“Kingston Experiencing Tourism Renaissance” – Jamaica Information Service.Gov

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By Joana June 25, 2019

Kingston Experiencing Tourism Renaissance

JIS FEATURES

JUNE 21, 2019

WRITTEN BY: GARWIN DAVIS

Story Highlights

Although Kingston is officially listed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) as one of the island’s six resort areas, the city has not always enjoyed first-call status it relates to tourist arrivals.
This, however, seems to be rapidly changing, as the nation’s capital has been gaining traction as a cultural and musical destination, and is now being given a second look by travellers, mainly the millennials.
Investors have been taking note of the upward tick in visitor arrivals, and are seeking to exploit this positive development.

Although Kingston is officially listed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) as one of the island’s six resort areas, the city has not always enjoyed first-call status it relates to tourist arrivals.

This, however, seems to be rapidly changing, as the nation’s capital has been gaining traction as a cultural and musical destination, and is now being given a second look by travellers, mainly the millennials.

Investors have been taking note of the upward tick in visitor arrivals, and are seeking to exploit this positive development.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says he is not surprised by the renewed interest in Kingston, noting that “this can only further add value to what is an already very attractive tourism product”.

He tells JIS News that the development of the AC Marriott Kingston Hotel and the R Hotel is not only a major boost for the city’s tourism offerings, but will assist in showcasing the metropolis as a viable alternative to the island’s northern and southern coasts.

“Jamaica’s tourism product is getting more diverse by the day. Our arrival figures are now at a stratospheric level where, for the first time in history, we welcomed some two million visitors in the first five months of the year and earned US$1.7 billion in revenue,” he notes.

Mr. Bartlett adds that he expects the boutique R Hotel in New Kingston and also the AC Marriott to not only increase Kingston’s rooms but also play a part in attracting more visitors to Jamaica.

“The presence of products like these adds to the statement that Kingston wants to make… that it has arrived and is ready for the status of a big city tourism destination. So we are also excited about building out these very important elements of what true city tourism is about,” he further says.

The AC Marriott, designed by Synergy Design Studios, is a Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart-led Sandals Resorts International development located on Lady Musgrave Road in the New Kingston/Golden Triangle area, and adjoins the family-owned ATL Automotive Group’s BMW and MINI showroom.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (centre), joins Sandals/ATL Group Deputy Chairman, Adam Stewart (right); and Senior Communications Strategist in the Tourism Ministry, Delano Seiveright, in raising a toast to the development of the newly constructed AC Marriott Kingston Hotel, during a recent tour of the establishment.
The hotel represents the family’s first major tourism venture outside of its Sandals/Beaches resorts brand.“The AC Marriot in Kingston is very special. It is not just a facility that enables people to walk in, sleep at night or have a drink. It is a place for recreation, rest and conversation. But more importantly, it is also a creative centre where people will get a chance to enjoy the culture while making a contribution to local development,” Mr. Bartlett arguesAdditionally, the Minister says he is equally impressed with what the R Hotel brings to the table, noting that it represents the new drive in Jamaica to not only increase numbers, but also add value to the experiences of visitors to the island.He praises the owners for outfitting the hotel with Jamaica-made furnishing and promoting local culture and food through the establishment’s Gene Pearson Gallery and Red Bones Blues Café.

“This is an exciting part of this retention strategy that we have, because when the supplies that the tourist consumes are bought and produced in Jamaica, then the dollar remains here. This has resulted in an increase in retention from 30 per cent to 40.8 per cent,” the Minister points out.

For his part, R Hotel Director, Joe Bogdanovich, says with the establishment’s opening comes new possibilities for the expansion of Brand Jamaica through business tourism in the capital.

“Kingston has enormous potential for both business and conventional tourism, and we in the industry must continue to innovate in order to make Kingston the premier city to conduct business in the Caribbean,” he points out.

Senior Advisor/Strategist in the Ministry of Tourism, Delano Seiveright, notes that “the development comes on the heels of other major tourism developments in Kingston, including the… 220-room AC Marriott Kingston Hotel and the 2020 opening announcement of the new 168-room Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotel on PanJam Investment Limited’s multipurpose complex on the downtown Kingston waterfront”.

