American actress Kerry Washington and Dancing with the Stars pro Derek Hough have been spotted around Kingston, Jamaica, and have so far linked up with Dancehall stars Sean Paul and Ding Dong for what’s expected to be an upcoming project for National Geographic (Nat Geo).

The new docu-series, titled “Dance the World with Derek Hough”, will see the professional dancer team up with celebrity guests to explore the cultural roots behind some of the world’s most famous dances, with each episode ending with a performance of that dance routine, according to The Wrap.

In an Instagram post on Tuesday (June 27), the Scandal actress, who is of Jamaican heritage, shared some beachside views on the island with Dutty Paul and thanked him for “bringing the heat on this new project.”

In the IG video clip, Washington was seen vibing to Paul’s hit song Temperature before turning the camera on the Jamaican star as he lip-synched the remaining verses. 

“ bringing the heat on this new project Thanks for coming through @duttypaul !” the actress wrote on the post.

Washington, 46, also shared photos posing at a local restaurant, ‘Hot & Tasty,’ revealing an artsy cultural look. While sporting long flowing twisted locks, she wore an African-inspired wrap top and ankle-length skirt from fashion brand, Altuzarra.

The outfit was styled by fashion stylist/costume designers, Rob Zangardi, and Mariel Haenn, who she credited along with her glam squad, hairstylist, Takisha Sturdivant-Drew (TakishaStudio), and makeup artist Carola Gonzalez (of CarolaG Makeup).

Derek Hough was also at the beach with Sean Paul, along with Kerry’s mother Valerie Washington.

The Dancing with the Stars six-time winner was also spotted with Washington, hanging out with Jamaican artist Ding Dong at the local street dance, ‘Uptown Mondays’ at Savannah Plaza in Half-Way Tree on Monday (June 26).

Hough and Washington were seen working up a sweat, dancing with the Raver Clavers crew and partygoers doing the ‘Bounce’ dance move. 

The celebrity dancer/actor’s presence didn’t go unnoticed by Jamaican fans online.

“A Weh Derek a do a jamaica ,” remarked one surprised IG user. Others commented, “Him a ketch likkle dance inspiration ,” and “Yes @derekhough! We know you’re a dancer but now you’re a dansah! .”

Some viewers weren’t too pleased to see the famed dancer pushed to the background, while others hogged the spotlight.

“I know they didn’t have Derek in the back like that,” said one person.

Another added, “Y’all not acknowledging Derek Hough.”

On her many stops so far, Washington visited downtown Kingston on Sunday (June 25) to take in the art and culture at the Kingston Creative Art Walk. Another intentional move, it appears, as she once again thanked her glam squad for putting together her fashionable look in photos shared on IG.

Washington was seen posing in front of some of the artwork lining the strip, while decked in a multi-colored tropical Johanna Ortiz dress, accessorized with jewelry by Misho, and chunky Larroudé sandals.

The Kingston Creative team even commented on her post, thanking the actress for participating in the festival. “Thank you so much for taking part in our ArtWalk Festival!” they wrote.

The Last King of Scotland actress also stopped by the Bob Marley Museum earlier this week and was sure to tell her 7.2 million followers to come and experience the late music icon’s home. “If you’re in Kingston, this museum is a must see. So special,” she wrote.

Though born in the Bronx, New York, Washington is no stranger to Jamaica. The award-winning actress has Jamaican heritage through her mother Valerie Washington. In 2019, she paid homage to her roots, indicating that she was incredibly proud to be Jamaican.

Washington and Hough are the latest celebrity faces seen visiting the island’s shores. Recently, American actress Angelina Jolie visited for the Calabash Literary Festival. Rappers Carib B and Offset landed for some birthday shenanigans in December, while Dua Lipa came for a stress-free vacay back in March.

