News Americas, New York, NY, August 1, 2024: Just hours after filing for divorce from husband Offset, Grammy-winning rapper, Caribbean roots Cardi B, announced she’s pregnant with her third child. The artist, known for her Caribbean roots, took to Instagram on August 1st to share her news, writing: “With every ending comes a new beginning! I am so grateful to have shared this season with you, you have brought me more love, more life and most of all renewed my power! Reminded me that I can have it all!”

Cardi B is seen leaving Cesar restaurant on July 9, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

The singer, born Belcalis Marlenis Cephus (nee Almánzar, added: “You’ve reminded me that I never have to choose between life, love, and my passion! I love you so much and cannot wait for you to witness what you helped me accomplish, what you pushed me to do! It’s so much easier taking life’s twists, turns and test laying down, but you, your brother and your sister have shown me why it’s worth it to push through!”

Cardi B and Offset’s relationship began in 2017, starting with a memorable first date at the 2018 Super Bowl in Houston. They secretly tied the knot in a spontaneous ceremony at home in September of that year, though Cardi didn’t reveal her married status until eight months later.

“There are so many moments that I share with the world and there are moments that I want to keep for myself! Getting married was one of those moments,” the Bronx native shared on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2018, while expecting her daughter, Kulture. “Our relationship was so new, breaking up and making up, and we had a lot of growing to do, but we were so in love we didn’t want to lose each other.”

A month after their private ceremony, Offset proposed publicly, ensuring Cardi got the full engagement experience with an 8-carat sparkler. “I appreciate and love my husband so much for still wanting for me to have that special moment that every girl dreams of when he got down on his knee and put a ring on my finger,” Cardi wrote on Twitter. “Well now since you lil nosey f–ks know at least ya can stop saying I had a baby out of wedlock.”

Cardi’s pregnancy announcements were nothing short of grand. She revealed her first pregnancy during a performance on Saturday Night Live in April 2018, and announced her second at the 2021 BET Awards, debuting her baby bump in a custom Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit.

Despite their growing family, Cardi and Offset’s relationship faced many challenges, with multiple breakups and reconciliations. Cardi confirmed she was single in December 2023, only to reunite with Offset on New Year’s Eve.

In a May 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, Cardi expressed the deep connection she felt with Offset, calling him her “cheerleader” and best friend. “It’s not even about love,” she said. “We’re best friends. And it’s like, ‘OK. Well, there was a time that I didn’t have a best friend, or I didn’t have a support system.’ It’s not even about ‘How do you leave a partner?’ How do you stop talking to your best friend?”

However, by August, Cardi had again filed for divorce, ending their nearly seven-year marriage.

Their journey together, marked by private moments and public displays of affection, included the birth of their daughter Kulture in July 2018 and their son Wave in 2022. The couple celebrated Kulture’s impending arrival with a fairytale baby shower, filled with love and excitement.

Cardi’s announcement of her third pregnancy underscores her resilience and commitment to her family, despite the personal challenges she faces. The world now waits to see the next chapter in the life of this vibrant, talented artist. Cardi’s father Carlos is Dominican and her mother Clara is a Trinidadian of African and Spanish descent. She identifies as an Afro-Latina.

News Americas, New York, NY, July 23, 2024: Jamaican Dancehall star Christopher Martin has announced the release of his new, self-assured single, “Boasy.” The track from his upcoming album is set to drop on July 25 via VP Records.

Christopher Martin to drop ‘Boasy’ on July 25th.

Produced by Ce’Cile and Dale “Dizzle” Virgo, “Boasy” radiates the confidence that Christopher Martin is renowned for. Similar to his hit song, “I’m a Big Deal,” Martin encourages listeners to be self-assured and resistant to doubt. “From you good at anything at all, you fi boasy!” he declares midway through the smooth track.

“‘Boasy’ is about self-confidence. It’s knowing that you are that person – and you need no one’s validation to solidify that. When you do things that are worthy of showing off, don’t be afraid to show it. Always put your best foot forward. Never shy away from being great,” said Christopher Martin.

Ce’Cile, speaking on the song’s creation, shared: “For this beat, my team and I aimed for something slow, sexy, and smooth – a vibe that’s been missing for a while. We had to get Chris on it because he’s Mr. Smooth, the King of Smoothness. ‘Boasy’ turned out to be quintessential Chris Martin: letting everyone feel good about themselves and be comfortable with who they are – being ‘boasy’ but not hype.”

