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Thursday, 15 September 2011 01:09

Membership Has It's Privileges!

Spotlight on CPR Member - Major Daps!

September 13, 2011 | 6:05 pm | Print

Born in Clarendon, Jamaica, Major Daps is working on a synergy of the roots reggae music of the past with that of the present. In this CJ Spotlight, we talk to Major Daps about what makes his music and what his music means. To see his definition of reggae music, click here.

Talk about your music.

I do reggae music – positive reggae music to uplift the people. For the future is here right now, so we’re going beyond the future to teach the next generation – that’s how we roll.

Who are your inspirations?

Everybody that does positive work in the music field, from the heart, is my inspiration, really. But my main inspiration as a youth growing up was Lieutenant Stitchie, because of how he wrote lyrics and represented to other people. That would be my inspiration — to climb the ladder of success.
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How would you describe your music?

I would say a positive vibration for everyone’s heart to feel, in a positive sense. Just to uplift everyone – culturally, in a mental way, and to be an inspiration. I would describe my music as message music.

How much is spirituality a part of your music?

A million percent or more. That’s how it goes – a million percent or more spiritual. It’s all spiritual. – it never changes.

You’ve lived in Jamaica and in the US. Does your music take on aspects of where you live?

Yes. From my upbringing coming up, whenever i would venture out of one area to the next, it’s an experience. So it brings a lot more to your knowledge, so you write from where you’re coming from, where you’re headed, where you’re going. That’s how it has to be – you write what you experience, what you believe, and what you know. So my music comes across through the powers of Rastafari, that’s how it rise.

What are you working on right now?

Currently working on another project to come out. I just finished Dapsthology – it’s already on the road. Then we’re working on finishing the album.

To hear the single “Play Jah Music” from Major Daps’ “Dapsthology,” click here: 01 Play Jah Music

–CJ

***Thanks to Alex Britell, publisher of Carib Journal for this testament  to the viability of the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc.***
Thursday, 01 September 2011 12:10

No NYC Proclamation for Beenie Man

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(Beenie Man-The Doctor)

Re-posted from www.chatychaty.com

August 23rd, 2011

No NY Proclamation for Beenie Man from Councilman Comrie

The office of Councilman Leroy Comrie has denied all media reports stating that he will be presenting Jamaican dancehall deejay Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis with a proclamation from the New York City Council.

The councilman's office has stated emphatically that at no time did Mr Comrie agree to honour Beenie Man, as has been stated in a release quoting Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Radio and promoter of the Reggae Rhythm & Blues Concert for Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York on September 4, 2011.

In a release to the media, New York City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie (D-27th District), noted that "there have been several news reports generated which alleged that I would be presenting a New York City Council Proclamation to dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man. This report is untrue ..."

The release further states that Councilman Comrie is aware of the event, as he has "worked with the concert promoters to secure the site for this event and support their efforts to host a safe, enjoyable and entertaining day for the residents of Southeast Queens."

He pointed out that his office has not made any announcement of such action, as would have been the norm. And, in an interview with chatychaty.com, the councilman's public relations officer, Rance Huff, pointed out that their ofice would have been the one to send out a release of that nature.

"If Councilman Comrie were making such a presentation, then our office would have sent out the release, as we have done in the past," Huff noted, adding that he was surprised that responsible media in Jamaica could have carried such a release without consulting their office. "The release did not even have a comment attributed to Councilman Comrie. Shouldn't that have alerted media houses in Jamaica to confirm that this is in fact so."

Huff added, "And we would more than likely have made  the presentation at City Hall in a more formal environment, rather than at a concert,"

When asked to comment on reports that the Councilman backed out of the agreement to give Beenie Man a proclamation from the New York City Council because of  pressure from the gay community, Huff was quick to dismiss such allegations. "That is entirely untrue. In fact, that's called a spin," he said.

"The fact is that while Councilman is supportive of the event and agreed to attend, at no time was he asked, or did he agree to honour Beenie Man. There has been absolutely no contact from the gay community at all. What gay activist do they say is leading this?" Huff queried.

