Last year I blogged about 11-year old schoolboy Ian Gibson, who was tragically killed in a vehicular accident, fleeing from bullies. The incident led to concerned citizens drafting an Ian Gibson Policy Against Bullying And Harassment, and a petition being presented to Prime Minister David Thompson by Gibson's father, Victor Cadogan.
Last week, in what I'm sure is the first ruling of its kind, the Courts charged three minors with manslaughter for causing Ian's death.
You can read more here. Sad. I hope this whole sorry episode brings more awareness about the seriousness of bullying in schools.
A new breed of Caribbean musical talent is making waves internationally. Since Bajan superstar Rihanna made her debut five years ago, other Caribbean singers have followed her lead and are currently knocking at the door of stardom.
Here's a list of my fave up-and-comers, who were either born in the Caribbean or are of Caribbean parentage.
10. Vita Chambers. I must admit I had never heard about Vita Chambers till I stumbled across her myspace page sometime last year. This cute, bubbly, Barbadian teen has a fresh-faced appeal and pop/rock edge that's Like Boom, really.
9. Dwane Husbands. When I first saw Dwayne Husbands perform on a local talent show I said, wow, I think he has what it takes. In 2008, he won the Digicel Rising Stars competition, and the hearts of many female fans to boot.
The 25-year-old is perhaps best known for being featured on Rihanna's 2006 sophomore album A Girl like Me with the song 'Dem Haters', and with his silky smooth voice, he's sure to go places.
8. Jaicko. 19-year-old Jaicko Lawrence is a part of the musical Forrester clan of Barbados and Guyana. His hit 'Oh Yeah' is currently tearing up the airwaves and reached #2 on the Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles. Jaicko is currently signed to Capitol Records.
7. Livvi Franc. When your debut single, boldly titled 'Now I'm that Bitch', reaches the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart (2009), you know you're on to something good. Livvi Franc might not be a household name as yet, but give this 22-year-old Bajan some time....
6. Kimberley Inniss. Singer/songwriter/producer Kimberley Inniss has determination and self-confidence to spare. Like Dwayne Husbands, this triple threat started off as a contestant in a local talent show, then went on to the regional level in the Digicel Rising Stars competition. She placed second in both contests, but she got the last laugh in the end. Now, a record deal would be icing on the cake....
5. Shontelle Layne. I won't say much about Shontelle here, 'cause you all know I've bigged up my girl several times on this blog. If you haven't seen the latest video for her hit 'Impossible' as yet, check it in an earlier blog entry.
4. Hal Linton. In 2008, Hal Linton was honored by Black Entertainment Television in a series entitled, Rising Icons, showcasing up and coming music artists. I'm still feeling the effects of his song 'Cardiac Arrest' from a few years back.
His album Return From The Future is set for release in early 2010.
3. Marissa Lindsay. Blessed with a phenomenal voice, Marissa Lindsay can make you shed a tear then jump and shout, all in the same song. If she doesn't have people she needs to get some, and if she has people they need to get cracking with this girl's career 'cause she's got the goods.
2. Melanie Fiona. Born to Guyanese parents in Toronto, Canada, Melanie Fiona is currently tearing up the charts with her hit 'It Kills Me'. The video is pretty hot too, check it out below. Adam Rodriquez of CSI Miami fame too cute....
1. Ria Borman. Sassy megatalent Ria Borman has a voice reminscent of the Motown greats. She wowed R&B crooner Fantasia and Michael Jackson's father Joe Jackson earlier this year at the Barbados Music Awards. Would somebody pleaseee get this girl a record deal already!
None of the images in this post are my property. Credit goes to the owners, you all know who you are. :)
Wuhloss. These days Governments in the Caribbean are falling apart faster than a Hollywood marriage.
Now Trinidad and Tobago is being plunged into election mode after PM Patrick Manning pulled the plug on Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar's no confidence motion against him by dissolving Parliament. By law, he has three months to announce an election date.
I wonder if Patos can pull off another landslide like he did in 2007? Read more about the saga here.
Hey, y'all! Today is World Health Day and Barbados is joining the world in being more active. Many public and prvate sector agencies have allowed their employees to dress casually and to take frequent activity breaks.
I don't know about y'all, but nothing gives me a workout like dancing, especially to the music of Beyonce "Bey" Knowles. So, dance along with me as I post up some of my fave Bey videos. Get bodied!
