Three of five people charged with the theft of pieces of Jamaica Railway Corporation track, pleaded guilty in the Spanish Town Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Those convicted are cousins Alaska Castello, 23, Donovan Castello, 19, and Sheldon Deans, all of Gregory Park addresses.

The three pleaded guilty to simple larceny when they appeared before Resident Magistrate Marcia Dunbar-Green. The RM said, from her observation Alaska was the leader of the criminal gang, which cut the line.

"From your behaviour, I see you as the person who lead the others to commit the crime," Dunbar-Green said. All three admitted that they used welding torch to cut the rail.

The court learnt that on Tuesday, November 16, about 11 a.m., a police party went to Gregory Park where they saw five men cutting the rail.

They were held and subsequently charged with simple larceny.

RM Green told the men that because they pleaded guilty, their bail would be extended until March 8 next year when they would be sentenced. The crown withdrew the charges against two of the men.

It was a good day for dancehall artiste Rodney 'Bounty Killer' Pryce as his wish for his passport to be returned was granted at the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Pryce's attorney, Christopher Townsend, made the application for the passport which was taken from the artiste by the police as a condition for his $500,000 bail in an assault case.

On Wednesday, Resident Magistrate Lorna Shelly Williams rescheduled the matter to be mentioned yesterday, giving herself enough time to peruse the application for variation of the artiste's bail condition.

In the meantime, THE STAR understands that a warrant has been issued for the complainant in the assault case. The case was postponed last month as the complainant, Racquel Smith, did not show up.

the trial

The trial will begin on January 11.

Pryce was arrested in September after Smith reported that the artiste used a hammer to beat her in her knees and head. She also told the police that he used an electric insect swatter, that resembles a tennis racket, to beat her.

On an earlier court date in October, Smith, 19, had communicated through her attorney, Terrence Ballentine, that she wanted the matter to go to mediation. however, RM Lorna Shelly Williams had denied

HAYDEN, IDAHO A white separatist drew complaints from neighbours and a visit from law enforcement officers after building a snowman shaped like a member of the Ku Klux Klan on his front lawn.

Kootenai County sheriffs deputies told Mark Eliseuson Wednesday that he could be charged with a crime because the 3-metre-tall snowman was holding what appeared to be a noose. Deputies were called by neighbours who were appalled by the pointy-headed snowman with two dark eyes.

Hayden for decades earned notoriety for being near the former rural compound of the Aryan Nations.

Eliseuson could have been charged with creating a public nuisance. Idaho law defines such a nuisance as anything offensive to the senses or that interferes with the comfort of an entire neighbourhood. Eliseuson removed the noose and toppled the snowman after he talked with officers.

Eliseuson told KXLY-TV of Spokane that he sees nothing wrong with the snowman. But other people did.

Its such a message of hate, said Amber Caldwell, who saw the snowman while visiting her cousin in the neighbourhood. My kids asked me about it and I had to explain what that symbol means.

Eliseuson has angered neighbours in the past by flying Aryan Nations flags at his home. At Halloween he passed out bullet casings after he said he ran out of candy.

The NY Daily News reports:

CLEVELAND - Final score from Quicken Loans Arena: Cleveland Cavalier fans 385, LeBron James 0.

And it wasn't that close.

They sold beer only by the cup, for security reasons, but it was Bring Your Own Insult Night Thursday night when James made his first trip into the lion's den since quitting on his home-area team and leaving for South Beach last July.

They'll always feel jilted here. They'll always curse "The Decision."

"It's almost like your ex-girlfriend coming to your wedding," said the Cavs' Mo Williams, who used to be close to James, but not anymore.

With security extra tight, it was anything but a wedding celebration, or a coronation for the player they once referred to here as "the King."

Over the course of an evening that shaped up as Cleveland's playoff game for the season, he heard 385 rounds of insults, derisive chants and boos. Unofficially. That doesn't count all the derogatory messages on signs and T-shirts.

"Akron hates you!" was one of the loudest chants from the sellout crowd.

Yeah, it got personal, to no one's surprise.

They also chanted, "De-lonte," mocking the alleged fling that James' mother, Gloria, had with Delonte West, a Cavalier teammate last season.

They showered him with "Scot-tie Pip-pen," referencing his new role as the No. 2 star to Dwyane Wade's Michael Jordan.

Through it all, James wasn't fazed in the least, as he poured in 38 points in the Heat's 118-90 victory.

For all the fears that some idiot would do something stupid to try to hurt James, he was never once in harm's way.

For LeBron, the crowd was way tougher than the Cavs, who went belly up early in the third quarter, allowing James to sit out the entire fourth quarter.

When the final horn sounded, he walked over to hug the Cavs' Jawad Williams and was soon asked if he wanted to apologize to Cleveland for his infamous departure.

"I don't want to apologize," he said. "I always say that I'll live with the decisions that I make. At the end of the day, I'll live with my decisions."

You didn't think he'd say otherwise, did you? He could never admit that he made a mistake. Not that Cleveland would ever forgive him, either. The Cavs' owner, Dan Gilbert, reportedly has hired a law firm to investigate Miami for possible tampering. Wherever that leads, James and Cleveland are on the outs for good, judging from the fans' hostile reception.

One of the most popular T-shirts read, "The Lyin' King," with James' face drawn on the front in the same design as "The Lion King." In one row of seats, eight fans each wore one huge black letter on a plain white T-shirt. Standing from left to right, their letters spelled out B-E-T-R-A-Y-E-D.

Jamaican inspired clothing brand JustDispiecehas just drop two pieces  from their Dancehall Reggae inspired collection. JustDispiece (just this piece) is the latest Jamaican inspired brand to come on the scene bringing more fire to the heels of other clothing lines influenced by the culture.

First up from the hotteds! is the Stulla Hero tee, a piece inspired by the now popular song Long Distance Stulla by Dancehall mega star Mavado, which in the song boasts about his impeccable sexual performance. The Stulla Hero in

royal blue and white boast a 3D typeset with the infamous superman icon.
So guys, if you want to give the ladies a hint of your super man abilities then you cant go wrong with this one. If not for that reason then just wear it because its really fresh!

This other bombshell will sure turn some  heads wherever you go! Its the This is How We Do it! tee, the second pre-release by JustDispiece. This debate starting print speaks for itself and is only for the brave (Im sure you are!). The creative spin was inspired by Bounty Killa ft. Elephant mans hit song This is how we do it another of the high rotating hits rocking the Dancehall in Jamaica. This tee comes in 3 colors, Charcoal, White and Lemon, printed on super soft cotton t-shirts.

JustDispiece gets two thumbs up! Its for anyone who loves Jamaican music and loves looking fresh in comfortable clothing. If you want any of the two bad boys, then you have to visit reggaemerch.com the sole online distributor of the JustDispiece brand.