Kerry Washington is best known for her roles as Olivia Pope in the American television series “Scandal,” Della Bee Robinson, the wife of Ray Charles in the film “Ray,” the wife of Idi Amin in “The Last King of Scotland,” and Alicia Masters in the live-action “Fantastic Four” films in 2005 and 2007. She has also been featured in independent films such as “Our Song” and “The Dead Girl”. Her role in the Shonda Rhimes’ – written and produced – series “Scandal” brought her wide recognition, and she was nominated twice for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for the role. The role also brought her a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series.

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Dancehall artist Spragga Benz believes he came from a sex-crazed generation, and doesn’t want today’s youth to continue the cycle. 

In an Instagram post, the Things Ah Gwaan deejay echoed personal coach Zeus Wit’s stance that a man who controls his stomach, penis, and tongue, has solved 99 percent of his problems. He particularly zoomed in on the power and sanctity of sex.  

“I think reverse psychology has been used on us as gyalis, so, although it late for some still, mi a ask the youths dem to be wise and discipline yourself BEFORE you develop Sex Addiction like my generation,” he said. 

Spragga Benz hails from an era of dancehall that scorned upon the “one-burner” lifestyle, instead uplifting images of having “nuff gyal inna bungle”. The Casanova antics superseded lyrics as some of Spragga Benz’s contemporaries including Ninjaman, Elephant Man, Buju Banton and Beenie Man went on to father several children. It is something Culture Professor Donna Hope has often described as proof of the “punaany being conquered”.

The idea of settling down has become less bizarre in dancehall, with acts like Konshens, Ding Dong, Aidonia and Ninjaman tying the knot. 

“Don’t just have sex just for recreation, create a loving bond with your partners first,” Spragga Benz said. “Sex with someone you love is the purest release of cosmic life energy. Casual sex, it seems, is energy food for demons from different realms we are yet to fully understand. Just as our bodies get energy from sun rays that we can’t see ourselves, sex energy is so powerful; it creates LIFE.”

The entertainer had scores of users in agreement, with one person suggesting, “Please put some of this knowledge in your music my brother. Remember when they use to say the half that is never been told. Well there is plenty information out there for use.”

Spragga Benz told the fan that he has been injecting his music with these messages, using Tiny Tot as reference. Produced by Stephen ‘Di Genius’ McGregor, the 2009 song chronicles his sexual and personal maturity, having boned the hottest belles with women traversing his house daily. 

The lyrics say in part:

When mi start to get mi youth, dem time mi learn the truthAnd learn that sex is not only designed to buss a juiceIt’s like the planting of the sacred seed of life weh bring the fruit

Other users wrote:

“Teach them mi general. A lot don’t know how sacred & powerful sex really is.”

“Might be challenging but it is the absolute .”

“Finally I’m not the only one that sees this. Jah know. It’s not a popular subject but hopefully your platform can do sumn.”

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Reggae singer Jo Mersa Marley died of an “acute asthma exacerbation” after being infected with rhinovirus or enterovirus, according to documents obtained by Rolling Stone on Tuesday (June 27).

The publication reported that Jo’s condition often presents as symptoms of the common cold, citing new details from the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jo Mersa, the son of Stephen Marley and grandson of Bob Marley, died on December 26 in Miami-Dade County at age 31.

According to Rolling Stone, a toxicology report detected the presence of THC, the chemical in marijuana, along with naloxone and 0.08% of ethanol in his body at the time of his death.

“Naloxone is commonly used to reverse an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids, but it is unclear at this time why the drug was found in Marley’s system,” they noted.

Jo Mersa had a history of asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia and had not been taking his medication for his asthma diagnosis at the time of his death, according to the Examiner’s Office.

Their report also indicated that Jo had spoken to his mother Kerry-Ann Smith on Christmas Day, the day before his death, and “informed her he was feeling ill, ostensibly due to his asthma.”

His body had no evidence of injury, though his lung showed signs of congestion, hyperexpansion, and increased mucus in its airwaves, along with “enlarged glottic tonsils” and black discoloration in his lungs, resulting from smoking.

