Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts

Saturday, August 02, 2025

What makes Ky-Mani Marley a must-see artist at Sfinks Festival?

Ky-Mani Marley and Joel Savage at Sfinks Festival
 
Ky-Mani Marley and Joel Savage at Sfinks Festival



Belgium's Sfinks Festival, one of the top summer events with hundreds of attendees, has drawn top performers from all over the world to perform there. One of the sons of the reggae icon Bob Marley, Ky-Mani Marley, is one of the performers at this year's festival.

 

From the father to the kids, the name Marley is like a magnet drawing in reggae enthusiasts, so it wasn't out of the ordinary for them to swarm the Sfinks’ arena as Ky-Mani was about to start his performance.

 

Ky-Mani was greeted by a thunderous roar as he took the stage and began giving his supporters what they had been waiting for. The energetic young man, known for his powerful vocal delivery, musicianship, and ability to engage with the public, enthralled the audience with his lyrics.

 

The Grammy-nominated reggae artist won over fans' hearts with his distinctively warm and raspy vocals. He combines pop, rock, reggae, and rhythm and blues into his songs, adding enthralling arrangements and improvisational sounds.

 

Ky-Mani eagerly shared his experience with his upcoming new album, "Love & Energy," and sang a couple of songs, including the single "All This Love," with a poignant celebration of togetherness, faith, and divine love, supported by skilled musicians and two enchanting female vocals.

 

Joel Savage's short interview with Ky-Mani Marley

At every Bob Marley Sons’ event, his music is played in remembrance of their father, and it appears like the crowd is eager to hear some of their favorite Bob Marley songs. Ky-mani sang "Three Little Birds, One Love, Roots Rock Reggae, and Could You Be Loved,” giving more satisfaction to his fans.

 

Ky-Mani Marley on stage


After an hour and a half of nonstop, incredible performances, the crazed audience demanded more music because they didn't want Ky-Mani to stop. He wouldn't disappoint, so in response, he played more songs to ensure his fans' utmost satisfaction. 


Monday, July 28, 2025

Experience tourism in Mexico, where passion blooms

Musicians entertaining in Mexico
 

Musicians entertaining in Mexico. Photo credit: Travelbus.com


Mexico is a place that leaves everyone with the desire to repeat a visit. Travelers from all over the world are drawn to the region by its distinctive culture, varied scenery, and ideal temperature because of its well-developed infrastructure. Travel is both comfortable and, with the right safety measures, absolutely safe. People travel to Mexico to take in the native cuisine, bathe in the Caribbean Sea's azure waters, and unwind on its immaculate beaches.

 

The nation's pre-Columbian architectural marvels and its quaint old neighborhoods that still have the allure of the colonial past are other attractions that entice tourists. Active travelers can visit the nation's national parks and partake in a variety of water sports. The country's lively festivals, when regional singers and dancers showcase their skills, add to its allure.

 

The majority of Mexicans go to church on Sundays, and the population is devout. Several different civilizations have left their mark on the nation's rich cultural legacy. Many of the nation's craftspeople employ age-old methods that have been handed down through the generations. About 60% of Mexico's land is covered by mountains, and the nation celebrates its national holidays with considerable grandeur, including large-scale parades, dance, and music.

 

The Transverse Volcanic Sierra divides the Eastern and Western Sierra Madre mountain ranges, which run along the eastern and western boundaries. The country's center is home to the biggest and most exquisite lakes, the largest of which is Chapala Lake. Mexico's principal river, the Rio Bravo, runs parallel to the US border.

 

The nation's 9,300-kilometer coastline provides access to the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf of California. Mexico has a distinct rainy season and a primarily subtropical climate. Although the country has mild temperatures all year round, travel might be difficult from May to September due to high humidity and severe rainfall.

 

The weather gets erratic during this time, with hurricanes and cyclones possible. The winter months are characterized by sunny skies, little precipitation, and temperatures that hardly ever get over +30°C. The year-round temperatures in Mexico's north range from +20°C to +24°C, whereas in the south, they range from +24°C to +27°C.

 

Mexico's peak season runs from November through May. After the rainy season, travelers can take advantage of the pleasant weather and lush vegetation during this period. Between mid-December and mid-April, when the nation sees a spike in travel, hotel rates soar, and because of the intense heat and frequent rains, summer is a less suitable time of year to travel.

 

Although Mexico provides great beach holidays, every coast has its own distinct characteristics. Sun-seekers who love swimming in blue waters, diving, and snorkeling, as well as relaxing on white sand beaches, flock to the Caribbean. Californians looking for a luxurious and top-notch vacation spot frequently visit the Yucatán Peninsula, which provides a variety of tourist attractions along with first-rate beach infrastructure.

 

The Pacific shore is known for its stunning scenery and darker sand. It is a well-liked location for anyone looking for a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city. There are numerous hotels and bungalows in the area that are situated right on the sand and provide breathtaking views of the ocean all day long. Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta's main beach, is a popular destination for tourists because of its many cafes and fine dining establishments. Sayulita is a well-liked surfing spot, and Cabo is the best place to go snorkeling.

 

Resorts in Mexico

 

One of the top ten resorts in the world is Cancun. Here, visitors may enjoy a holiday in opulent hotels that are just a short stroll from kilometers of sandy beaches, participate in a variety of sports, eat at restaurants serving international cuisine, and attend discos and nightclubs. Scuba divers travel from all over the world to Cancun, which is home to one of the best diving facilities. Boats transport visitors to places where they can explore sunken Spanish galleons, dive into coral reefs, and see vibrant fish.

 

One of the nation's oldest resorts is Acapulco. Hollywood celebrities used to love to unwind here in the 1950s, and today, young people flock here to unwind in one of the world's most picturesque bays. There is a thriving nightlife in the city, with numerous clubs and discos. The Museum of Piracy, Fort San Diego, and the old quarters are some of Acapulco's attractions.

