Gladstone Taylor
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Lore Master. Journalist. creator. Bylines; @Backayardlive, @syfywire @mongabay, @thefader @soledxb, @unbiasthenews , @dancehallmag
Articles by Gladstone Taylor
Runkus aiming to break reggae’s limit barrier
Entertainment 3 min read Runkus says ‘SUPERNOVA’ represents his mission to push Jamaican music beyond traditional genre boundaries. Runkus believes Jamaican music should stand alongside global acts like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Tyler, the Creator on the world stage. Runkus has been a promising player in Jamaica’s music conversation since his debut trilogy album MOVE:IN, IN:SIDE and OUT:SIDE. But with his new album, SUPERNOVA, the artiste shows no interest in fitting inside any category at all.
How satellites, science shape hurricane forecasts
Imagine a hurricane making landfall on the very day you decide to visit the supermarket or the beach – and imagine facing it without warning. For small island states in the tropics, such a scenario would be catastrophic. Forecasting has long shielded countries such as Jamaica from that reality, thanks in part to the work of international agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA. Locally, the Meteorological Service of Jamaica provides the anchor.
Stephen And Damian Marley To Make History Playing Red Rocks Amphitheatre With Colorado Symphony
Stephen and Damian Marley are set to take their “Traffic Jam” tour to the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre this weekend for a truly unique performance. While the Marley brothers are no strangers to the iconic venue, having performed there with their brother Ziggy last year, this year’s show promises a special twist: a collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and special guest Burning Spear.
By Tina Casey Dick’s Sporting Goods has faced criticism and calls for a boycott since it started scaling back the sale of guns and ammunition in 2012. Still, the company continues to respond to public concerns and take a stand against gun violence.
Dancehall Artist Bayka Talks Evolution Of His Sound, Early Success And New EP 'Far Away'
Bayka‘s deep, rumbling vocals are the first thing that grabs your attention. Then comes the effortless yet aggressive flow, carrying lyrics that are deceptively simple. His sound is clearly crafted—you can tell it’s been worked on and meticulously honed with each song. He’s constantly upping the ante on his popular hits, solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned with. In a recent sitdown interview with DancehallMag, Bayka shared some deeper insights from his rise to prominence.
Jamaica’s Climate-Resilient Coastline
Why you can trust us The island of Jamaica has long been a cultural mecca and a tourist hot spot, but this Caribbean Eden sits in troubled waters. Thanks to impacts from climate change like coral bleaching, an increase in parasites and diseases, and extreme weather, and also overfishing by locals, the abundant life of the Caribbean Sea is dwindling. The fish stock of Jamaica and other Caribbean islands has been on the decline since the 1970s.
Prickly babies: A Jamaican nursery aims to restore sea urchins felled by disease
The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) is a key algae grazer in the Caribbean. A disease outbreak in the 1980s killed off most of the urchins, resulting in the overgrowth of many Caribbean coral reefs with algae. Last year, a recurrence of the disease hampered the species’ slow recovery. This time, scientists were able to discover the culprit, which they revealed in a recent paper. The waters of Jamaica’s Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary remained unaffected by the disease.
New Report Reveals Significant Gaps in Foundation Funding of HBCUs
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are responsible for educating 80 percent of Black judges, 50 percent of Black doctors, and 50 percent of Black lawyers in America, and continue to provide an essential academic and cultural service for Black communities.
The Critical Role of Mangroves in Adapting to Climate Change
This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center. Jamaica’s critical mangrove forests are facing a range of threats, caused or exacerbated by climate change. Mangroves are essential for tropical countries like Jamaica, but they can provide the same security in any place they grow. They are trees with dense, interwoven root systems that grow along warmer coastal regions in slow-moving water. They protect coastlines from tidal waves and flooding and are natural habitats for a variety of marine life.
DJ Lava Talks 'Chat And Laugh,' Managing Mackerel And The Music Business
A year into post-lockdown life, DJ Lava’s Chat and Laugh is among the few remnants from the pandemic-era trend of DJs playing sessions on Instagram. DJs like D’Nice and Jamaica’s own Collin Powell discovered fresh audiences when gatherings were put on pause. However, Lava wanted to take a different approach. “I observe the internet and see every DJ a play music. I didn’t want to do any music, I wanted to do the talk show because I used to host on underground radio.