“An acute asthma exacerbation due to viral illness is a common occurrence and considered a non-allergic event,” the report said. “Additionally, chronic smoking of combustible products such as tobacco or marijuana is dangerous in a person with asthma.”

On December 27, police reported that at about 10 p.m. on Dec. 26, officers from the Pinecrest Police Department arrived at a shopping center’s parking lot located at 11825 South Dixie Highway, finding Jo Mersa unconscious inside his vehicle.

Paramedics at the scene later determined that he had passed away.

Jo was interred at Nine Miles, St Ann, like his legendary grandfather, Bob Marley in January 2023.

In March 2023, several members of the Marley family paid tribute to Jo Mersa as they commemorated what would have been his 32nd birthday. 

He is survived by his wife Qiara, six-year-old daughter Sunshine, and 12 siblings.

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Spice might be the Queen of Dancehall, but she has recently revealed that the Carnival experience is crucial to her mental health.

Speaking to MTV for Caribbean American Heritage Month, the entertainer, whose given name is Grace Hamilton, said that the dormancy of Carnival during the pandemic had taken a toll on her. 

“…Of course, you know, my culture inna Jamaica mi love da Carnival deh because I get to be myself. I get to hear likkle Dancehall, and bruk out and gwaan real dirty. I love being on the truck and yuh hearing fast-paced rhythm; whether that be the baseline, the drum, the pattern, seeing the colourful people on the streets just enjoying themselves. I feel like it’s an experience where you get to just forget everything else that’s happening in your life and just have fun,” she reasoned. 

Added Spice: “I feel like if I’m gonna miss Carnival, I’m gonna miss a piece of me. So, when that was taken away when we were going through the pandemic, I was devastated. I couldn’t be able to see my fans, I couldn’t be able to have fun, I couldn’t get to embrace my culture…just the little things that we get to appreciate when it’s actually taken away and we realise that, ‘woah! This was really playing a big role in my life, and my lifestyle, and happiness, and my joy.’”

The Jamaica Carnival experience culminated on April 16. A handful of international celebrities such as Omarion, Chance The Rapper and Winnie Harlow turned out to enjoy the festivities across the different bands. 

Earlier in the episode, Spice noted that Carnival evokes doses of dopamine in revelers.

“Carnival, I would say, it’s the best experience being on the streets just partying, listening to music, having fun in your costume with feathers and colours, the ambiance, the vibe gyrating the waistline…” 

“I feel like Carnival fits into my personal wellness because it’s something I look forward to. It changes your mood, it changes your mindset. I feel like it definitely helps with mental health issues and getting people back into a place where they feel happy. When you get to go to Carnival, it’s just super important for you to represent the culture. So people from all over the world; whether they’re going to fly into Trinidad, Jamaica…wherever in the Caribbean that has a Carnival event. You’re going there to get a cultural experience,” the So Mi Like It singer said.

Trinidad Carnival was also a movie. Queen of Rap Nicki Minaj was live on the scene along with London deejay Skeng. During her visit to her home island, Minaj had also taken the opportunity to promote one of her latest tracks—Red Ruby Da Sleeze, which samples the renowned Diwali Riddim.

Meanwhile, Spice added that she had had loads of fun at international Carnivals and gave an anecdote about one such instance. 

“I performed at the Red Bull Carnival in the UK, and we had to shut the venue down because it was sold out. Seeing my British fans in the UK just going crazy at my performance and the energy, I was climbing up the speaker boxes and giving them the real experience,” she said.

The Go Down Deh singer also addressed the healing qualities of music and she took the opportunity to hail Bob Marley for the example he set in that arena. She also likened this to the impact that her 2018 track, Black Hypocrisy, had on her audience as she aimed to tackle colourism.

“When you speak about the Caribbean, you have to talk about Bob Marley…how he was able to heal the world and join the world together with love through his music. I remember vividly when I did Black Hypocrisy, how I was able to heal a lot of Black women who was hurt, and broken and going through colorism. They were bleaching; they were trying to become lighter. It was to create awareness through my song,” she said.