2024 has been a remarkable year for Christopher Martin. In March, the St. Catherine, Jamaica native won the Jacob Miller Award for Best Male Vocalist at the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMAs). In April, he made history with a 20-minute set at the Penn Relays, the oldest and largest track and field competition in the U.S., becoming the first reggae artist to headline the annual athletic event at Franklin Field. Additionally, he has been nominated for the Male Reggae Artist of the Year award at the upcoming Caribbean Music Awards.

“Boasy” follows last year’s “It’s Guaranteed,” featuring Bounty Killer and Busy Signal, as a lead-up to Martin’s next studio album. This will be his third full-length project, following 2017’s Big Deal and 2019’s And Then, the latter of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart.

Christopher Martin will debut “Boasy” live during his headlining performance at the Westchester Reggae Festival at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY, on August 18.

“Boasy” will be available on all digital platforms on July 25. Pre save HERE

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. July 15, 2024: Grammy-winning Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton is celebrating his 51st Earth Day today, fresh off an incredible weekend of back-to-back concert performances in New York.

Buju Banton performs onstage during Buju Banton’s Long Walk To Freedom New York on July 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Fat Joe, Buju Banton and Remy Ma perform onstage during Buju Banton Long Walk To Freedom New York on July 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Buju Banton performs onstage during Buju Banton’s Long Walk To Freedom New York on July 14, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Buju Banton performing at the UBS arena on July 13, 2024. (Youtube screen grab)

Banton thrilled fans with stellar performances on July 13th and 14th with his “Long Walk To Freedom” show in NYC – his first performances in the city in 15 years.

Buju Banton handed out roses to the audience on July 14th at the UBS arena. (Instagram image)

The first show, on Saturday, July 13, at the UBS Arena in Nassau, saw Banton open with the iconic song “Buried Alive” as he rose up onto the stage from below. Dressed in a bright orange outfit, he struck a Black Power pose with his left hand holding the microphone aloft as some 19,000 fans, who began entering the venue early in the afternoon, screamed in approval.

He then segued into “Over Hills and Valley” and continued with more hits like “Untold Stories,” “Wanna Be Loved,” “Love Sponge,” and “Destiny.”

Banton then declared: “They said to me, you will never come back to the United States of America,” referencing his deportation following jail time in the US. “And I said to them, let’s see what God will do,” he added.

He moved into dancehall favorites like “Waistline,” “Bongo Cart,” “Champion,” and “Over Mi.”

Singer Nadine Sutherland then joined the stage to perform “What Am I Gonna Do,” her duet with Banton, followed by their duet on “Wicked Dickie.”

Banton was also joined by singer Gramps Morgan, who paid tribute to his deceased brother Peetah Morgan before they performed a duet of “Psalm 23.”

On his birthday today, Banton announced “THE OVERCOMER TOUR 2024,” with special guest Fridayy. Tickets go on sale this Friday, July 19, 2024, at BUJUBANTON.com.

TOUR DATES:

AUGUST 23, 2024: Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Amerant Bank Arena

AUGUST 25, 2024: Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena

AUGUST 27, 2024: Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena

AUGUST 30, 2024: Boston, MA @ TD Garden

SEPTEMBER 1, 2024: Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center

SEPTEMBER 6, 2024: Hartford, CT @ XL Center

SEPTEMBER 8, 2024: Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena

SEPTEMBER 12, 2024: Houston, TX @ Toyota Center

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024: Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024: Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024: Inglewood, CA @ Intuit Dome

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024: San Jose, CA @ SAP Center

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024: Chicago, IL @ Allstate Arena

NOVEMBER 17, 2024: Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center

See some of Banton’s NYC performance HERE

News Americas, New York, NY, Weds. July 10, 2024: Burna Boy has so far chosen to remain silent as Steel Pulse’s David “Electric” Hinds claims his band was disrespected by the security and crew of the Grammy-winning Afrobeats star at the 37th Summer Jam Festival in Cologne, Germany.

Steel Pulse’s David Hinds has claimed the band was disrespected by Burna Boy’s security. (Facebook image/David Hinds)

In a social media post, Hinds detailed how Steel Pulse was allegedly mistreated. Tagging his band, Burna Boy, and the festival’s official page, he wrote that Burna Boy’s security team and crew tried to evict them from their dressing room to accommodate the African singer’s large entourage.

Hinds mentioned that original band member Selwyn Brown was furious, and the team stood their ground, shocked by the treatment of a band that has significantly contributed to Reggae music. He criticized the Summer Jam Festival organizers, demanding an explanation for the perceived bullying by Burna Boy’s team. He also questioned the decision to erect a barricade, splitting the dressing rooms and making them feel like prisoners.