Rihannas boyfriend Matt Kemp was spotted outside MyStudio in Los Angeles with a woman who was NOT Rihanna.

Paps caught the Baseball player as he tried to brush off a random female who seemed to know him from somewhere.

Maybe she was a fan or one of those groupie chicks? Or maybe Matt Kemp is cheating on Rihanna and the Paparazzi caught him in the act. Judge for yourself when you watch the footage below

Notice how the girl walked up to Matt as if she was giving him a goodbye hug/kiss, and when he saw the cameras rolling he kinda made it look like she bumped into him and he just walked off? Hey, they dont call him an LA Dodger for nothin! We see you play boy!

Residents of Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston have received nearly $100 million as compensation for damage done to their houses during May's incursion by the security forces.

This was revealed on Thursday by Member of Parliament and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Mr. Golding told our news centre the owners of the houses that sustained the most damage were the main beneficiaries of the pay out.

We have completed those houses that we undertook, the ones that were severely damaged and all of the persons who have less than severe damage have been compensated at a cost of $94 million dollars, I believe, Mr. Golding said. 

Several houses were damaged during intense gun battles involving the security forces and gunmen. 

The police and army had gone into the community in search of then fugitive Christopher "Dudus" Coke.

A 16-year-old who is accused of killing his mother has confessed to beating her to death in their South Philadelphia home, police said Tuesday.

Kendall Anderson has been charged as an adult in the death of 37-year-old Rashida Anderson. Police believe the teenager attacked his mother with a hammer and with part of a wooden piece of furniture, then hid her body in an alleyway behind the house, said Philadelphia Sgt. Tim Cooney.

Anderson was charged Monday night with murder, abuse of a corpse, and related crimes. He admitted his guilt in a statement to police, Cooney said.

Police have not commented on a possible motive for the slaying.

Police say they believe that Anderson killed his mother on Saturday, in their rowhouse on the 400 block of Jackson Street. Anderson then reported his mother missing to police and dragged her body to the backyard, then to a back alley. There, Cooney said, Anderson piled things on top of his mother's body, including a dresser without drawers, a flowerpot, and other debris.

"He was trying to cover his tracks," Cooney said.

When other family members visited the house during the weekend, they suspected something was not right and notified police, Cooney said. Police served a search warrant on the house Monday morning and found a trail of *la*hd leading to the body.

Rashida Anderson, who also had an older daughter in college, had lived on the block with her son for more than 10 years. Neighbors expressed shock after her death, describing her as a courteous woman who attended church frequently and had a smile for everyone she greeted. Though the single mother had expressed some concerns about her son's penchant for getting into trouble, neighbors said the Anderson home seemed quiet and peaceful.

Kendall Anderson has no violent criminal record, police said, though he had been arrested and charged with the theft of a laptop from his school. He attended Bodine High School last year, though police said he might have transferred since then. It was not clear in which school the alleged theft took place.

Remember the drama that took place right after Wayne was released from prison, and he punched Drake in the face? I think I know what caused the rift between them

Sources are saying that when Wayne was locked up Drake started sleeping with Shanell, who is one of Waynes girls. (OUCH!!)

Now everyone knows thats Waynes girl. [Lil Wayne] is not jealous over her or anything, but he thinks that was just disrespectful.

Im thinking this drama if far from over!!

This is not intended to be a real pic, every one

can see that it is PhotoShopped. Just here to

make the point.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After just being released from jail, it is rumored by Mediatakout that LilWayne punched Young Money artist Drake in the face at the Wynn Hotel. Reliable source are reporting it like this:

Heres the info we got, from a MEMBER OF YOUNG MONEY. Theres been growing FRICTION between Drake and Lil Wayne, and last Saturday night it BLEW UP!!!

The insider explains, [Mack Maine and Baby] set it up so that Saturday would be Waynes coming out party. But he didnt want to do it. . . Wayne has some bad feelings with Drake, he feels that Drake left him out there while we was [locked up]. So Wayne didnt want to do the concert.

But Bryan Birdman Williams managed to convince Weezy to fly to Vegas for the concert. And while things looked OK on stage, they were TERRIBLE off. Our insider explained, Wayne didnt even say a word to Drake until that point . . . but after the concert, he disciplined him. What does that mean. Well, allegedly [cause we aint trying to get him violated] Wayne walked over to Drake and punched him in his face. Security reportedly BROKE IT UP and escorted Wayne off the property.

Later on that night, Lil Wayne supposedly tried to meet up with Drake again, at the concert afterparty at the nearby Wynn. But security for the Wynn were told NOT to allow Wayne into the premises.

Yes, the Naga Viper, the latest claimant to the world's-hottest-pepper crown, outdistances its predecessor, the Bhut Jolokia, or  "ghost chili," by more than 300,000 points on the famous Scoville scale of tongue-scorching chili hotness. Researchers at Warwick University testing the Naga Viper found that it measures 1,359,000 on the Scoville scale, which rates heat by tracking the presence of a chemical compound. In comparison, most varieties of jalapeño peppers measure in the 2,500 to 5,000 range -- milder than the Naga Viper by a factor of 270.

You might think the Naga Viper would hail from some part of the world with a strong demand for spicy food, such as India or Mexico. But the new pepper is actually the handiwork of Gerald Fowler, a British chili farmer and pub owner, who crossed three of the hottest peppers known to man -- including the Bhut Jolokia -- to create his Frankenstein-monster chili.

"It's painful to eat," Fowler told the Daily Mail. "It's hot enough to strip paint." Indeed, the Daily Mail reports that defense researchers are already investigating the pepper's potential uses as a weapon.

But Fowler -- who makes customers sign a waiver declaring that they're of sound mind and body before trying a Naga Viper-based curry -- insists that consuming the fiery chili does the body good.

"It numbs your tongue, then burns all the way down," he told the paper. "It can last an hour, and you just don't want to talk to anyone or do anything. But it's a marvelous endorphin rush. It makes you feel great."

A member of the Clifton Chili Club -- a group of Brits who travel around sampling chilis -- decided to try one of Fowler's Naga Vipers on camera. You can watch his less-than-pleasurable experience here.

(Photo of Bhut Jolokia, the previous holder of the hottest pepper in the world title: AP/New Mexico State University

Andre Johnson was miked up during the Texans game against the Titans. Get an all-access look into what happened before the brawl

Andre Johnson called NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday morning, before the league fined Houston's star receiver and Tennessee cornerback Cortland Finnegan $25,000 each for their fight a day earlier.

Johnson did not speak with Goodell, but left a message. Johnson said that Goodell called back and left a voicemail while the Texans were preparing to practice on Monday night.

"I just think that was something that I needed to do, just to communicate with him and let him know my side," Johnson said. "I'll give him a call back and whenever we get a chance, we'll talk."

Neither player was suspended after they slugged it out in the fourth quarter of Houston's 200 victory.

