New York legislators want probe into police shooting of unarmed Jamaican youth, 18 y-o Ramarley Graham who was killed in his bathroom.....the legislature written to United States Attorney General Eric Holder calling for an "extensive and exhaustive" investigation

Saturday, April 19, 2014    

NEW YORK, USA (CMC) — Minority caucuses of New York State Legislature and the City Council have written to United States Attorney General Eric Holder calling for an "extensive and exhaustive" investigation into the 2012 police shooting death of an unarmed Jamaican youth.

GRAHAM... was killed in his bathroom

"In the interest of seeking truth and justice, we are asking for an extensive and exhaustive investigation into the killing of Ramarley Graham," said legislators in a letter to Eric Holder.

Graham was shot by Police Officer Richard Haste on February 2, 2012, after cops stormed into the teen's Bronx house and confronted him in a bathroom, according to the New York Daily News. He was 18.

Haste said he had heard over his police radio that the teenager had a gun, but no weapon was found -- only a small bag of marijuana.

"We believe the investigation will uncover that the actions of Officer Haste violated the civil rights of Ramarley, his family and the other residents in the home," the letter states.

"It is imperative that the Department of Justice send a clear signal that the lives of black and brown minority men matter," the caucus adds.

In August, Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara said his office would review the case for civil rights violations after a Bronx grand jury declined to indict Haste. On Wednesday, Bharara said the review is ongoing. more

Basil Paterson, father of former Gov. David Paterson, dead at 87....The patriarch served in the state Senate in the '60s, as deputy mayor under Mayor Ed Koch in the '70s and as secretary of state under Gov. Hugh Carey — paving the way for his son.

Basil Paterson, a lion of Harlem politics who helped to pave the way for a new generation of black leaders — including a son who became governor — has died, his family said Thursday. He was 87.

Basil Patterson

Paterson passed away at a Manhattan hospital Wednesday after falling ill with heart problems .

Paterson was a state senator, a deputy mayor, New York’s first black secretary of state and a labor negotiator and mediator.

And Along with David Dinkins, Charles Rangel and Percy Sutton, Paterson was a member of Harlem’s legendary "Gang of Four," which was the center of African-American political power in the city for 40 years and played an influential role in state and national politics as well.

The other members of the foursome also earned places in the history books: Dinkins became New York's first black mayor. Rangel is seeking his 23rd term in Congress. And Sutton, who died in 2009, was a civil rights lawyer, Manhattan borough president and the owner of WLIB-AM.

Manhattan power brokers David Dinkins,
 Basil Patterson, Percy Sutton and Charles Rangel

 

"It's a painful experience when you lose someone that you've known for over 60 years, but he had the most integrity, honesty, and clear thinking of any person that I've ever met," Rangel said.

"Those of us that knew him are pained today... All we have left now are the memories."

Paterson’s son, former Gov. David Paterson, said his father was “a selfless leader“ who “dedicated his life to making sure others' lives were better. Throughout his life, he was known as a pillar of strength by so many throughout New York. For that, we know he was grateful.” more 

MANDEVILLE, JAMAICA: 69 y-o Senior citizen Fay Swaby dies in Manchester car accident; 2 other people injured Fatal crash!

The crashed Honda seen resting
on its side yesterday.
(PHOTOS: GREGORY BENNETT)

Saturday, April 19, 2014    

MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Sixty-nine year old Fay Swaby, a housewife of Chudleigh Housing Scheme in Manchester, died as a result of injuries she received in a motor vehicle accident in Mount Olivet in the parish late Thursday.

Two other people, including the driver of the vehicle, were injured in the crash.

A small crowd gather at the accident site.

According to the Christiana police, the vehicle — a grey Honda Odyssey — was being reversed when the driver allegedly lost control of it, resulting in a collision with a wall.

Swaby was flung from the out-of-control vehicle which then fell on top of her. Swaby, the driver, and the other passenger were taken to hospital where the doctors declared her dead.

The other two victims remained in hospital up until late yesterday. more 

Marijuana March in JAMAICA: The march, organised by veteran reggae artiste Bunny Wailer's Solomonic Productions....Denroy Morgan will lend his support to the cause... A NUMBER of local artistes are set to show their support for the legalisation of marijuana (ganja) during a march and mass rally set for the Corporate Area tomorrow.

