Deejay Ninjaman created a stir when he appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on Tuesday to answer to a charge of breaching the Noise Abatement Act.

The appearance of the enigmatic artiste, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, was enough to trigger whispers and stares. When he stood before Senior Resident Magistrate Glen Brown to respond to the allegations, he did so in his usual candid and humorous manner.

The investigating officer, Sergeant M. Harris, from the St Andrew south division, said on November 10, about 8:30 p.m., the police went to Headley Avenue in Drewsland and observed a sound system in operation. Checks were made to determine whether Ballentine, the promoter of the event, had received permission from the police to host the event.

He reportedly told the police that he had sought permission from the superintendent in charge of the division, but had received no response. It was later discovered, however, that no permission was granted. He was issued with a summons to attend court.

Ballentine pleaded 'not guilty, with explanation' and proceeded to tell the court that he was not having a dance, but rather a peace campaign. He said the event was part of his recently launched One Umbrella organisation for peace, aimed at providing intervention in troubled communities.

Stopped before it started

He said: "I talk to troubled youths. It started about four in di evening and di police stop it 'bout eight or nine. Dat time di sound not even did start play yet."

When asked whether he would be seeking an attorney, he replied: "In this case, I don't feel like I should really get a lawyer. Dis is di first I come to court for doing something good for the country. Every time before, when I come to court, is something bad, but now I was trying to do something good and trying to make a difference."

The matter is to be tried on January 14 in the night court. Before masking a hasty exit, Ballentine told RM Brown, "Much obliged, your Honour."

Source: Thestar

14.11.08 :: Jr Gong, Julian recording new albums at Tuff Gong

Gold selling artistes Damian 'Jr Gong' Marley and Julian Marley are both in the studio recording upcoming albums.
They started studio sessions two weeks ago at Tuff Gong, and are now in the heavy stages of recording. The Marley children are keeping a low profile in order to focus on their craft.

"Yes, they are here doing recording but exactly for what I cannot say," said Jerome Hamilton head of power house booking agency, Headline Entertainment, who works with the Marleys. Both Marley's declined interviews, up to print time, citing the need to concentrate on projects. The exact nature of the projects are unknown but both are due albums.

"They have booked out the entire night sessions at Tuff Gong. They start from 6 and go until 3 am," said a source close to the activities. Observer checks revealed that night sessions for November are all but fully booked. The only available night session was next Wednesday.

If these projects are released by summer 2009 it would provide adequate timeline to be nominated for Grammy's the following year.

There is pressure on both artistes to deliver stellar products: Jr Gong needs to maintain critical approval having scored commercial success with his 2006 Welcome to Jamrock; whilst Julian needs commercial success having scored critical acclaim with his 2003 A Time and Place.

Julian released his first album in 1989 titled Uprising and subsequently released Lion in the Morning in 1996.
Both artistes' were recently featured on US based Hip Hop group The Mighty Underdogs' track called So Sad. On the track, Julian sings the hook whilst Damian deejays the third verse.

Damian Marley leaped into prominence with a surprise hit album Half-Way Tree in 2001. He gained even more fame with his gold selling 2005, Welcome to Jamrock. Damian's first album was released in 1996 entitled Mr Marley but garnered little acclaim. He is currently the most famous dancehall musician after Sean Paul and Shaggy based on record sales and
Internet searches.

Source: jamaicaobserver

14.11.08 :: Bling Dawg chastises Kartel - 'Fren like dat mi nuh need', says deejay

Deejay Bling Dawg says he is tired of taking lyrical abuse from fellow deejay Vybz Kartel and he can no longer be friends with the artiste.

This comes on the heels of Kartel's lyrical attacks on the Alliance member and Bling Dawg's lyrical counteractions to the insults.

According to Bling Dawg, the repeated verbal abuse from his former friend has become intolerable.

Bling Dawg told how the rift between the two developed. "How it really started, to my knowledge, from Kartel depart from Alliance in all dat time I tried not to get involved between him and other members of the Alliance.

A just see like him move off my name, calling it up directly, indirectly and subliminally...at one point him a seh 'caw Mavado nuh thick like Bling Dawg', wha dat mean? Seh yuh a watch a man thickness, if a man a watch mi thickness mi worried."

However, the feud came to colossal heights at 'Champions in Action' where Kartel reportedly questioned Bling Dawg's sexuality on stage.

A diss tune

Later in Kartel's Seh Weh Yuh Feel Fi Seh, a diss tune done for the Alliance, its managers and everyone associated with it, the artiste yet again insulted his former friend.

In the song Kartel states, "BDawg gwaan pump iron wid pure g.. man inna tights uppa Campion. Rememba seh yuh a thirty six year old and yuh nuh have no yute yuh a b."

When contacted Vybz Kartel has declined to give a comment on this and other issues.

However, Bling Dawg responded to the artiste lyrically in the song War Answer deejaying:

"Mi know yuh waan be Bounty Killer from yuh deh inna Alliance....Busy and 'Vado go rise and tun giant. Jealousy a kill yuh so yuh start have defiance...a gal alone mi know tattoo dem man name..yuh really need fi stop call Selaisse name...when yuh fren have yuh facial features tattoo pon him."

Lyrics to defend

Bling Dawg told, "Mi use lyrics to defend myself. Kartel is said to be one of di baddest deejays but him nuh badda dan me. Me buss before di whole of dem...wi caan be friends no more. My friendship is not a paper thing, if I have a brethren mi keep it real, mi nuh hypocrite, fren like dat mi nuh need. Mi have Alliance."

Bling Dawg retaliated in a second song Yuh mouth which he recorded Wednesday night after returning from Miami. In the song Bling calls Kartel the 'Bleaching Don' among other things.

He believes that Kartel is looking for a hype coming up to Sting and that is why he is feuding with so many entertainers.

Bling Dawg has released a number of songs including Weh Wi Come From, Waan Back Wi Money and Slow Wine.

Source: Jamaicastar

12.11.08 :: The Guide To Reggae In CPH Vol. 3

A new Guide To Reggae In The Copenhagen Area is available here, please feel free to comment on it by sending an e-mail to us.

We had a few problems this week, which ended up with a better late than never kind of newsletter, which was sent out 5 minutes ago.

We will try to send out the newsletter on Wednesdays the future - which means that deadline for having your event featured in the newsletter is Wednesday mornings before 12:00 CET.