Interview: Vanessa Bling Expertly Riding The Tides Of Change
The landscape of Dancehall music has changed a lot since the golden ages of the 90s and 2000s. Romance, for instance, has changed appearance in the cultural context and the music has transformed as well for better or worse. Vanessa Bling’s romantic music set her aside as a defining artist during the 2000s. She became a key balancing element to the heavy violence that had started to become characteristic within the music.
Food, fertilizer, fuel? Hunt is on for solutions to Caribbean's exploding seaweed problem
Most of the troubles plaguing the subtropical waters of Florida and the Caribbean revolve around disappearing marine life: coral reefs, fish populations, sea grass beds. It's decidedly the opposite case with sargassum, the floating brown seaweed that has exploded in record-setting mass throughout the region.
Food, fertilizer, fuel? Hunt is on for solutions to Caribbean’s exploding seaweed problem Original
Most of the troubles plaguing the subtropical waters of Florida and the Caribbean revolve around disappearing marine life: coral reefs, fish populations, sea grass beds. It’s decidedly the opposite case with sargassum, the floating brown seaweed that has exploded in record-setting mass throughout the region.
Jamaica’s music festivals face limits imposed by climate change
Warmer climates, erratic weather and water scarcity are propogating the ails of Jamaica’s famous but underdeveloped entertainment industry As a tourist destination, a great deal of Jamaica’s pull is in its outdoor experience, something the local music industry’s events sector is struggling to capitalize on due to the crippling heat of an increasingly warmer climate and erratic weather.
USA - Food, fertilizer, fuel? The hunt is on for solutions to the Caribbean’s exploding seaweed problem
Most of the troubles plaguing the subtropical waters of Florida and the Caribbean revolve around disappearing marine life: coral reefs, fish populations, sea grass beds. It’s decidedly the opposite case with sargassum, the floating brown seaweed that has exploded in record-setting mass throughout the region.
From Jungle To Joy: How Laa Lee Became A Creative Force In Dancehall
The current musical landscape in Dancehall is awash with melancholic tunes that seem to mirror the island’s troubles. While there may be good reasons for this trend, it creates saturation. In contrast, Laa Lee — who perhaps has more reason than most to make his fair share of pain music, being from Jungle, one of Kingston’s most dangerous communities — has flipped the script, preferring instead to cut through the saturation and channel his energy into creating upbeat and joyful music.
Underwater Gold Rush; deep sea mining negotiations in Jamaica end in indecision
The international scientific community has been expressing a unified concern regarding plans for a budding deep-sea mining industry in the coming years. Countries like Chile, Palau, Fiji, Samoa, and Micronesia have since issued moratoriums, imploring the need to protect the ocean floor.
Women taking over Jamaica’s agriculture industry despite climate vulnerabilities
The Caribbean, described in a recent report as the “Womb Of Storms”, along with other regions has been often described in Climate Change discussions as vulnerable. Jamaica which is grouped with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is extremely vulnerable to the far-reaching, long-lasting effects of Climate Change. The International Fund for Agricultural Development(IFAD) puts global food production by small farmers at 80%.
Island Music Conference: Day 1 In Photos
Yesterday, was the first day of the inaugural staging of the Island Music Conference (IMC) at the Courtleigh Auditorium. IMC — which was conceptualized by Shaggy, Sharon Burke, and Judith Bodley — aims to share information about music and content creation in Jamaica, that will help the development of the entertainment industry locally. Content Creator panel featuring Tami Chin and Wayne Marshal, Ity & Fancy Cat, JulieMangoTV, Tamo TV, and host Rachel Jackson from YouTube.
Interview: Jahshii Finding Blessings In The Grimey Underbelly Of Dancehall Music
Emerging from Kingston’s famous, unforgiving, rich underbelly, Grant’s Pen native Jahshii has distinguished himself through his skills in recording studio, and on stage. It was the year 2004 when the 21-year-old would have his first encounter with the recording process, on a track titled Me Name Jahshii. Twelve years later, he shocked Jamaica when he surfaced from the Unruly Clash, as a champion in his own right.
Chronic Law, Valiant's 'Darkness,' And 10 More New Songs
Jamaican music is off to a strong start with some really great singles to match the hope and determination that typically mark the first few weeks of the new year. Chronic Law, Valiant – Darkness This single is a good look for Dancehall and a great production by Droptop records. To have dancehall’s most consistent artist over the last two years, Chronic Law, on a track with the hottest artist, currently Valiant, is a major win for the genre.
