U.S. Expresses Disappointment In CARICOM’s Stance On Venezuela

News Americas, New York, NY, August 22, 2024: The Biden administration has expressed disappointment that only two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states, Guyana and Suriname, endorsed a joint statement advocating for democracy in Venezuela. The statement, issued on August 16 by 22 nations in Santo Domingo, calls for transparency in Venezuela’s July 28 election results and respect for the will of the people.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a demonstration to defend the supposed victory in the presidential elections in Caracas, Venezuela on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

U.S. Ambassador to Guyana and CARICOM, Nicole Theriot, praised Guyana and Suriname for their support. “We are incredibly pleased to have these partners standing with us in defending democracy in the region and globally,” she told Demerara News online while highlighting Guyana’s growing role as a global leader.

Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, also emphasized the importance of the statement, urging Caribbean nations to choose the right side of history in supporting democracy. Meanwhile, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, congratulated President Nicolás Maduro on his re-election, calling for national reconciliation.

Despite this, the U.S. remains disappointed that the majority of CARICOM states did not endorse the joint statement, reaffirming the importance of democratic principles in the region. The 22 signatory nations also called for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals, including opposition figures in Venezuela.

Signatory countries in alphabetical order were:

Republic of Argentina

Canada

Republic of Chile

Republic of Costa Rica

Czech Republic

Dominican Republic

Republic of Ecuador

Kingdom of España

Republic of Guatemala

Cooperative Republic of Guyana

Italian Republic

Kingdom of Morocco

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Republic of Panamá

Republic of Paraguay

Republic of Perú

Portuguese Republic

Marley Brothers Announce Historic 2024 Legacy Tour

News Americas, New York, NY, Thurs. August 22, 2024: The Marley Brothers – Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani, and Damian – have announced The Marley Brothers: The Legacy Tour, their first tour together in two decades. Produced by Live Nation, the 22-date tour will kick off on September 5, 2024, at Festival Lawn in Deer Lake Park, Vancouver, BC, and will cover major cities across the U.S. and Canada through the fall.

This historic tour celebrates the enduring legacy of their father, reggae legend Bob Marley, whose music remains a symbol of strength, hope, and unity worldwide. For over 30 years, the Marley brothers have each made their mark as solo artists, collectively earning 22 GRAMMY® Awards. Julian Marley added to the family’s accolades with his 2024 Grammy win for “Best Reggae Album.”

The Legacy Tour will feature both individual hits from the brothers and classic Bob Marley songs, paying tribute to their father’s global influence as the world approaches what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday in 2025. Fans can purchase tickets at MarleyBrothers.com.

Adding to the excitement, the tour will offer immersive VIP packages, including pre-show soundcheck access and VIP lounge experiences. For more details, visit VIPNation.com.

This tour follows the success of the Bob Marley biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, and marks the 40th anniversary of his revolutionary album, Legend, further highlighting his lasting impact on culture.

The 2024 Legacy Tour dates will take the brothers to iconic venues, including Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, NY, PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ, and the FPL Solar Amphitheatre in Miami, FL, where the tour concludes on October 5.

The Marley Brothers are individually celebrated for their unique contributions to music, from Ziggy Marley’s pioneering fusion of reggae with other genres to Damian Marley’s groundbreaking collaborations with artists like Nas and Skrillex. Together, they continue to honor Bob Marley’s message of love, unity, and empowerment, ensuring his legacy lives on for generations to come.

For tour dates and ticket information, visit MarleyBrothers.com.

Shaggy Revives Vintage Dancehall With New ‘Badman’ Riddim Project

News Americas, New York, NY, August 22, 2024: Grammy-winning reggae singer Shaggy is taking fans on a nostalgic ride through vintage Dancehall with the release of three new singles from the highly anticipated “Badman” riddim project.

Produced by Shaggy and Shane Hoosong in collaboration with VP Records and Ranch Entertainment, the project offers a fresh take on the iconic 1980s “Gunman” riddim by legendary producer Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes. The first two singles, by Olaf Blackwood featuring Shaggy and Junior Cat, drop today, August 22nd.

Olaf Blackwood and Shaggy drop three singles from the Badman Riddim project.

The single, “Selector Pull It,” celebrates Dancehall’s lively party culture. The track captures the vibrant atmosphere of Dancehall events, urging DJs to keep the energy alive by replaying crowd favorites. The music video, directed by Jay Will, transports viewers to an authentic Dancehall party in Kingston, Jamaica, with cameos from icons like Bounty Killer, Gyptian, and DJ Boom Boom.

Shaggy, managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, debuted the song during a live performance on On the Radar Radio in late July. Reflecting on the project, Olaf Blackwood said, “The ‘Gunman’ riddim was one of my go-tos for stage shows as a youngster. Co-writing this song with Shaggy and bringing it full circle has been an amazing experience.”

Shaggy shared his admiration for Junjo Lawes, saying, “His music was synonymous with the sound system movement of the ‘80s and ‘90s. I wanted to recreate that vibe while adding some new ideas.”

The second single, “Rude Bwoy Sumthin,” by Junior Cat, also drops on August 22. Known as “The Wild Indian,” Junior Cat is a veteran of the sound system scene. His track pays homage to the original gangster persona of Dancehall, delivering raw energy and vivid storytelling.

Fans can also look forward to the release of Spice’s track on September 12th, as well as additional songs from the “Badman” riddim series. This latest collaboration between VP Records and Ranch Entertainment follows the success of Shaggy’s 2023 soca-inspired EP, In The Mood.

The “Gunman” riddim, known for its heavy brass and unforgettable drum and bass, gained fame as the instrumental behind Michael Prophet’s hit “Gunman,” a defining track of early ‘80s Dancehall. With the “Badman” riddim series, Shaggy aims to blend nostalgia with a modern twist, inviting a new generation of Dancehall lovers to experience the energy and culture of that era. Like traditional “juggling” projects, the series will feature multiple artists interpreting the same instrumental in their unique styles.

Stay tuned for more details on the “Badman” riddim project as Shaggy continues to innovate and honor Dancehall’s rich legacy.