BY RICHARD JOHNSON Observer senior reporter johnsonr@jamaicaobserver.com  Saturday, April 19, 2014    

A NUMBER of local artistes are set to show their support for the legalisation of marijuana (ganja) during a march and mass rally set for the Corporate Area tomorrow.

Denroy Morgan

The march, organised by veteran reggae artiste Bunny Wailer's Solomonic Productions and the Rastafari Millennium Council, is aimed at furthering the debate on the legalisation of the weed which is considered a holy sacrament by followers of Rastafari.

The march and motorcade is set to start at 10:00 am from the Mandela Park in Half-Way-Tree to St William Grant Park in the heart of downtown Kingston, before moving on to the Trench Town Culture Park in western Kingston for the rally and presentations.

Among the artistes down to lend their support to the call is Denroy Morgan.

Morgan — best known for his 1981 I'll Do Anything for You and patriarch of sibling group Morgan Heritage — is an advocate for the legalisation.

In 2011, Morgan was arrested and charged with possession of 25 pounds of ganja in the Bronx, New York.

A year later Morgan walked out of a courtroom with a 90-day probation and US$25 court filing fee after successfully arguing that he had no intention of distributing the ganja for profit, but instead bought it for spiritual use.

He told the Jamaica Observer that that experience leaves him no choice but to advocate for the legalisation of ganja. more 

IN JAMAICA: Role change for 74 y-o Father Richard Ho Lung.....Ho Lung, who had open-heart surgery 11 years ago, said most of his time will now be spent on teaching the brothers and establishing the missionaries' musical productions.

 BY BRIAN BONITTO  Saturday, April 19, 2014    

AFTER 33 years as head and founder of the Kingston-based Missionaries of the Poor, Father Richard Ho Lung has stepped down.

Cast members perform He Is Risen
 from the production Candles in the Dark.

Ho Lung, 74, is succeeded by Bro Augusto Silot, a naturalised Jamaican, who was born in the Philippines.

The announcement was made at the Holy Trinity Cathedral on North Street in Kingston on Wednesday evening.

"I felt it was the right time. Younger men will have to step forward and lead the Missionaries of the Poor into the future. I will still help and be active," he told the Jamaica Observer.

Ho Lung, who had open-heart surgery 11 years ago, said most of his time will now be spent on teaching the brothers and establishing the missionaries' musical productions.

"Now I want to pay a bit more attention to the productions. My involvement in this area will be to the very end. It is something of great value to the people," he said.

Ho Lung has written over 20 productions including Acts of the Apostle, Jesus 2000, Candles in the Dark, Run Come, The Rock, and The Messiah.

Father Ho Lung

"A lot of music has been done. The music and productions are food for the souls. It stirs people to a spirit of hope and joy," Ho Lung said.

Performing under the banner 'Father Richard Ho Lung and Friends', the proceeds from these events help to maintain homes for destitute persons, including abandoned, sick, disabled, or dying men, women, infants, and children.

Ho Lung, who shows no sign of slowing down, said he has some overseas dates for The Messiah.

"We'll be at the Napa Theatre in Trinidad on May 27 to June 1, and the Halton Theatre in North Carolina from August 8 to 10," he said. more

BNQT Babes: Brazilian beach goddess, Emanuela De Paula

Emanuela De Paula

By THE DUDE April 15, 2014 10:45 am
Hailing from one of the most beautiful places on this here planet, Emanuela De Paula is one of the most sought after models from Brazil and is thrown into the mix with global superstars like Gisele Bündchen and Adriana Lima. If that doesn’t do it for you, well, you just have issues. Enjoy the view! more photos

IN JAMAICA: Krystal Burnett, a 15 year-old student at Ocho Rios High School, has entered the 2014 Pulse Search. A student of the sciences, Krystal hopes to be successful in both acting and modelling, careers she is passionate about.

Krystal Burnett, a 15 year-old student at Ocho Rios High School, has entered the 2014 Pulse Search. A student of the sciences, Krystal hopes to be successful in both acting and modelling, careers she is passionate about. An avid reader, Krystal also enjoys swimming and watching television.

Pulse has launched The Pulse Search For The Million Dollar Girl. One lucky girl with the perfect face, body and spirit will be selected Pulses Million Dollar Girl at the end of summer 2014. She will be awarded $1m in cash and prizes (with no less than $500,000 in cash).

