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The Legends of Reggae who satisfies one’s soul

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BY: ASHELLY SMITH

“There’s a land that I have heard about so far across the sea. To have you on my Dreamland would be like heaven to me.”  

Dreamland by Marcia Griffiths was one of the distinguished songs performed at Tribute to Reggae Legends on February 20th at Rose Theatre Hall.  ‘Tribute to Reggae Legends’ is a JAMBANA Black History Reggae jam to commemorate legends Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller and Burning Spear. In honour of these Reggae icons, Grammy nominee Andrew Tosh, Exco Levi & High Priest, Fujahtive, Nana McLean, Hardcore Band, Alexi Couto, Errol Blackwood and Joshua Lucas shared the stage with energetic performances.  

The reggae night commenced with Alexi Couto’s euphonious performance as she sang a few of Bob Marley’s songs such as ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’. While she sang, she played her piano and had the audience enjoying her mellow voice. It was nostalgic to see her perform while Bob Marley’s pictures flow throughout her performance background, especially when she sang ‘No Woman No Cry’. Her slow and harmonic composition brought a feeling of melancholy.

Reggae band Fujahtive was next in line to deliver a powerful and symphonic performance. Their tribute was made to the King of Reggae Robert Nesta Marley but with a more rhythmic ambience.

Nana Mclean was shortly introduced by emcee Master T.  In between performances, the emcee’s presence was humorous which made him appealing to see. Nana gave a true rendition of the Queen of Reggae, Marcia Griffiths. Nana Mclean is a Canadian Reggae icon and a Juno Award winner.  She came out in an elegant red outfit with her two backup singers, Christopher Samuels and Melisa Robinson.  She performed Marcia Griffiths’ hit songs such as ‘Dreamland’ and ‘I Shall Sing’. She swept the audience off their feet as soon as she began to sing ‘Electric Boogie(The Electric Slide)’.  It was electric indeed! A few people from the audience went on stage to do the electric slide dance – ‘woggie woggie woggie!

When I asked Nana what Black History Month meant to her she said: “it is a blessing to celebrate our heritage.”

“We can go out there and express ourselves with freedom and without fear. We can speak freely about anything even if it makes other people uncomfortable, we’re still free.”

Mclean will release her album this year which she said would be amazing.

During the intermission, Exco Levi and I spoke about his whopping five Juno Awards.

When asked how he continued to be a constant winner he commented, “Is the people who chose Exco as the winner. I just do good music regardless if I win”

“Where does your stage name Exco comes from?”

“When I used to go to school, they call me Excobar because I used to play a lot of soccer.  When I became a Rastafarian, mi get rid of the ‘bar’ so I just use Exco and add Levi which is a spiritual name, so it become Esco Levi, yeah man” he explained with laughter.

Excobar and High Priest are inductees in the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame. This was a great accomplishment for him he recalled and gives thanks for that achievement.

Soon it was time for Andrew Tosh to perform, the son of the legendary Peter Tosh and nephew of Bunny Wailer.  Andrew started doing music professionally at the age of 13 when he recorded his first single in 1985. He lost his father at 20 and still reminisces

about one of his favourite memories. “Going to the river and catching fish.”

‘Make Place for the Youth’ was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album but did not win.

“I felt good about it even though I did not win, it felt like victory itself. In 2012, I got another Grammy nomination for ‘Legacy’.”  

Tosh has been working consistently since the new year has started.

“Eye to Eye is new single that is ready to release with Etana. Now, I’m working with Kymani Marley on our new single called When the World Get Together.”

Everyone has something unique about themselves. For Tosh, he rides a unicycle just like his dad.

“I have been riding the unicycle since I was 13. I saw my dad riding it and I was fascinated so I began to ride it too. I even used it as a part of my stage performances.”

Andrew Tosh’s studio works and discography are extensive as he continues to build his family’s legacy.

Tribute to Reggae Legends was powered by Kuumba Cultural Association of Toronto and produced by Jones & Jones Productions Ltd. It was a great night and one that each fan of reggae should attend.

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Bill C-63 Re-introduces a speech restriction that censors strong opposition to political authorities

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BY SIONE J. SMITH

I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of government watchdog organizations lately.

What are Watchdog organizations you ask? I’m talking about those entities that keep a close eye on the government, making sure it stays accountable and transparent. You can look at them like the guardians of the public trust.

Why do we need them? Isn’t the government supposed to take care of things on its own?

Sure, in an ideal world, that might work, but we live in a world where power is misused, and corruption has found its way into even the most well-intentioned institutions. That’s where watchdog organizations like The Canadian Civil Liberties Association come in. They act as a check and balance mechanism carefully scrutinizing government: actions, policies, and spending to ensure they align with the best interests of the public.