Finnegan set off the brawl by jabbing at Johnson's neck and face mask at the line of scrimmage. Johnson ripped off Finnegan's helmet and landed at least two punches to Finnegan's head and neck. The two spun each other, and Finnegan tore off Johnson's helmet before players and referees intervened.

Houston (56) plays at Philadelphia (74) on Thursday night, and Johnson said he was relieved to learn that he'd be allowed to play.

"That's something I have been thinking about ever since the incident happened," Johnson said. "I'm happy that I'm not suspended. At the same time, I'm not happy about my actions."

When asked if he would appeal the fine, Johnson said "probably not."

"Just looking at it, I mean, what can I say?" Johnson said. "There's not really anything I can say, or tell them."

Finnegan did not speak to reporters after Sunday's game, but talked about it Monday on his weekly radio show. Finnegan said Johnson "snapped," and added that if he had punched Johnson, the NFL likely would have suspended him.

"This is the NFL, not the NHL, and it's a higher standard," Finnegan said. "That's the NHL. They fight. They get penalized for that. The NFL, it's not even heard of ... you do that, you're suspended. Hands down. That's what I've been taught.

"I guess he got his money's worth."

This was the second time they scuffled during a game. Last season, Johnson was fined $7,500 for taking Finnegan to the ground by the face mask.

Finnegan plans to appeal the fine for Sunday's brawl. He told TitanInsider late Monday that Johnson went into "sheer rage" and that he still doesn't quite understand why the receiver reacted by throwing three punches at him.

"That's the crazy part, because I felt like the game was going pretty good, other than the fact that he probably had that built up over last year's time," Finnegan said.

Finnegan also told the Web site he didn't think he deserved a suspension or a fine.

"I didn't throw a punch. It's not a fineable offense," he said. "There's nothing I did that I felt like was a fineable offense. Maybe a flag for quickjamming him and hitting him in the face mask. But there's no way that I thought that that would ever be a suspension."

Johnson wouldn't say if he was surprised that Finnegan wasn't suspended. The Titans (56) play Jacksonville (65) on Sunday.

"He can say what he wants to say," Johnson said. "I'm not going to keep talking about him. He's just looking for attention, so I'm not worried about that."

Finnegan was fined for personal fouls in three consecutive games earlier this season and was warned by the league after the third incident to watch his behavior after the whistle.

Johnson, meanwhile, has built a cleancut, softspoken image in eight seasons. He doesn't think the ugly incident will change that.

"I think anybody who really knows me, I don't think I've damaged my reputation," he said. "I can say that you can only take so much from a person before you explode."

Texans coach Gary Kubiak said he never expected Johnson to be suspended.

"I didn't think that would happen," he said. "I think the league does a great job of evaluating every situation. Andre's reputation as a player and a person speaks for itself."

Johnson has been inundated with calls and text messages since the fight, and said he was "tired of talking about it." He attended Sunday night's Houston Rockets game with fullback Vonta Leach and got a standing ovation when he was introduced during a timeout.

"I couldn't do anything but laugh," Johnson said. "At the same time, it just shows the fans were still behind me, and still showing support, so I really appreciated it."

Titans coach Jeff Fisher, cochairman of the NFL's competition committee, spoke with league officials earlier Monday. Fisher said in his opinion Finnegan didn't throw a punch, but did get Johnson's face mask.

"I have very strong opinions about the fact I think he should not be suspended," Fisher said of Finnegan. "As far as what the league decides to do, that's a league decision.

"It's an unfortunate thing that happens. You've got two very talented, good football players competing, and it's just very unfortunate. It's not good for our game and I'm just disappointed that type of thing happens on the playing field."

Jennifer Lopez is embroiled in a new sex tape scandal and has launched a legal battle to prevent the films being made public..
The singer has taken her ex-husband Ojai Noa and his agent Ed Meyer to court to stop their reported attempt to sell and market videos made during the couple's 11-month marriage in 1997.

In the videos she is seen flashing her private parts and displaying other 'deviant behavior', according to documents filed in the singer's legal fight to keep the tapes secret.

'This is among other nudity on her part in the now 21 hours of home movies that we have so far recovered', Meyer said in the papers, adding that Ojani is continually finding more and more home videos with Lopez that he didn't remember he had.

Although the tapes do not contain full sex scenes they could be of great embar****ment to the star who is married to Mark Anthony and has two children.

'It must also be stated that in Noa's Home Videos, Lopez gives her full consent to Noa taping her'.
But Lopez is not agreeing to these tapes being made public saying they are private and personal, claiming that Noa and filmmaker Meyer are violating an injunction which blocks the release of the videos.

This recent battle between Lopez and her ex-husband is the latest in a long history of legal wrangling - with Noa allegedly trying to cash in on his relationship with the Latin star.

Four years ago, Lopez sued Noa to prevent him from publishing a book containing details of their short-lived marriage.
In 2007, a court-appointed arbitrator issued a permanent injunction forbidding Noa from 'criticising, denigrating, casting in a negative light or otherwise disparaging' the Jenny From The Block singer.

Lopez was awarded $545,000 in compensation and Noa was ordered to hand over all copies of materials related to his proposed book to Lopez's legal team.

In November 2009, Lopez again sued Noa for breach of contract and invasion of privacy, citing a previous confidentiality agreement between the two of them to prevent Noa from releasing his planned film, How I Married Jennifer Lopez: The J-Lo and Ojani Noa Story and 'previously unseen home video footage'.

According to sandrarose.com, a white man who carried out six brazen bank robberies wearing a silicone mask designed to resemble a black man, faces up to 35 years in prison when he is sentenced on January 7, 2011.

On Monday, Conrad Zdzierak, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated robbery and five counts of robbery in exchange for dismissal of 12 charges. The mask was so lifelike that police initially arrested a black man for the crimes.

From the DailyMail:
"Conrad apologises to everyone, is sorry for any harm he has caused and accepts responsibility for his actions," says his lawyer Christopher McDowell.

Zdzierak stole about $15,000 in the robberies of four banks, a credit union and a pharmacy that occurred in March and April crimes in which witnesses reported that the robber was black and surveillance video appeared to show a black man.

Zdzieraks masked resemblance to the black man who was initially arrested was so similar that some witnesses even identified a photo of the black man as the one who robbed them, McDowell said.

The prosecutors office would not release the name of the wrongly accused man.

Zdzierak was arrested at a hotel after his girlfriend called police after seeing reports of the robberies and finding two masks and money stained by dye that is used to track robbers, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

The Queen of Soul's current spokesperson, Tracey Jordan, previously told media that the Grammy Award-winning powerhouse vocalist was released from Detroit's Sinai Grace Hospital Oct.30 after a brief stay.

Now, comes news that a community vigil was held in Detroit on the eve of her surgery, which is scheduled for today (Dec.2). 

