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KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Heirs of the Jamaican reggae legend are plunging into the global trademark wars, seeking to enforce their exclusive rights to an image that has grown steadily in scope and appeal since the Jamaican superstar died of brain cancer in 1981 at age 36. The Marley name, look and sound are estimated to generate an estimated $600 million a year in sales of unlicensed wares. Legal sales are much smaller - just $4 million for his descendants in 2007, according to Forbes magazine. The Marleys refuse to give a figure. Now the family has hired Toronto-based Hilco Consumer Capital to protect their rights to the brand. Hilco CEO Jamie Salter believes Marley products could be a $1-billion business in a few years...

(Ms. RAINE INC): Love him or hate him, Vybz Kartel’s influence in Dancehall is undeniable—a masterful wordsmith, captivating entertainment icon, and insightful businessman known just as much for his lyrical genius as he is for his much publicized scandals. Nearly everything he does is a guaranteed success – and a fullfledged controversy. On February 26th, his recording label Adidjahiem Records, in partnership with notable Reggae label Tads Records, will release Pon Di Gaza 2.0, a re-release of last year’s digital Pon Di Gaza album, with a bonus disc of the deejay’s latest hit singles, include the current #1 hit “Life We Living.” Pon Di Gaza 2.0 is Vybz Kartel’s first physical album in nearly four years. Like Pon Di Gaza...

The management team for reggae singer, Beres Hammond, is livid over recent Internet reports that the singer is suffering from a rare form of throat cancer. Bere's manager, Mervys Walsh who has represented Beres for over 20 years said:

Natty King took to Facebook accusing a Kenyan music promoter of being unprofessional. Natty King performed in Buruburu on his first show before heading to Meru for another show. But the Meru show was cancelled. Natty King alleges that Chini Ya Mti promoters refused to pay him, hence the reason for the no-show in Meru. Chini Ya Mti Promotions CEO Juma, stated he upheld his side of the contract signed with the reggae singer. Juma stated that upon arrival in Meru, Natty King demanded an additional 30% on top of the agreed performance fees. Juma However Turbulence accused the same promoter of the same thing the previous year.

At least four company names were found in the database of Panama Papers are identified as having links to Jamaica. A search for 'Jamaica' in the database turned up the names Ciamara Holdings, Direct Transportation and Group Logistics, Kanton Star, and Global Equity Finance, though there is no suggestion any of these entities have done anything wrong. The Panama Papers are leaked documents about offshore companies. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published a searchable database of the documents on Monday, covering some 214,000 entities.

Jamaican born Professor of Theology and Ethics at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Noel Erskine, is the 2016 recipient of the Atlanta Jamaica Association (AJA) Black History Month Award. Professor Noel Erskine, who hails from St. Thomas and is the former Pastor of the Ulster Spring Baptist Church in Trelawny, has been recognized for his over 35 years of service to the Jamaican and Caribbean communities in Atlanta. Dr. Erskine has also been honoured for his extensive work in chronicling black history as well as his study of black religion. A member of the American Academy of Religion and Black Theology, Rev. Erskine also serves on the Advisory Council of the Secretariat of the Free Trade Area of...

Live Interview with Father Keith and Lady Lyrical from Vibes Reggae Arena Approximately five years ago Squingy was diagnosed with a life threatening illness (Lung Cancer) which out of respect for him and at his request has been kept secret. Only a select few were privileged with knowing this sensitive information as this was necessary in maintaining his health. Squingy is said to be in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tampa Bay hospital, is rapidly deteriorating. Part 1 <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf" width="400" height="35"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf"/> <param name="FlashVars"...

Tanesha Parkins, a 27-year-old mother of two, was caught attempting to leave Jamaica with over two pounds of ganja inside her anus and stomach. On January 21, Parkins arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport to board a flight to Curacao when police observed a bulge in her crotch area. A cylindrical package was then removed from her anal cavity. She pleaded guilty to the charges of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and taking steps to export ganja. She was fined $10,000 or six months for possession of ganja, $20,000 or six months for dealing in ganja and $41,000 or six months for taking steps to export ganja.

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller helped to cut the ribbon at the Angels Toll Plaza to officially open the section of the North-South Highway from Angels, just outside Spanish Town, to Linstead in St. Catherine, to join the leg opened last year which now ends in Moneague. The recently built roadway will be open to the public for travel as of Monday February 8, 2016. Travel on the newly opened section will be free of cost for one month. As part of the agreement for the US$720 million highway development, the government has made 1,200 acres of land available to the developer, China Harbour Engineering Company for hotels, housing and commercial developments. One of the areas slated for development, Mammee Bay will see the...

Spragga Benz was featured in Billboard's Best One-Hit Wonders of the 2000s for his collaboration with Kevin Lyttle. In August 2004, Kevin Lyttle, with help from Spragga Benz, lit up the charts with "Turn Me On," which peaked at No. 4. The airwaves have since turned him off, and the Caribbean crooner has yet to return to the Hot 100. Spragga Benz was ranked 17 on the top 24 list.

Dover police officer Thomas Webster IV was acquitted of felony assault and misdemeanor assault charges today after kicking Lateef Dickerson, in the head so hard that it broke his jaw during a 2013 arrest. Webster testified he didn't intend to kick Lateef Dickerson in the head in August 2013 and instead was aiming for his upper body. Webster also said he feared for the safety of himself and others because officers were told Dickerson was armed with a gun, and Dickerson was slow to comply with repeated commands to get on the ground. Jurors deliberated for about 16 hours over three days before acquitting Dover police officer Thomas Webster IV of felony assault and misdemeanor assault.

