Late Sunday night, 20-year-old, Jamaican resident Stephen Fray hijacked CanJet Flight 918 at Montego Bay’s Sangster International Airport. It is reported that Fray breached numerous checkpoints before ultimately boarding the Canadian flight headed for Santa Clara, Cuba. While most of the passengers had not yet boarded the plane, there were at least a small number of passengers that were on the plane at the time of the hijacking. Fray later allowed all of the passengers and two of the eight crew members to leave the plane after taking their money and other valuables.

Jamaican police were in negotiations with the mentally disturbed man and his family members for more than 9 hours, attempting to negotiate the release of the remaining 6 crew members before finally storming the plane and safely releasing all six crew members. Fray is reported to have been upset about a failed relationship and is now in the custody of Jamaican police.

Update: Here’s one passenger’s account of the hijacking ordeal:

Source and Pic

Source and Pic

One of my favorite artists, Da’Ville, has a new video out for his single, “Missing You.” Check it out!

The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, has teamed up with PUMAVision (the “corporate social responsibility” branch of Puma Athletics)  to raise money for the New York-based charity, Children of Jamaica Outreach (COJO) Inc.  Bolt’s limited edition PUMA Cell Mio’s are up for auction online at eBay until Tuesday, April 21. Bidding begins at $750. There are only 3 pairs of the size 13 sneakers and all proceeds from the sales will go towards a scholarship in the name  “The PUMA Usain Bolt Scholarship”.

It’s nice to see Bolt staying committed to community service and the children of Jamaica.

Side note: Here are some interesting knock-offs I found. I’m pretty sure Bolt and Puma are not too thrilled about these, and I’m personally not feeling the altered Jamaican flag on the back. Tacky, tacky!

Here’s Part II of my interview with Jah Cure.  Jah Cure’s “Universal Cure” hit stores today. Click here to read Part I.

YFA:  So, let’s talk a little bit about Jamaica. As you know, the rate and violence in Jamaica is at an all time high with the kidnappings, murders, and corruption. Specifically the violence against women is getting a lot of headlines. What do you feel that the problem is and what can the people and government do to stop it?

JC: If I tell you that I can explain the problem, I would be lying. Mi no frighten’ or pretend. This problem is big, it starts from the head…I mean Jamaica is just a puppet. Yuh know what I mean? All these things that are happening, these things are…sometimes them things are well planned ahead by…the system and secret societies, and them have black people just down in a hole for years and them nah stop fighting themselves. It’s not just a problem…it’s probably just a method, a strategy, a plan to over come…I mean to keep us down and to keep us doing it. Probably it’s that…but I don’t know. Just everyday we try to come with problems and nuh find the solution.

YFA: So, I mean at the end of the day when it’s problems in a society…(interrupts)

JC: It’s not just Jamaica alone. It’s the world. Right now America have the biggest problems, so… we have to just live with it because people are always getting crazy. This is a serious time..the Bible prophesied about times like this, guns is all over the earth, and people are all thinking evil for no reason. Drugs and guns contaminate the earth and long as drug is there and guns is there and illegal racketeering is there , people will always be ripping off people. So, we all, we all know. It’s just the same thing going on.

YFA: Well, I’m speaking to you here from the US where just 2 days ago we elected Barack Obama as our first African American president. It’s an extremely historical and proud moment for Blacks here and around the world. How did you feel when you heard the news and what do you think his election means for Jamaica and the Caribbean as a whole? Will it have any real significance?

JC: Yeah, I think it’s a big sign, for all people, but especially Black people who have been fighting the struggle over the years. For me it’s a breaking of a cycle, it’s probably heavenly sent. (Laughs) I know that there is a lot of burdens and things to deal with…a lot of problems. We all got them to face and they all got to be dealt with somehow, so… either it was him or somebody else was going to deal with all of those problems. So if it’s him or somebody else, its got to be dealt with right?

It’s a great sign, sign of the times to know that he could be the President right now. We never know that we would live to see that in our times, I’m glad that it happened in my time and I am alive to see it, a black man would be the President.

YFA:  O.K., so I know that you’re a very busy man and that your music takes you all across the world, but do you have any plans to settle down anytime soon? Do you have any children?
JC: Well, no I don’t have any kids yet. But you know, in life we hope for the best in life for ourselves and everyone, so as we go along we ask for God to lend a hand in our life so we can achieve the best and live the best. So, as life goes along hopefully, (laughs) we could do all of that and everything is well so you could know more about what’s going on in my life.
YFA: Alright, I’m going to ask you a question about a rumor that’s going around, and you feel free to answer it however you want to. So, there’s been a rumor media in the media regarding a certain young lady that you’re involved with (interupts)
JC: No, that’s rumor. Rumor is rumor. I heard but I don’t pay it no mind. I have nothing to say about it because I don’t know nothing about it.