Krystal Burnett - Contributed

Since 1980, The Pulse Search has produced fashion legends such as Kimberley Mais, Angela Neil, Carla Campbell, Romae Gordon, Althea Laing, Lincoln Wynter and Lois Samuels. More recently, there have been supermodels Jeneil Williams, Oraine Barrett, Jaunel McKenzie, Nell Robinson and Nadine Willis.

Interested new faces who think that they could be the one to take the title are asked to visit Pulse at 38a Trafalgar Road, New Kingston any Wednesday at 4 p.m, taking with them a swimsuit and high-heeled shoes. They may also call 960 0049.

The Pulse Search continues to target young men as well. Young women will be accepted in all categories - fashion, petite and full figure.

Sean Paul Heads To Billboard Latin Music Awards on April 24 at the Bank United Centre at the University of Miami in Florida. Awards will be celebrating 25 years

Sean Paul

Published: Thursday | April 17, 2014

International recording artiste Sean Paul is gearing up for a performance on the Billboard Latin Music Awards on April 24 at the Bank United Centre at the University of Miami in Florida.

The Grammy Award-winning reggae performer, who recently released his latest album, Full Frequency, will accompany Puerto Rican sensation Wisin onstage at the prestigious event. The duo is expected to perform their hit song Baby Danger for the mostly Latin audience.

"The Latin audience has always been close to my heart. They embraced my music from the very beginning, and it is a great privilege for me to perform at the Billboard Latin Awards," said Sean Paul.

The Billboard Latin Music Awards will be celebrating 25 years and is presented by State Farm and will be broadcast on Telemundo.

According to examiner.com, the awards show is the longest running and most prestigious Latin Music awards show.

Bachata singer, songwriter and record producer Prince Royce will also be performing on the show alongside the likes of Marc Anthony, Franco De Vita and Ricky Martin.

Prince Royce, who is featured on Full Frequency, was nominated for awards in a whopping 16 categories. more

IN JAMAICA: Irresponsible Minister! Lisa Hanna Facing More Flack Over Alpha Boy's Home Predatory Boys Comment....The history of Alpha is not known to be a homosexual school, so for the minister putting that out there, for an institution that is 135 years old

Published: Friday | April 18, 2014  by Ryon Jones, Gleaner Staff Reporter   

Lisa Hanna

LISA HANNA, youth and culture minister, is facing mounting criticisms for her claim that the "sexual predatory" nature of the wards was one of the reasons for the closure of the residential-care facilities at Alpha Boy's Home in Kingston.

I heard that the minister announced publicly that the boys are preying on each other, sexually, said Everol Sting Wray, a past student of the home.

I am ashamed of the minister, as that is something that should have been dealt with internally. I think, personally, for Lisa Hanna to come out and put that out publicly; that is very irresponsible for a minister.

After spending six years living at the institution, from 1980 to 1986, Wray is testimony to the good that has come out of Alpha Boy's Home and credited the institution for steering him from a possible life of crime.

According to the internationally acclaimed musician, integrity of the home must be safeguarded.The history of Alpha is not known to be a homosexual school, so for the minister putting that out there, for an institution that is 135 years old, and to highlight that as one of the problems, thats her looking for a scapegoat.

Wrays comments came days before the administrators of the boys home charged that some comments about the planned closure of the residential facility have been disrespectful and caused great stress to students.

According to the administrators, since the announcements, the boys are being labelled homosexuals and a branded Alpha bus was stoned.

In announcing the planned closure of residential facilities, Hanna told a media briefing behavioural problems of the children have resulted in increased pressure on the operators. more

GLITCH THIS : Obamacare Sign-Ups Hit 8 Million In Remarkable Turnaround President Barack Obama announced during a press briefing at the White House Thursday....wenty-eight percent were between the ages of 18 and 34

Posted: 04/17/2014 3:54 pm EDT Updated: 04/17/2014 7:59 pm EDT

In a remarkable rebound from the botched rollout of Obamacare, 8 million people have signed up for private health insurance via the exchanges created by the Affordable Care Act since October, President Barack Obama announced during a press briefing at the White House Thursday.

March and April saw an uptick in the share of young people signing up for private plans using the exchanges. These people, who are presumably healthier, are needed to balance out the medical costs of older, sicker consumers. About 35 percent of people who signed up throughout the open enrollment period were under 35 years old, including children, Obama said. Twenty-eight percent were between the ages of 18 and 34, according to a White House fact sheet.

The official six-month enrollment period ended March 31, but the federal government and most states accommodated people trying to complete applications in April amid alast-minute surge for subsidized private coverage and Medicaid benefits.