City councilwoman JoAnn Watson and others gathered downtown to pray for the 'Respect' singer. She sent a message through her rep thanking them for their encouragement during her tough time.

"Thanks to the City Council for their Prayer Vigil. And, many thanks to the City for their support. All prayers are good," Franklin said.

While it is still unclear what illness the 68 year-old is suffering from, she won't be hitting the road anytime soon.

On the popular social networking platform Twitter, Grammy Award winning singer Jody Watley sent well wishes and recanted memories with the Queen of Soul. "Aretha Franklin could have been my mother-in-law, I taught her how to do the robot & more..#memoirsstories #queenofsoul [Get well soon]."

Franklin first canceled two Brooklyn shows due to a fall which resulted in two broken ribs. Her last major performance was on July 27 at Philadephia's Mann Music Center alongside U.S. Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice

JAMAICAN scientist Dr Henry Lowe last night threw a lifeline to men worldwide when he announced that he had developed a formula that can reduce and eliminate prostate cancer, the number one cause of cancer deaths among males.

"I am pleased to announce that we have reached the final stages in the development of the Alpha Prostate Formula, which will be on the market in the next three months under the Eden Gardens brand," Dr Lowe told guests at the launch of Bio-Tech R&D Institute at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Kenneth Baugh (left) hands over a Biotech R&D Institute shareholder certificate to executive chairman of the Environmental Health Foundation Dr Henry Lowe during the launch of the institute at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston yesterday evening. (Photo: Karl McLarty) 1/1

Lowe, executive chairman of Environmental Health Foundation which is based at his Eden Gardens complex in Kingston, explained that the formula will be locally produced, first as a nutraceutical.

"The drug takes time and millions of US dollars to develop, so that is why we're making it available in its semi-purified form," Dr Lowe told the Observer in an interview outside of the launch.

Dr Joseph Bryant from the University of Maryland Medical School and a shareholder in Bio-Tech R&D Institute, agreed. "We have to go by the rules and the regulations as to how fast we can get it out there, but the nutraceutical thing now allows us to get it out much faster," he told the Observer.

"We cannot overemphasise the point of what this means for the country, and I hope that the younger generation will carry it on," Dr Bryant added.

Lowe's cancer research work attracted world attention when he announced that he had found properties in the Jamaican ball moss that had the potential to fight cancer.

Yesterday, he said that the formula is derived from the main ingredient in the ball moss and has been shown to have major prostate anti-cancer activity.

Jamaica has one of the highest prostate cancer rates in the world with approximately 150 men diagnosed each year. Medical experts believe that a large percentage of affected men are undiagnosed.

Yesterday, Lowe, who won the Observer Business Leader Award for 2006, noted that in addition to Jamaica, numerous cases of prostate cancer have been reported among black Americans and Africans.

"The market for that is tremendous and there are only two other products as nutraceuticals for this," he said. "This is going in there, brand Jamaica, and if we get the right thrust and the right support we have hundreds of millions of US dollars which can come to Jamaica."

Yesterday, in his prepared remarks, Lowe said that as a first step in the development of the nutraceutical industry, Bio-Tech R&D Institute has already secured capital of $25 million, which will contribute to the overall development of the institute in the next 24 months. Further capitalisation of $25 million is expected within the next 48 months.

"As a result, the only thing that could impede success is our will to succeed," said Dr Lowe.

"We will be working toward seizing a five per cent share of the global nutraceutical industry within the next two years, which translates to a multi-billion-dollar local industry -- approximately $726 billion," he said.

The Bio-Tech R&D Institute brings together Jamaica's four leading research institutions -- the University of the West Indies, University of Technology, Northern Caribbean University and the Scientific Research Council -- all of which will receive 2.5 per cent of the total shares of the institute free of cost.

In addition to his other shareholders -- Federated Pharmaceutical/Lascelles Limited and the Environmental Health Foundation Dr Lowe said he has forged a partnership with the largest nutraceutical company in China, which will distribute the formula in that Asian country.

"We expect that gaining even one per cent of the Chinese market will amount to tremendous US dollar value export earnings perhaps the most rewarding endeavours and investments in our country in recent times," said Dr Lowe

Less than a month after his release from prison, Buju Banton has already recorded a song called Things A Come Up.

The song was recorded on Sunday on Delly Ranx's 'Saudi Arabia' rhythm at Buju's home studio in Tamarac Florida. The rhythm also has songs from Delly Ranx, Wayne Wonder, Gramps Morgan, ZJ Liquid, Teflon and Froggy Madd Squad.

In the song Buju Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, speaks about politics, the defence forces, the economy and violence in Jamaica.

"Stop murder poor people legal and illegal/ It's not a show, who put Jamaica pon go slow/ No money nah run, a just pure *la*hd a flow/ Light bill, water bill and none a dem caan owe/ Labourite, PNP, two a dem a joke," he sings.

The song's producer Delly Ranx said, "wi jus inna di studio and him jus seh 'unleash ranking' and the rest is history."

Working with his friend, who was incarcerated for almost a year, Delly Ranx said it was a joyful occasion.

"Mi just a hold a good vibe wid mi bredda weh mi nuh see in a long while. The vibe was off the chain. The spirit was high. It was an energetic moment," he told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"A mi bredda, anything a anything. Wi just mek music. Wi a show the world that Buju is still alive, he is not dead. Him doing a lot of musical work weh him can mek the people feel happy again."

While he is doing a lot of music, Delly Ranx said Buju misses Jamaica and the people.

"Right now, all him talk bout is how him miss Jamaica people bad. Him just waan go back a Jamaica. Mi just waan dem keep the Gargamel flag flying high," he said.

Buju Banton was granted bail under strict conditions in November after being in prison since last year. For months, he was on trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine.

Meanwhile, Buju Banton received his fifth nomination in the 'Best Reggae Album' category for his new project, Before The Dawn that was recorded at his own Gargamel Music studio.

Released in September, Before The Dawn debuted at number 2 on Billboard's Reggae Albums chart and number 26 on the Mag's Heatseekers chart. Currently, the album is perched at number 1 on both the South Florida and the New York Top 20 Reggae Albums charts, number 1 on Richie B's Jamaica Music Countdown and number 4 on CMJ's World Music chart.

Banton was previously acknowledged by the Recording Academy for his albums Rasta Got Soul (2009), Too Bad (2007), Friends for Life (2004) and Inna Heights (1999).

News of his Grammy nomination comes off the heels of a federal court ruling by Judge James Moody that allows Banton, who is out on bail, to perform at an event in South Florida during Martin Luther King, Jr weekend. Produced by Rocker's Island, the 'Before The Dawn' concert, featuring Buju Banton and friends, will take place on Sunday, January 16, at the Bayfront Park Amphitheater in downtown Miami.