 

One of the hubs of Indian culture and Mexico City's primary attraction is the ancient city of Teotihuacan. It has pyramids, sculptures, god-depicted paintings, obsidian workshops, and the remains of multi-story residential complexes.

 

1. A vast collection of artifacts from the Aztec and Mayan civilizations can be found at Mexico City's National Museum of Anthropology.

2. The greatest cathedral in Latin America and Mexico's primary religious hub is the Cathedral of the Assumption. The building's inside is lavishly decorated with gold, mother-of-pearl, and ivory.

 

The "District Zocamolco" in Mexico City is frequently referred to as the "Venice of Mexico." The Chinampas, which are Aztec waterways, are located there. In the past, these canals connected man-made ponds and passed through every area in the city.

 

Every traveler aspires to visit the ancient Maya-Toltec metropolis of Chichen-Itza. The settlement peaked in the 12th century, having been established in 360 BC. An observatory, a ball court, a spring where the Indians formerly offered human sacrifices, and priests' graves and temples are all in excellent condition. In Chichen-Itza, there are light shows every evening when the weather is nice.

 

One of the largest Mayan port cities was originally centered on Tulum Fortress. Visitors may explore the pre-Columbian fortifications and the Temple of the Frescoes, which was used by the indigenous people as an observatory, at this Cancun site.

 

Entertainments

 

The sokalo squares, where musicians play for free, are the hub of nighttime life in small towns and villages. Every Sunday, the locals get together to attend dances and concerts. "Musical festivals, "featuring national music and dances, are frequently held at hotels, restaurants, and concert venues.

 

Bullfighting, a classic form of Mexican entertainment, starts around December. The top matadors in the nation compete in the bullfights at Plaza Mexico, which run until March. Charreadas, a Mexican-style rodeo with riders dressed traditionally, take place every Sunday at Mexico City's Lienzo del Charro arena. The performances by mariachi bands add to the atmosphere.

Mexico provides diving, windsurfing, tennis, golf, and horseback riding as sports. There are lots of boating opportunities at coastal resorts, and you may rent any kind of boat, from a big yacht to a canoe. Guaymas, Mazatlán, Los Cabos, and other towns provide fishing gear rental centers, and the Pacific coast is known for its great undersea fishing. Getting a fishing license from the captain of the boat you are renting is the simplest method.

 

Delicious meals of Mexico

 

Over the centuries, Mexican food has developed into a distinctive and varied culinary environment by fusing Native American, Spanish, and European traditions. Growing corn and beans, which still serve as the basis for many Mexican cuisines, dominated the agricultural methods of the early inhabitants. Mexican food would not be the same without tortillas, the staple corn tortillas.


One of Mexico's delicious foods

One of Mexico's delicious foods


Popular fast-food dishes, including burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas, are made with them. Guacamole, an avocado-based sauce, and refritos, a kind of fried bean, are examples of traditional Mexican cuisine. Every region has its own distinct cuisine; for example, Sonora is famed for its beef, Monterrey for its grilled goat meat, and Yucatán for its pig and spicy peppers.

 

Among the well-known Mexican dishes are mole poblano, which is turkey or chicken in a thick sauce made from several kinds of peppers; ceviche, which is a dish made from fresh fish and seasoned with lime juice; carne asada, which is spicy grilled beef; and tamales, and corn dough with different fillings steamed in corn leaves. 

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Travel Jamaica: Exploring its rich culture and stunning landscapes

 

Bob Marley Museum

Bob Marley Museum


Jamaica is another Caribbean island of joy, along with Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The country provides more than meets the eye, despite being famous for its reggae legacy and for producing some of the world's top athletes. Based on the amazing sights and sounds that Jamaica has to offer, tourists will return time and time again once they arrive in that Caribbean paradise.

 

With reggae music and the sound of the waves in the background, the Jamaican soil yields the highest-quality fruits, and the area is sometimes described as a paradise in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. Do you intend to travel to this wonderful nation? Join the many who storm this island with its rich tropical nature each year to explore the land that has given birth to great artists.

 

Bright and friendly every year, Jamaica welcomes an increasing number of visitors from throughout the world. This makes sense given the island's stunning, exotic scenery, beaches, uninhabited areas, and well-equipped lodging and dining options to suit every taste and price range. Rich tourists make up the majority of the visitors; they typically travel to Jamaica in small groups or in couples.

 

 Regions and resorts in Jamaica

 

There are three distinct tourism regions on the island: the eastern, central, and western regions. Kingston, often known as Kingstown, is the capital of Jamaica and is situated in the eastern region of the island. Rebuilt following the 1907 earthquake, it is a fairly modern city that serves more as an economic hub than a tourist attraction. There is a sizable harbor where you may watch big cruise ships and go to restaurants, museums, and water parks.

 

East of the island, Port Antonio is well-known for its stunning beaches, opulent celebrity homes, and having served as the location for the production of Treasure Island. Rich locals call the area home, and by local standards, it is now a serene and luxurious resort. Typically, visitors do not reach the island's center. Its mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and other natural features are all quite fascinating.

 

The most well-known resort location is Ocho Rios, a seaside resort that was formerly a fishing community. Spanish Town was once one of the most violent places in the nation; to provide free education and employment, the government even had to convince the residents to give up their firearms. With intriguing colonial architecture, it is a contrasted town today.

 

This resort, which is encircled by mountains and verdant hills on all sides, is a great destination for a calm getaway. Jamaica's western region is the most popular with tourists. The most well-known beach resorts and hotels of global chains are situated here, and this is where the majority of international trips go. Montego Bay is the primary tourist destination as well, and this resort has gained a reputation as a hangout for the wealthy and well-known over the years.

