Lexx busy in local studios...after being confined in New York for over a year

Mr Lexx

Deejay Mr Lexx has been busy in studio since his return to the island last week, after spending more than a year in New York.

Speaking to THE STAR yesterday, the deejay, real name Christopher Palmer, said that he has been receiving a warm welcome since his return. He said, "Since I got off the plane, I've basically been spending time wid di family and linking my real friends. I've also been back in the studio and doing some new music."

Since returning to Jamaica, Mr Lexx says he has been recording for the likes of Fiwi Music, Ward 21 and his own label, Diggy House.

He added, "Come next year, I wanna put out a lot of singles on my label. So far, I've recorded tunes like Party Like A Rockstar, Gal Christmas on Truckback's Tun Up rhythm and other secret stuff that's gonna surprise people."

According to Lexx, his fans might get to see him on a Jamaican stage come Christmas Day at Ragashanti's annual show. He said, "I've been getting a warm welcome and I wanna thank everyone for the support throughout my career and those who stood by me through the ups and the downs. I also wanna apologise to my kids for any embarrassment I might have caused them but you know when you live in the spotlight things get magnified, I just wanna let them know that daddy loves them."

Lexx has been missing from the local scene since October last year when he was arrested after a woman reported to the police that he sexually molested her.

It was reported that the woman was in her room at a hotel in Queens, New York, when the deejay forced himself on her. The police arrested the deejay the following morning. Since the incident occurred, the deejay;s travel documents were seized and he has been unable to leave the United States.

After making several court appearances, his attorney, Mark Potashnick, previously told THE STAR that the deejay was required to serve three days of community service and to show this as proof at a later date to the court.

While in the United States, Lexx was kept busy recording new material, and even ventured into new territories such as modelling and acting.

Assassin reacts...as Grenada churches protest his performance there

Agent Sasco, aka Assassin - File

Dancehall artiste Assassin says he believes the Grenada Conference of Churches is protesting his performance in the island based on his name.

The artiste, who also goes by the name Agent Sasco, said their protest is baseless.

"I don't think they took any time to see what my work is about. My last number one in Grenada was Almighty Protect, so it's ironic that the church would be carrying out a campaign based on a name. It is unfortunate that this is how the church go about dem ting," he told THE STAR.

Late last week, the Grenada Conference of Churches issued a statement in which they said their island's Christian heritage was under attack.

"Our heritage is under attack by mega-shows such as the one advertised for Christmas Eve in the National Stadium," said the church leaders of the concert that will feature the likes of Beenie Man, Mr Vegas and Assassin among other acts from Grenada.

The statement said that it is regrettable that shows by foreign artistes, who promote culture contrary to their Christian values, are being held in what is a 'silent night' and a 'holy night'. The Conference of Churches urged persons to celebrate Christmas in ways consistent with Christian values and not bow to other pressures.

Meanwhile, Assassin said he was still baffled by their protest.

"Dem preach reason and not to be judgmental but that is what they are doing here. It's a narrow-minded approach and it was surprising to me," he said.

While the church's protest continues, Assassin said his manager spoke with the promoter and he will be leaving to perform at the show on December 23 as planned.

Chino's From Mawning takes top spot in Japan

REGGAE and Dancehall artiste Chino McGregor's success in the Japan market cannot be underscored. In what has been deemed a fledgling music industry, Chino's From Mawning (Never Change) was and continues to be the number one purchased and downloaded track/ringtone on Japan's most established ringtone site, Reggae Zion.

From Mawning which was released on Chino's sophomore Japan album, Never Change, in the summer of this year, outranked all Japanese artistes' tracks and went on to become the site's best-seller of the year -- a rarity in the region. The site is now in discussions with Chino to make their theme song for the upcoming year. In previous years, only Japanese artistes have had this courtesy extended to them.

Chino, known for his tracks including, Protected, Ruff It Up, Pon Yuh Head, and Must Come Back said, "I can't say anything more than bless up to the Almighty, the fans, friends and even the nay-sayers. Myself and those at Big -- Ship are always in the studio exploring and trying to put out quality music for the fans, not only in Jamaica but for the other markets. So I'm very happy that they've been not only accepting but also supportive of quality reggae music. Thanks again to the fans, industry persons, media and everyone."

The hit, From Mawning and a number of outstanding tracks featured on the album were produced by ace-producer, Stephen 'Di Genius' McGregor. Upon its debut, Never Change, was introduced at the number seven spot and later that day shot to the second spot on the iTunes Reggae chart.

In addition, Chino has re-released the reggae single, Handwritings featuring Dennis Brown, originally featured on his debut album, Unstoppable. The track and other previously unreleased singles will be featured on Chino's upcoming US album scheduled for release in March 2011. The album will be distributed by VP Records.