Hinds concluded by warning Reggae festival organizers that such behavior from Burna Boy’s entourage should not be tolerated in the Reggae community, a genre that stands for peace, love, and unity.

As of now, neither Summer Jam nor Burna Boy has responded to the allegations.

Summer Jam 2024, held from July 5-7, headlined Burna Boy and featured top Jamaican acts like Skillibeng, Konshens, Busy Signal, Lila Ike, Beenieman, and Ky-Mani Marley, among others.

News Americas, New York, NY, June 26, 2024: Broadway World Award winner David Heron and the cast of Alwin Bully’s “McBee” are celebrating the success of the play’s American premiere, which took place on Sunday, June 23rd, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center, (JPAC), in Jamaica, Queens, New York.

From left- David Heron, Gerard Joseph and Dianne Dixon in McBee on June 23, 2024 in Jamaica, NYC. (IAN BUDDINGTON image)

 Cast Of McBee on June 23, 2024 in Jamaica, Queens, NY. (Ian Buddington image)

The play, produced and directed by Heron, was presented as a one-night-only staged reading in tribute to its playwright, the late Alwin Bully, and as a special cultural event celebrating New York City’s annual Caribbean American Heritage Month festivities.

Luke Forbes, Denise Hunt and Gerard Joseph in McBee. (Ian Buddington image)

A large and enthusiastic audience filled JPAC for the first-ever performance of Bully’s play on American soil, culminating in a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. The star-studded cast was led by Amazon Prime “Harlem” star Luke Forbes and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” actress Denise Hunt. They were joined by Jerry Benzwick, Lincoln Brown, Dianne Dixon, Emilio Evans, Gerard Joseph, Miranda Melhado, Mitzie Pratt, and James Duke Walker.

Lincoln Brown and Denise Hunt in McBee. (Ian Buddington image)

Producer-director Heron, who won the 2023 Broadway World Award for Best Supporting Performer for his role as Caliban in The Colonial Theatre of Rhode Island’s “The Tempest,” joined the cast as a last-minute replacement for an actor who withdrew days before the production.

Mitzie Pratt and James Duke Walker in McBee. (Ian Buddington image)

The performance was preceded by a Caribbean Cuisine Reception in collaboration with Golden Krust Restaurant, and free tea sampling by sponsors Kendel Instant Ginger Teas.

Dianne Dixon and Jerry Benzwick in McBee. (Ian Buddington image)

Anita Bully, the widow of the late Dominica-born playwright Alwin Bully, welcomed the audience with a brief onstage address, accompanied by their son Brent. She explained that for her late husband’s, “McBee” was not just an adaptation, but an extension of Shakespeare’s original “Macbeth.”

Jerry Benzwick and Miranda Melhadoin McBee. (Ian Buddington image)

“It is a retelling and reworking in much the same manner that Shakespeare handled the original story from Holinshed’s Chronicles,” she said. “Alwin did not try to rewrite Shakespeare’s poetry. His intention was to give the story a Caribbean immediacy while maintaining the original intent.”

Anita Bully also spoke about the recently formed Alwin Bully Foundation, which aims to continue his vision of providing training for promising young individuals in the visual and performing arts.

Heron shared his experience of being mentored by Bully, recounting how the first two plays he wrote – “Ecstasy” and “Intermission” – were developed and prepared for production through a staged reading process led by Bully and his theatre company, The Company Limited, in Jamaica in the 1990s.

“Thanks largely to Alwin’s vision, new playwrights had the opportunity to have their work showcased and chosen for a staged reading presentation produced by The Company Limited, with a professional cast and director,” he said. “I owe much of my early success as a playwright to Alwin, who spent many hours motivating and guiding me as I honed the scripts.”

“McBee” follows the story of Caribbean political power couple Allan and Alice McBee (played by Luke Forbes and Denise Hunt). After Allan receives a prophecy from three Rastafarians that he is destined to become the nation’s Prime Minister, he and his wife devise a bloody plan to make it a reality, with explosive consequences for themselves and their country.

Heron described Sunday night’s performance as “The second coming of McBee,” expressing hope that the play will find its way into the right hands for a fully mounted production. “There is simply nothing else out there quite like it, and it deserves to be seen as far and wide as possible,” he stated.

Other sponsors of Sunday night’s premiere event included The True Tribute Organization, IMC Media, and Results Promo and Marketing.