 

Negril is the second most visited resort in Jamaica's west. There is great diving and snorkeling, a vibrant nightlife, and beaches that rank in the top ten in the world. White House Bay is an hour and a half's drive from Montego Bay on Jamaica's southwest coast. With sandy beaches, jungles, and the only opulent Sandals Whitehouse 5-star hotel designed to resemble a Caribbean hamlet, this is the hottest tropical coast.

 

Climate of Jamaica

 

The summer and winter temperatures are nearly equal, with July and August being the hottest months in a tropical and humid environment. January through March is the coolest time of year, and at night, the temperature can dip to +20–+22°C. Since a steady breeze from the sea creates a nice chill, the heat and humidity are readily tolerated here.



May and October are thought to be the wettest months, while tropical hurricanes, which are common across the Caribbean, can occur from June to November. The monthly air temperature average is +25...+28°C, and the water temperature average is +24...+26°C.

 

The unending sights to visit apart from the beach resorts are notable places such as the Bob Marley Museum, located in the house where the reggae legend lived; Rose Hall; Falmouth; Dunn’s River Park; Dolphin Cove; Rio Grande River; and Hummingbird Sanctuary, the bird that represents the symbol of the island and which visitors to the sanctuary often feed.

 

Incredible Jamaican cuisines

 

One of the varieties of dishes of Jamaica.

One of the varieties of dishes of Jamaica


If Jamaica could offer the best sweet reggae tunes and genres like ska, mento, and calypso, then the country offers a wide variety of delicious foods, including Jamaican Jerk, Brown Stew Chicken, Peppered Shrimps, Jamaican Patty, Escovitch Fish, Oxtail with beans, Ackee and Salt Fish, and delicious desserts like Jamaican Rum Cake. 

Saturday, July 05, 2025

Honesty Is Mostly What I Need From You – Billy Joel

 

Billy Joel

Songwriters and musicians frequently release music with lyrics that evoke strong emotions because they relate to the everyday experiences of life. I often say that even though “the truth is not a commodity sold at the market, many people can’t afford it.” Speaking the truth can cause one to lose all of their friends and turn into an adversary right away. The song "Honesty, such a lonely word, yet everyone is so untrue" by the legendary Bill Joel evokes similar emotions in me.

 

People are not accustomed to discussing how honesty and its derivative, truth, can impact our satisfaction in interpersonal interactions. Few people consider how honesty affects their lives and how their personalities are shaped. Since honesty involves suffering, separation, agony, criticism, and hatred, most individuals would rather lie than be honest. From Biblical times to today’s modern world, speaking the truth can cost your head on a silver platter; therefore, people prefer to live on lies.

 

The concept of honesty is highly complex, since no one can tell if you're lying or not, we are all honest to some extent. Nonetheless, there are times when you alone is responsible for your words and deeds with dignity, and only you can judge if you are being truthful or not. Why should one be afraid to speak the truth because it will hurt you or others? There are instances when people think that lying has no serious negative consequences, but it does, because whatever a man sows, the same he shall reap.

 

Being dishonest causes one to become disoriented and confused. What is the primary risk associated with dishonesty? A person will be dishonest in another area if they are dishonest in the first. People gradually build up a network of underworld clans and deceitful organizations that can have major repercussions on humanity. Not only is it unpleasant to be caught in a lie, but it also damages our reputation and credibility. The true risk, though, is losing your integrity and dignity.

 

The training we received from our parents as kids included teaching us to be honest and truthful. They constantly warn us that lying is wrong and that we will be penalized for it each time we violate this rule. Adults, however, lie more than children in today's society in every industry, including the military, pharmaceutical, and political sectors. Governments everywhere, but particularly in wealthy nations, are to blame for needless conflicts that continue to claim the lives of defenseless children.



The great Billy Joel sings "Honesty."


There can’t be peace when there is no understanding because there is no honesty. Since honesty is essential to our survival, particularly in this turbulent environment, people can cultivate it where it is lacking. Being honest is difficult, but it is crucial to do it consistently; this is what I mean when I talk about cultivation. Billy Joel's song "Honesty” served as the basis for today’s outstanding article from Joel Savage. 


Tuesday, June 08, 2021

Snoop Dogg, Don't aid, abet, support, crime against humanity in Belgium

 

Left, the crime of King Leopold against children, middle, Snoop Dogg and right, the statue of the mad king that committed those atrocities in Africa

Left, the crime of King Leopold against children, middle, Snoop Dogg and right, the statue of the mad king that committed those atrocities in Africa


Calvin Cordozar Broadus, alias Snoop Dogg, please, freedom, equal rights, and justice, though they claim to exist for everyone, as you already know, they don't exist for black people. The black man needs to fight for them before a little part of it can be given to him.


Since the law doesn't favor a black man, it is the duty of black people to force and die for justice. So aiding, supporting, and abetting crimes against humanity, especially something deliberately done against a particular race that has the same color as you, means you may not be familiar enough with black history.


When George Floyd was brutally murdered in America after decades of the abolition of slavery, the world changed and people, governments, and politicians begin to see things differently around the world because they have realized that things need to be changed before violence erupts. 


Yet still, there are many countries that remain adamant about the deteriorating political issues relating to black people. Belgium is one of them. On the map of Europe, Belgium may appear to be one of the smallest countries, yet their appetite for crimes against humanity is shocking beyond explanation.


More baffling is the negative attitude on issues relating to black people in the country. My question, Snoop Dogg, if there is no statue of Hitler for killing a Jew or Jews, why for God's sake should there be a statue of Leopold II, a mad and greedy king who masterminded the torture and killings of millions of Africans?


Do you feel okay and happy to perform a musical concert in such a country, whereby no Jew musician can honor such an invitation?