Climate impacts worsen Jamaica's fossil fuel dependence
Roughly thirteen years after Thomas Edison invented the world’s first electric lamp, in the year 1892 Jamaica received electricity for the first time. At that time it was the Jamaica Electric Light Company, which later became the Jamaica Light and Power Company Limited that was powering this electric transformation through a steam and coal plant in downtown Kingston.
December 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
Soul Train Awards 2022: Every Song Performed During Chanté Moore’s Timeless Medley of R&B Hits Singer, songwriter, and actress Chanté Moore took viewers on a nostalgic ride through several timeless r&b records that reminded music lovers why they fell in love with the vocal stylings of the ultra-talent music veteran.
December 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
As the year comes to a close, this final list has some really good tunes that are a welcomed respite from the dunce theme in dancehall. Sting was the 26th of this month, and it would have been an excellent platform for many of the conflicts that dominated the headlines in the last two weeks. However many of the conflicts dominating the headlines did not produce songs, so a great deal of the tension for the season was, unproductive.
Aquaculture the new frontier of Jamaica's depleted fisheries sector
Port Antonio, Portland is one of Jamaica’s great jewels and when you enter its boundaries you will be struck by its beauty. One might find themselves marveling at the enchanting sea of green trees hugging the road as you drive, with golden rays of the evening sun bouncing playfully on leaves covered in the mist of fresh rain. The crashing of the sea, the smell of salt, and the feel of misty breeze against your skin are sure indications you’ve arrived.
Dispatch from the womb of storms: Cop27 and the reality of loss and damage in the Caribbean
In the Caribbean, the issue of climate change is so complex that it wears many faces; some obvious, others unsuspecting. On islands like Puerto Rico or Haiti, the evidence of loss and damages from an increase in frequency and potency of storm activities abound. There need be no debate about what these countries are due under the Paris Agreement and Cop26’s Billion dollar climate finance commitments.
Jamaica’s ‘Cockpit Country’ faces growing threats from mining interests
Jamaica is famous for its many beaches, rivers, and mountains. But it is the Cockpit Country, the island’s largest contiguous rainforest, that stands as the region’s most beautiful, biodiverse, and important natural feature. This ecological marvel is home to indigenous communities, countless plants and animals, and the source of much of Jamaica’s freshwater.
November 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
November was interesting for Reggae Dancehall music. It was particularly fascinating to see the younger, more freshly established artists pushing a pace in the music that many older, more established acts have not matched. The blossoming of this Dunce culture from a slang in the music, to a culture was in some ways solidified by the necessary discussion among stakeholders like Damion Crawford on The Fix’s recent interview.
Jamaica’s ‘Cockpit Country’ Faces Growing Threats from Mining Interests
Professor Simon Mitchel, Head of Department, Department of Geography and Geology, University of the West Indies, believes mining is likely to lead to species endangerment and mass dislocation. The forest likely contains untold species with medicinal or other benefits to human society, many of which would likely be destroyed by large scale resource extraction.
The Politics of COP27 and its real time effects on SIDS including Jamaica with agendas like Loss and Damage
This story was produced as part of the 2022 Climate Change Media Partnership Virtual Fellowship, organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and supported by the Commonwealth Foundation Welcome to Backayard’s all new Climate Clock Column, where we explore our regions biggest climate crisis and solutions. Perhaps you, like many hard working Jamaicans, locally and abroad have seen terms like COP(Conference Of Parties), NDC(Nationally Determined Contribution), Adaptation or loss and damage.
October 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
As we enter the fourth quarter of the year, music releases have slowed somewhat. Still, for many, the fourth quarter is the championship quarter. That time of the year when champions shine. It is a sign of endurance, a sign that one has it in them to triumph not just over their opponents but over the competition itself and its temporal boundaries.
September 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
The summer came and brought with it a sea of songs vying for the summer song title. But as we enter the last quarter of the year, what appears to be the resurrection of the legendary stage show Sting, has revitalized the seasonal clash atmosphere. The sound of Dancehall’s war drums have been ringing out this September and our list features some of the most outstanding songs adding to the atmosphere.
A Conservation Project in Jamaica Puts Community First
News Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Sustainable food and farmingWaterClimate The endorsement and buy-in of critical stakeholders, like fishers, can make or break a conservation project. So fishers were invited to the table as the project took shape. Why you can trust us With its sunny weather, white sandy beaches, and bright music, Jamaica is famous as a source of inspiration.
