This is a long overdue post. Just as I did last year, I’ve done a year in review. 2014 was not without its share of happenings. Let’s look at some of the noteworthy ones.
TABLES WERE TURNED
Usually it is the student being taught a lesson, but this time it was Di Teacha; Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel to be specific. After what seemed like a mockery of a trial he was sentenced to life in prison. Life sweet? Not anymore. He won’t even be eligible for parole until after serving 35 years. It seems however that despite being locked behind bars that we hear new music from him ever so often.
DEM NUH BAD LIKE GULLY BOP
There was Cliff Twang and then there was Rosie. 2014 gave us Gully Bop. He is without doubt an overnight sensation. I had no idea who this man was and then BAM! There he was on Sting posters and repeatedly in my Facebook news feed. I wish him luck and hope he will be able to achieve his dream of traveling. Bop says he dreams about it each night and looks out his window whenever he hears a plane flying past. I’m sure Miss Chin will have the seat right next to him on the plane.
We may not understand their relationship and may question just how real it is, but hey, let him bask in happiness. He used to live in a gully and now has a woman by his side. Now I most certainly could not see past his teeth (call me shallow) and the gully but Miss Chin seems to be able to, whether it’s for love or money.
From living in a gully to performing for scores of patrons at Sting, now that should make it resonate that dreams can come true.
CONSCIOUS MOVEMENT
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And mi say here comes Chronixx.’ Chronixx hit the ground running and showed us he is a force to be reckoned with. Yes, he was around before 2014 but last year he really took over the airwaves with hit after hit and even had an appearance on NBC’s Tonight Show. 2014 seemed to be the year for a conscious music revolution. We also saw the likes of Kabaka Pyramid, Iba Mahr and Jesse Royal among others cementing their presence.
IT DUNG YAH
Wayne J warned us that it dung yah. Vitamin C, Panadol and insect repellent sold like never before. Why? Chik-V. The chikingunya virus descended on us like a plague. I was fortunate enough not to get it. If I did I would have been armed and ready though as I had a stash of vitamin C and Panadol on hand.
If Chik-V wasn’t enough of a scare, we were also faced with Ebola. Fear and pandemonium reigned. If someone even coughed I felt wary. Remember how the nurses at the Mandeville hospital behaved with the man they suspected of having Ebola? Giving thanks that Ebola did not make its way to Jamaica.
IT WAS A YEAR OF MIRACLES
After advising that he was unable to walk and therefore could not attend the Courtney Walsh Awards to collect his award, a miracle occurred and Michael Frater was not only able to walk, but to party it up that same night.
The Observer reported him as stating that ‘he was sick, unable to walk and would require possible surgery to correct what was ailing him.’ The article went on to state that a member of Frater’s management team told journalists ‘that if Frater were to attend the function, he would have had to use crutches to assist in his movement, which he did not think would be appropriate.’ He however found it appropriate to attend Kamal Bankay’s birthday party at Ribbiz (and without crutches, hmm).
A MESS INDEED
The Outameni scandal rocked the nation. ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY MILLION DOLLARS jus suh. I won’t even say anything more on this. Kmt.
WORKING, WORKING, WORKING
And in other government related news, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller ‘assured’ us that the government is doing less with more money. Say what now? Dwl. What a slip of the tongue can do!
*CUE JOHN HOLT AND THE PARAGONS* LET’S GO HAVE SOME FUN ON THE BEACH…
There was quite an uproar over a photo posted by Lisa Hanna. She posted a photo of herself wearing a swimsuit at of all places, the beach. What was she thinking? Doesn’t she know that swimsuits are reserved for….oh that’s right, the beach! Really now, what was inappropriate about her photo? It isn’t as though it was a thong bikini or her breasts were being flashed at us. She wasn’t even in a sexually suggestive pose.
Nothing to see here. Let’s keep it moving.
FAREWELL
We bid the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Honourable Roger Clarke farewell. The outpour of love that was shown was something to behold. There was no political divide. He was indeed loved and looked up to by those on both sides of the fence. We also said goodbye to music legends William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke of Third World and John Holt. They just don’t make music like that anymore. Prior to Bunny Rugs’ passing I posted ‘Committed’ by Third World on my Facebook page quite a few times. From a little girl until now I have loooooved not only the song but the video. Here it is again. Enjoy!
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