Success takes work, effort, drive, motivation and a burning desire deep inside of you to succeed. In many ways, digging for success can sometimes feel just as intense as underground hard rock mining. Nevertheless, if you persist, the rewards can be great. In order to find success you need to understand that you have to go out there with the right tools to take advantage of the daily opportunities that come your way. You must have a plan in order to maximize success in your lives. You will have to go out there and work your plan as hard as you can if you want to be successful. Hang around, or study successful people, because they believe in themselves and their mission.

Success is contagious; you too can be caught up with the synergy that often accompanies successful people. One last thing, dedicate a few minutes every day imagining your own success.

Don’t wait for the perfect time There is never really a right time for anything in life. There is always going to be something in your way. For example, the weather is bad, my cheque was late coming, my cousin came over, etc. Whatever it is, there will always be something or someone whispering “Now is not the right time.” Do it anyway.

Don’t wait for the perfect time. It doesn’t exist Don’t be lazy.

The world doesn’t owe you anything. You owe the world something. Stop day dreaming and start DOING. Determination is being able to find the time you don’t have.

Don’t allow your yesterday to be the loudest voice in your today Don’t allow your past experiences to dominate your present life. Sometimes, people allow their negative thinking to cripple their present situation by the way they think and act.

We sometimes hear people say

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BANG ON TREND! FASHION BITES

things such as, “I was born on the wrong side of the track”, I am from a dysfunctional family therefore, not much is expected of me”, “I am of a different race”.

Or, “I had a bad start in life”. Let go of these negative utterances and speak positive words in your life such as, “I am born to succeed and nothing will stop me from achieving”.

Don’t work so hard to cover up incidents or experiences in your past.

Find the courage to accept what you have been through in your life. We often work so hard trying to discard the parts of our lives that were painful, disgusting, difficult and sad. But just as we can’t remove chapters out of a book and expect the story to still make sense, so, we cannot remove past chapters of our lives and expect our lives to still make sense. Graciously keep every chapter of your life intact and keep on turning them one page at a time. Sooner or later, you will get to a page that will bring it all together and suddenly you will understand why every page was so important and needed.

Don’t make excuses as you experience failure Don’t rationalize your failure by placing the blame on someone else. Accept when something is your fault. This will help you identify what you need to change to get better. An excuse after a failure is a refusal to make the situation better.

When you make a mistake and refuse to learn from it, the chances are, you’ll make the same mistake again. So, practice to learn as much as you can from your failures and quit making excuses for all the mistakes you have made. You can even look deep within for lessons you have learnt from each blunder you encounter. You will end up being a better YOU. Don’t burn your bridges as you journey through life.

A lot of life is about personal relationships. You will need people as you go through life. Focus on making great memories and don’t forget who helped you as you climb the ladder of success. Remember, great memories make us much happier than objects that we can buy with money.

Afropunzel meets Lucy Laverne London

There were loads of booming businesses down at ‘Afro Hair and Beauty LIVE 2014’, which recently took place at the ‘Business Centre’ in North London.

One brand which particularly stood out was ‘Afropunzel & Lucy Laverne London’, whose models ripped the runway in neon coloured tutus and healthy looking locks, to boot. Usually operating independently of one another, both companies offer

uniquely different products.

‘Afropunzel’ specializes in hair extensions, as well as specially concocted conditioners, shampoos and more.

Its managing director – also an experienced hairdresser – said the following: “I have seen a lot of cases where people constantly wear extensions with poorly nourished hair underneath. The great thing about us is that we promote healthy hair and provide top quality extensions which can

be used for protective styling… all at an affordable price!”

Of course, ‘Lucy Laverne London’ is the other half of this hair-care coalition and consists of treatments, masks and oils which are made from up to 100% organic ingredients. These products work to reduce breakage, strengthen and repair and can be used for all hair types – not just Afro-Caribbean!

Russell Westbrook launches new eye wear line

email your feedback to mshalmar920@gmail.com

NBA all star Russell Westbrook is showing no signs of slowing down his fashion game with the release of his new eye wear line. Fresh from fashion week in Europe where he announced a major collaboration with Barneys, Westbrook just

launched his own sunglass line. As of today, you’ll be able to shop the styles he designed at WestbrookFrames.com.

Right now, there are ten styles to choose from, and they’re all named after

L.A. neighborhoods where Westbrook was raised. The New Line at Barneys will feature a line named after famous streets in New York City. (Madison Ave., Harlem and Soho) Each will be available for $275 USD.

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Reggae SumFest 2014

Vision / Summer 2014

CLASSIFIED

2014 / Page 15

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