R Hotel is the city’s first extended-stay business hotel. The newest addition to Kingston’s room stock is a collaboration between noted architect Evan Williams and entertainment mogul/investor Joe Bogdanovich.

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“Sumfest goes eco-friendly” – Jamaica Observer

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By Joana June 24, 2019

Sumfest goes eco-friendly

By Balford Henry
Observer senior reporter

Friday, June 21, 2019

Chairman of Recycling Partners of Jamaica Ltd (RPJ), Dr Damien King, is hailing its new venture with Reggae Sumfest as a “new beginning”. RPJ is Jamaica’s designated national recycling entity.

“It is just the beginning of what we hope will be a close relationship with the entertainment industry,” King told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash. “It is incredible to see events like Reggae Sumfest grow to new heights, but we must be mindful of the environmental impact, which is why RPJ deemed this a great opportunity. Events like Reggae Sumfest generate a large quantity of recyclable material and it would be a shame to let that go to waste,” he continued.

Reggae Sumfest is slated to be held from July 14 to 20 in Montego Bay. The two last evenings culminate with concerts at Catherine Hall Entertainment Centre.

As part of the partnership, RPJ will provide branded bins and a clean-up crew on nights one and two. They will also provide clean-up services for the week leading up to the finale.

This year, the concert nights are expected to attract more than 18,000 patrons. The RPJ predicts that such a large crowd should generate approximately 10,000 pounds of garbage.

Josef Bogdanovich, Reggae Sumfest’s principal and CEO of Downsound Entertainment, welcomed the partnership with RPJ.

“It is essential that we remain mindful of how we affect the environment around us, and ensure that we expand in a sustainable manner, especially more so now as we try and implement measures to protect our planet, and find creative ways to recycle plastic. This is just the beginning of what I expect will be a long and fruitful partnership,” he said.

This is the 27th anniversary of Reggae Sumfest. Organisers have expanded the event, which also includes an All-White Blitz party, a Sound System Explosion and beach party.

This year’s headliners include Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Chronixx, Spice, Dalton Harris, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Protoje, Govana, Dexta Daps, Agent Sasco, Etana and Jah9.

“Daddy 1 ready to prove lyrical potency” Jamaica STAR

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By Joana June 23, 2019

Daddy 1 ready to prove lyrical potency

by Stephanie Lyew – STAR Writer

June 20, 2019

Another name coming from the famed dancehall alliance known as the 6ix is Salt Spring native Daddy 1.

Armed with a story and catchy chorus lines, Daddy 1 says he is ready to prove himself lyrically loyal to the 6ix and worthy to dancehall fans worldwide.

Daddy 1, given name Adrian Bailey, is the youngest member of the alliance, next to Bobby6ix, brother of frontman Squash.

“We grew up together in Salt Spring and ever since then Squash has been like a brother to me, and in 2016 him give me a chance to start do music,” Daddy 1 shared.

The 20-year-old says he received the name from his mother.

“From them hear the name, them say it different and all that was left to do was show that I am different; I always knew I would get a buss because my style is different and because of the love and determination I have for music,” he told THE STAR.

The newcomer has already released more than five tracks in 2019, some of which he said, “Like Next Level, Custom, Out Here and Anthem are attracting dubplate business from selectors and sound systems as far as Japan; although new to this, money can be made.”

He said that people have become more curious about him since hearing that the 6ix will be on Reggae Sumfest.

“Dem want to know what this young deejay bringing to the stage but it’s a great feeling to even know we going be at this event, and me want the people know me have it under control,” he said.

With a personal style Daddy 1 describes as ‘cool and deadly’ in the way he dresses and how his lyrics are constructed, he believes there is potential for a Grammy as a trap-dancehall artiste.

His most recent release, Women’s Empowerment, is a female anthem and possibly one that will have females, new and old, in the music industry going wild.

Daddy 1 gives respect to his own mother Shelly, while in the same breath ‘bigs up’ artistes and disc jockeys like Shenseea, DJ Sunshine, Koffee, and Jada Kingdom, for being independent.

