Stories about Music from February, 2011
Bahamas: The Right to Speak Out
“I always have and always will speak up when my rights as a homeowner, a citizen and a human being are being threatened”: Womanish Words believes that her voice is the most powerful tool she has.
Jamaica: Nothing for the Youth?
“We too busy having dramatic, Days-of-our-lives type enquiries to stop for a minute and realise that this year, more than any other year to date, is all about us. It's about the African people. It's about youth”: Ruthibelle is dismayed that the UN International Year of Youth is not being...
Armenia: Rapping the Revolution of Reform
Even if the use of social media ahead of an opposition rally scheduled to mark the 3rd anniversary of bloody post-presidential clashes which left 10 dead remains low, some activists are at least using the new online tools at their disposal. In particular, those behind a Facebook page to increase...
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica: The Facts About Banton
Globewriter comments on the shocked reactions to the Banton verdict: “The fact is there is video of Buju Banton chatting with federal agents and tasting the cocaine…and he is now convicted. What is the problem?”
Trinidad & Tobago: What's After Carnival?
As controversy ensues over the behaviour of a “sore loser” at a Carnival music competition, Coffeewallah observes that the priorities of Trinbagonians may be skewed: “In two weeks this will all be over, the remnants of costumes swept up, the glitter packed away, the soca stars will go on to...
Guyana: Mashramani “Huge Success”
Check out photos of this year's Mashramani celebrations, here.
Jamaica: Bloggers React to Banton Verdict
Despite bloggers' impassioned calls to “set the captive free”, the jury in the Buju Banton drug trial yesterday returned a guilty verdict on three of the four charges against him. The recent Grammy winner could be facing a sentence of as much as fifteen years behind bars. For many bloggers, the long-awaited verdict is an uncomfortable case of life imitating art - the critically acclaimed Before the Dawn, which won Banton the Grammy award for Best Reggae Album, includes “a song in which Banton proclaims he is wrongly convicted though God knows he is innocent.”
Jamaica: Awaiting Word on Buju
As the jury in Buju Banton's second drug trial continues to deliberate, Jamaica Salt “keep[s] looking for the result – but if the jury couldn’t decide last time, things are more hopeful for Buju this time round.”
Africa: Tributes to Pan-African leaders and revolutionaries
Have you heard Didier Awadi's tributes to Pan-African African leaders and revolutionaries. The Senegalese DJ, Didier Awadi ,is one of the most highly respected African musicians.
Nepal: More On Bryan Adams
Pradeep Kumar Singh describes how international rock star Bryan Adams kept Nepal captivated for a few days.
Jamaica: On “Buju Watch”
“Once again the Jamaican nation is on Buju watch”: Active Voice highlights the posts of some fellow bloggers to underscore her point that “Jamaicans are taking this very personally, it is as if the nation itself is on trial.”
Japan: The Pre-History of Japanese Hip Hop
David Z. Morris reported [en] that Japanese hip-hop was born in the 19th century. The blogger also suggested links to some academic articles that explain its origins and development.
Somalia: Welcome to Poet Nation
Poet Nation is a multimedia brand dedicated to Somali art and culture that combines a mix of original and user generated content. The Poet Nation features poets, musicians, writers, storytellers and other artists.
Nepal: Welcoming Brian Adams
Brian Adams recently toured Nepal and became the first world renowned music icon to play in the country. Ujjwal Acharya expresses his gratitude.
Armenia: Blind nationalist hatred
Unzipped comments on what appears to be an orchestrated black PR campaign against a local musician in Armenia. One of four finalists in the running to compose the country's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest, reports in the local media attack Vahram Petrosyan for considering that Armenian and Azerbaijani...
Jamaica: Get Up, Stand Up
“Next year…Jamaica will celebrate 50 years of being an independent nation, but unless we take Bob Marley's words to heart and emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, our jubilee will represent nothing more than a fleeting, insignificant figure on time's continuum”: Ruthibelle thinks its time for Jamaica to grow up.
Jamaica: Banton Jury Deliberates
Jury deliberation in the drug trial of reggae icon Buju Banton begins today; YardFlex.com is keeping a close eye on developments.
Balkans: Ceca and Other “Unwelcome” Singers
Belgraded posts a list of Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian singers who are “unwelcome in former enemy countries.”
Uganda: New video for Uganda Elections 2011
The National Democratic Institute partnered with popular Ugandan musician Bobi Wine to release a video encouraging young voters to avoid election violence and to encourage them to report any election irregularities to UgandaWatch2011.
Azerbaijan: The Sinner and The Saint
As irreverent as ever, Scary Azeri comments on Azerbaijan's entry into this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Contrasting the angelic look of the male singer with the seductive maturer attributes of the female, the blog sarcastically concludes that Eldar and Nigar might be absurd enough a duo to stand a good...
Trinidad & Tobago: Songs of Our Youth
“There’s no soca like the soca of your youth”: Lisa Allen-Agostini says that's “the reason soca gets ‘worse’ every year. It’s not the music, darling. It’s you.”