Shawn Marshall

Shawn Marshall, a 29 year-old taxi-operator, of Providence in Flanker, Montego Bay and Spalding, Clarendon, was killed in a reported dramatic peak hour shootout with the police which unfolded along the busy Barnett Street thoroughfare in the city on Wednesday evening. A boy and an elderly man, were also shot and injured while awaiting transportation. As the shooting went on, persons scampered for cover.

Marshall went to a gas station along Barnett Street, Montego Bay on Wednesday evening shortly before 7 to purchase gasoline. However, an encounter with a police inspector at the outlet turned ugly, resulting in his demise. An eyewitness, who was among scores of curious onlookers who converged on the scene as the incident occurred, told the Western Mirror that he saw a police officer trying to pull Marshall out of the white Toyota Corolla Kingfish that he was driving. The eyewitness said that Marshall drove off; the plainclothes policeman, got a cut on one of his hands as he was holding the door.

The eyewitness further added that the officer, who was armed with a gun, started firing shots at the vehicle which was heading down Barnett Street. The shots missed the vehicle which got stuck in traffic. As Marshall tried to get out of the traffic, other policemen, at the Barnett Street (Number 14) Station, which is not far from the outlet where the incident began, ran out and began shooting at the vehicle as well. Di police dem come out and just attack ... when the driver of the car (Marshall) stop dung a Courts, dem shot it up again, the eyewitness revealed.

It is alleged that a man, who was driving in the car with him, escaped and it is believed that he was shot. He was not found up to press time. There were also reports that the escapee had fired at the police; however, the Western Mirror could not get confirmation on that up to press time. Reports also surfaced that Marshall used a piece of iron to hit the police officer, however, various persons, who claimed to have witnessed the incident, refuted those allegations. Marshall, the boy, the elderly man and the police man were taken to hospital. Marshall died, the policeman has been released; the boy and the man remained there yesterday.

Crime scene investigators subsequently blocked off the Barnett Street and St. James Street intersection at the Courts Store where the car came to a stop. As a result, there was a buildup of traffic throughout the downtown area of the city as the cops processed the scene for almost three hours. Many persons experienced difficulties getting transportation.

The family, in the meantime, is accusing the police of cold-*la*hded murder. Marshalls mother, Angela Francis, journeyed from their home in Spalding, Clarendon, after hearing that the second of her three children had been shot dead by the police in Montego Bay, where he had resided for more than five years. When I was at home in Spalding, me hear say police kill me son at a gas station me hear that it was  shootout but people who saw what happen tell me say that is not so, an aggrieved Miss Francis told the Western Mirror. While on the scene, another family member told this reporter that police had been targeting him for a while especially since his mother gave him the car he was driving. The relative said that he had been targetted up to last month by the police in Montego Bay, simply because dem nuh like how him look.

When asked if he had been involved in criminal activities before, the family members insisted that he was not. Miss Francis said that the car, which was driven by the policeman in question, was badly parked. So him say a which b***tyman park yah so? the policeman hear and come out and come to him ask him if a dis him a dis him . that was where the policeman reach fi di keys inna him ignition and when him couldnt get it, him (the policeman) drape him up and tray pull him out of the car. Shawn wind up the window and then drive off, Francis added.

The distraught mother said, in the meantime, that he was a sickle cell patient. She said that he was in hospital last Tuesday receiving treatment for a lung infection he had due to sickle cell. Marshall was a Montego Bay Port Security Corps officer prior to his becoming a taxi-operator.  He had also previously worked as a security guard. He leaves behind a 4 year-old son, Shawn, who has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. The Bureau of Special Investigations continues its probe.

Meanwhile, the Western Mirror yesterday received reports that police shot and injured two men in Kings Street, Montego Bay; it is thought that a third man was injured as well. Our newsroom was unable to confirm that up to press time. And the Granville Police yesterday confirmed two men were shot dead in Tucker, St. James

JAMAICA'S Reggae Boyz are aiming to dance their way past Grenada's Spice Boyz when the teams clash today in the feature semi-final showdown of the Digicel Caribbean Cup, at the Pierre Aliker Stadium tonight at 8:30 (7:30 Jamaica time).

In the other semi-final, Cuba will tackle Guadeloupe at 5:30 (4:30 Jamaica time).

The Jamaicans won Group I in convincing fashion, beating Antigua and Barbuda 3-1, Guadeloupe 2-0 and Guyana 4-0, to take maximum nine points, finishing ahead of Guadeloupe, who earned four points from their win, draw, loss record.

Cuba won the other zone, Group H, after disposing of Trinidad and Tobago 2-0, Martinique 1-0 and finishing goalless against Grenada, the runners-up with five points after beating the Trinidadians 1-0 and tying 2-2 and 0-0 with the hosts and Cuba, respectively.

Though the pairings are different, the final four are no different from the last tournament when Jamaica went all the way to secure the title with a 2-1 win over Grenada, in the championship game at the National Stadium in Kingston in December 2008.

This time, Theodore Whitmore, coach of the Reggae Boyz, is bracing for a difficult challenge.

"We expect a tough game," he said.

"To be honest, any time the Jamaican team goes up against any team in the Caribbean it's gonna be a tough game and we have been preparing for this tournament for the past couple of weeks and I don't think it will be anything different come this Friday."

Key for the Jamaicans has been a deadly strike force, reflected in the nine goals that they have scored in three matches, while conceding one. None of the other semi-finalists have gone close, with Cuba and Grenada scoring three times.

Three players have accounted for two goals apiece, starting forwards Luton Shelton and Dane Richards, and St George's College schoolboy, Marvin Morgan Jr.

Morgan got his first run in the second half of Jamaica's last game, against Guyana on Wednesday night, when he registered his first and second goals for the country, in his fourth outing.

Pointing to the contribution off the bench, Whitmore noted: "It is a positive sign, going into the semi-final with all guns blazing, so I guess we are looking forward to Friday for a victory."

Adrian Reid, and fellow defensive member Eric Vernan, who is not a regular starter, have supplied proof of the team's all-round attacking strength by also scoring.

Whitmore will welcome back two influential players in his starting line-up, captain and sweeper, Shavar Thomas, and central midfielder, Rodolph Austin. Both were ruled out of their last game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Besides the duo, four additional first team players did not start in their last game, a 4-0 win over Guyana. In fact, half-time substitutions for 18-year-old schoolboys Morgan and defender Sergio Campbell, ensured that eight players outside the starting team finished the game.

Jamaica have won the tournament on four occasions, next to Trinidad and Tobago, with a tournament-leading eight titles. Two other countries have ever won the crown, Cuba and Haiti.

Grenada have been to the finals on two occasions, and also lost out in the semis in two additional tries. They are looking to break free from a Jamaican stranglehold, having lost to the Jamaicans in the crucial stages of the competition in the past couple of editions.