“Ah just two girl me hear ah talk weh never even know me a Daddy 1, and me squat ah listen and one a dem say she don’t want no man unless them say 6ix and me go write the song Anthem – is just music,” he explained, “and the females deserve it once them a put in the work.”

“Elephant Man: Energy God Still Going” – Jamaica Gleaner

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By Joana June 23, 2019

Elephant Man: Energy God Still Going

Published:Sunday | June 23, 2019 | 12:16 AMSade Gardner – Gleaner Writer

Ian Allen

Elephant Man is a music junkie, period.

A saunter through his mansion in Havendale, St Andrew, revealed stereos blasting local radio station ZIP 103FM near the poolside while music from a flatscreen TV filled the halls of the main floor.

Ele himself is a walking music library. For almost every life experience he recalled, he trailed off in a beat, thumping his chest, snapping his fingers, and deejaying his best impersonation of Bounty Killer, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Mad Cobra, Simpleton et al, with joy in his eyes and gratification on his face.

He attained no formal training for a talent that would earn him scores of chart-topping singles. Instead, the Seaview Gardens-bred artiste honed his craft by toasting among friends and isolating himself in a room with Celine Dion on repeat, as he taught himself to reach challenging notes.

“Musically, mi did always know a waa gwaan. My house did deh two gate from Shabba Ranks’ house. Bounty Killer live bout five minutes up the road. Ninjaman never come from Seaview, but anytime him come, we run up the road and look pon him from head to toe cause a our god that. We learn from them man deh, even Supercat. Dem tek music serious and nuh play round wid performance,” Ele told The Sunday Gleaner.

‘We’ included childhood friends Nitty Kutchie and Boom Dandimite, with whom he would later form Scare Dem Crew, with Harry Toddler from Waltham Park Road, Kingston.

Though he had an endorsement from Bounty (he even got a gig cutting grass for his mother, Miss Ivy), Ele’s mother did not approve of his musical ambitions.

Given name Oneil Bryan, the Norman Manley High School student earned his moniker through his ‘Dumbo’ nickname derived from his sizable ears. First deejaying on ‘Vietnam corner’ in Phase One, the 16-year-old took his skills to the neighbouring Waterhouse community at King Jammys studio, where things took a new turn.

“Jammys and everybody start record Killer, and Killer seh him buss, but him friend dem still deh deh. We seh come mek we start Scare Dem Crew cause we nah go buss solo,” he said. “Killer used to call we out pon shows, and a so we start get recognised.”

Ele fashioned the idea of members dyeing their hair to distinguish themselves from other crews, and Toddler was game. Kutchie kept his hair black, but Dandimite later got on board. With tracks like Many Many, Nuh Dress Like Girl, and Girls Every Day, the group bore success before disbanding in 1999.

BIGGEST RECORD

Dancehall was on a new wave by the new millennium, and the following year produced Elephant Man’s solo album debut, Comin’ 4 U, on Greensleeves Records. His biggest record is the 2003 dance number Pon De River, Pon De Bank, which spearheads a slew of dance hits like Signal the Plane, Blase, Scooby Doo, and Fan Dem Off complementing earlier tracks Online and Log On.

His catalogue supports his affinity for music, with a range of sampled works like Bad Man a Bad Man, remixed from R. Kelly’s The World’s Greatest; Willie Bounce, sampled from Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, and Bun Bad Mind, a take on the gospel single Hear My Cry Oh Lord by Marvia Providence.

His star factor was supported by his signature lisp, spirited performances, and variegated outfits, and it did not take long for international acts to notice. His collaborative projects boast names like Janet Jackson, Busta Rhymes, Mariah Carey, Lil’ Jon, and Kat Deluna. He also did a stint at P Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, which released his Grammy-nominated album, Let’s Get Physica l, in 2008.