The official music video for Black Hypocrisy has reached over 6.4 million views on YouTube since its release. The entertainer has always been passionate about speaking on the matter of colorism.

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A since-deleted Instagram post by Queen of Dancehall Spice on Wednesday seems to have stirred some tension between her and the Trans community, after the singer attempted to get her ‘besties’ opinion on a polarizing topic: whether or not men can become pregnant.

Spice reposted a screenshot that captured an engagement between trans model and public figure, Ava Hinojosa, and a follower. Tagging Hinojosa in the debate-starter to her over 4.2 million Instagram fans, Spice asked: “Besties, what’s your thoughts on this?”

In the original post from Hinojosa’s account, the trans woman is captured in a bathroom selfie showing off what appears to be a noticeably protruding midsection, and a caption to accompany it.

The caption read, in part: “I’ve been hiding this for a while from everyone, but yes, trans women can now… get pregnant by getting a womb created in them and a whole bunch of other scientific things that go into all that as well. I know you guys are gonna hate on me and wish death on my child, but I’m gonna take a break from the internet until I have him & make sure he is loved properly. This is all I ever wanted. I am so happy in life right now.”

Though the So Mi Like It singer appears to have wanted a conversation on the topic, many of the responses were scathing remarks directed at Spice, who has long considered herself to be an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Hinojosa was among the first to comment on Spice’s repost, reaffirming that: “Yes, trans women can have kids now…”

Other comments, however, took Spice to task.

“I’m so disappointed rn. This is lowkey transphobe bait, Spice. I thought you were an ally,” one follower wrote.

Another quipped: “Didn’t you perform at Pride Toronto last year? If this is criticism against trans people, then I really don’t think you should’ve performed at Pride.”

Spice’s appearance at Pride Toronto was again mentioned when another fan relayed: “Girl during PRIDE?? We really expected better after the Pride Toronto performance.”

Insisting that Spice’s inquisition was setting up the trans community for unnecessary hate, some fans continued to reel off on the Dancehall star, suggesting her curiosity was causing them hurt.

@Iam_syrai.yamaya asked the mother of two: “Why create a platform for hate? Knowing the political climate… Idk where it really concerns you considering it doesn’t take anything from you or harm you in any way. All trans women/women are different in more ways than reproductive organs… When’s the drop tho?”

Wrote another follower: “It’s things like this that makes it hard for trans women like myself that just want to enjoy our womanhood in our unique way. This is going to be such an uproar and unnecessary hate we don’t need.”

Other comments took a hard stance on the topic.

“I am a part of the LGBT community and I am also a student nurse. Medically and scientifically, it is impossible for a trans woman to have a child since they were born a male… Personally, I believe that there are extremists within our community and this is one of them. Trans women do not try to discredit or erase women. Women [are] born that way at birth,” aesthxtic contended.

The user concluded, however, that “…This post only gives fuel for the transphobes to show their colors in this comment section. No real discussion, just hate and ignorance.”

Others added their two cents to the mix, from suggesting Spice is not in control of her account currently, to even suggesting she was straight-up trolling.

“Spice is hacked yall!” bestblackhairblog wrote.

“This is trolling! No matter what, a genetically born man cannot have a baby. A womb is required & that can’t be scientifically created,” commented another user.

Last year, the Dancehall Queen was among the headlining acts at Pride Toronto Festival Weekend 2022, which was staged by LGBTQ+ group, Pride Toronto.

At the time, she told the gathering: “They didn’t want me to come here to perform for you guys!  When I made the announcement that I am gonna be performing at Pride 2022, it became the biggest thing on the internet.  They didn’t want me here! But even if I was the only one from Jamaica to stand my grounds and stand up as a black woman to fight for my fans, to fight for what I believe in, to fight for all a you, I am standing here because I love all a you, and I know you love me too, because you came out in your tens and thousands.”

Spice has also recently shared a promo for her upcoming song, titled Jealous.

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