"This law is working," Obama said. "This law won't solve all the problems in our health care system. We know we've got more work to do, but we now know for a fact that repealing the Affordable Care Act would increase the deficit, raise premiums for millions of Americans, and take insurance away from millions more."

Obama urged Republicans, who remain almost universally opposed to the health care law, to move on. "I find it strange that the Republican position on this law is still stuck in the same place that is has always been. They still can't bring themselves to admit that the Affordable Care Act is working," he said. more

St Jago coup : St Catherine school dethrone XLCR for schoolgirl football crown....ST Jago High school exacted revenge on Excelsior High to claim the ISSA/KFC/Locker-room Sports Schoolgirl football crown after a 4-3 penalty win at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

BY SHERDON COWAN  Thursday, April 17, 2014

ST Jago High school exacted revenge on Excelsior High to claim the ISSA/KFC/Locker-room Sports Schoolgirl football crown after a 4-3 penalty win at the Spanish Town Prison Oval yesterday.

Both teams met in the final last year, but the Mountain View-based school went into the game as favourites, having managed to remain unbeaten all season.

However, national Under-17 representative Khadija Shaw carried the weight of her St Catherine-based team on her shoulders to lead them to the prestigious title.

The game began at a high pace, with St Jago making the first attempt at goal when Shaw got behind defenders but was unable to beat the goalkeeper.

Excelsior then got into their stride and it didn't take long before the game got its first goal when Nicole Broderick made a nice run down the right flank and beat the goalkeeper at her far post in the 21st minute to make it 1-0.

Excelsior’s Shaniece McDonald (left) vies
 for possession with a St Jago defender
 during the ISSA/KFC/Locker-room
 Sports Schoolgirl football final at the Spanish 
Town Prison Oval yesterday.

It became 2-0 in the 24th minute when Broderick again made a beautiful run and played the ball across to Jamella Henry who made no mistake. Excelsior continued to dominate with ball possession, but could not capitalise on the resulting chances and had to settle for a 2-0 lead going into the interval.

Conditions became overcast for second period and St Jago and Khadija Shaw found a new life when Shaw brought them back into the game after she forced an own goal by Imani Richards in the 46th minute. Shaw again went close when she chipped one over both defender and goalkeeper but only succeeded in hitting the woodwork. more

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is pregnant.

Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is pregnant.

Clinton announced she was pregnant with her first child on Thursday while speaking at the Lower Eastside Girls Club in New York City as part of the "No Ceilings Conversation" series. Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky are expecting the baby "later this year," she said.

"I just hope that I will be as good a mom to my child and hopefully children as my mom was to me," Clinton said at the event. Hillary and Bill Clinton have both said they're ready for grandchildren. more

Entertainment Supa Dups story : JAMAICAN born, 3 Time Grammy Awardee, DWAYNE 'Supa Dups' Chin-Quee has had a decorated career as a producer. He has worked with a long list of heavyweights in dancehall, rhythm and Blues and hip hop....such as EMINEM, RIHANNA, MAR J BLIGHE, DRAKE, BRUNO MARS...Has produced 1 song on TESSANE CHIN's forthcoming CD.

BY KEVIN JACKSON Observer writer  Thursday, April 17, 2014    

DWAYNE 'Supa Dups' Chin-Quee has had a decorated career as a producer. He has worked with a long list of heavyweights in dancehall, rhythm and Blues and hip hop.

With three Grammy Awards to his credit and hits on the Billboard pop charts, he says there is still more to be accomplished.

"Just like anything else success comes with hard work and making the right decisions. To be successful in music you have to love it before anything else. Wanting to be in music for any other reason than that you won't make it," Supa Dups told Splash.

Many Jamaican music fans know Supa Dups as founding member and owner of the Miami-based Black Chiney sound system.

Black Chiney started in 1999 with Supa Dups and colleagues Richard Flores and Bobby Chin producing 'mix CDs' for the Poison Dart sound system.

"I continued to put out CDs and then started doing remixes for DJ Khaled until Black Chiney exceeded both Poison Dart's and DJ Khaled's popularity. It was Bounty Killer who convinced us to turn Black Chiney into a sound system and the rest is history," Supa Dups recalled.

As demand for Black Chiney grew, Supa Dups brought in his cousin Willy Chin and Walshy Fire as members. The latter is still a member of Black Chiney but also works with the hot Major Lazer camp.