Songs for Reggae Lovers 3 releases on February 9th, this album aims straight for the heart; presenting 30 top hits from reggae’s brightest stars, singing about love. Specially prepared for Valentine’s Day (and everyday), this collection showcases old and new favorites including the latest hit from rising UK vocalist Gappy Ranks titled ‘The Rain’. For collectors of all ages, this disc gets better with each listen! TRACK LISTING DISC 1 1. Good Thing Going – Sugar Minot 2. The Rain – Gappy Ranks 3. In Your Eyes – Sanchez 4. She’s Royal – Tarrus Riley 5. Beautiful Lady – Gyptian 6. Substitute Lover – Half Pint 7. Tempted To Touch – Beres Hammond 8. Blessing – Etana featuring Alborosie 9. Love Me More – Ziggy 10. Drowning...

On Febuary 9, 2010 VP Records presents the return of Sanchez with his newest album, Now And Forever. Now and Forever features 15 new Sanchez tracks, produced by Donovan Germain of Penthouse Recordings. This is by far Sanchez’s best work to date. Along with delivering the sound that he is known for, the majority of this album contains original songs from Sanchez. The first single from Now and Forever is "Longing To Come Home" on the Protect & Serve riddim, it is currently climbing the US world & reggae charts. "Won’t Surrender" touches on the controversial subject matter of infidelity and what an untrusting companion goes through in this situation. On the song "What Do I Have To Say", Sanchez is trying to capture the...

The United Soccer League has suspended Jamaican forward Romeo Parkes for the remainder of the 2016 season and fined him an undisclosed amount for attacking Canadian international defender Karl Ouimette in a game Saturday. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds had already terminated Parkes’ contract. Parkes and Ouimette, a former Impact player, were both red-carded for their part in a melee late in the game between Pittsburgh and the New York Red Bulls II. As they began to walk off the field, Parkes kicked Ouimette from behind, knocking him to the ground. The 23-year-old from Repentigny was stretchered off, but was not seriously injured.

Jamaica-born actress Shauna Chin served a cease and desist order to Gully Bop's ex fiance Laniece Shauna Anderson for using the name "Shauna Chin". The actress has since come under heavy scrutiny on social media by Shauna Chin's fans who were saying that she was being envious of chins success using the name. The Actress have since stated that she had no intentions of seeking any publicity from the matter, but instead made a wise business decision to protect her brand. Laniece Anderson has since changed her stage name from 'Shauna Chin' to 'Chin Chin'. Shauna Chin, a native of Montego Bay in St James, is most known for her guest-starring role on the Jamaican television series The Blackburns of Royal Palm Estate.

Several construction workers were taken to hospital this morning after a section of a building under construction at the former Grand Lido hotel in Negril collapsed around 6 a.m on Tuesday. Three workers were trapped under the rubble of the two-storey building that was being constructed. One worker who was trapped under the rubble had been rescued by late morning while firefighters worked feverishly to free at least two others. The status of the two remaining working is unknown at this time.

Streets is saying Killer has the lead. The dynamic of this clash is completely different to Mavado vs. Kartel last year. Both artists were at the top of the game, one a singjay, the other a deejay. Nobody really gave Mavado a chance due to his style. Kartel have most of Jamaica screaming "Gaza mi seh" including many artists (Flippa Mafia, Beenie Man and even Usain Bolt ahead of 100m semi-finals in Berlin), there isn't anyone in the game with a big enough name who possess the war lyrics to dethrone him - but is Killer that man? I don't think this will be settled until Sting. Vybz Kartel - Nuh Bore Tongue <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf" width="400"...

CIGA Promotions’ fundraiser for the Queen Louise Home for Children slated for December 31, 2009 just keeps getting bigger and better. Anticipated as the concert of the year, Beenie Man will headline “The Old Year’s – New Year’s Bash” on December 31, 2009 at the Randall “Doc” James Racetrack on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Shawn Baptiste, CEO of CIGA Promotions, announced the lineup which includes Grammy Award winner Beenie Man, Dancehall sensation Elephant Man and the original Dancehall King, Yellowman. Baptiste is excited about the latest additions to the lineup: hot young artists Jah Vinci and Black Ryno of Vybz Kartel’s Portmore Empire. The best talent in the U.S. Virgin Islands will also be on stage for this momentous...

Rock Star Entertainment and Music presents the official anthem for every Jamaican that lives in, visits, or passes through New York. The buzz has already been building around the tri-state for EllyEss and SupahShaneʼs song “Jamaican in New York” a twist on the 1993 hit by Shinehead. They have already started shooting the video for this song and it should be released early next year. Elly Ess Supah Shane - Jamaican In New York <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf" width="400" height="35"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.reggaeme.com/mediaplayer/flashaudioplayer.swf"/> <param name="FlashVars"...

Born: July 23, 1892 Near Harar, Ethiopia Died: August 27, 1975 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie was an emperor of Ethiopia whose influence as an African leader far surpassed the boundaries of his country. Although his popularity declined near the end of his sixty-year reign, Selassie remains a key figure in turning Ethiopia into a modern civilization. YouTube - Haile Selassie War Speech "Amharic Version"