Lady Saw opens studio - Artiste eager to produce Vybz Kartel

Lady Saw - File

Dancehall artiste Lady Saw says her studio will be up and running soon and she is eager to work with Vybz Kartel.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR recently, Lady Saw, whose real name is Marion Hall, said her studio is finally complete and she will start working in it by Monday.

"The studio is finished but I had one problem. By moving Pro Tools back and forth I think something went wrong with the power part. Right now, I'm ready to go back in and deal with the thing like a real producer," she said, noting that she will be working with female artistes like Kris Kelli, Sashell and Temptress.

She said the studio, which was built by Paul Broomfield, is big enough to record at least two people at once and can also accommodate live recordings.

This is not the first time that she will be working in a studio as a producer, as she worked with several artistes on the 'Summer Bounce' rhythm that was made by Jam 2 and Stephen McGregor. She produced artistes like Elephant Man, Vegas, Ce'Cile, Papa Pimp, Assassin, Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man.

However, she is very eager to work with Vybz Kartel again.

"I'm looking forward to working with him cause him a di sickest thing, him hot. I was watching him work and he was like a genius. I really admire him as an artiste," said Lady Saw, who has her own label, Diva Records.

Ravers dancer still needs money for surgery - Awaiting medical attention in New York

Ding Dong and his Ravers Clavers crew. - File

Popular dancer Ricardo 'Mundo Ravers' Gordon, from the Nannyville-based Ravers Clavers, is still well short of the funds to do a much-needed kidney transplant.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR weeks ago, Mundo explained that his kidney problems started three years ago, and now he has two almost defunct kidneys. He previously said, "Mi discover it in 2007, but mi neva know exactly what it was at the time and mi neva think it that serious. Mi even go a doctor one time because mi ankle dem did swell up and him tell mi seh a bone infection. How mi find out a when mi guh one a my long-time doctor weh come from Nannyville an him do some tests and tell mi seh a kidney failure and sugar problem."

He continued, "Them gi mi a medication weh people call 'steroids' fi about a year, but it cause mi fi all lose mi vision, sometime is like mi half-blind. So it mek mi worse when I thought I was getting better."

After quitting the 'steroids', he said his next treatment method was dialysis. "A doctor at the Medical Associates did a small operation on mi. A him really mek mi deh yah right now. Him set up something weh mi can do dialysis. Mi a do it for six weeks now, but a $16,000 a week suh it very expensive," he said.

When contacted yesterday, Mundo's brother Gevon 'Strength' Gordon, also a dancer with the Ravers Clavers squad, explained that his brother has been in New York for some time waiting to get medical attention.

He told THE WEEKEND STAR that the surgery to replace both kidneys and the medication treatment will cost US$250,000, (J$21million).

trying to raise money

According to Strength, he recently returned from New York and he says despite trying to raise the money, they are nowhere near the amount.

Strength said, "He (Mundo) hasn't done the surgery yet, you have to have the money before he can do it and we don't even reach half the money. Right now, we're trying to get him on a dialysis programme up there, before he left Jamaica he was on one ..."

He added, "While I was up there, we had to carry him to a hospital room, he started swelling up like him belly, ankles, thighs."

Since finding out about the surgery, Mundo, his family and the Ravers crew have been trying to raise the money. The Ravers Crew has been spotted at various events appealing for persons to donate to Mundo. Before leaving for New York, Mundo had told THE WEEKEND STAR that he was very thankful to members of the entertainment industry, as he said they have been very helpful, assisting him a lot. He mentioned Sharon Burke, Bounty Killer, Serani, Beenie Man, Mavado, Timberlee and the Ravers Clavers among those who have come to his aid. "Sharon and Solid Agency kept a fish fry for mi in Nannyville the other day, Bounty ago donate the proceeds a one a di Bounty Sundays to mi and yuh dun know Ravers Clavers family deh deh fi mi from morning," he said.

In his absence, his family is still attempting to raise funds, as Strength said, "We really a work hard for the money. We sent letters about a month ago to companies and waiting to see if anybody a call we. We tried a fund-raising ting in Nannyville, a fish fry. We're planning a concert for him both down here and up there. Right now, we're trying to get a venue cause the artistes is not a problem, we done talk to dem already, a di venue a di problem. Everybody a try do wha we can do."

According to Strength, Mundo has three months in which to do the surgery before his condition reaches too far.

No Christmas release for Ninja Man

File -Ninja Man

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Although there were hopes for his release, Ninja Man will have to spend another Christmas holiday behind bars.