It’s about accountability; watchdog organizations serve as independent eyes and ears, uncovering issues that might go unnoticed within the government itself. They provide an extra layer of scrutiny to prevent abuses of power and protect our rights.

The Canadian Civil Liberties Association is an independent, non-profit organization with supporters from across the country. Founded in 1964, the CCLA is a national human rights organization committed to defending the rights, dignity, safety, and freedoms of all people in Canada. The most recent Bill on watch is Bill C-63, a Bill that I have written about extensively in this edition, and one you must be aware of; your freedom literally depends on it.

Bill C-63 risks censoring a range of expressions from journalistic reporting to healthy conversations. The broad criminal prohibitions on speech in the bill risk stifling public discourse and criminalizing political activism. The bill imposes draconian penalties for certain types of expression, including life imprisonment for a very broad and vaguely defined offence of “incitement to genocide,” and five years of jail time for other broadly defined speech acts. This not only chills free speech, but also undermines the principles of proportionality and fairness in our legal system.

Following the Government of Canada’s reintroduction of the Online Harms Act (Bill C-63), I had a chance to meet with Noa Mendelsohn Aviv, Executive Director and General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), and what she shared with me was very disturbing.

“I was fortunate to have and to be in surroundings that spoke about equality and justice when I was growing up, and because of this, I grew up with a deep sense of these values. I took the opportunities that were given to me to confront injustice.”

“You can’t just say that you care about equality, and not care about privacy. We all know who gets put under the microscope the most.”

Isn’t that the truth I thought to myself.

“You need independent eyes that can look and say, the goals are okay, but how have you gone about implementing, and where have you gone overboard.”

“This is a massive bill that we need to examine in greater detail. Our preliminary read raises several serious concerns. While the CCLA endorses the declared purposes of upholding public safety, protecting children, and supporting marginalized communities, our initial assessment reveals that the bill includes overbroad violations of expressive freedom, privacy, protest rights, and liberty. These must be rectified before the bill is passed into law.”

“There are widespread potential privacy violations including collection of data that gets reported; there is actual storage by social media platforms of information that gets flagged. The restrictions on hate speech are hard to define. There are a lot of gray areas. There are harsh measures that have been added to the criminal code.”

One troubling aspect of Bill C-63 is the vast authority bestowed upon a newly established body, comprising government appointees to: interpret the law, make up new rules, enforce them, and then serve as: judge, jury, and executioner. Granting such sweeping powers to one body undermines the fundamental principle of democratic accountability.

Furthermore, the bill’s provisions, which include sweeping new search powers of electronic data with no warrant requirement, pose significant threats to privacy rights. This bill provides for unacceptable intrusions into individuals’ digital lives.

The bill also re-introduces a speech restriction within the Canadian Human Rights Act, which CCLA has previously opposed. The new provision has the potential to censor strong opposition to political authorities. It limits debate and dissent on contentious issues, and historically has not adequately protected the most marginalized groups.

It just goes to show that watchdog organizations like CCLA play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy democracy. They help us hold our government accountable, protect our rights, and ultimately, ensure that the public trust is preserved.

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Building generational wealth together; Afro-Caribbean Business Network Hosts Fifth Annual Legacy Symposium

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BY PAUL JUNOR

It was an enriching, inspiring and motivating day at the Fifth Annual Legacy Symposium hosted by the Afro-Caribbean Business Network on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, which was held at the Hazel McCallion campus of Sheridan College.

In attendance were business owners, Black entrepreneurs, startup up individuals and business investors. It was in 2017 that six business owners came together with the goal of launching a business network for the Black community that would bridge the economic gap for Black entrepreneurs. Since then, ACBN has lived up to its vision to be leaders in unifying and educating African and Caribbean entrepreneurs to grow their business in a successful and sustainable way. The Facebook page of the ACBN Foundation states, “This pivotal event aims to foster inter-generational partnership, share invaluable skills and knowledge, and promote sustainable growth within the Black communities.”

The day’s proceedings were conducted by Ryan Knight, Co-Founder of ACBN. After land acknowledgement was read by Renee Devereaux and Muthana Zouri several government representatives and community partners addressed the audience.

Allison Williams describes her non-profit organization Black Women’s Collective from her experiences of dealing with the intersectionalities of being a Black entrepreneurial woman.

Peter Trevor Wilson delivered a keynote presentation on “Wealth Creation.” He spoke about different kinds of wealth such as: nutrition, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Wilson is the author of two books: “Diversity at Work: The Business Case for Equity,” and “The Human Equity Advantage, Beyond Diversity to Talent Organization.” This innovative and creative management model focuses on human equity that promotes latent differentiation from a positive psychology perspective, which significantly improves employee engagement.