I am living in Belgium for the past twenty-one years, I have never committed any crime against anybody, yet the crimes the Belgium government and Google have committed against me with impunity because of the truth I write would have taken me to prison for many years if I should have committed the same crimes against them.


Related topic: SNOOP DOGG TO PERFORM IN BELGIUM, AN INSULT TO BLACK PEOPLE


I have said it over and over that, I don't need Google's search engine to make me what I am today because the kind of articles I write don't need an advertisement. I have thousands of readers on social media hungry to read what I write, yet, the jealous Belgium government and Google, interested in money and crimes against humanity, continue to block my readers' access to read what I write.


I can't simply understand. What do they really want from me? I am not a slave, both physically and psychologically for anyone including Google and politicians to tell me what to write. No, I don't kowtow for criminals or an empire of deceitful enemies and nation wreckers, therefore, nobody can change my identity as a writer.


The kind of articles I write has even made me famous than any Belgium journalist. Who doesn't know the African writer called Joel Savage? This is what has been scaring the Belgian government, its corrupt royal family for years. However, I will continue building the foundation of my legacy until the time I will go into my grave.


Crimes are now normal things to do, therefore, Google and the Belgium government keep harassing me and manipulating my articles by breaking links and diverting some to 404 errors with impunity. 


Even though I have no power to defend myself because the is no law for the black man, I am very glad that some organizations have taken a keen interest in what is unfolding between Google and me, which in the future, whether dead or alive, they will use against the search engine company, for sure.


Recently, someone asks permission from me if they could use one of my articles for the book he is writing. It was there I knew how far my articles have reached, causing panic and fears in criminal organizations, governments, corrupt health institutions, and politicians.


Snoop Dogg, you need to cancel this concert, if you respect yourself and above all, the entire black race. If Belgium says they care about humanity, then I give them three months from now to demolish that stupid and senseless statue of King Leopold II. 


If not, the government and Google should stop harassing me and my readers for writing the truth because nobody can fight against the truth.

Sunday, June 06, 2021

SNOOP DOGG TO PERFORM IN BELGIUM, AN INSULT TO BLACK PEOPLE

Snoop Dogg comes to Sportpaleis to perform in Antwerp, Belgium

Snoop Dogg comes to Sportpaleis to perform in Antwerp, Belgium


Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, the African-American rapper, popularly known as Snoop Dogg, is scheduled to perform at Antwerp's Sportpaleis, in a musical concert tagged "I Wanna Thank Me Tour," on February 24, 2022.



It's not only disrespectful to African-Americans, black musicians, or celebrities that come to Belgium to perform but to the entire black race. Things must change for the black people but that change will not be handed over to them until they do it by themselves.



Belgium is a country that about 70% of its population has no respect for black people, so why should Snoop Dogg, Beyonce, Pharrell Williams, Lionel Richie, Chris Brown or any black musician accept the invitation to Belgium to perform?



The Belgium government knows of its crime against humanity in Africa and wishes to change things to be forgiven, yet for decades, they have refused to do the right thing because they lacked integrity repentance and remorse.



"Selecting a black man as the captain of the country's national team, 'The Red Devils,' will not change Belgium's bitter black history against humanity, and certainly, naming a square after Patrice Lumumba in Brussels, will also not pardon the Belgium government."


The right thing which is hard for them to do is to pull down all the statues of the tyrant, brutal dictator, and mad king, Leopold II, and change the names of the streets named after him throughout the country. 


They simply can't do it because they have no hearts of genuine repentance and remorsefulness. 


Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the Belgium government or their royal family but I am sick and tired of their false pretense and hypocrisy, pretending every day that everything is fine in the country, in regards to the racial matter as a black man.


Let us get straight to the point if there is no statue of Hitler for killing a Jew or Jews, why there should a statue of Leopold II, someone that masterminded the killing of millions of Africans, including women and children?


Every race has a history, that of the black race is very bitter. The black man has lost his respect and identity through slavery, colonialism, Apartheid, and infliction of man-made diseases on the continent.


There are many countries, such a the United States of America, Holland, France, Germany, Belgium, and health institutions, such as the World Health Organization, behind gruesome horrible crimes against humanity in Africa.


Things are changing rapidly, thanks to every country, including the United States of America, thriving to make things better for the black people, after the brutal murder of George Floyd even though many are still resisting and wouldn't like to see black people given the same opportunities.


If you are a black man, before someone gives you respect, first you need to respect yourself. That’s what many African-Americans lack, the reason from the time of slavery they continue to suffer without end in America.



Both Jews and African-Americans have sad, distasteful, disgraceful, and unpleasant historical stories, but the Jews are more respected than African-Americans because they don’t do what African-Americans do.


While a Jew proudly wears his skullcap to identify himself as Jew, many African-Americans wouldn’t like to hear or to be called an African. “I am an American not an African,” he will tell you. It’s very sad indeed. 


Can any Jewish singer, perform in a country that has the statue of Adolf Hitler? Even in many countries, holding any material of Adolf Hitler is an offense. You may face a fine or end up in prison.


So why then should Snoop Dogg come to a country that has statues of a King, who maimed, tortured, and brutally killed over ten million Africans, including children in Congo to perform? 


"Black people have been taken for granted for too long. They have been used, abused, mocked, scorned, hanged, and lynched after slavery, yet, many of them still run to the countries that attributed to such crimes without apology to perform musical concerts."



Do African-Americans who perform in Belgium think the Belgians love or care about them? They mustn’t deceive themselves. Belgium doesn’t care about them as human beings, but only uses them to make money.


If Belgium cares about them, there wouldn’t be a single statue of Leopold II in the country and there wouldn't be any street named after him. I need to them the truth which they can accept or ignore.