Supa Dups was born in Kingston but has lived in the United States since his teens. He says his involvement in music was inevitable.

"I grew up around music all my life. My older brothers were DJ/selectors and I got my influence from there. I started to DJ/select when I was 11 and at age 15 I started to get interested in how the music was made. My aunt who I lived with mortgaged her house and bought me an Akai MPC 3000 and I have been producing ever since," he said.

Black Chiney has helped push Jamaican music into the US mainstream. Some of the songs the 'sound' is responsible for breaking on the Billboard charts are Turnin' Me On by Nina Sky and Father Elephant by Elephant Man, both produced by Supa Dups.

His production credits include WTP by Enimem (from the album Recovery); Fast Lane by Eminem & Royce Da 5'9; Marvin's Room/Buried Alive by Drake featuring Kendrik Lamar; Our First Time and Liquor Store Blues by Bruno Mars and Damian Marley (co-produced by Supa Dups' cousin Mitchum 'Khan' Chin); Show Me by Bruno Mars; Each Tear by Mary J Blige; You Don't Love Me (No, No, No) by Rihanna and Vybz Kartel; Shake That Booty by rapper David Banner featuring Elephant Man; Blind to You and Tomorrow's Another Day by Collie Buddz; Come Over by Estelle featuring Sean Paul; and Can't Be My Lover by John Legend and Buju Banton.

He has won three producer's Grammys for work on albums by Drake (Take Care, which won for Best Rap Album); Bruno Mars (Unorthodox Jukebox won for Best Pop Vocal Album); and Eminem (Recovery won a Grammy for Best Rap Album).

Supa Dups recently produced a track for Tessanne Chin's upcoming album for Universal Republic. more

IN JAMAICA: INDECOM reports 47.3% decrease in fatalities for first quarter Police killings drop.... At the end of the first quarter, the commission recorded a total of 40 fatalities. This is 36 less than the first-quarter figures of 2013

Thursday, April 17, 2014    

THE Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) has reported a sharp decrease in the number of extrajudicial killings by members of the security forces for the first quarter of the year.

At the same time, the investigative body said it has recommended that 16 police officers be slapped with criminal charges, including murder, for the same period.

INDECOM Commissioner Terrence Williams commented on the decrease in the fatal shootings in a release announcing the figures.

"We are certainly encouraged by these figures and we hope that the number will continue on a downward trajectory going forward," Williams said. "It is particularly refreshing given the report of the general decline in crime during this period."

At the end of the first quarter, the commission recorded a total of 40 fatalities. This is 36 less than the first-quarter figures of 2013 in which 76 fatalities were recorded, and represents a 47.3 per cent drop in the number of fatalities, according to the INDECOM release.

In January 2014 the commission recorded 22 fatalities, down from the 30 recorded in January last year, a 26.6 per cent decrease; while in February 14 fatalities were recorded, down from 27 in 2013 which is a 48.1 per cent decrease. For the month of March, the commission recorded four fatalities, the lowest in the history of the commission, which was formed in 2010...

Last year 19 fatalities were recorded in March, which represents a decrease of 78.9 per cent. more

Woman thief 2 cell phones from man within 2 mins...Have the nerves to cuss man out after she stole his phone. Very very funny. What would you do?

Post by Jamaica IS Nice.

IN JAMAICA: A five-year-old girl child was yesterday shot and injured by gunmen along Drummond Street in West Kingston....12-year-old Kawayne McAnuff was shot and killed by gunmen in the constituency earlier this month.

Thursday, April 17, 2014    

A five-year-old child was yesterday shot and injured by gunmen in West Kingston.

The child was one of three people injured when armed thugs opened fire along Drummond Street in the city’s west end.

“The reports we receive are that at about 9:00 am a father and his five-year-old daughter were walking along the road when thugs carried out the attack,” a police source said.

Twelve-year-old Kawayne ‘Timo’ McNuff who
 was killed by gunmen Friday night.

However, police theorise that the child and her father were ‘at the wrong place at the wrong time’ as the attack was aimed at another man who was walking along the road.

“The father, while walking along the road, heard explosions and, in an attempt to protect his daughter, picked up the child and ran,” said one police source.

The man, the source said, later realised that the child was shot in her back. He was shot in the leg. The man was treated at hospital and the child admitted.

The third man, who was said to be the intended target of the criminals, was also admitted to hospital. He was said to be in a critical condition.