YFA: OK.

JC: And trust me sometimes they just pulling my tongue to get me out to make another article.
YFA: Ok, that’s why I wanted to ask you about it, to go straight to the source and find out about it.
JC: Trust me I don’t nothing about this thing. I heard about it. And I have seen it. Trust me, I have nothing to say about this right now.

YFA: So what kind of things do you enjoy doing when you’re not in the studio or on tour? What’s a typical day like for Jah Cure? What would your fans be surprised to know that you enjoy?
JC: Well, I’m roaming the streets and I’m with my friends playing video games.

YFA: What’s your favorite video game?

JC: I play a lot of video games and we compete against each other and we cook together, laugh and drink. And mock the losers you know? (Laughs)

YFA: So, what kind of video games do you like?

JC: I like Power Evolution soccer, that’s what we play. Nothing else. Straight Power Evolution Soccer, on Play Station 2 or 3. I beat my opponent any time. (laughs)

Click on the audio below to enjoy a live snippet of  Jah Cure singing “Love Is” acapella and listen to him, in his own words ,explain what he’d like his legacy to be.

Love Is Acapella

Jah Cure on his legacy

Contributed Article

‘BEST OF THE BEST’ IS BACK!
SUNDAY – MAY 24, 2009
BICENTENNIAL PARK – MIAMI, FLORIDA

MIAMI, FLORIDA – The Best of the Best International Music Festival is back and this year, its promise of being “the best of the best” delivers yet again. The premier concert event in North America returns on Sunday, May 24, much to the delight of fans, many of whom make Miami their destination on Memorial Day weekend each year, to savor the best in Caribbean entertainment, and in mainstream urban entertainment as well.

Presented by Miami-based music and lifestyle promotions outfit, JBJ Entertainment, Best of the Best sets the stage every year as the ultimate showcase of the best acts in Caribbean music. With a solid Caribbean foundation spanning dancehall, reggae, lover’s rock and soca, the festival also thrills fans with the top artists in hip-hop, rap and R&B. Past years have included the likes of Akon, Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean.

This year proves to be no different as the show is hosted by one of the biggest names in music today, T-Pain. The star-studded lineup also includes Rick Ross, Jeezy, DJ Khaled, Beenie Man, Mavado, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Serani, Wayne Wonder, Capleton, Destra, Tony Matterhorn, Spice, Kip Rich, Flippa Mafia, Christopher Martin, Cocoa Tea, Ras Penco, Ce’Cile and The Stones.

In its fifth installment, co-promoters Budafuco and Jabba invite music aficionados from around the country and beyond to journey to Miami for this consummate Memorial Day celebration. “We’ve made every effort to bring together the best acts in music right now, for one day, on one stage. The diversity of this festival in music, culture and cuisine is unrivaled, so everyone is in for an amazing time.”

The show takes place at Bicentennial Park, located at 1075 Biscayne Boulevard in downtown Miami. Park gates open at 1:00 pm and show time is set for 1:30pm sharp. The 10-hour event does not end there. Everyone is invited to the official Best of the Best After Party, at Bongos Nightclub (located behind the American Airlines Arena), immediately following the show.

Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster and bestofthebestconcert.com, and at select locations across Florida and New York City. For more information, log on to www.bestofthebestconcert.com or call 1-305-438-9488. Please direct all press inquires to bestofthepress2009@gmail.com.

Usain Bolt was featured this past Sunday on the NY Times online. 22 year- old Bolt spoke with reporter Jere’ Longman on a variety of subjects, including his desire to revitalize track and field and his plan to become the first track star to earn $10 million a year . Wow, that’s a lot of mullah!

The article also makes mention of the fact that the track phenom has endorsement deals and contracts with Digicel, Gatorade, and Puma, all of which exceed $3 million. I’d personally wondered about how much he’d been offered in endorsements, and I have to admit, I’m still offended at what he’s been offered by American sponsors, but hey, it is what it is.

I’m sure that Bolt’s mention of his fellow countrymen and track rival, Asafa Powell’s tendency to “freak out” under pressure has raised some eyebrows in Jamaica, along with his statement that, “If I’m the fastest man in the world, you’re not going to beat me.” And if that weren’t enough, Bolt also lends his opinion on the Michael Phelps fiasco,  and in doing so, admits that he too has tried marijuana (when he was younger), but denies using it since he was young.

Let the endless rumors and drug testing begin, or according to Bolt should I say, continue.

If you’ve been wondering what the world’s fastest man has been up to, then this article will catch you up to speed. Pun totally intended.

Pic: NY Times