Ninja Man, whose real name is Desmond Ballentine, and his son Janile Ballentine have been in prison since March last year. The deejay, his son and another man, Clayton Dennis, were charged with murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. They were charged in connection with the March 16 murder of 20-year-old Ricardo 'Ricky Trooper' Johnson.

For weeks, there have been rumours that the deejay would be released this month. Some people even went as far as saying that he would be released on Monday.

bail hearing

However, this was not to be the case when he appeared yesterday in the Supreme Court for a bail hearing. The case was put off until January 14, 2011.

"Both accused didn't get bail because it is said that the witnesses are being threatened," said Charles Ganga Singh, who is the attorney representing Ninja Man's son Janile Ballentine.

According to reports, Johnson was sweeping his yard in the company of a friend at Mall Road, St Andrew, on the day in question, when a motor car with three men aboard drove up. An argument developed between Johnson's friend and the men who left but later returned with guns blazing. Johnson was fatally shot in the incident.

Ninja Man turned himself in to the police while his son and the other accused were held during a police operation in St Ann.

Much of Ninja Man's popularity came from the many clashes that he has been part of over the years. He is also known for songs like Murder Dem, Shot A Talk, Step Pon Corn and Nice Up The Lawn.

Ironically, before his incarceration, Ninja Man started The Jamaica All For Peace One Umbrella Movement through which he intended to help uplift Jamaican youth. With the help of the government and public, he said he believed the organisation would have been able to help reduce crime.

Stone Love's anniversary almost goes well - Party cut short after patrons' late arrival

Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell - File

Sizzla, who has not had a performance on a major show in Jamaica since it was reported in March that he was setting up a base in Zimbabwe, Africa, did not get to complete even his 'cut and go through' snippets of popular songs

on Sunday morning.

He may have been off the live circuit for a few months and without a popular new release for a while longer, but the enduring appeal of Good Ways and Holding Firm, among others, with the large audience at the Royal View Entertainment Centre was very clear. However, as he deejayed "they act as if they aint got no sense" from the song Trod Mt Zion at Stone Love Movements' 38th anniversary celebration on Port Henderson Road, St Andrew, a tall policeman wearing a motorcycle helmet stepped purposefully onstage and put his left hand over the turntable in a slashing motion.

The music was stopped immediately at a few minutes before 5 a.m. - although a number of advertisements for upcoming events were read to the departing audience - and Stone Love's 38th anniversary had come to an inconclusive end.

numerous trophies

The dance had been shaping up to be a daylight marathon, as up to that point very few of the numerous trophies had actually been handed out, Stone Love CEO Winston 'Wee Pow' Powell saying in the earlier going that persons have complained about the award process holding up the party in previous years. It was no different for the 38th anniversary, the awards handed out before the end, including to MOB for Best Local Male Dancer, the Swag Team for number one dance move - the Swag, Sample Six awarded Best Male International Dancer and Khago New Male Vocalist of the Year.

fine form

Despite being hoarse, Khago did perform, including both parts of Nah Sell Out, with the competent Rikki Tikki, Classical Esco and Tico performing in the earlier going as upcoming acts. The ladies got a crack at the microphone, Lady Toya, below par and Ikaya, displaying fine form as she did Hard Way in customised style for Wee Pow and Stone Love.

Vibrant got a brief look-in - to good effect - when the Swag Team was performing, LUST's members riding the 'Real Rock' in turn to good effect.

Wee Pow stamped his authority on the proceedings for one of the award highlights, the crowning of dancer Ding Dong.

"I don't want you normalise this thing. A king is a king and a queen is a queen. After Bogle this is the man who take it up and take it to the next level. As of today, he is officially named the king of dancing," he said.

Stone Love is renowned for its juggling and with the full crew present and decked out - even Rory was there to introduce his 1990s sparring partner Sky Juice to hail the audience - there were times when they did work up a steam. But there was simply not enough room for the party atmosphere to transport Royal View to a party high, a string of Mavado hits, notably Stulla, a Vybz Kartel run into the famed "dumper truck" and a remix of Bounty Killer's No Fren Fish among the highlights.

The Magnum girls, fantastic fannies hanging out and routines down pat, were a huge hit with the audience, as was Sample Man with his rapid-fire sample talk.

In the end, though, there was simply not enough time to get the celebration up to speed, for which Stone Love cannot take full responsibility as up to 1:30 a.m. when the first rockers tune of the night was played (Johnny Osbourne's Rock You Tonight), there were precious few persons in the venue.

And when it was all over two men walking through the venue with a carton box laden with trophies were a symbol of just how much did not happen at Stone Love's 38th anniversary celebration.

( l - r ) Ikaya Sizzla