The incident has triggered new tensions in the area as it happened a day after the security team assigned to Member of Parliament Desmond McKenzie was attacked by gunmen on North Street, just outside a funeral parlour where the MP was finalising burial arrangements for 12-year-old Kawayne McAnuff.

Kawayne was shot and killed by gunmen in the constituency earlier this month. more

Nearly 300 feared Dead as South Korea Ferry Sinking Sparks Anxious Search For Hundreds Missing. Nine are confirmed dead.... Alleged that only 1 life boat was used when 46 boats were on the ferry.

AP  | by  FOSTER KLUG and YOUKYUNG LEE Posted: 04/17/2014 1:28 am EDT Updated: 04/17/2014 1:59 am EDT

MOKPO, South Korea (AP) — Strong currents, rain and bad visibility hampered an increasingly anxious search Thursday for 287 passengers still missing a day after their ferry flipped onto its side and sank in cold waters off the southern coast of South Korea.

South Korean Coast Guard and rescue teams search for missing
passengers at the site of the sunken ferry off the coast of
Jindo Island on April 17, 2014 in Jindo-gun, South Korea.
 (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) |
Chung Sung-Jun via Getty Images

Nine people, including five students and two teachers, were confirmed dead, but many expect a sharp jump in that number because of the long period of time the missing have now spent either trapped in the ferry or in the cold seawater. There was also fury among families waiting for word of passengers who were mostly high school students.

There were 475 people aboard, and some of the frantic parents of the 325 student passengers who had been heading to Jeju island for a four-day trip gathered at Danwon High School in Ansan, which is near Seoul, and on Jindo, an island near where the ferry slipped beneath the surface until only the blue-tipped, forward edge of the keel was visible.

Relatives of the three dead students wailed and sobbed as ambulances at a hospital in Mokpo, a city close to the accident site, took the bodies to Ansan. The families, who spent a mostly sleepless night at the hospital, followed the ambulances in their own cars.

The family of one of the victims, 24-year-old teacher Choi Hye-jung, spoke about a young woman who loved to boast of how her students would come to her office and give her hugs.

"She was very active and wanted to be a good leader," her father, Choi Jae-kyu, 53, said at Mokpo Jung-Ang Hospital while waiting for the arrival of his daughter's body. Choi's mother, sitting on a bench at the hospital, sobbed quietly with her head bent down on her knee. more

THE VOICE (Italy): Singing Nun Belts Out 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun:' Sister Cristina Scuccia Soars To Next Level On The Voice Italy

Sister Cristina Scuccia is back on The Voice Italy with a rocking performance of Cyndi Lauper's classic "Girls Just Want To Have Fun."

The sister battled it out with fellow competitor Luna Palumbo and scored yet another win from the judges after another passionate show of her vocal talent with her nun pals cheering her on from the sidelines.

During the performance, Sister Cristina pointed heavenward during the line beginning with "Daddy dear," perhaps a reference to a more heavenly Father?

This nun doesn't just wanna have fun, however-- she told the judges after her first audition that "“I came here because I have a gift and I want to share that gift."

We're glad she did. Check it out above.

A rapper affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan is in an L.A. area hospital after ......Rapper Andre Johnson, Aka Christ Bearer, Severs Penis And Jumps From Balcony: Police

Police The Huffington Post  | by  David Moye Email RSS  Posted: 04/16/2014 7:27 pm EDT Updated: 04/16/2014 7:59 pm EDT

A rapper affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan is in an L.A. area hospital after allegedly attempting suicide by cutting off his penis and jumping from a second floor balcony.

Police said Andre Johnson, who performs under the name "Christ Bearer" with the Wu-Tang affiliated group Northstar, attempted the self-dismemberment early Wednesday morning at an apartment building in North Hollywood.

Cops arrived on the scene around 1 a.m. and saw Johnson lying on the sidewalk with critical injuries. Johnson, 40, was rushed by ambulance to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, TMZ reports. Details about what triggered the incident were not available, according to CNN.

Two members of Northstar who live in the same apartment building said Johnson cut off his penis and leaped without warning, according to Fox News. By the time they got downstairs he was running around screaming.

The musicians told TMZ they hadn't used "any hard drugs that would cause him to do such a thing."

