Category Archives: World A’Reggae

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Ali Campbell Leaves UB 40 in 2008

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Breaking Up the Band: Ali Campbell Leaves UB40 after 28 Years (and UB40’s Latest Response on January 28, 2008 is Below)

This is a messsage directly from Ali Campbell’s website where he explains his reasons for leaving UB40

January 27, 2008 – As one of the founder members of UB40, I have put the band first in my life for the last 28 years and am deeply saddened at the ending of that relationship. No words can express how upset I feel today that I have been forced to make this decision.

Ali Campbell leaves UB40

I am perhaps most upset on behalf of the fans, who have stuck with us, through thick and thin, throughout the years and are the best fans in the world. However, I feel that it is important for me to put the record straight on my reasons for leaving the band.

Contrary to some of the misleading, false information and accusations that have been circulating in recent months, the reason for my forthcoming departure from the band is NOT, as has been stated, due to my wanting to pursue a solo career. That is not the truth!! I released my first solo album 13 years ago and when I released my current solo album I had every intention to continuing to balance my solo career with my commitment to the band.

The reason for me leaving the band is that management difficulties, which have been ongoing for almost 5 years, had become intolerable. Continue reading Ali Campbell Leaves UB 40 in 2008 →

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Sean Kingston

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Sean Kingston – Taking You There

By Kevin Jackson, Observer Writer
Taken from the Jamaica Observer, Kingston 2008

Sean Kingston’s debut self-titled album has to date sold more than seven million copies worldwide. Discovered on the popular social networking site, MySpace, Kingston has become a force to be reckoned with since his debut outing was released in July of 2007 via Epic Records.

In a just five months, Kingston has accrued more than seven million worldwide sales of ringtones, ringbacks, singles and albums in physical and digital sales for songs including his global chart topping single “Beautiful Girls.” That song went to number one in 21 countries around the world. His second hit “Me Love” was also a gold-certified hit. His latest top ten hit “Take You There” has also gone gold. That single is currently number ten on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, Sean is featured on Natasha Bedingfield’s latest hit “Love Like This.” Continue reading Sean Kingston →

Hip-Hop/World/African, ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, World A'Reggae

Lucky Dube Shot and Killed in Johannesburg 2007

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What follows below is the first announcement made on ReggaeReport.com. It was posted approx. 3 a.m. EST, after hearing the terrible news from our good friend, Lee Abel, who just happened to come across the news while on the internet. In the days that followed, the story – and our sadness – grew. There were men caught and arrested, a public memorial was held in Johannesburg, and Lucky was laid to rest in his homeland, the rural country that he loved, Natal. I will work to add more words here, as my friend’s story is one that needs to be told. Like one of his musician’s was quoted saying, “if Lucky Dube is not safe, none of us are safe.” Thank you for your patience.

September 19, 2007 – Miami, FL

Lucky Dube – Shot and Killed in Johannesburg Street Attack

By M. Peggy Quattro

It is with great sadness and pain that we report that South African Reggae star Lucky Dube was shot and killed in a Johannesburg suburb street attack late Thursday, police said.

The 43-year-old singer had dropped of his 15-year-old-son son at a family member’s house, and his 16-year-old daughter was in the car with him, in the Rosettenville district of Johannesburg, when he was approached by two or three youths in an apparent car-jacking. Lucky sped up to get away and was shot reportedly three times. He crashed into a tree and died on the scene. Continue reading Lucky Dube Shot and Killed in Johannesburg 2007 →

Hip-Hop/World/African, ReggaeReport.com Exclusives!, USA Reggae, World A'Reggae

Lucky Dube – Last Show – San Francisco 2007

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Lucky Dube- Show Me Respect

(Final show in San Francisco)
Story and photos by Lee Abel

You can not love somebody if you don’t respect them. So even if we don’t agree with certain things in life, if we respect each other, everything will be cool. ~ Lucky Dube

September 12, 2007 – San Francisco, CA – As Lucky Dube bounded on to the Ruby Skye stage, grabbed the mic, and began to sing Reggae Strong, the SanFrancisco crowd exploded with joy, swaying with arms raised high. This was the final stop in Lucky’s month long tour across America.

It has been four years since the African Reggae King toured the West Coast, and this time he came to share his new CD, Respect.  A finely crafted album, Respect is filled with songs that are poignant, cautionary , and hopeful. The music is rich and layered, classic Reggae with African soul. I recommend listening with headphones. With his always-tight band and trio of harmonious female singers, he alternated between such classics as House of Exile and Prisoner, to more recent grooves such as Ding Ding Licky Licky Licky Bong, and several songs off the new CD, including the title track Respect and Shut Up (if you cant say something good about somebody,just shut up.) Continue reading Lucky Dube – Last Show – San Francisco 2007 →

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Shaggy – A 2008 Interview

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SHAGGY – From Boombastic to Intoxicating!

Interview and Photos by Jan Salzman

January 8, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Shaggy is Jamaica’s only living Diamond-plus selling recording artist. He received the coveted Grammy Award for the 1996 hit albumBoombastic, and his CD Hot Shot went multiple-platinum when released in 2000. Hot Shot includes the massive hit singles “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”haggy is Jamaica’s only living Diamond-plus selling recording artist. He received the coveted Grammy Award for the 1996 hit albumBoombastic, and his CD Hot Shot went multiple-platinum when released in 2000. Hot Shot includes the massive hit singles “It Wasn’t Me” and “Angel.”

Shaggy is very devoted to his music, always striving to out do his previous efforts, as you will hear when you give a listen to his new CD Intoxication on VP Records. You definitely should go and get this CD if you like to dance!

ReggaeReport.com had the opportunity to attend his CD release party in November 2007 at the Hard Rock Café inside Universal City Walk, Universal City, CA. He also delivered a one-hour performance on the Walk, located outside of the Café. We caught up with Shaggy by phone the next day. He is a very warm, friendly person and a fantastic entertainer. Here is our conversation: Continue reading Shaggy – A 2008 Interview →

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Ky-mani Marley Interview 2008

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KY-MANI MARLEY “Just Allow Me to Be Me”

Interview and photos by Jan Salzman

January 17, 2008 – Los Angeles, CA – Ky-Mani Marley was born February 26, 1976, to Jamaican table tennis champion Anita Belnavis and Reggae legend Bob Marley, in Falmouth, Jamaica. Ky-mani is an East African term meaning adventurous traveler. Ky-mani was only five years old when his father died and shortly thereafter, he moved to Miami with his mother. He grew up in the Magic City’s inner city, hence the amalgamation of musical styles represented on Radio, his newest CD release with the Vox Music Group. Radio shot up the charts and held the #1 slot on Billboard’s Top Reggae Albums chart for two weeks running.

With a starring role in two movies, One Love (2002) and Shottas (2006), it is clear that Ky-mani loves not only music. He is a multi-faceted individual who is making his own mark on the media of today. His reality show, Living the Life of Marley, featured on BETJ-TV, is another avenue of his expression. He also garnered a Grammy nomination in 2002 for his Reggae album Many More Roads.

Ky-mani has been on tour with rock group Van Halen since September 2007, and has been headlining his own shows when not performing with the rock legends. We had a chance to catch up with Ky-mani after a show and record signing at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA on Nov. 26, 2007. Here is our wonderful conversation with the genuine and kind Ky-mani Marley: Continue reading Ky-mani Marley Interview 2008 →