Jamaica National Trials Live Stream 

Prodigal Son, shrouded in shadows, holds the mic for the crowd to sing along.

• Freedom Fest the launch pad for artiste's charity work

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

As two women awaited the start of the Lime Freedom Fest concert last Saturday, they used the time to display and speak about their pairs of glasses. The younger proudly announced that her "glasses were for distance", and the older of the two said her glasses were given to her for reading.

Although it is unknown if the younger woman's pair of glasses helped her, it is a certainty that the older woman's pair aided her reading. Prior to the arrival of the younger one and her entourage, The Gleaner had the opportunity to put the older woman's glasses to the test. She was asked to read the words on one of the sponsors' banners placed a couple of yards away from where she sat. Putting on the spectacles with its tag proudly announcing its newness, she read the larger fonts with confidence, "Youthlink". And after faltering briefly on the smaller prints, triumphantly announced "The Gleaner".

Later, as the concert progressed, somewhere towards the middle, Bishop Everton Thomas of the Emanuel Apostolic Church told the capacity-size congregation that "Freedom Fest represents church in action". And in continuing his "word", he told them that they should "break free and stay free" but to achieve this, people needed to "imagine, believe and do". Had it not been the imagination, belief and action of one of Jamaica's popular gospel artistes, Prodigal Son, perhaps the bishop would not have spoken such words, nor would the two women have had the chance to have their eyes tested for free or got new glasses.

In an almost-never-happened interview, Prodigal Son, spoke about his imagination, belief and his action.

making a difference

At the entrance to Emanuel Apostolic Church, the venue for last Saturday's event, Prodigal Son explained, "My original plan was to have a big birthday party, and then I said you know what, I am going to give to the less fortunate. Not just this year, I had Freedom Fest last year, but I charged $250 to enter. It was a good turnout. But I said, if the concept is Freedom Fest, then it has to be free."

"I decided that the entire event would be free with or without sponsors ... . And that was how Freedom Fest came about," Prodigal Son explained.

Freedom Fest was organised through his foundation Radical Reaching Radical. "I am radical, so I want to help other radicals in any way, in music, like we had the health fair giving out maybe over 400 pairs of tested glasses, test *la*hd pressure, test for sugar, flexology, glucose, all kind of things," the forthright gospel artistes stated.

"I am really excited to give because I know many persons have contributed to my life, growing up, so I want to give back ... I want to make a difference." he continued

Pleased by the outcome, the compassionate artiste plans to host another Freedom Fest next year at another venue.

The venue is convenient for Prodigal Son because he calls that church home but a new venue is needed "to facilitate the people".

But regardless of what "definitely they can look out for it next year, somewhere about my birth month".

With a list of sponsors in support, funds earned from Freedom Fest will go towards worthy causes such as a 24-hour soup kitchen at the Emanuel Apostolic Church.

"It cost over $2.5 million for the year just to buy food to feed people." The soup kitchen also provides breakfast for children.

But Prodigal Son said his passion is to establish a halfway house, as he was a 'street boy'.

"That's what I am working towards, as well as to work towards helping children living with cancer and aids. That's where my charity will go," he said.

Counterfeit cigarettes and that smoking tax

MARK WIGNALL

Thursday, June 23, 2011

 

Last Saturday's arrest of three policemen who were reportedly found with $350,000 worth of counterfeit cigarettes highlights a number of issues.

First, it is indicative of the increasing ability of the JCF to police itself and hold on to those considered rogue cops. Second, it places Carreras, (the company which controls 95 per cent of the import/distribution of cigarettes and which bears the brunt of the tax imposition on cigarettes) at the mercy of those in the business of illicit importation of cigarettes and who pay absolutely no taxes.

Third, it illustrates the nature of business globally that companies operating in the Orient will manufacture and label cigarettes while, to complete the illicit chain, local contacts will surreptitiously import the contraband and sell it to a ready market in Jamaica. This is reminiscent of the illicit trade in fake-label products which came out of the Eastern European (communist bloc) countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Well known and respected products like Rolex and Omega watches were poorly copied and I can remember that on the barely policed Kingston waterfront of the late 1960s and early 1970s there were a few enterprising crooks who were selling fake watches to the unsuspecting buyer.