From time to time I get mail from my readers, and so I decided to set aside today's post to respond to some of the questions posed by you my loyal blog readers. Here goes...
How come you don't write about Rihanna so much anymore? From the time Rihanna burst on to the scene back in 2005, she's been a staple here at Cheese-on-bread. I've blogged about her triumphs, her relationship and her trials. I especially tried to impart advice to a then teenage Bajan thrust into the spotlight at the tender age of 17.
Now that Rih-Rih's a hard-backed 22-year-old woman, moving men into her house and thing, well, she don't need no advice from me. Not that she asked for it anyhow. I'll still blog about her though, don't worry.
Have you banned politics from the blog? Not at all. It's just that I get so little time to blog these days, the last thing I want to write about is poliicians. Except Obama, he's special.
When are you going to finish that story you keep teasing us about? Lord knows. Hopefully before my son goes to primary school. Just kidding. As soon as I get a chance, I have to fine tune the first few chapters before I begin posting them up. And for those who're wondering what the plot will be about this time around, it will include inter-racial relationships, abandoned kids and marriage blues.
When are you next going to do a fave list? I have a topic in mind but as it's a short week I'll do it next week.
How come you didn't blog about the accusations made against Dr. David Estwick recently? You mean the Gaza vs. Gully conflict part 2? I'll address that in my midterm review of the Cabinet soon.
Check out the just-released video for Bajan superstar Shontelle's megahit, 'Impossible'. The singer/songwriter is signed to Universal Motown Records and SRP Records, the same label known for discovering fellow Bajan Rihanna. The video was directed by TAJ, the protégé of Anthony Mandler, who has worked with Rihanna on a dozen of her videos.
“Impossible” is the lead single off of Shontelle’s upcoming album, No Gravity, out in Spring 2010. You can follow her on Twitter @Shontelle_Layne.
Well, Gaza and Gully won't be sharing a stage in Barbados this weekend after all. Prime Minister David Thompson just concluded his post-Cabinet press conference, where he stated that the decision was taken to cancel the show....again.
Wuhloss. First it was on, then it was off. Then it was on. Now it's off, again. In between there we've had Ministers intervening, cops backraising each other (a long story) and accusations flying left and right. Talk 'bout gully versus Gaza. I know somebody's gonna get sued over this....
Congrats to US President Barack Obama, who won a hard-fought battle that culminated in his Health Care Reform Bill passing in the House last night.
Although the war is far from over, since the republican machinery is currently appealing the Bill, the Prez can still savour this victory. I just hope it hasn't come at too high a price, namely his chances of a second term.
Hey, peoples. Well for the past week or so debate has been raging on - again - about the indiscipline exhibited by some of our young people. Fingers are being pointed at parents, teachers, the minibus culture, the radio broadcasters, Vybz Kartel and Movado... but who's really to blame for the way some of these youngsters are acting these days?
I say, we're all to blame. From the day Bajans could no longer correct each others' children; from the day parents started going to schools and cursing and beating teachers for disciplining their children; from the day society just got so busy that its youngest members got left behind, we failed our children and ultimately we failed ourselves.
Finger pointing only takes you so far, and we've been going around in circles with this topic of youth indiscipline for far too long. Let's get some sort of dialogue going with the youth themselves because they have a lot of the answers to this problem.
Hey, peoples. I'm back after surviving the horrible flu that's going around in Bim these days. Hope you all are okay out there.
So, what's went on in the world when I was on my sick bed? Well, we're still experiencing a drought. Ain't seen rain in months. I hope when the rains so come we don't drown because Mother Nature is doing some odd things these days.
We've had over 1000 fires so far this year as well, mostly cane and bush fires. Our fire officers have to be commended for their hard work, because since January, the firebug has been raging out of control.
On the political front, PM David Thompson has shuffled out his Minister of State responsible for Immigration, Sen. Arni Walters, and made him Executive Board Chairman of the Barbados Water Authority. Good luck up in the Pine, Arni. Word is more changes are coming to the Cabinet as well.
What else? Oh, congrats to actress Mo'Nique, who copped the Best Supporting Actress award at last Sunday's Academy Awards. Well done, Ms. Mo'nique.
Here's the final five of 20 of my fave 'swexy' Valentine's songs. I hope you've enjoyed all of them, and I've certainly enjoyed being your DJ this week.