There were breakout sessions which focused on conversation on wealth creation. The titles and presenter of each session are:

  • Building a Solid Business for Wealth Creation (Chris-Beth Cowie)
  • Preparing for Succession planning (Nicola Harris)
  • Conversation on Estate and Legacy Planning (Minelle Williams)
  • Intergenerational Collaboration for Business Success (Debra Nurse)

Craig Wellington (Executive Director of the Black Opportunity Fund) talked about the importance of this charitable organization whose mission is to combat the impact of anti-Black racism by funding Black-led organizations and nonprofits.

Chris-Beth Cowie (Founder of Empowered 4 X Inc), and CEO of and host of the show BiGrams is a: social entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and purposeful presenter. She lives up to her mantra, “Make a Difference” through her philanthropic endeavors. Her engaging and interactive presentation was informative, educative and instructive.

Renee Devereaux (Executive Director at EDGE), which is the entrepreneurship hub at Sheridan College, talked about the RISE program. Applications are currently opened at the website https://edge.sheridan.college.ca/rise. Patrick College presented on the importance of community development. He shared his drive for community upliftment. Dr. George Fraser: motivational speaker, author, consultant and entrepreneur delivered the keynote address. He spoke on “The Power of the Human Connection to Facilitate Succession Planning.” Dr. Fraser focuses on the importance of building relationships and connecting on a deeper level to build trust, bring authenticity and to leave a legacy.

Shirley Joseph: podcast and radio host, producer, entrepreneur, social media manager and digital community builder spoke about, “Marketing Your Business With a Solid Creator/Influencer Strategy.” As the founder and creator of Black Canadian Content Creators, she credits Black Canadian creators for their: creativity, ingenuity and authenticity.

It was great to see the different Black business owners and entrepreneurs in one space taking advantage of networking opportunities and building relationships with each other. The entrepreneurial path can be a lonely one fraught with many: challenges, obstacles, setbacks and failures. By focusing on essential aspects of business such as: obtaining finance, attracting the right customers, building teams and optimizing business opportunities this legacy symposium was a success.

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Calling all musicians: Entries now open for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition

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Photo provided by Rushane Ferron

BY RUSHANE FERRON

The vibrant rhythms of Jamaican music are set to once again take center stage as the island announces the opening of entries for the highly anticipated 2024 staging of the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. With a legacy spanning over half a century, this iconic event celebrates the rich musical heritage of Jamaica while showcasing the talent and creativity of local musicians.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), is a platform for artists to create and perform original songs that capture the spirit of Jamaican: culture, unity, and national pride. From reggae and dancehall to ska and mento, the competition welcomes entries from a diverse range of musical genres that reflect the eclectic sounds of the island.

As the birthplace of reggae music and home to many legendary artists Jamaica continues to boast a storied musical tradition that continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide. The Festival Song Competition honours this legacy by providing emerging and established musicians with an opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage.

Entries for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition are now open to all Jamaican citizens and residents, and Jamaicans in the diaspora for songwriters and performers to submit their original compositions for consideration. Songs should embody the essence of Jamaican culture, with lyrics that celebrate the island’s unique heritage, traditions, and way of life.

In addition to the prestige of having their song selected as the official Festival Song for 2024, the winning artist will receive over three million in cash and prizes and the opportunity to perform at various celebratory events. The winning song will also become an integral part of Jamaica’s Independence Day celebrations, serving as a rallying cry for unity and national pride.

Aspiring musicians and seasoned performers alike are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their talent and contribute to Jamaica’s vibrant musical landscape. Entries for the 2024 Jamaica Festival Song Competition can be submitted online through the JCDC’s official website, or at all parish offices across the island.

With its legacy of celebrating the power of music to unite, inspire, and uplift, the Jamaica Festival Song Competition continues to be a cornerstone of Jamaican culture and identity. As the island gears up for another unforgettable staging of this iconic event, all eyes and ears are eagerly awaiting the next anthem that will capture the hearts of Jamaicans at home and abroad.

Suwannee Caine, Director of Marketing and Public Relations at the JCDC shared that it’s been almost 60 years since JCDC established this platform for budding artists, songwriters, and producers to showcase their talents in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. “We are so proud of the ability to unearth new and original songs that resonate with the essence of Jamaican identity and bring a sense of pride and patriotism to our nation.”

Persons who are interested in entering the 2024 competition should note that they will need to upload a lyric sheet and their entry song in a MP3 file format, which should be four minutes or less. The Jamaica Festival Song competition carries an entry fee of $1,000 JMD per entry.

The Jamaica Festival Song Competition, which started in 1966, has helped to launch and advance careers of some of Jamaica’s acclaimed singers and songwriters. Winners of the competition have included: Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Decker, Eric Donaldson, Roy Rayon, Buju Banton and Stanley Beckford.

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