I know because I was one of many who bought an "Omega gold watch" which a few weeks later, left a nasty-looking green residue (indicative of copper) on my hand. Eventually, not even Eastern European time could be had on the watch.

In the matter of cigarettes, there is the illicit importation of well-known brands plus the knock-offs. Neither customs duty nor other taxes that have been levied on Carreras are paid by these importers and I have personally witnessed the trade at the point where bar owners purchase from the illicit "distributors". Once these illicit imports are in the possession of bar owners, sale on the genuine products cease until the stock is used up for the simple reason that the illicitly imported stuff is cheaper.

One assumes that the local tax regime or ad hoc levies on companies like Carreras are born out of a genuine need to see a reduction in smoking. As the reasoning goes, the more expensive the product, the less will be the sales. Unlike alcoholic beverages, an integral part of the labelling of cigarettes must state the dangers of cigarette smoking. Although the dangers of alcohol consumption beyond moderation is well known, the alcohol lobby internationally has succeeded so far in avoiding more prominenty labelling other than, "(1) According to the chief medical officer, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems. Enjoy in moderation."

Unlike cigarette labelling which is prominent, on a bottle of Jamaica's favourite, Wray and Nephew White Overproof rum which is 126 proof (63 per cent alcohol by volume), the government warning is on the back and if one is long-sighted (needing reading glasses) the typical white rum drinker is probably unaware that it exists nor could read it.

I have no problem with the reasoning behind normal taxes on cigarettes, but in a recent conversation I had with the managing director of Carreras, Richard Pandohie, he pretty much raised the same issues as he had previously related to the Observer. "We estimate that the counterfeit and contraband trade accounts for over 40 per cent of the market."

The way I see it, the government cannot apply a slash-and-burn tax regime on the company without putting into place structures to plug the loopholes on illicit imports. In other words, as Carreras has repeatedly said, for every three boxes of cigarettes sold, two are revenue to the government and one is revenue to the company. The company must be entitled to any sales which arise after the imposition of taxes.

Another way of looking at it is this. Smoking cigarettes is still legal just like consuming white rum. The government has a vested interest in keeping Carreras viable, that is, profitable. If after imposing onerous taxes on the company, for those adults who still insist that they want to smoke, it should be cigarettes on the legal market, that is, from Carreras that should be available to them for purchase and not the "bandoolo" cigarettes that now account for 40 per cent of the total market.

In fact, what the government should have done before its last levy on the company was move to plug those very loopholes or illicit importation to show equity in the system. Any temptation to make another such imposition ought to take that into consideration

I have long said that no trade in illicit drugs, no extortion operation in Jamaica can be "properly" run without the involvement of rogue cops. It could be that the seizure of a mere $350,000 worth of counterfeit cigarettes was just the tip of a much bigger operation.

That not guilty verdict on Rev Paul Lewis

LEWIS... freed of charges of sexual assault of a minor 1/1

 

It is indeed troubling that in the wake of the not guilty verdict where the Rev Paul Lewis was freed of charges of sexual assault of a minor, a 15-year-old girl, while it was alleged, her 14-year -old friend watched, evidence has surfaced that there was a DNA match between semen found on the girl's underwear and the Rev Lewis.

What happens after this? "Poor people licky licky. Dem can't help it," said a woman to me recently while we were in discussion over the matter. As far as I know, Rev Lewis cannot be tried again on the same charges after being freed in the courts.

We know that in the Jamaican courts, a case is only as strong as the links supporting it. If the police case is weak, it will not get very far. We also know that there are instances where the supporting links are deliberately made weak after "man an' man" meet and discussions are held and other matters are introduced into the equation.

Were it my child, it would not have happened because there is no way that I would have allowed any 15-year-old daughter of mine to travel from milepost 10 to milepost 11 with any Rev anyone. I am naturally distrustful of those who cloak themselves in the "glory of God" and then make claims of purity.

People with an interest in this matter must use the social networking sites to keep this one on the front burner. According to the website of Rev Paul Lewis, "Since an early age in the island of Jamaica, God has called him and anointed him to preach, deliver and minister through the power of the spirit. Blind eyes have been opened, deaf ears unstopped, tumours dissolved, and more, the all-salvation has come to many."