Saturday, December 19, 2020

Contrary To The Love And Care Politicians Assure Us, We Now Live In Fear

The late Bob Marley sang much about political crimes causing so much troubles in this world

The late Bob Marley sang much about political crimes, causing so much trouble in this world

.

"Building a church and university, deceiving the people continually. Graduating thieves and murderers." This is part of the lyrics of the song called 'Babylon System," by the great Jamaican reggae star, Bob Marley, who died in 1981.


The powerful lyrics of many musicians, especially reggae artists, including Bob Marley, still hold the truth, reflecting on today's violence, crime, and clandestine activities of politicians, making this world unbearable to live in any longer.


As citizens and workers, we believe that our leaders must demonstrate confidence and show care and love to the people they rule. Unfortunately, worldwide, many have lost confidence in politicians because of their clandestine actions and unpleasant thoughts, which are taking their toll on citizens or the common people today.


I am an African writer; therefore, readers or people shouldn't expect me to write like a European or American writer. In case I hadn't been to Europe, I wouldn't have known the truth. In Africa, we thought journalism in Europe and America was transparent and nothing but the truth. I discovered later that it is full of lies and deceptions.


While the BBC and CNN show African programs to impress the world that they love and care about the continent, they hide the real facts of many crimes committed by Western European and American governments in Africa. Yes, they push the facts of medical crimes under the carpet, while they declare war on the articles by African writers exposing them.


It's even ridiculous, dangerous, and very shameful, as both media that claim they have qualified health journalists, will support the crimes of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and the US government, to disseminate false medical information on their websites that bats, monkeys, poverty, and bushmeat, are responsible for Aids and Ebola in Africa, while indeed, are biological weapons.


Who will then trust the World Health Organization's persuasion today that the coronavirus vaccine is safe, and therefore, everyone must vaccinate against COVID-19? Once you lie to the people, you have ruined your confidence, and nothing can be done to restore it, even if you are speaking the truth.


Crimes are easy to commit by many people, without any remorse, but they often forget that even if it takes over a hundred or thousands, they will get their payback. One of the paybacks is what we see now as the coronavirus that has ravaged both Europe and the United States of America today.


Africa is the richest continent in the world, yet it remains the poorest because of slavery, colonial atrocities, Apartheid, and medical crimes, including the deliberate spread of diseases. Why, for God's sake? Yet, this is the only continent in the world where major resources are holding the economies of the United States of America and Europe strongly.


I find it so hard to trust politicians because of what Bob Marley said, "they are thieves and murderers," but they enjoy the impunity of every crime they commit, while they put people who commit lesser crimes behind bars, while they fight against terrorism, meanwhile, they are white-collar terrorists themselves. Oh, yes, the truth is bitterer than the bile, but we shall speak it.


Contrary to the love and care politicians assure us, we now live in fear, disappointment, and sadness because of the coronavirus, yet when I write the truth, my efforts against crime are suppressed in some ways because they can’t stand the truth. Unfortunately, they are not willing to change their evil ways; therefore, the world can't heal.


I don't hate Belgium; in fact, it's completely wrong or even a sin to bite the fingers that feed you. It's a great country where I have learned a lot to become what I am today. They pretend they don't know me, and I also pretend I don't know them, but I will never stop fighting against them until they do the right thing.


"If there is no statue of Adolf Hitler in any part of this world, including Germany and his native Austria, then there shouldn't be any statue of King Leopold II, for killing thousands of Africans (Congolese), including women and children. It's a crime even Satan will never forgive them, let alone the almighty God."

Saturday, June 20, 2020

The Intrepid ‘Public Enemy’s Role In The Emancipation Of Black People Through Music

Left, Flavor Flav and Chuck D

Left, Flavor Flav and Chuck D

In the 1930s, the name commonly used to describe individuals whose activities are seen as a threat became the name of a controversial African-American hip-hop group in the late 80s, as ‘Public Enemy.’ 


How did this musical group that later became so famous revolutionize racist America through their music? And what role did they play in bringing African-Americans, or Black people in general, this far before the continuation of the 'Black Lives Matter' force?

400 years ago, a ship carrying human cargo from Africa landed at the shores of the United States of America. Decades after the abolition of slavery, physical and psychological abuse, and denial of freedom and equal opportunities, African-Americans have put the bitter memories of slavery behind them to move forward.

Thousands of African-Americans have excelled in a manner that has shocked institutionalized-racist America. Instead of being recommended, camouflaged-democratic-racist America is now killing the African-Americans they brought from Africa to build their colonies with blood, sweat, and tears because they don't want them to be successful.  

"God's ways are mysterious," they say; out of the lion carcass, the sweet honey was formed. Surviving the brutal ordeal of slavery through spiritual music, African-Americans now dominate R&B and the hip-hop music scene, which started very early with Public Enemy and Run D.M.C. before inspiring many music groups such as A Tribe Called Quest, Nutty By Nature, and other independent musicians such as LL Cool J, KRS-One, Queen Latifah, and many others.

When Public Enemy made their presence felt in the musical mainstream in the late 1980s, their intention was to seek recognition for the Black man, not only African-Americans. They demonstrated that through the names of their music: It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Fear of a Black Planet, Rebel without a Pause, and, most famously, Fight the Power.

The politically conscious and eloquent Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, popularly known as Chuck D, with William Jonathan Drayton, better known as Flavor Flav (no longer with the group), expressed the oppression and persecution of Black people, or African-Americans, through music, despite the victories of the Civil Rights movement in the 60s.

The group, through the video 'Can't Truss It,' showed how the slave masters abused their power and cruelly dehumanized and raped African-American women, slaves. The music group 'Public Enemy,' itself, wasn't violent, but the message of the music was sharper than a double-edged sword. In reality, their music changed and improved the lives of African-Americans in a way they weren't expecting.