"We know Jamaica is a quality team, but we have a mission set from leaving home. We want to win the championship and if going through Jamaica will enable us to win the championship well so be it," said Anthony Modeste, the team's central defender and captain.

Dear Pastor,

How do you feel about younger women dating older men?

J.C.,

Dear J.C.,

It is a matter of choice. Some young women do not like to date young men. They prefer older men. They insist that it is not because the older men happen to have more money. They say older men treat women better. They are more understanding and caring, and they can reason much better with them.

Older men make younger women feel loved and they are very supportive. Older men also treat younger women with respect. Older men may not be as sharp on the 'draw' as younger men, but they make up for what they are lacking by their tenderness in lovemaking.

I am a male and in my 20s. I cannot maintain an erection that last for more than five minutes. I want to know if circumcision will help to solve the problem.

A.,

Dear A.,

I would suggest you see a physician for professional help. He/she will be able to assess your problem and advice you accordingly. He/she may suggest that you attend the office of a clinical psychologist for further help if he/she is satisfied that the causes may also be psychological.

What I am trying to say to you is that there are various causes why a man might not be able to have or maintain an erection. These causes are both physical and psychological. Below I have listed some of them:

Diabetes.

Alcohol and drug abuse

Obesity

Reduced *la*hd flow to the penis.

Side-effect of certain medicines.

Diseases which affect the nervous system such as strokes and Parkinson's disease

Long-distance cycling.

Excessive outflow of *la*hd from the penis.

Depression

Anxiety

Stress

High *la*hd pressure

Relationship problems

Circumcision will not help you to maintain an erection. So, if you are not circumcised, don't have it done now, believing you will suddenly be able to maintain an erection.

Detectives from the Organised Crime Investigation Division have questioned three men who were reportedly nabbed last week in Mandeville, Manchester, and are alleged to be linked to a major credit and debit card racket being operated around the island.

The three, which reportedly include the son of a well-known businessman from the parish, were questioned on Wednesday and could be charged by the end of this week with fraud and breaches of the Cyber Crimes Act.

Investigators believe the men may be linked to the production of fake credit and debit cards.

The police reportedly went on an operation in Manchester and seized a number of equipment used to manufacture the cards.

The equipment included a card reader/writer used for encoding card information on magnetic strips, two computers, one identification card maker and two embossing machines used for placing numbers on plastic cards

QuikCash customers can now send or receive money using JN Money Transfer.

Following JN Money Service's acquisition of the QuikCash brand in September, the company announced recently that QuikCash had been incorporated into its electronic money transfer platform.

The merger allows JN Money Transfer locations in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to disburse QuikCash transfers and conversely, QuikCash locations in both countries may now disburse funds sent using JN Money Transfer.

"This means that both QuikCash and JN Money Transfer customers may do money-transfer transactions faster, efficiently and more conveniently, using any of the two brands in Jamaica and Cayman," says Gabriel Heron, JNMS Marketing and Business Development Manager.

The new system provides QuikCash customers with access to more benefits. It will increase the number of locations to which QuikCash customers may now send money transfers in Jamaica, the US, the UK and Canada, as well as allow customers to send video messages free of charge via JN Video Transfer when collecting their funds.

"QuikCash customers in Cayman may also purchase mobile-phone talk time, using JN TopUp and send minutes to family and friends in Jamaica or any of our locations overseas," Heron added. Customers in Jamaica may also collect remittances using a JN Money Transfer card which can be used to make withdrawals at ATMs and make purchases at point-of-sale locations.

From wanting to be an architect to masterfully crafting music beats, producer and music engineer Richard 'Breadback' Bramwell hopes to re-energise the current scene of dancehall and reggae through taking it back to its roots.

With his new dancehall rhythm dubbed Tan Bad "I just want to bring back the original dancehall vibe and atmosphere through this rhythm" Bramwell explained.

He further added that "while there's a lot of fusion of dancehall with genres like hip hop that is now saturating the market, it is important to ensure that some of that which is going out for public entertainment has the sound of what we used to hear years ago".

The Tan Bad rhythm boasts the likes of Vybz Kartel, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Erup, ZJ Liquid, and Delly Ranks among others.

Bramwell, who has been in music production and engineering for the past 10 years, operates his own Breadback Production that was responsible for the soothing roots rock reggae rhythm dubbed 9 to 5 which feature the hit song Jamaican Girl by Lutan Fyah.

detail and dedictation

His ear for detail and dedication to the business of music was something he revealed he absorbed from international musician Sizzla.

"I am Sizzla's engineer and he is someone who will voice 10 songs in one day and these are ten good songs not just something mediocre. His seriousness to the music is what I admire and it's that some amount of unyielding effort that I put into each material I work on," the producer noted.

When asked as to whether or not he is considering being on the centre stage performing, he smiled during his response that "I like to be in the background helping to make the artiste's material the best it should be, my talent is to produce and make beat".

At age 30, this Vineyard Town resident has an optimistic view on his musical endeavours as the Tan Bad rhythm has been scoring several radio and internet plays and positive responses.

Although touring around the world with Sizzla heightened his appreciation for Jamaica's musical presence in the market his dream to be an architect still forms apart of his long term professional goal.

"There is no reason I can't still be involved in music at the level that I am at and have an additional career in architect. It is possible and it's still my dream to be an architect," a confident Bramwell concluded.

(From left) Dwayne Harris, Maydaze promoter, Nesha Smith of Wisynco and Chris promoter. - Hasani Walters photos

Appleton launched its 'A-Team' group of promoters and events at the Villagio Gaming Lounge at the Wyndham Kingston in New Kingston on Wednesday night.

The Villagio Lounge was a hub of activity with A-Team selector ZJ Ice playing the latest in dancehall and R&B as members of the A-Team mingled with guests before making their big announcements. Presentations were made by the likes of LIME Jamaica's Tara Playfair-Scott, Appleton's Jared Samuel and Appleton A-Team member Ibrahim 'IB' Konteh. The Appleton girls were also on hand, giving out flyers for upcoming events.

joined forces

Desmond Steel (left), promoter of Rum Punch, and Ibrahim Konteh (right), promoter of Barcode, sandwich head of events and promotions at LIME, Tara Playfair.

The 'A-Team' is a group of promoters from across the island, which has like its television namesake, joined forces, but to bring a slew of events it feels will rock the island.

The list of A-Team events include: 40 Winks from Mandeville, Rebel T Spring Break, Dolce, Ink'd, ATI in Negril, Impy Skimpy and Luau in Ocho Rios, Friction from May Pen, Officially Diagnosed, Uber Blue, CPR, Temperature all from Montego Bay. From Kingston - Smudge, Karma, Barcode, Altitude, Rum Punch this weekend, Yesterday, Musique, Summer Musique, South Beach, Magic City, Coco Fridays, Extatic Fridays, May Daze, UWI Carnival, Carnival, Integration Thursdays, Club Theory, Levels, Stir It Up and 11:59 among others.