What sort of "all salvation" is there for the little girls?

observemark@gmail.com

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Counterfeit-cigarettes-and-that-smoking-tax_9049437#ixzz1QE6onlzW

Rihanna Goes Shopping For Sex Toys

Doza Medicine formally announces departure from Portmore Empire

June 23rd, 2011 ProAkaDjStamma

The Portmore Empire continues to experience subtraction; adding more speculation to whether or not the groups demise is imminent.

The latest departure from the group is that of Andrew Marlon Cardoza, more popularly known as Doza Medicine. Doza, known for songs such as Dem Diss on 2009s Fight Fi War Riddim & Stay Focus on the Storytella Riddim opened up on Monday about his decision to leave the Gaza group. He told one876entertainment.com that he felt ignored & left out whilst a part of Vybz Kartels crew.

I say Gaza no more because a lot of time when I was there, I felt left out, nobody paid me any mind, I have been doing me from long time, Doza intimated. His inner frustrations were seemingly unleashed in a preview video released earlier this month; deejaying his new single, Mi Lef. The song, produced by former Empire producer, Notnice, wasnt aimed at Kartel, according to Doza. But the artiste immediately received calls from Gaza affiliates & Di Teacha himself questioning him on why hed put out such a song; questioning his loyalty.

Doza claims Kartel asked him, Wah kinda song dat yu do yute, ah diss man? And yu say yu lef Gaza and no man no tell yu nothing like that,all Jahvinci ah do all song, my yute, everything good mi yute. Doza tried to reason with Kartel & asked what he did to allegedly disrespect the self-proclaimed World Boss to which Kartel has not answered.

Doza Medicine suggests Kartels paranoia & controlling ways led him to his breaking point. They say I am disrespectful. I didnt know they were words. I cant say like forget you, why I cant say I am my own boss. Is it because I voice for Notnice and he and Notnice are no longer friends, Doza stated.

When asked about possible retribution, Doza told one876entertainment.com, We know style and craft. I am fearful, I am aware of them, and know what theyre capable of, mi de de long time, mi know wah him capable of. He later questioned why Kartels yet to respond to rival, Aidonias lyrical taunts. Look how Aidonia diss you and other man call yu name and diss yu inna song, and you dont do nothing. I dont even see him, mi ah do me!

Doza joins JahVinci, Notnice & Merital Family as Empire members whove left within the last month alone.

By Jodee Brown
Jamaican Pop Culture Examiner

Buju gets 10 years

BY KARYL WALKER Online news editor walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, June 23, 2011

 

REGGAE artiste Buju Banton was today sentenced to 10 years by United States magistrate Jim Moody in the Sam M Gibbons US Court in Tampa Florida. He will be incarcerated at the FCI prison facility in Miami.

The artiste real name Mark Myrie was found guilty in February of conspiring to negotiate a drug deal in a police controlled warehouse in Florida.

BANTON convicted in February 1/1

The charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug offense was dropped however.

The artiste was slapped with the heavy sentence despite pleas for leniency by his attorney, his children, movie star Danny Glover and other character witnesses.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Anthony Myrie, seemed resigned to accept his fate and calmy accepted the verdict.

His attorney David Oscar Markus has signalled his intent to appeal Banton's guilty verdict and indicated that he would move with alacrity to secure the artiste's release.

The verdict was handed down in front of a packed.

courthouse which included members of the artiste's family, his close friend Wayne Wonder, his manager Traci McGregor and reporters.

Many persons, including artistes and Banton's close friends Gramps Morgan and Delly Ranks who came to hear the verdict were turned back after court officials indicated that the courtroom was packed and Moody had already been seated at minutes to 9:00 am.

The sentencing hearing lasted just over an hour and many of Myrie's supporters and family members cried openly.

The artiste will serve his time at the penal facility in the state of Florida.

Myrie underwent two trials after the first trial ended in a mistrial in 2010. He was however found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, using the wires to facilitate a drug offense and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offence.

Banton's two co-conspirators, Ian Thomas and James Mack both plead guilty after they were hedl in a sting operation attempting to purchase cocaine from federal agents in a police controlled warehouse in Tampa.

The Us government built their case around wiretap and video evidence which caught Banton tasting cocaine and making several statements of the purchasee and sale of large amounts of contraband.

TAMPA, Fla. Despite pleas for leniency from family members, fans and supporters, a federal judge sentenced Grammy-winning reggae singer Buju Banton on Thursday to 10 years in prison Thursday for conspiring to set up a cocaine deal.

