ShaggyDeon Green, Freelance Writer
LONDON, England:
Word has spread that Jamaican-born and now world-renowned entertainer Shaggy, who had the best pop single last year with It Wasn't Me, is thinking about starring in a James Bond-type movie in Jamaica.
It is also reported that Shaggy has said that he wants to bring the next James Bond movie to the country of his birth. This raises interesting possibilities of exposing Jamaica and boosting tourism.
Some critics in the movie industry here believe it is a brilliant idea which would bring a new dimension to the James Bond movie series. At the same time, many Jamaicans here have expressed the view that a Jamaican James Bond-type movie would further expose Jamaican talents that would have been unable to make a move into the movie industry 'big time' otherwise. They would thus be able to complement Jamaican stalwarts in the industry, such as Jimmy Cliff.
According to ace disc jockey at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Chris Goldfinger, that would be a great move for Jamaica, since Shaggy has achieved worldwide popularity and success, so it would just be a matter of him extending it to Jamaica. Speaking from a Caribbean Extravaganza bandwagon in New York, Goldfinger stressed: "Shaggy can't do anything wrong. Right now and it would be financially rewarding for the country and locals in the interim, as well as provide for further long-term benefits for the country and the people."
Speaking of the extravaganza now on in New York, The Sunday Gleaner has learnt that many of Jamaica's top entertainers, including Frisco Kid and Ghost, are in the 'Big Apple', sharing in the Independence celebrations as well. Some details of the excitement come your way next week.
Summer Heat 2002
This summer is expected to be a bubbling one here in London, in which Caribbean people will take centre stage in many ways. A throng of musicians is expected to perform here at various locations depicting the original dancehall vibes. Many have dubbed it a return to the olden days, however, the promotion has been billed Summer Heat 2002.
Summer Heat 2002 will feature real dancehall styles, with entertainers performing alongside sound systems. The series of events kicks off on July 12 in Bristol. This will be followed by 'bashments' in Nottingham on July 13, then Southhampton on July 14 and climax at Club Lex in London on July 19. Not to be outdone, media and sound systems operators from Jamaica and other countries will also join the fray, competing to see who will wear the crown in the dancehall business.
Meanwhile, as The Sunday Gleaner continues to monitor plans for Jamaica's 40th Independence celebrations here in England from August 2 to August 4, some 20 Jamaican artistes are being lined up to perform under one roof at Church Lane in North West London. The line-up includes Pat Kelly, The Tamlins, Cobra, Ken Boothe, Frankie Paul, Sugar Minott, Mighty Diamonds, Lexus, Wayne Marshall, Admiral Bailey and many others. A member of the organising party, Michael Koos, told The Sunday Gleaner that the promotion group Authentic Real Music has been showcasing Jamaica's Independence over the last nine years, but this year the celebrations will be taken to a new dimension.
Koos said this year the performances will include skits. For example, a woman with a basket on her head could be walking around on-stage like she is on her way to the market in Jamaica, while a narrator, possibly a comedian, will trace the country's history against the background of the skit. This feature will be further complemented by the narrator introducing each artiste and providing a background on the artiste, as well as giving historical highlights of Jamaican music.
Asked about the response so far, Mr. Koos said at 28 pounds sterling plus booking fees, the tickets are going fast. "Over the years many attended because they love the music, as well as full-blooded Jamaicans who know their culture and with guarantees on the artistes booked to perform, the event will be a real celebration," he said. However, The Sunday Gleaner was told that the organisers could possibly scale down the event to two days rather than three.
Due to the extravaganza in New York, the BBC's Reggae Crew could not be reached for the top ten on their reggae chart this week. See you next week for much more.
Your comments, criticisms and happenings on the entertainment scene in the UK are welcome. E-mail Deon Green at greenyranks@yahoo.com