Johnson jumped less than 24 hours after the release of "OOOH!", a new video with Rugged Monk as Black Knight. Although Johnson has collaborated with Wu-Tang Clan producer and leader RZA, the band's website now has a statement seemingly denying any ties to Johnsonwithout naming him, according to RawStory.com.

The statement reads: “Parental Advisory: Don’t Believe The HYPE. This Mother F*cker Ain’t Got Sh*t to do with The WUTANG Brand.” more

Wu-Tang-Affiliated Rapper Cuts Off His Own Penis, Jumps Off Balcony in Suicide Attempt - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe

JAMAICA Government To Develop Programmes For Homosexual Youth.....Youth Minister Lisa Hanna made the announcement to address issues affecting various sections of the youth population including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) individuals.

Lisa Hanna

The Government says it is in the process of developing new services, initiatives and programmes to address issues affecting various sections of the youth population including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) individuals. 

Youth Minister Lisa Hanna made the announcement while speaking yesterday morning at the Panos Caribbean Stakeholder Conference. 

She says new targeted intervention is necessary, if the Government is to adequately and effectively address the challenges, concerns and needs of the different types of youth her ministry serves. 

Some of the other groups include Men who have sex with Men (MSMs) and youth with sexual orientation and gender identity issues. 

Hanna explains that given the lack of data on LGBT youth, today's stakeholder consultation is timely as it will provide the youth ministry with a better understanding of what the issues are. 

She insists that the Government’s duty is not only to provide shelter and protection for abandoned and abused children but also therapeutic intervention to address the physical and psychological harm they have suffered. 

Hanna says it is clear that there will also have to be what she calls a resetting of the mind and of the way in which people are treated. more

Hapilos awards off :According to the New York Post, Kevin Reynolds — CEO of 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution — was arrested at the John F Kennedy International Airport last Sunday

Wednesday, April 16, 2014    

SATURDAY'S 21st Hapilos Anniversary and Digital Awards has been postponed. The event was scheduled for the Chinese Benevolent Association of Jamaica Centre in St Andrew.

No reason was given for the postponement. Neither was a new date announced.

Johnny Wonder, 21st Hapilos’s executive
 vice-president (Photo: Pawty Central)

In a statement yesterday, Johnny Wonder, 21st Hapilos's executive vice-president, apologised "for any inconvenience the postponement may have caused".

"We at 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone associated with the event; the Jamaican recording fraternity, our sponsors, fans, supporters and those who were slated to perform," said Wonder.

The awards recognise achievements of artistes and producers in digital distribution as well as their contributions to the music industry.

"Direct sales and streams are used to determine the winners," Wonder told the Jamaica Observer.

Categories include Top Selling Single of the Year, Lifetime Award and Producer Buzz Award. The awards were previously held in 2011 and 2012.

According to the New York Post, Kevin Reynolds — CEO of 21st Hapilos Digital Distribution — was arrested at the John F Kennedy International Airport last Sunday, after being on the run from United States law enforcement since 2002. more

Dread and Terrible lie about CHRONIXX in Paris, FRANCE....event was a success and saw great performances from Chronixx as well as Dre Island, Kelissa, Barrington Levy, Cham and Patrice.

BY CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer reporter livingstonc@jamaicaobserver.com  Wednesday, April 16, 2014    

ANTONIE Missir — producer of Chronixx's Dread and Terrible Tour French leg -- is dismissing rumours that the artiste was assaulted by security guards at La Cigale in Paris on Sunday, April 6.

"I guarantee that there is no truth to the story," said Missir, in an email response to the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

Chronixx

According to the producer, Chronixx and his team were on stage when a minor incident happened backstage between a security guard and an unauthorised person.

"Chronixx and crew behaved very professionally and didn't clash with any security [personnel]. Nobody got injured, there were no weapons, no police," he said, adding that there are no longer any chateauxs in Paris.

Missir said the event was a success and saw great performances from Chronixx as well as Dre Island, Kelissa, Barrington Levy, Cham and Patrice.

According to a Platinum Camp email release, Chronixx and his party refused to wear the armbands and proceeded to rough up the security guards.

"After his performance, a group of guards with high-powered weapons and baseball bats were waiting in the wings for them. It was reported that the beating that Chronixx and his posse suffered was horrendous, they ran for their lives and sought refuge in a chateau. The occupants of the chateau hid them and had to call for the French authorities in order to save them," the release continued.

Chronixx Music Group, managers and booking agents for Chronixx dismissed the alleged altercation between the artiste's team and security providers. more