REFLECTION & REASON

For the second time in the past 6 years, we've witnessed the historic release and return to the stage of a dancehall legend at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Like the countdown to Buju Banton's "The Long Walk to Freedom" concert in 2019, the New Year's Eve "Freedom Street" show celebrating Vybz Kartel on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 was a must-see production for reggae and dancehall enthusiasts. After serving 13 years, Kartel (Adidja Palmer) was released from incarceration on July 31, 2024. From that moment, this "first" performance has been anticipated. The excitement. The chatter. The suspense. The extreme FOMO for those not able to make it to Jamaica for the show (present company included). The focus on the island of Jamaica, attracting the who's-who of dancehall, music lovers, cultural supporters, music media, and patrons and supporters of reggae and dancehall who were eager to ring in their 2025 as one of the fortunate thousa...

It ain't Shottas . It ain't Dancehall Queen , and it ain't The Harder They Come . Slightly closer to Belly , and very far from Cool Runnings . That being said, writer/director/producer Nick Cannon went hard with his movie King of the Dancehall , released on September 11 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). No: he doesn't speak with a Jamaican accent (phew!), and yes: the movie is thoroughly entertaining. This film was definitely electric and definitely gave viewers an inside look at Jamaica and the world of dancehall music and movement. I will give Nick Cannon credit where credit is due: this is a good movie. And it's funny! In fact, just minutes into the movie I was wide-eyed and excited to hear dancehall music through the speakers of the Scotiabank Theatres in downtown Toronto. I was pleased to see images of Jamaica, beautifully arranged, and I was thankful that the 35-year-old American superstar took the time to visit, study, and communicate the...

So pleasant, yet so vulgar. So charming, yet so facety. So local, yet so international. Dufton Taylor Jr. (aka Tony Matterhorn) is a real character ...and a real talent. When you hear people talk about " it " factor, he's definitely got it.    I woke up this morning to routinely check my phone, which includes a quick scan of Twitter to see what's up in news, entertainment, the city, abroad, and just a synopsis of what's going on. Only to find a series of posts by Matterhorn , in true uninhibited fashion.  I understand that's the nature of Twitter: to speak your mind, to show your real self to friends, fans, and followers near and far. But there is something ridiculously authentic about Tony Matterhorn's Tweets that always make me think, this guy is something special. And he's FUNNY. Extremely.  It's a creative energy. A talent. An awareness, and most importantly a genuine connection with his culture and fans that he s...