Public Enemy's 'Fight The Power' music video is an example of the cry for justice that has eluded African-Americans in a so-called democratic America. 

Since the eruption of demonstrations after the brutal murder of George Floyd, Google, the owner of YouTube, has denied the access of showing the videos of Public Enemy on other platforms. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PaoLy7PHwk

The African-Americans music group, 'Public Enemy'

The African-Americans music group, 'Public Enemy'


However, a movement under the slogan 'Black Lives Matter,' which exists but has been inactive for some time, suddenly jumped in to continue the similar work of Public Enemy, following the murder of the African-American, George Floyd, by white racist police, spreading to Europe and other countries around the globe.

African-Americans still have a long way to go, but if, through civil rights movements, organizations, and music, they have reached so far, then the victory of collapsing the built-in institutional racism in America is much closer than expected.

African-Americans, or Black people in general, shall overcome.

Sunday, June 07, 2020

TWO GREAT REGGAE STARS – APPLE GABRIEL AND MAJEK FASHEK ARE DEAD


Left, Nigerian reggae star, Majek Fashek and Jamaican Apple Gabriel played a significant role in the reggae industry


Left, Nigerian reggae star, Majek Fashek, and Jamaican Apple Gabriel played a significant role in the reggae industry.


Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig, co-founder and ex-member of the world-famous Israel Vibration has passed away last Monday, March 23, 2020, reports Reggaeville.com. 


The cause of his death was said to be a "compilation sickness, not Covid-19", according to a post on Facebook by Roots RadicsFlabba Holt.


Apple Gabriel hasn't been well for quite some time. Struggling with the marks a polio infection left on his body throughout his life, reports suggested that, already 10 years back, he was in poor health and living conditions.


His last Facebook post from March 7th seems to herald the imminent tragedy, talking about a stroke he had suffered, leaving one side of his body limb, and how he is being discharged without a proper place to go...


His life was never an easy one, and it continued its bumpy journey of ups and downs after he left Israel Vibration in 1997. His first tentative steps into a solo career were quite promising.


His debut album Another Moses (1999) found favorable acceptance, he collaborated with bands and artists (e.g. Groundation or Jahcoustix) and did occasional stage shows (e.g. 2009 in Israel.


One of the milestones of the late Apple Gabriel certainly is the album Teach Them Right, released in 2010, a testimony of his vocal and compositional talent. However, all these activities didn't provide him with a stable income, so that he was homeless time and again and not able to record all the music that kept simmering inside of him.


Many will remember this talented singer by the words so fittingly found by Heather Augustyn, published on APPLEGABRIEL.com, while he was still among us: "Apple Gabriel [...] has had a hard life. He has been a sufferer in many ways.


Apple Gabriel’s days on this earth have been tough. But despite his warrior shell and words, he throws stones at his foe. Apple Gabriel is a kind and strong man, a funny and smart man, a creative and productive man, and he is a hell of a musician."


Indeed, he was. Most of Israel Vibration's greatest hits stem from his feather, including We A De Rasta, Why You So Craven, Oh Jah Solid Rock, Mud Up, Rude Boy Shuffling, Friday Evening, and Walk The Streets of Glory. May he do exactly that - walk onto the glorious paths of heaven - and may his music continue to inspire us.



Coincidentally, Apple left us on the same day on which, 21 years ago, he released his first-ever solo album Another Moses in 1999.

 

The Death Of Nigerian Reggae Star Majek Fashek


In another development, Nigerian Reggae Star Majek Fashek dies at 57, reports Billboard. The singer's manager, Omenka Uzoma, told the BBC that Fashek (born Majekodunmi Fasheke) died in his sleep in New York. In an Instagram video, Uzoma reconfirmed the news, praising Fashek for all he did for Nigeria.


Singer/songwriter Fashek was born in the Edo state of Benin in 1963 and rose to prominence in 1988 when he released his solo debut, Prisoner of Conscience (his backing band was known as the Prisoners of Conscience), which included the award-winning single "Send Down the Rain."

With a high, quivering voice that drew comparisons to reggae great Bob Marley, and a conscious vibe in keeping with Marley's push to uplift, Fashek quickly gained a reputation as a voice of righteousness.

He furthered that image with the dancehall-spiked anti-apartheid song "Free Africa, Free Mandela," from his 1989 album I&I Experience. He achieved a rare crossover success in the United States in 1991, when he signed with Interscope Records and released the Little Steven Van Zandt-produced breakthrough Spirit of Love.


That effort included his biggest international hit, "So Long Too Long," an uplifting anthem that opened with the exhortation, "Arise from your sleep, Africa/ Arise from your sleep America/ There's work to be done, Africa."


The song, which Fashek performed on tour while opening for Tracy Chapman and on The Late Show with David Letterman, directly paid homage to Marley's legacy of activist lyricism with lines such as, "Remember, remember, Marcus Garvey/ Who had a dream for you Africa/ Remember, remember, Martin Luther King/ Who had a dream for you America/ They say you are black, they say you are brown/ They say dem white, they say you are brown/ But only the Angels of God is white now/ Only the Angels of God is white."


In 2016, Fashek wrote the song "We Are Not Afraid," which was the soundtrack to an all-star fundraiser video for victims of religious and political violence around the world directed by photographer Bob Gruen that featured more than 200 artists, including Keith Richards, Robert Plant, Bruce Springsteen, Yoko Ono, Robert DeNiro, Sting, Patti Smith, Dr. Jane Goodall, Iggy Pop, Peter Gabriel, Jackson Browne, Chuck D, Joe Walsh, Bonnie Raitt, Darlene Love, Debbie Harry, Dion, Elvis Costello, Grandmaster Flash, Jeff Tweedy and Susan Sarandon, among others.


At press time, the cause of Fashek's death was not released.


