REFLECTION & REASON

As much as I would have preferred to be live in the building at Amazura in Queens, NY on Black Friday night (November 29) to watch the World Bash New York Edition event, I instead was settled in to observe the Pay Per View stream from my home in Toronto. Presented by Irish and Chin's Sound Chat Radio, the Sound System Concert featured the Dons of NYC: Massive B's Bobby Konders and Jabba, Nexxt Level, Steelie Bashment, and Noah Powa and Polish. Also highlighted was a special crowning of the 4 Kings: Rory (Stone Love Sound), Sky Juice (Metro Media Sound), Jagga B (Affrique Sound), and Glamour Wayne (Gemini Sound). The World Bash Canadian Edition back in August was a vibe; the energy in Toronto's Rebel Night Club was impeccable. High vibrations. I was happy to be there to witness the historic night of culture, tribute, and music in our city, and so I definitely wasn't going to miss the New York one. Like countless others, I rate Garfield Chin Bourne and the significance of...

My new book  Dancehall Rebel   is rooted in a love for music, while looking at how this love can intersect with contradictory values, beliefs, or religious practices—across cultures. I hope this story can serve as a source of reflection, awareness, and a catalyst for conversation. Denise’s family represents many parents, cousins, or community members of all backgrounds who are unsure of how to navigate unfamiliar lifestyles or technologies. This story can be a tool and example, for those who need to explore these changes across generations, as Denise approaches her new reality with respect for her family and the culture she was raised in, while nurturing her independent journey into adulthood. ~ Stacey Robinson DANCEHALL REBEL By Stacey Robinson A teen shares her dad’s vibrant Caribbean musical legacy but is burdened by the homophobia that comes along with it. She needs to find a new path for the music and for herself. Dancehall Rebel is a groundbreaking novel portraying a Car...

Toronto dancehall fans have been fortunate: for the past two years, the World Clash sound clash competition has been hosted right here in the city. Two years ago, Caribbean entertainment specialists Irish and Chin adjusted the process of their international event so that the winning sound would receive the honour of bringing the World Clash to their hometown to defend their title. With the 20th anniversary of World Clash taking place tonight in Toronto at the Tibetan Cultural Centre, reggae music lovers from Canada and international supporters who have travelled into the city to witness the show, will be treated to an evening of competition between the two-time champion King Turbo sound, and the Rumble Series champion sounds representing their own home towns, hoping to bring the event to their city next year in celebration. Tonight, clash fans will get to hear the best of the best from Rumble Series winners from across the globe: Jah Works (Japan Rumble), Empire Sound and Mour...