Growing fame accompanied some bumps in the road. Father to 20 children, Elephant Man’s personal life has been blasted in the media, with claims that he is not an active father. Then there were the court cases, a repossessed car, and other rumours swirled. “We’ve been through it. When you’re a likkle youth coming from nothing to something, people a go talk things, but at the end of the day, never mek a rumour be true,” he said. “Me take care of my kids, but sometimes you and the mother have a dispute, and you know how that go. Memba mi deh ya good one time and dem seh Ele have AIDS. Me seh, weh dat come from? Mi nuh dead, mi deh ya. That’s how people is. Me stay strong cause the fittest of the fittest shall live, and God nuh waan no weakness inna Him camp.”

Now 42 years old, he recently completed a European tour and is getting ready for festivals like Reggae Sumfest and Reggae Rotterdam in July. He still assesses the dance circuit and gives kudos to artistes like Ding Dong and Chi Ching Ching for continuing to spread Jamaica’s dance culture.

And for that little kid or music fanatic who happens to stumble across the history books of the entertainer’s life, he hopes to be immortalised as “that hard-working dancehall artiste who took dancehall to that level like the Reggae Boyz. Just like yuh can pick out the footballers who did certain things, when it comes to dancehall, you should be able to pick out Ele in the top five and say he did this or that. I’ve gotten a fair run. Me sell gold, me get Grammy-nominated, me fanbase large, and there is proof to show it.”

“One of our favorite trends! Reggae Sumfest 2019 Going Green” – Reggae Festival Guide

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By Joana June 21, 2019

From Reggae Festival Guide.Com:

With thousands of music-lovers attending reggae festivals, activists have long worried about the environmental impact. From hundreds, to hundreds of thousands of guests, festivals of every size create many forms of waste, stress the environmental infrastructure of an area, require mass amounts of energy, increase emission levels and pose potential damage to the festival site. Reggae festivals across the globe have implemented similar programs – recycling, reducing single-use plastic products, using compostable materials, providing reusable water bottles, hosting educational forums, requiring pack-in/pack-out policies, offsetting carbon emissions and more – to shrink their footprint on the environment.

( Originally printed in the “Reggae Festivals Go Green” article in Reggae Festival Guide 2019 Magazine by Jessica Farthing and Irene Johnson)

Reggae Festival Guide is thrilled to see that the world’s premier reggae festival – Reggae Sumfest, is now “Going Green” with support from the Queen of Caribbean Radio #NikkiZ Nikki Z. They recently posted this caption on their Instagram:

Go Green with Sumfest as we partner with the @RecyclingPartners and @alligatorheadfoundation for the 27th staging of this festival. 📷

Here’s how we will be playing our part:

@RecyclingPartners will be managing collection of plastics for the week of Sumfest July 14-20 to ensure that proper recycling practices are met.

@alligatorheadfoundation will be showcasing how recycled plastic can be used to create useful items facilitated by the use of a 3D printer

We and our partners will be doing at least two beach cleanups. One before the festival and one after the festival – let us know if you’d like to help

So Go Green 📷 with Sumfest this year …Recycle and Reuse. Let’s save our environment and our beautiful island 📷

Reggae Festivals are one of our favorite things in life, however, the waste that accumulates from these huge gatherings has become quite an issue. We at RFG commend Reggae Sumfest for taking the initiative to recycle + upcycle plastics and do beach cleanups. To learn more please visit reggaesumfest.com

“Ricky Trooper, Pink Panther Prepare For Sumfest’s Global Sound Clash – Local Selectors Say Winning Is A Matter Of Cultural Pride” – Gleaner

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By Joana June 21, 2019

Ricky Trooper, Pink Panther Prepare For Sumfest’s Global Sound Clash – Local Selectors Say Winning Is A Matter Of Cultural Pride

Reggae and dancehall entertainers are oftentimes mentioned for having a competitive nature, whether by their attempts to surpass previous musical achievements or to outdo peers. And over the years, the platform that has thrived off that spirit of competition is the old-fashioned sound clash.

The sound clash culture remains a fundamental part of local music, reaching the global stages, says former Black Kat Sound System selector Di General Pink Panther, who is currently preparing to participate in the upcoming Reggae Sumfest Global Sound Clash, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday night, July 18, at Pier One in Montego Bay.