 Nigerian singer Burna Boy paid tribute to one of his biggest influences, writing, "The lyrics to his song 'So Long, Too Long' remain true as a wake-up call to Africans still today."

Friday, April 24, 2020

Dov'è la leggenda musicale e attore chiamato Adriano Celentano?


Andriano Celentano


Andriano Celentano



“La mia vita a Roma, nei primi anni novanta come immigrato africano, è stato molto difficile, ma c'erano grandi attori cinematografici italiani e musicisti, come Adriano Celentano, Fantozzi, Lucio Dalla e Antonello Venitti, con potenziali grandi talenti, che mi ha semplificato la vita, perché mi piacciono.” – Joel Savage


Life is not easy, it is only a few who were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. 

In Rome, during the early nineties was something I can call a nightmare because I passed the nights in Rome's central train station for several days before I discovered an abandoned pasta factory called Pantanella to live among immigrants from various countries.

I am eager to learn since I love integration and the diversity of culture, therefore, I quickly enrolled in Italian language classes, operated by the Caritas and within the shortest time, I started writing and speaking Italian fluently.

Despite the impact of racism which took its toll on me, I met also good Italians that took my ability to speak the language to help me. One of them I always in my mind the Italian journalist, Claudio Lavazza, who was then working at RAI.

He had two daughters, one called Simona, and had a German shepherd dog called 'Fragola.' Fully integrated in Italy, I became more interested in Italian musicians and film actors. Frankly speaking, Italian film stars and musicians are beautiful like their food.

One of my favorite film actors was Andriano Celentano, ooh yes, that man has a double portion of talents. He wasn't only an actor but also a musician.

Healthy Andriano Celentano today

Healthy Andriano Celentano today


The popularity of Celentano is not limited to Italy, where he is one of the most successful and influential artists but the whole world. The talented and handsome man became a rising star from the bottom to dizzying professional heights.

You don't need to be an Italian to know Andriano because his films, comedies, and musical programs are shown in other countries under translations. The childhood story of Celentano is emotional and sad but he put all behind him to excel in life.


At a certain stage in his life, it became even more difficult after the death of his father, and Adriano left school to help his mother and began working as an assistant master in a watch workshop. I can never stop being proud of this man.

Another person, whose music was full of inspiration is Antonello Venditti. I can't remember how many times I listen to one of his great tunes called "Amici mai." I played over and over and never get tired till now. 


Antonello Veditti sings 'Amici mai.'


Italy, the beautiful country always full of tourists and delicious food, is now hard hit by the coronavirus but only a matter of time, Italy will become once again, the country whose language is beautiful as its food.


Lucio Dalla, another great Italian musician


I pray for the country, I pray for everyone, including Adriano Celentano, Antonello Venditti, Lucio Dalla, Zucchero, and all the great male and female artists I couldn't mention their names in this article.


Wednesday, March 25, 2020

JAZZ MUSICIAN MANU DIBANGO DIES OF CORONAVIRUS


Joel Savage and Manu Dibango


Joel Savage and Manu Dibango


Jazz great Manu Dibango, best known for his 1972 hit “Soul Makossa,” has died from complications of the coronavirus, according to a statement on his official Facebook page.


“It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on the 24th of March 2020, at 86 years old, further to Covid-19,” it said.

“His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible,” the message added.

The Cameroon-born singer and saxophonist died in a hospital near Paris, according to his music publisher Thierry Durepaire, Agence France-Presse reported.

Jazz musician Manu Dibango

Jazz musician Manu Dibango


The artist, who inspired “world music” in the 1970s, was one of the pioneers of Afro-jazz and also fused funk with traditional music from Cameroon.

His biggest hit was the B-side of a song to support the Cameroon soccer team in the African Cup of Nations, but was picked up by New York DJs.


Manu Dibango was one of the numerous great musicians I interviewed in Antwerp, Belgium. 

He was in Belgium many times to play at summer festivals, including the Sfinks festival and Mano Mundo festival. 

Dibango has lived in France for his entire life, playing around the globe with numerous musicians.

Sunday, March 08, 2020

Great Stars Who Begin As Rastafarians With Career-Ending Hair Cut


Ruud Gullit and Gregory Isaacs


Ruud Gullit and Gregory Isaacs



It starts with ambition, motivation, and faith, and since personality defines us and how we interact with the world, many stars begin their careers with different personalities to be famous. Two stars I know personally who became successful in different fields while they kept dreadlocks were the ex-soccer star, Ruud Gullit, and reggae icon, Gregory Isaacs, but as both reached a certain age, they cut off their dreadlocks. Why?



World football legend Ruud Gullit is one of the strongest players in the 20th century. Since childhood, football has become his life. In the Dutch national team, Gullit played 66 matches and scored 17 goals. The most memorable one was the finals of the 1988 European Championships against the USSR team.

Ruud Gullit was born on September 1, 1962, in Amsterdam. The future captain of the Dutch national team has always sought to play against older rivals. Physical data contributed to this: none of the elders could outrun him, and Ruud stood out in height.

Gullit's hairstyle is similar to Rastafarian, which gave him a lot of admirers worldwide. Gullit comes from two different parents. His father originates from the South American country of Suriname, a former Dutch colony, and his mother from the Netherlands.

There is a hypothesis that Surinamese men are endowed with certain "football genes" that make themselves known after moving to Holland in the next generations.

Since 1982, Ruud Gullit has been a Feyenoord player. It so happened that he ended up in the same club as Johan Cruyff himself, who was finishing his playing career at Feyenoord. According to Gullit, to speak with Johan Cruyff, who died almost three years ago, was both a great pleasure and a great opportunity to learn the secrets of mastery."

On the field, Gullit has excellent speed. His brilliant technique and extraordinary thinking allowed him to become a real leader, playing first for PSV, then Milan, and then the Dutch national team. He handed out transfers to his partners and smashed the attacks of rivals.