Brand Manager of Appleton, David Walton commented: "this is the first time an association like this has ever been done and AJR is proud to present the best events under one banner. ATI is the closest to compare to the A-Team. However, this group is much different and spans over 30 events in one year."

Spokesperson for A-Team, Konteh, added, "most of the events under the A-Team banner has been events that has been with the AJR over a number of years, while some of them it would be the first time working with the group or returning, such as Yesterday's Best of the 90s and Smudge."

Raunchy female dancehall artiste Pamputae is busy building her career, one song at a time. After her hit single, Slim vs Fluffy with Spice last year, she is back again with As The Party Done, and Badmind, which she hopes will be favoured by the ears of her fans.

For her, the work is never over and nothing less than 100 per cent is enough to satisfy her efforts.

"Mi a do hard work, mi nah stop voice. A four, five song fi di week mi a voice. The sky is the limit at all times," said Pamputae.

Hard work is essential, she said, because the music industry has a large number of female artistes who are all trying to make a name for themselves.

no recognition

She is, however, undaunted by their presence as she said, "It hard fi a female get noticed because half a the time wi nuh get the recognition wi deserve. Wi haffi guh hard fi it. But everybody know seh Pamputae a bad artiste, mi nuh have nuh threat still. Everybody know seh when mi go stage show, mi work it an shell it dung. The competition is always on."

A few of her songs, while not doing so well on the Jamaican music scene, has been creating waves in other places such as St Lucia, Trinidad, Barbados and Europe.

"Mi do nuff songs a Jamaica and mi nuh hear dem a play out here, but when mi guh foreign dem a tear dung di place. Mi have a song weh mi did do fi Supa Hype, Me Put The Good Inna G, weh a gwaan bad a St Lucia and Trinidad. Dem all book mi fi carnival next year," said Pamputae.

"Mi a get bear call and Facebook message from Europe because Neighbourhood and Stress Free a mash up di place but yet still yuh nah hear dem a Jamaica. Next year, a Europe wi a go deh a bring it to di people them," she added.

Pamputae has upcoming performances at Jamfest to be held in Montego Bay on Christmas Day, Ragasahti's upcoming show, and others in Canada later this month.

The World AIDS Day concert staged on Wednesday afternoon not only brought out supporters in droves to watch the stellar line-up of artistes, but also focused on creating awareness and dispelling myths about the disease.

The concert, which was staged at National Heroes' Park, downtown, Kingston, by the Ministry of Health, featured acts including CeCile, Chino McGregor, Tifa, I-Octane, G-Whizz, Ity and fancy Cat and others.

Not only were the performances a hit with the delighted audience, but so too were the constant safe-sex messages. So much so, many in the audience opted to take advantage of free HIV/AIDS tests also being carried out at the park. Dancehall artiste G-Whizz, known for tracks such as Life, Night or Day, Weekend and others, said, "It felt good to be a part of that gathering where I could spread a little bit of fun and inspire people in the audience to get tested, although they might be afraid to."

inspirational hit

Ce'Cile - File

Dancehall artiste Chino McGregor also spoke similarly. The artiste, known for Pon Yuh Head, Protected, his inspirational hit, From Mawning, and others, said, "It was a great vibe in Kingston for sure. The audience really enjoyed the music from the artistes but they were really receptive to the message about getting tested, and how to prevent becoming infected."

Jamaican entertainers weren't the only ones keen on sending a message for World AIDS Day. A number of US entertainers chose to log off twitter to observe a moment of silence for those infected with the disease. While others encouraged fans to get tested and always have safe sex.The theme for World AIDS Day 2010 was Universal Access and Human Rights.

The LIME Campus Crew Tour finale came to quite a zesty end on the grounds of Bridgeport High School last Friday afternoon.

The show, which commenced with performances from the students and giveaways from the telecommunications giant, quickly escalated with some of the hottest performances from the island's top artistes.

Among them was newcomer Denique, known for her recent single, Summer Love. versatile Ikaya, saucy Timberlee, the hilarious Tanto Blacks, the seductive Alaine, and the movement-defying dance group, Shady Squad, also excited.

However, it was Mavado's entrance to the stage which created sheer pandemonium. Students raced from all corners of the school's campus to catch a peek of one of dancehall's most celebrated artistes, and they weren't disappointed. During his brief set, he declared it was his first school tour and, "me waah say big up to LIME fi dat."

youngest veterans

Other showstoppers for the afternoon included T.O.K who showed their immense talent and why they have maintained their fanbase, and have become known as some of the youngest veterans in the industry; talented singer/songwriter and performer Big Ship's, Chino McGregor; the capable Khago and the already-superb entertainer, young QQ.

Over the weeks, the tour visited a number of schools including Waterford High, Portmore Heart Academy, Portmore Community College, Cumberland High School, Ascot High School and others. Each school will receive free internet for one year and computers courtesy of LIME.

What a gwaan people? Hope everybody did have a good week. Link me pon hotgalcherry@hotmail.com OR www.twitter.com/hotgalcherry OR TEXT (mi naw ansah NO call) 382-2187. Some a oonu jus nuh get di point when mi say, THE STAR and the email address and the Twitter wha me give oonu ah di only place oonu can reach me. Me nuh operate under a next name and mi nuh write fi nobody else but THE STAR. And yuh see if me really press di issue an find out say a particular person a tek money from people an operate a business and a pretend fi be me, we go done yuh inna di column like a big dutty truck tyre ah drive ova one centipede. TRY KNOW DAT.

Some Ah Oonu Questions Answered:

Reader: Miss Cherry it look like Queen Ifrica an Tony Rebel have someting going on. But anuh nuttn cauz Rasta got soul.

Me: Haha. But what a waaaay yuh all up inna di people dem thing. Lawd have mercy. Hahaha.

Reader: How di FIWI choice girls dem mek di stylist a do dem so? It nuh look good! It nah happen.

Me: Yuh know say mi nuh too watch di program from di Indian girl headside did shave out like worm wha nyam out lettuce. But it look like summen really wrong wid how dem start look because yuh a di third person who text een a complain. Me haffi go tune een an really see wha oonu a talk bout.

Reader: How di school teachas dem wey ago up ina age an it show pan dem face a gwan like dem younga den di young girls an a gwaan so pon Facebook, dem fi calm.

Me: Ok then. Bitter much ...

Reader: Lisa glad for what happen cause har name a get call for dat more dan di songs she did. Jam dung a get too open-minded to all dese tings. Dem a creep up pon we.

Me: Ah me fi tell yuh! Fi har name get called di most outta all di broken female (careers) from dat camp. And ah nuh fi di right talent pon di mic. Haha.