Hey, peoples. Yesterday work and connectivity issues got in the way of me posting some more 'swexy' videos, so I have a double dose for you today. Before I go any further I want to hail up my followers and especially welcome the newest follower Christy B. I hope you keep enjoying the site, Christy B. and company.
Okay, okay, let's go. Let's get this party started with the babymaker song, as some call it, "Turn Off The Lights" by the late, great Teddy Pendergrass.
I hope you enjoyed yesterday's provocative, 'swexy' Valentine's songs, 'cause I have five more coming at you today. We'll start off with perhaps my favourite of all the song's I'll be posting this week, Ms. Chrisette Michele with "If I Have My Way". Enjoy.
Hey, peoples. This is the week most people either love or hate, the week leading up to Valentine's Day on February 14. We all get bombarded by lovey-dovey tunes on the radio; every restaurant in the island is offering some lunch or dinner special and everywhere you look red and white is on display.
Anyhoo, Cheese-on-Bread can't be left out of this love fest, so I decided that between now and Friday, I'd bring you 20 (in random order) of my fave 'swexy' Valentine's songs. 'Swexy' songs are those (in my opinion, anyway) with lyrics that just put you in the mood for love. Wherever possible I'll put up a video of the artist performing the song, or just the audio.
Enjoy!
Cry To Me - Solomon Burke (Dirty Dancing)
Feeling the heat yet? I'll turn it up a notch tomorrow, haha.
I know some couples like to wear matching outfits, but anything can be overdone....
One false move and this guy could lose an eye....
Bajan soca queen Allison Hinds was showing it all off, and hubby Edward looks like he's protecting the other men from getting too close.
I'm not quite sure who's escorting whom on the red carpet.... Interesting metallic bubble dress, though.
One-time frontman of the big band Square One, Anderson Armstrong, looks like he's channelling a circus ringmaster with this getup.
Ms. Barbados World and co-host of the BMAs Leah Marville glows in this sequined gown, which accentuates her teeny tiny figure. Her co-host, model guy whose name I can't remember, sorry, cuts a dashing figure in his tailored suit.
Well, at least, they're colour-coordinated....
It takes a brave man to wear lilac, and I'm convinced that honey-voiced crooner John King did it for love, to coordinate with his date. Or is that his daughter? Me confused....
I'm not sure if these two are together, but individually they look pretty good.
Dang, that's one hot mama. Her son/brother looks pretty mortified though....
The man: love the jacket, hate everything else. The woman: love the hair, the dress, adore the shoes. The eye makeup, however, has to go.
This was one of my favourite couples of the night. They're not coordinated, but they look so cute together. The gown is bold and really makes a statement and the guy looks like he made an effort for the evening. Good job.
Peoples, I know this is a bit stale now but a promise is a promise. Here are the remaining red carpet photos from last month's Barbados Music Awards. This time around, the men and the couples. All photos are the property of Bajantube.com.
Under all that hair, that's cutie singer Kirk Brown from the band Strategy. I'm not too much in love with his outfit, but his friend looks good. Kinda Tyrese-ish....
Soca maestro Edwin Yearwood of Krosfyah fame and up-and-comer Jaico make a splash on the red carpet.
Who let this poor, unfortunate soul loose on the red carpet? He looks so lost I don't have the heart to say anything bad....
I don't have enough time to itemise all the things wrong with this getup. All I can say is that it gives new meaning to the phrase matching from head to toe....
World Champion hurdler Ambassador Ryan Brathwaite and his father Eugene heat up the red carpet. The Ambassador would have looked even hotter in more formal attire though...
One of the shining lights of Caribbean academia has been extinguished with the passing of Vice-Chancellor Emeritus of the University of the West Indies, Professor Ralston Milton 'Rex' Nettleford, on Tuesday.
I had the privilege of being taught History, Politics and Culture of the West Indies by Prof Nettleford at the Mona Campus back in the late 90's, and what an experience that was. I can see him now, perched on the edge of the lecturer's table or pacing gracefully across the class room, stopping now and then to punctuate a point with a nod or a wink. The man could lecture off the top of his head for two hours, without referring to notes.
He influenced myself and thousands of other students over the years to question and research and learn more about the history of our region and for that I will be eternally grateful. Rest well, Prof., you will be missed.