Huff pointed out that it was mainly Jamaican media that had carried the story and it has not been picked up on an international level. "No international media has called me about this proclamation and I am sure the gay community does not even know about it," Huff said.

In closing, Huff reiterated that Councilman Comrie had not been asked to honour Beenie Man with a proclamation from the NY Council. "The Councilman was shocked when he saw the media reports," Huff said.

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(Councilman Leroy Comrie)

Letter from Councilman Comrie:

FROM THE OFFICE OF

HON. LEROY COMRIE

Council Member– 27th District, Queens, NY

Deputy Majority Leader of The NYC Council

Chair, Committee on Land Use

For Immediate Release:

August 19, 2011

Statement From NYC Council Member Leroy Comrie

NEW YORK, NY- New York City Council Deputy Majority Leader Leroy Comrie (D-27th District) issued the following statement today in response to erroneous news reports that alleged he would presenting a proclamation to dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man:

“It has come to my attention that there have been several news reports generated which alleged that I would be presenting a New York City Council Proclamation to dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man. This report is untrue- at no time have I agreed to issue a proclamation nor has my office made any announcement of such a action. No news organization called my office to confirm this allegation before going to publication. I am respectfully asking that any news organization which published this allegation publicly print a retraction.

"I am aware that Beenie Man will be performing during a pre-Labor Day concert that will take place at Roy Wilkins Park in my district and features several music artists such as Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Machel Montano.

The organisers of the concert, in response to a request for a comment on the matter, has since sent out the following: Last week, Reggae Rhythm & Blues issued a statement to the media regarding reggae artiste Beenieman receiving a proclamation at the Reggae Rhythm & Blues concert slated for Sunday, September 4, 2011. There was a mis-communications between our office here at Reggae Rhythm & Blues and the office of US Councilman Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) as such Beenieman will not be receiving a proclamation as was previously stated. We apologize for the error and for any damage it may have caused his office. This is now behind us and we are now focused on putting together the best concert possible at the inaugural Reggae Rhythm & Blues Concert slated for Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York on Labor Day Sunday, September 4, 2011.

Yours truly

Bobby Clarke - Irie Jam Radio / organizer of Reggae Rhythm & Blues 2011

http://www.chatychaty.com/index.php/en/news/popular-news/1956-no-ny-proclamation-for-beenie-man-from-councilman-comrie

 

 

Thursday, 01 September 2011 10:15

"I am Guilty," says Dudus

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Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter - The Jamaica Gleaner

CONFESSED GANGSTER Christopher 'Dudus' Coke is facing a maximum 23 years behind bars following a guilty plea in the United States Southern District Court of New York yesterday. The 42-year-old pleaded guilty before US District judge Robert P. Patterson.

Coke, who was extradited to the US on June 24, 2010 to answer narco and firearm charges, will be sentenced on December 8 around 4 p.m.

Court documents released by a United States press office stated that the former Tivoli Gardens don confessed to racketeering conspiracy in the US and conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering.

Plea document

"The defendant hereby acknowledges that he has accepted this agreement and decided to plead guilty because he is in fact guilty," the plea document signed by Coke states.

It added that, "By entering this plea of guilty, the defendant waives any and all right to withdraw his plea or to attack his conviction either on direct appeal or collaterally, on the grounds that the government has failed to produce any discovery material."

On the racketeering-conspiracy charge, Coke faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum term of five years' supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain from the offence.

On the conspiracy to commit assault in aid of racketeering charge, he faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, a maximum term of one year of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000, or twice the pecuniary gain.

The sentencing guidelines of the United States in federal cases show that Coke would have faced 262-372 months' imprisonment.

However, because the counts carry a combined statutory maximum of 276 months' imprisonment, the effective guidelines range is 262 to 276 months' imprisonment.

The sentencing court may also impose a fine ranging from US$25,000 to US$250,000.