Banton was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

Dozens of letters to U.S. District Judge James S. Moody are included in the court file for the 37-year-old recording artist, whose given name is Mark Myrie. Several of his 15 children wrote, as did a former Jamaican government official, an NBA player, other reggae artists and actor Danny Glover, who called Banton a "role model, philanthropist and spiritual leader in the community."

"Your honor, Mark Myrie is not a drug dealer," Glover wrote. "Society would not benefit from his incarceration."

Banton's attorney, David Markus, says federal sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of at least 15 years. In a court filing, Markus told Moody that is "way more than necessary" in Banton's case.

The judge did throw out a gun charge, lowering Banton's sentence from 15 years to 10. He was also ordered to serve five years of probation following his release from prison.

Markus contended that Banton deserved a lower sentence because of his limited participation in the drug buy, his charitable work in Jamaica and his otherwise clean record.

Banton's oldest son, also named Mark Myrie, wrote that his father "puts hard work, sweat and tears into his music and that is what (he) `puts on the table,' it has never been drugs....The situation is just an example of our mere imperfections as people, being at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Preston argued during trial that Banton portrayed himself as a broker of drug deals in several conversations with a confidential informant. Preston said Banton thought he was getting involved in a "no-risk" deal in which he would introduce a friend to a confidential informant and then collect money from drug transactions.

Prosecutors acknowledge that Banton did not put any money into the drug deal nor did he ever profit from it. Markus characterized his client as "a big talker" who admitted to trying to impress the confidential informant but wasn't involved in any drug deal.

Much of the case hinged on meetings and phone calls that were video- and audiotaped by the informant, who was working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and who made $50,000 in commission after the bust.

In one video, Banton could be seen tasting cocaine in a Sarasota warehouse on Dec. 8, 2009. But he was not present during the actual drug deal on Dec. 10 that led two others to be arrested. Those two men later pleaded guilty.

Banton testified that the informant badgered him after they met on a trans-Atlantic flight in July 2009 and insisted they meet to set up a cocaine purchase. He said he was so uninterested in the informant's proposals that after they met twice, Banton didn't return the man's phone calls for months.

Banton remains wildly popular in Jamaica, and his trial his second over the drug accusations was packed with supporters that included other well-known reggae artists. The first trial ended in a mistrial last year after the jury deadlocked.

Shortly before his conviction in February, he won a Grammy for best reggae album for his work entitled "Before the Dawn."

Christopher 'Dudus' Coke

• Poll shows PNP won't gain votes from extradition saga

The opposition People's National Party (PNP) should not expect any bounce in its vote count based on the Government's botched handling of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke and the subsequent revelations at the Manatt-Dudus commission of enquiry.

A Gleaner-commissioned Bill Johnson national opinion poll has found that nearly a quarter of Jamaica's voting population said the Manatt-Dudus affair would not affect the way they would mark their ballots in the next national elections.

The poll was conducted among 1,008 people across Jamaica's 14 parishes on May 28 and 29 and June 4 and 5, 2011. It has a margin of error of plus or minus four per cent.

A sizable 34 per cent of the persons sampled said they were less likely to vote as the Manatt-Dudus affair has impacted the way they feel about politics in general in Jamaica.

The governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which commingled with the government apparatus in a bid to influence the outcome of the extradition request for Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, one of its key supporters, has attracted an additional 14 per cent of the voting population who say they are more likely to vote for the party.

But 22 per cent of those polled say they are no more likely to vote for the Opposition PNP.

At the same time, five per cent of those persons sampled said they are less likely to vote for the JLP. On the other hand, one per cent of the respondents said they were less likely to vote for the Opposition PNP in the elections constitutionally due by September next year.

Patty Shop Corey Todd Interview (Refix Video) - Dj Powa June 2011

Bujus lawyers argue for reduced sentence

June 2011.

JAMAICAN Grammy Award-winning reggae artiste Buju Banton wants the court to impose a prison term below the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years at his sentencing hearing later this month.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23 in the Sam M Gibbons Federal Court in Tampa, Florida, United States. The artiste was convicted in February on charges of conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine, possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime and using the wires to facilitate a drug-trafficking offence.

The documents asking for the reduced sentence were filed yesterday by his legal team led by attorney Oscar David Markus.

