Laurel Aitken in UK Hospital

London, UK - January 30, 2004 - ReggaeRunnins had received word from the UK that the Godfather of Ska, Laurel Aitken, has been hospitalized with double pneumonia. He is unlikely to recover adequately to allow him to perform again. We deeply regret to bear this sad news. Please join us in sending out warm wishes to Mr. Aitken for a speedy recovery. Jah guide, Laurel!

Visit Laurel Aitken's Official Web Site >>

Photo © Chrissie Rowntree

BABY CHAM SIGNS WITH ATLANTIC RECORDS

Atlantic Records has signed dancehall deejay Baby Cham. The deal was reportedly sealed late last week, and according to Baby Cham: "This is the right machinery that we need behind our career. Atlantic can pump in what is needed to be pumped into any artiste or project.'

Cham however declined to reveal details about the deal. "It is a two album deal with the option to renegotiate afterwards." Mad House Records (operated by Cham's longtime producer Dave Kelly) also secured a label deal (distribution) with Atlantic.

Born Damion Beckett in 1978, Cham did his first recording at age of 17 for the Shelly Power label. His second recording came via producer Lloyd 'John John' James Jr with the track One Bag of Haters. The first song that brought public attention was the Penthouse label's No Coco Mania which featured Spragga Benz.

Source: JamaicaObserver.com

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ISLAND BEAT MIX RADIO SHOW ON THE BEAT 103.5FM

Miramar, Florida - January 23, 2004 - Starting Saturday, January 24, 2004, from 10 p.m. to midnight, WMIB 103.5FM The Beat will debut a new mix radio program, Island Beat, highlighting the wide appeal of Caribbean music and culture for the urban/hip-hop music audience.

The Island Beat show will feature music and artists from dancehall, reggae, and soca genres. The South Florida tri-county area is the 2nd largest and the fastest growing Caribbean community in America. Caribbean music has also grown drastically in recent times. With successes from artists, such as Sean Paul, Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Wayne Wonder, and legends such as Bob Marley, among others, reggae and dancehall music have reached unprecedented heights in rotating on top of radio play lists worldwide.

46th Annual Grammy Awards
Airing Feb 8th @ 8 pm on CBS

Nominees for Best Reggae Album (Vocal or Instrumental):
- Friends For Life / Buju Banton (VP/Atlantic Records)
- Freeman / Burning Spear (Burning Music Productions)
- Dutty Rock / Sean Paul (VP/Atlantic Records)
- Ain't Givin' Up / Third World (Shanachie)
- No Holding Back / Wayne Wonder (VP/Atlantic Records)

  MORE Grammy News >>

Buju Banton Arrested On Drug Charges

Reggae singer Buju Banton has been charged with marijuana possession, police in Kingston, Jamaica, said today (Dec. 4). Police were conducting routine anti-drug raids in the capital last night and officers found 30 fully-grown marijuana plants in the entertainer's home. Banton, 31, who is Rastafarian, told police that he smokes marijuana for inspirational purposes. His manager Donovan Germain declined comment.

Banton, whose real name is Mark Myrie, was arrested and later released on bail, police said. He is scheduled to appear in Magistrate's Court to answer the charges on Monday.

Banton first gained prominence as a teenager in the early 1990s when he recorded several songs, including "Batty Rider" and "Boom Bye Bye," which condemned homosexuality and glorified the shooting of gay men.

He converted to Rastafarianism in 1994 and the following year released the roots-reggae "'Til Shiloh" album. While on tour in the United States to promote the album in 1995, gay rights groups, including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, denounced "Boom Bye Bye" and called on sponsors not to support Banton's music.

Banton's most recent album, "Friends for Life," was released this spring by VP/Atlantic.

SOURCE: Billboard