His mastery on the field didn't escape the attention of former Italian president Silvio Berlusconi. The powerful television tycoon at the time, who had just bought Milan and decided to return it to former glory, laid out for Gullit an amount that was a record for those times—$10 million.

Without dreadlocks

During the unveiling of the Heineken Champions League trophy to the media, Gullit, who has long cut off his dreadlocks, appeared in a different image. He was asked about his new personality. Gullit smiled and said that he needed to close the books on the Ruud Gullit that was on the field and the Ruud Gullit that was no longer playing.

According to him, he has been living without his dreadlocks for 14 years, and even though it has been easy and sometimes people don't recognize him, the dreadlocks chapters of life on the football field have been closed. He said to thunderous applause.

Gregory Isaacs 

Gregory Isaacs was born on July 15, 1951, and died on October 25, 2010. His style of music gave him nicknames such as 'Cool Ruler' and 'Lonely Lover.' As a teenager, Isaacs had already become a veteran in talent contests that were regularly held in Jamaica.

In 1973, he teamed up with a young singer, Errol Dunkley, to open the African Museum record label and store. Soon, the single “My Only Lover” was a massive hit for reggae lovers. For three years, Gregory Isaacs recorded a lot with other producers to finance the further development of the African Museum.

These were hits ranging from ballads to indigenous reggae, including “All I Have Is Love,” “Lonely Soldier,” “Black a Kill Black,” “Extra Classic,” and his cover version of Dobby Dobson’s “Love Is Overdue.” In 1974, he began working with producer Alvin Ränglin, and in the same year he received his first Jamaican “number” for the single “Love Is Overdue.”

He secured his international fame in 1978, when he signed a contract with an offshoot of Virgin Records—Front Line Records—and appeared in the movie “Rockers,” in which he played the role of the slave owner. After the release of the film, Gregory Isaacs earned the nickname “Cold Ruler,” and his 'Soon Forward' record is considered one of his best works.

In 1981, he first appeared at the Reggae Sunsplash festival. He participated in it every year until 1991 and moved on to Charisma Records, the Pre branch. That record company released his single "The Lonely Lover" with other successful compositions, including "Permanent Lover," "Tribute to Waddy," "Tune In," and "Wailing Rudy."

He signed a contract with Island Records and released an album that finally helped him break through to a wider audience: “Night Nurse." The success of Gregory Isaacs coincided with the problems with drugs, then served a six-month prison sentence in Kingston in 1982 for possession of unlicensed firearms.

When I interviewed the reggae star in Antwerp, I asked him many questions, but one thing that I didn't ask him is why he cut off his dreadlocks. Gregory Isaacs is dead and gone, but his sweet melodies are still with us today.

Monday, February 03, 2020

WHY R KELLY FLIES TO A WRONG PLACE?


Singer R. Kelly wants to be released after health issues

Singer R. Kelly wants to be released after health issues


R. Kelly has been one of my favorite musicians since the nineties, when I first heard of his inspirational song called ‘I Believe I Can Fly.’ 


“If I can see it, then I can do it. If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky. I think about it every night and day, spread my wings and fly away,” - Sings Kelly.

Without legal documents to live in Europe, the lyrics of this great song, which was released on November 26, 1996, played a significant role in my life to believe that one day I would have my papers. Here I am today.

Sometimes, it’s hard to understand why someone you like, life has to end up in that way; however, what we need to understand is, whatever one sows, the same he shall reap. This is enough to serve as a warning to us to be careful in whatever we do, especially to harm others.

The incredibly successful singer, as well as a professional basketball player, is involved in many trials of sexual harassment of minors, from which he has always managed to get out without significant consequences. 

One of the victims decided to tell how Kelly seduced her and had sex with her when she was only 16 years old. She claims that the musician created around him a cult comparable to the commune of Charles Manson.

What has happened to Robert Kelly? As a successful musician with great tunes such as ‘The Storm Is Over, Gotham City, etc, he created songs for Michael Jackson as well and managed to become one of the world’s best R and B singers, combining soulful melodies.

R. Kelly helped 14-year-old R and singer Aaliyah to begin her career and record her first album. Later, it turned out that the minor singer and her mentor and producer had an affair, and they allegedly got married when Aaliyah was only 15. Both Aaliyah and R Kelly denied this, while the media declared the marriage illegal.

Kelly claimed that he loved Aaliyah just like any other person, and they had a close relationship while working on the album. In 2001, Aaliyah was already working with Timbaland when she died in a plane crash on August 25, with a video crew on board a small Cessna passenger plane.  

Similar stories about R Kelly’s relationships with minors appeared in the media throughout his career.

In 2002, a Chicago-based journalist had at her disposal a video in which a man who looked like Kelly urinated on a minor girl and had sex with her. The journalist handed the tape to the police; the singer claimed that he was not the one in the video, but the case came to court six years later. 

R. Kelly was accused of making child pornography and was threatened with up to 15 years in prison, but the jury decided to acquit the singer; in their opinion, the musician’s guilt was not proved one hundred percent. 

This was largely because the girl’s identity was not identified from the video, neither she nor her family went to court, and indirect evidence from acquaintances of the jury was not enough. 

In the past several years, numerous people have accused R. Kelly of running a sex cult where he holds women against their will. 


This testimony gave credence to the allegations that Kelly entertained young girls in the form of personal worship. The singer has been denied bail since he was accused, and his trial is expected to begin this year.


Lady Gaga, who collaborated with R. Kelly in one of his songs, 'Do What U Want,' has already apologized for collaborating with a sexual predator. In Illinois, aggravated sexual charges carry a harsh prison sentence; thus, if convicted, R. Kelly may be behind bars for 20 to 30 years.