“Across the seas, sound clash has definitely earned its respect as more people are getting involved – no longer an underground event – its influence is strong and very present,” Pink Panther told The Gleaner.

CLASH RECORD

Before Japan’s Mighty Crown won last year’s Sumfest edition of the Irish and Chin World Clash, Pink Panther held the most titles for the event with six trophies.

“Last year, the emcee made a mistake in announcing my elimination. I was not supposed to come out of the competition but that was just because of all the confusion in voting – it was not a fair decision to me,” he said.

In addition to Pink Panther, this year’s sound clash will feature sound systems and selectors, Yard Beat from Japan, the Canada World Clash champions King Turbo, Germany’s Warrior Sound and Ricky Trooper, who is the other selector representing for Jamaica.

Like the cartoon character from which he takes his stage name, Pink Panther is expected to deliver an unpredictable set.

PINK PANTHER’S CREATIVITY

“I know most of the clashes I have done in recent years have been overseas, but I am ready with songs specifically arranged for the Reggae Sumfest audience and getting the dubs together from all the artistes people can think of to show that unique creativity Pink Panther is known for … this is a straight win,” he said.

Ricky Trooper, who was eliminated in the second round in last year’s clash, says he will be back with a bang.

“For last year, me never take the competition serious and it was cause of the personal vibes me have with Tony Matterhorn – it mess wid me concentration,” he said.

“As much as how people might think when two selectors have a personal vibes gainst one another, it will motivate them fi guh harder, it doesn’t help,” he continued.

For the 2019 staging, the St Mary-born selector says he is focused.

“I am just going there to be my best. Clash is part of my life and the more positive vibes the better,” he said. “One thing fi sure, mi nah mek the sound man dem from overseas leave with this one … it is a matter of cultural pride and pride fi mi country.”

Reggae and dancehall entertainers are oftentimes mentioned for having a competitive nature, whether by their attempts to surpass previous musical achievements or to outdo peers. And over the years, the platform that has thrived off that spirit of competition is the old-fashioned sound clash.

The sound clash culture remains a fundamental part of local music, reaching the global stages, says former Black Kat Sound System selector Di General Pink Panther, who is currently preparing to participate in the upcoming Reggae Sumfest Global Sound Clash, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday night, July 18, at Pier One in Montego Bay.

“Across the seas, sound clash has definitely earned its respect as more people are getting involved – no longer an underground event – its influence is strong and very present,” Pink Panther told The Gleaner.

CLASH RECORD

Before Japan’s Mighty Crown won last year’s Sumfest edition of the Irish and Chin World Clash, Pink Panther held the most titles for the event with six trophies.

“Last year, the emcee made a mistake in announcing my elimination. I was not supposed to come out of the competition but that was just because of all the confusion in voting – it was not a fair decision to me,” he said.

In addition to Pink Panther, this year’s sound clash will feature sound systems and selectors, Yard Beat from Japan, the Canada World Clash champions King Turbo, Germany’s Warrior Sound and Ricky Trooper, who is the other selector representing for Jamaica.

Like the cartoon character from which he takes his stage name, Pink Panther is expected to deliver an unpredictable set.

PINK PANTHER’S CREATIVITY

“I know most of the clashes I have done in recent years have been overseas, but I am ready with songs specifically arranged for the Reggae Sumfest audience and getting the dubs together from all the artistes people can think of to show that unique creativity Pink Panther is known for … this is a straight win,” he said.

Ricky Trooper, who was eliminated in the second round in last year’s clash, says he will be back with a bang.

“For last year, me never take the competition serious and it was cause of the personal vibes me have with Tony Matterhorn – it mess wid me concentration,” he said.

“As much as how people might think when two selectors have a personal vibes gainst one another, it will motivate them fi guh harder, it doesn’t help,” he continued.

For the 2019 staging, the St Mary-born selector says he is focused.

“I am just going there to be my best. Clash is part of my life and the more positive vibes the better,” he said. “One thing fi sure, mi nah mek the sound man dem from overseas leave with this one … it is a matter of cultural pride and pride fi mi country.”

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