Extradited after stand-off

Coke was extradited following a near one-year stand-off between the Bruce Golding-led government and the US. Then Attorney General Dorothy Lightbourne refused to sign the authority to proceed against Coke, saying his constitutional rights were being breached.

Golding's JLP then engaged US law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips in a bid to lobby the US government on the matter.

However, under public pressure, Lightbourne signed the authority to proceed against Coke. That was to lead to a stand-off between men loyal to Coke and members of the security forces. A bloody battle in Tivoli led to the deaths of more than 70 people.

Coke went into hiding and was captured, allegedly disguised with a woman's wig, in the company of clergyman Al Miller. He waived his right to fight his extradition to the US and has been awaiting trial since.

Coke last week suffered a major setback when Patterson rejected his motion to suppress wiretap information.

In obtaining a grand-jury indictment against Coke in August 2009, the prosecutors focused on taped telephone conversations he reportedly had with co-conspirators based in the US.

The prosecutors claimed that in one telephone conversation on or about April 3, 2007, Coke spoke with three co-conspirators concerning firearms that were to be shipped from the US to Jamaica.

The prosecutors also claim that about April 11, 2007, Coke had a telephone conversation with another co-conspirator concerning the sale of marijuana in New York, while a May 8, 2007 recording had Coke discussing the distribution of firearms that had arrived in Jamaica.

However, Coke's lawyers argued that the wiretaps were shared with the US law-enforcement agencies illegally and that their use would be in breach of Coke's rights under the Fifth Amendment of the US constitution.

Patterson, however, ruled against Coke, saying he "falls far short of establishing that the conduct of US or Jamaican government officials violated his due-process rights".

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110901/lead/lead1.html

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Thursday, 01 September 2011 09:59

Tivoli Shocked by Dudus Guilty Plea

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Tivoli shocked by guilty plea of their former hero

BY KIMMO MATTHEWS Observer staff reporter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thursday, September 01, 2011

EXPRESSIONS of shock and disbelief were etched on the faces of West Kingston residents yesterday as news emerged that drug lord Christopher 'Dudus' Coke — their one-time hero — had pleaded guilty in a Manhattan, New York court.

"What you mean he pleaded guilty; you serious; that can't be real," said a woman who identified herself as a family member of Coke.

The woman was among scores of residents in the communities of Denham Town and Tivoli Gardens who reacted to media reports that Coke had pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy and one count of conspiracy to commit assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering in a plea bargain arrangement.

The news was particularly hard for residents of Tivoli Gardens who were still grieving the death of Coke's mother, Pauline 'Patsy' Haliburton, who died last week. Burton, who was ailing for some time, died a day after she was admitted to the Kingston Public Hospital. The former vendor had expressed fear last year that she would never get the chance to see her son again.

Kimoy Williams, a Tivoli resident, said she felt Coke made the decision to enter a guilty plea because of his mother's death. Haliburton, she said, was an important part of Coke's life and that her passing may have "left him a broken man".

Sam, also a resident of Tivoli, shared a similar sentiment. "The man's mother was the centre of his life, and now she [has] passed away; he may have given up," Sam surmised.

However, a fellow Tivoli resident, who identified herself only as Simone, said she felt Coke made the decision after he weighed his options. "I believe him know what him doing," said the woman.

But while some residents tried to guess reasons for Coke's guilty plea, others were left in disbelief.

"Then why would he do a thing like that. That no sound real; maybe it's not true?" said a man who was among a group that had gathered in the community.

A group of women who sat close to the man also queried whether he was forced to enter a guilty plea, while others said Coke apparently made the decision he felt was best for him. "A man has got to do what a man has got to do, and there is no two way about it," said Sam.

While he spoke, there were other residents who while not willing to talk to media were seen looking out from their homes with expressions of shock on their faces.


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Tivoli-shocked-by-guilty-plea-of-their-former-hero_9579657#ixzz1WhqmBKya

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