The 10-year minimum mandatory sentence for the drug count and the five-year minimum mandatory consecutive sentence for the gun count are unconstitutional in this case because it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment and also because it constitutes too severe a penalty for proceeding to trial, the lawyers noted.

The lawyers also stated that the court is well aware that, according to United States v Booker, a sentence calculated pursuant to the United States Sentencing Guidelines is no longer mandatory. The lawyers also pointed out that Bantons limited role in the drug offence entitles him to a reduction in sentence, while citing the artistes good character and clean record as it relates to the offence for which he was convicted.

Throughout both trials, it was clear that the significant players in the December 10, 2009 drug transaction were Isaac Ike Camon, a major drug dealer in Georgia, as the buyer; and Alex Johnson as the seller. Not Mark Myrie, said the lawyers.

Ian Thomas, a friend of Bantons who was instrumental in the drug transaction, was sentenced in May to 51 months imprisonment after pleading guilty and assisting the prosecution.

Bantons first trial in September last year ended with a hung jury, resulting in the second trial in which he was convicted. The artiste was arrested at his south Florida home in December 2009.

Yesterdays document also contained letters from actor, activist, and humanitarian Danny Glover, as well as from several of Bantons 15 children, asking for the courts leniency.

Bantons pending motion seeking acquittal and for a new trial will also be heard on June 23.

Nicki Minaj laughs off Rihanna rumours

Mariah Carey and Nick Canon selling first baby pics of twins

By Webmin 

Popping out a couple of kids, for most of us, means you can kiss the next eighteen years of your life goodbye. But for celebrities, it usually means a gigantic payday.

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are putting their baby photos on the market, so let the bidding begin. The seven week-old twins, Moroccan Scott and Monroe, are Mariah and Nick's first. And so far, they're set to get around $200,000 for the photos.

The first photos were free--Mariah posted a couple of pics of her big, pregnant belly on her Twitter page. And then, she posed nude on the cover of a magazine with Nick holding her breasts as if he was steering a ship.

"Mariah and Nick are more concerned with doing the right thing than going to the highest bidder," an insider told the New York Post's Page Six.

"They're talking to a number of publications about doing it in the best and most tasteful way. Nick has said on radio he doesn't feel entirely comfortable selling pictures of his children. But the first picture remains very valuable to the paparazzi. There's not much movement going on right now."

Sure, selling pictures of your kids sounds bad, but considering all the bullsh-t they're going to put you through for the rest of your life, I say cash in while you can.

Bonafide shoots videos with Busy, Kartel

BY HORACE HINES

 2011

MONTEGO BAY, St James Las Vegas-based reggae band Bonafide last week shot two videos with local reggae acts Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel, to support the collaborations they have done with the two artistes.

On Wednesday, members of the band completed video shoots with Busy Signal with who they collaborated on Bumper, while the following day they completed another shoot with Vybz Kartel, with whom they partnered for the single, Leaving.

Deejay Vybz Kartel (centre) along with members of Bonafide share a moment after shooting the video for their single Leaving.

 

Come tomorrow, the group is scheduled to complete another shoot with Etana with whom they recorded the single I Want To Be The One.

Montego Bay native Junior Roots, lead vocalist for the group, which is completed by his two brothers Ricky Dread and Wayne Bass, as well as Clarendon-native Kerry Ranks who hails from Clarendon, was delighted over the video shoots with Busy Signal and Vybz Kartel in Kingston.

"We are very happy about the outcome of this video and the professionalism of Busy. Glad to do the video with him, Junior Roots told the Observer last week.

He added, "Vybz was really good, really professional and helpful. He shared his experience in the video shooting with us. We really appreciate the knowledge he passed to us".

He said he was looking forward to tomorrow's shoot with Etana.

"It is two down and one to go on this trip," noted Junior Roots.

Members of Bonafide are still disappointed for not being able to deliver on last year's International Night at Reggae Sumfest, after turning up at the Catherine Hall venue after they were scheduled to perform.

But the group which has appeared on Reggae Sumfest in 2007 and 2008, indicated that they are eager to perform on the show this year to make amends for last year.

Bonafide reports that they have played at the Bob Marley Festival in California, Reggae in the Dessert in Nevada , and festivals in New Zealand played in front of over 100,00 people; Hawaii, Australia and Figi among other countries.