Reader: Love di comments. Article shot. Yuh can help me sign a petition fi hear Raga (show) inna Port Antonio please.

Me: Raga, sort out di people dem so dem can hear yuh program. Mi nuh know ah wha happen to di radio frequency or wha. Sort it out.

Alright! Suss time people!

MI HOPE AH LIE TO BACKFOOT

Mi hear say Zebra breed a girl in Hanover while him did deh pon bail and she ah say it was a one-night stand. Now people, talk di truth wha God love, di Bible say yuh muss love yuh neighbah as yuhself, but hear wha, Zebra live up di road, roun di corner, ovah di ditch, across di river, across from one meadow from me. Him ah nuh fi me neighbah! People ah di fuss mi go really talk an mi nuh care wha nobody waah fi say.

People fi have standards! Lawd gaaawd! Zebra cudda come back inna di next life as SOAP AND WATA! Mi NAW use it! Mi prefer stink an' dutty an' wipe mi body wid poison ivy, dan fi go near him! People, ah good ting ah di people dem good, good decent paper mi write fah, becawz mi wudda really tell oonu di tings dem pon mi mind. Mi nuh care, if ah one night stand, half night stand, one minute stand or table stand, too much man deh a road fi go DEH so willingly.

GYPTIAN NOT NOMINATED. SURPRISE, SURPRISE.

Gyptian

Mi nuh undastand how people surprised say Gyptian album nevah get nominated fi a Grammy. Nuff ah oonu nevah even know say di man have one album and not just a single, so tap oonu noise. Him an' di company ah push di one song, Hold Yuh, how long now and him did release Naw Let Go and it naw kick off inna di international market, dem nuh move on. Dem still a push Hold Yuh like no odda song nuh deh pon di album. Di local people dem who deh kick up say him shudda get nominated because Hold Yuh did shot, ah nuh so it work.

Di nominating committee ah go nominate people based pon di body of work pon di album. So if dem nuh feel say it up to scratch wid di res' a man dem like Buju and Gregory Isaacs, wha yuh go do except go back to di drawing board an try improve? Di category is called Best Reggae Album, not Best Reggae Single. Some ah di same industry people who a cuss, ah di same people dem who say dem a boycott di record label an naw voice none ah dem artiste. Dat mek sense? An den yuh go cuss an say di nominating committee full a pure old people so dats why Gyppie and odda young artistes neva get nominated. If oonu work wid di artiste dem an' produce quality track aftah track fi go pon a album, not only will more of di artistes be able fi cross ovah, but yuh go start see some new names inna di Grammy nominations. So if yuh naw contribute to di cause, have a seat an tap di noise.

CONGRATS TO BUJU

Mi jus waah tek dis time and space to say big up to Mark 'Buju Banton' Myrie pon him Grammy nomination. Me nuh know who else inna di music industry, INNA DI WORLD, did have a rough year like him and still manage fi a push tru. Di January 16 concert inna Miami ah go be him first concert since aaaaall ah dis, an mi nuh haffi ask if it go cork. And truss me, mi ah fly out fi see it.

Buju

BEFORE MI FORGET...

Mystic, mi get couple texts pon deh matter here. People ah ask yuh fi stop "eeek" pon twitter and a send dem Blackberry message and a put "eeek" inna it. Dem find it annoyin. Mi nuh know if dem naw say it to yuh or if dem a tell me fi mek it a public appeal. But yeah we know yuh highly excited, but dem a ask yuh fi cut out di "eeek" and stop send late night and early morning broadcasts. Mi really wudden know. Mi a follow yuh pon twitter, but mi use di "mute" option so yuh nuh show up inna mi timeline. But dat a dem message, so me a deliver it.

Big up oonuself: Macka Breast, C Jay, Sexie Shorty, Malouda and di whole Slipazz Lane family inna Moneague, St. Ann, Sue Ann Goodaz, Kimesha Wright and di whole SVS High School and Shenelle and Shavelle aka Lad and everybody from Bull Sav, Tina and Shemar, Slim from Berta Lane, Nat, Stacy and

Stage Name: Cham

Real Name: Damian Beckett

Birth Month: February

How did you get started in the business?

Cham: I got started through my uncle who owned a sound system called Studio Mix in Waterhouse, and artistes like John Wayne, Super Cat, to name a few, would pass by and perform and rehearse in the days. I had a lot of access to the system in the days, so that's how I got started.

What has been your greatest challenge in the business yet?

Cham: I think I have two greatest challenges which go neck and neck. The first being just to be consistent, when you hear a Cham record they don't fluctuate, one isn't in the sky and the other on the ground, they are all in the sky, they get better and better than the one before. The second is trying to separate Cham from Damian Beckett. This life can be so fast, everything goes fast, and people get caught up, so it's to balance that and be Cham on stage and Damian in the house.

What have you been up to lately?

Cham: Been up to turning up the music. We have Stronger out, which is doing well and turning up the place. it's #1 in the charts in Jamaica. 'Turn It Up' rhythm just dropped from Dave Kelly, Madhouse, with myself, Rodney Pryce, Pinchers, Timberlee, and I have a song on it called Tump Mi, Bling Dawg is on it. I'm just focused on music right now, we just did the 'Turn It Up' mix CDs, which is gonna be giving away for free.

Do you look up to any specific artiste and why?

Cham: Lots of them. from day one I've looked up to someone like Michael Jackson and the way he commanded a stage, he always looked like he was having fun. Then there's Buju who had some big songs with Dave Kelly, and from there I said I wanted to work wid Dave and it worked out for the best. Bounty Killer from day one, when I first started out, would show me how things go. Shabba Ranks because of his prestige, he never flooded the market, and lots of others.

Are you happy with the way things are going for your musical career right now?

Cham: Always. I've never considered music as working, it doesn't feel like a job, a chore, so I give thanks for that.

Do you have any advice for young artistes coming up?

Cham: Yeah, a lot, but I'll stick with this, nowadays artistes are too hype, dem don't even have two classics good that 10 years from now people will still be playing. They need to take music seriously and do the work that needs to be done. it' s not about the hype and the egos.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

Cham: I see myself making more good music, collecting a lot of awards, enjoying myself with my family, musical family.

Residents of Tivoli Gardens in West Kingston have received nearly $100 million as compensation for damage done to their houses during May's incursion by the security forces.

This was revealed on Thursday by Member of Parliament and Prime Minister Bruce Golding.

Mr. Golding told our news centre the owners of the houses that sustained the most damage were the main beneficiaries of the pay out.

We have completed those houses that we undertook, the ones that were severely damaged and all of the persons who have less than severe damage have been compensated at a cost of $94 million dollars, I believe, Mr. Golding said.

Several houses were damaged during intense gun battles involving the security forces and gunmen.

The police and army had gone into the community in search of then fugitive Christopher "Dudus" Coke.