Movado talks about shooting incident Onstage....!!!!!!!

Merital Family Speaks Out About Leaving Portmore Empire Part 1 of 3

Merital Family Speaks Out About Leaving Portmore Empire Part 2 of 3

Merital Family Speaks Out About Leaving Portmore Empire Part 3 of 3

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Vybz Kartel Releases Statement about his Hairstyle

A Statement From Vybz Kartel

Vybz Kartel released a statement regarding his new song 'Come Ya Nuh Mi Gal' as a fake version of the song leaked on the net.

Kartel states:
" I should not even be dignifying those allegations with a statement but since it is the politically correct thing to do, so be it. This attempt by these malicious and vindictive persons who seek to defame my character is as futile as trying to dethrone the dancehall hero from the pinnacle of the genre ... try
something else that is more believable. Better luck next time haters. "

HERE IS THE SONG

Please spare our dad' - Buju's kids appeal to judge

Reggae Sumfest to honour Beres Hammond

Reggae Sumfest to recognise Beres for contribution to Jcan music

2011

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed singer Beres Hammond will be honoured by Summerfest Productions, organisers of Reggae Sumfest during this year's staging of the annual music festival in Montego Bay.

"Beres is an icon and a cornerstone of the Jamaican music industry," Summerfest's executive director Johnny Gourzong was quoted in a news release from the festival's publicist, Headline Entertainment.

HAMMOND says he will be delivering one of the best sets locally at Reggae Sumfest 1/1

"We at Reggae Sumfest are very pleased to be presenting this great reggae artiste and felt that he deserves to be recognised for his enormous contribution to the growth and development of our music. A Reggae Sumfest without Beres never truly feels complete," Gourzong added.

Hammond, who is easily one of Jamaica's most prolific singers ever and who has a massive fan base, will be making his return to the festival after a three-year hiatus.

Known for his soulful voice and eclectic lovers' rock ballads, Hammond's discography consists of at least 18 albums and six compilations.

He is expected to wow the Sumfest audience with his timeless hits, among them Step Aside, Can't Stop A Man From Trying, Standing In My Way, and She Loves Me Now, to name a few.

"Beres loves to perform at Sumfest because of the exceptional reception he gets. It's been a while since he has graced the stage at Catherine Hall, and he has made it clear that he will be delivering one of the best sets locally, come July," said Hammond's manager Mervis Walsh.

Reggae Sumfest, set for July 17-23 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, promises to be an explosive affair featuring top acts such as international sensations R Kelly and Nicki Minaj, as well as Jamaican stars CeCile, Tifa, Kip Rich, Protoje, Jah Cure, Half Pint, and Konshens.

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Andre Villas-Boas has been confirmed as Chelsea's new manager.

The former Porto boss has signed a three-year deal and is in London on Wednesday preparing to begin work.

Villas-Boas, 33, is the same age as players Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and won the Portuguese league, League Cup and Europa League last season.

"Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today," Chelsea said in a statement.

"He has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time. His ambition, drive and determination matches that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre's leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions.

"Andre will bring his coaching experience back to a club he is already very familiar with, having previously worked here for three years. He has always been highly regarded at Chelsea and everyone here looks forward to welcoming him back and working with him."

Chelsea paid the £13.3m compensation to release the Portuguese coach from his Porto contract, with Villas-Boas succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked after a trophyless season.

Former Chelsea boss John Hollins believes Villas-Boas could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the west London club, who are yet to realise owner Roman Abramovich's dream of winning the Champions League, and were beaten in the quarter-finals by Manchester United last season.

"He could be fearless," Hollins told BBC Sport. "I think it could be a breath of fresh air, bringing in a fresh approach to this maybe tired football team.

"This guy is as young as some of the players are so he will be on the same wavelength with them, but is it going to be a three or four-year programme as opposed to having to win something in his first year? That is the one thing we don't know yet, but he has won three competitions in Portugal just like that, so he could be a whizz-kid.

"It's a gamble but I think it's a calculated gamble. I still don't know if Guus Hiddink will be coming as an adviser to the young man. If he does, that will only strengthen the position."

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin agrees with Hollins that the appointment of Villas-Boas is a "calculated gamble".

"There is always a risk with every managerial appointment but he is highly regarded as one of the up and coming young European coaches and has been successful in domestic and European competition," Nevin told BBC Sport. "He is flavour of the moment and Chelsea have seen something in him."

Under Villas-Boas last season, Porto were unbeaten in the league, with 27 wins in 30 matches, becoming only the second Portuguese club to complete a league campaign without losing a game, after Benfica in 1972-73.

A scout for compatriot Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, Villas-Boas began his managerial career with Portuguese club Academica in October 2009.

Academica were winless and bottom of the first division at the time but finished the season in 11th place.

They also reached a Portuguese League Cup semi-final before he left to take over at Porto in June 2010.

Villas-Boas, who speaks fluent English, also worked with Sir Bobby Robson during the former England manager's spell in charge of Porto.

Source: BBC Sport 

Who's The Hottest A or B?

UTECH student is brainchild behind Bus can swim mash-up

Over the last few days, a YouTube remix video of Clifton Browns Di Bus Can Swim Prime Time News interview has gone viral on the internet. The brainchild behind the video is a 21 year old UTECH student who does such mash-ups as a normal hobby.

Kevin-Sean Hamilton, better known as DJ Powa has become a household name since last months release of the People What Are Deading video; an edited array of interviews that took place during last years tragic events in Tivoli Gardens as police were trying to apprehend drug lord, Christopher Dudus Coke. The video is a memoriam; featuring a vibrant, hip-hop beat & received tens of thousands of views via YouTube.

However, Di Bus Can Swim follow up video that features Brown talking about a recent flooding in the St. Thomas area has taken Dj Powas popularity to new heights. When asked about the videos, Hamilton told the Jamaica Observer, It is just a hobby, whilst adding, I have a regular desktop PC. I dont even know the specs. I use Fruity Loops to make the beats.

The former Ardenne & Meadowbrook High School student admits he had no formal training in sound engineering or video editing, but has built Riddims since the age of 14 just for fun. Whilst at Ardenne High, Hamilton played several sports including tennis, volleyball & football. He got the name, DJ Powa from the high school nickname of Powerman, after accidentally hitting a schoolmate with a football he kicked; giving him an instant headache.

A devout Christian, Hamilton insists that music is his passion & has played regularly at weddings. I play the usual wedding music, the Luther Vandross I dont mind playing at secular functions as long as it is clear I will only play Christian music. I am a Christian disc jock, he told the Observer.

Di Bus Can Swim has played at sessions across Jamaica. Mp3s of the videos are available on iTunes and Di Bus Can Swim T-shirts are also in circulation. Even a Facebook group in honor of the hilarious video was formed this weekend and already has close to 2,000 users. You can visit the group at: http://www.facebook.com/dibuscanswim

Despite the accolades hes received, Hamilton suggests hes humbled by the attention & success. I credit God for keeping me humble, Hamilton intimated. Hes received several calls about doing potential mixtapes in the near future.

By Jodee Brown
Jamaican Pop Culture Examiner

"Nobody Cannot Cross It" Is Now One Of The Hottest Songs In Jamaica

"Nobody Canna Cross It" Twanging (Refix Video) was created by Dj Powa who transforms depressing news into fun and laughter. No Body Cannot Cross It has become one of the fastest rising hit songs in Jamaica which quickly surpasses the popularity of Vybz Kartel's Summer Time, Mavado's Delilah and Bounty Killer's Whine Fi DI General.

Within less than three days the news refix video for No Body Cannot Cross It got over 140,000 views while it has made also made its way onto several international news outlets.

A nuh one babymama fi di singer; a two!

By Webmin 

Just when we did think say di baby drama was over, only to realize that a just now tings a come up to bump - we are talking about Baby Bumps - in the plural.

We lickle linky dem whisper and tell we say di resignation from the morning show di other day was because of a BELLY. And the BELLY belongs to the singer. Yep. The same singer who mek headline di odda day and a deny say a next girl pregnant fi him.

Well, fi her ex-man did clear up any doubt bout that, cause him tell the Star say a long time him did suspect say the singer and the radio personality did deh.

But what a way him love di media personality dem, eeh? Him have radio and him have television. Anybody in print? A wonder is a true dem can help push him career. 

Well whateva di reason, it sticky pon him ya now. Two girl pregnant one time, plus baby madda live a yaad wid him. A wha bout him so? Bwoy dis come in like Wikileaks.

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