July 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
“Bro a summer now man fi a find tune fi di gal dem fi go tour di world, or my type a tune dem yuh know? A summa now we n’ave time fi dat!” Jahshi via Terro Don This sentiment aptly summarizes the theme of this month’s playlist. Everything must have a season and for many, summer is the only season they can get outside, have some vacation time, and also draw closer to significant others, new or old. Here’s this month’s top 7 songs worth listening to.
June 2022: 7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming
June was an interesting month for Jamaican music but as always, the variety in reggae dancehall was inspiring. The sound continues to evolve; the debates about its identity persist, but it remains two of the most listened to genres on the island, region, and in many communities abroad. This list isn’t based on statistics and it’s not in order of best to worst.
7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming This Month
In this month’s installment of 7 songs worth listening to, we have flavors of music from all parts of the Jamaican music spectrum ranging from spicy upbeat dancehall to some reflective reggae. Check out the list below. Work Day by Black Am I Work Day is great to start the list with and it’s one of those tracks that can run during the week.
7 Reggae/Dancehall Songs Worth Streaming This Month
Here are seven Reggae and Dancehall songs, released over the last month, that are worth streaming. This playlist is not based on numbers, and it’s not in chronological order from best to worst. It’s just seven good songs out right now. That’s it. Using my experience as a music journalist, and my everyday experience on the road, I will create a list of seven songs every few weeks to highlight some songs I feel are good and doing well in the space.
Sean Paul On The Progression Of Dancehall, 'Live N Livin' Album & What's Next
Sean Paul has sold more than 10 million albums globally and in the wake, became the most successful charting artist in Dancehall history. These days the 49-year-old, who has just earned his 9th Grammy Award nomination for Live N Livin, spends a great deal of his time creating new sounds and riddims. DancehallMag sat down with the legend for a candid yet poignant two-part conversation in which he detailed his unique perspective on the evolution of the genre.
Denyque: Stronger, Fiercer, Grown
Bursting onto the scene in early 2009 with her debut Can’t Breathe, Denyque captured the interest of Jamaica, becoming one of Dancehall’s most treasured divas, following hits like I Miss You, Make Me Believe, and Summer Love. After taking a break for some much-needed soul searching and self-development, the singer and songwriter returned with a new single Well Sought in 2020.
Devin Di Dakta On Why He Makes Difficult Conversations The Subject Of His Songs
Following his Grammy Award nomination, Reggae/Dancehall star Devin Di Dakta has been blazing his own trail, with a less weighted perspective from the typical Dancehall artist. From the EPs brought to you right before the pandemic, like Bare Thoughts and Bare Meds, to some of his formative hits like Rrri Bam Bi Deng Deng, When I’m Gone, and Internet; Devin’s range has been proven.
Blvk H3ro Reflects On Finding Peace Creatively And Representing Jamaica
Blvk H3ro is one of Jamaica’s most promising young talents, who’s paid his dues and is reaping the reward of a sustained presence within the Reggae-dancehall space. After success with recent hits like It Nuh Easy and Young Boss with Wayne J and Skillibeng, H3ro decided to step back from music. In his quiet contemplation, the young maverick has found new resolve, bolstered by his recent UNESCO Womex tour in Europe.
Carib - Food, fertilizer, fuel? Hunt is on for solutions to Caribbean's exploding seaweed problem
Nothing can stop the stinky brown mats from carpeting beaches and shorelines through this summer: Sargassum quantities hit record levels in the Caribbean in April, according to researchers at the University of South Florida, and the scientists wrote in a May 1 report that sargassum totals are only "expected to increase over the next few months, with impacts of beaching events in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico worsening accordingly." The problem, the researchers wrote, is especially...
Changes to global fisheries subsidies could level the playing field for traditional coastline communities
Community fishers struggle to hold their own against heavily-subsidized foreign fleets. Fisheries subsidies have long given wealthy nations an edge over Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Jamaica that are rich in fishing traditions and natural resources. In places like the multigenerational fishing village of Manchioneal, Jamaica, artisanal fishers say they simply can’t compete with heavily-subsidized foreign fleets working in depleted waters.
Qyor On 'Be High' Success With Kranium, Dexta Daps And The Growth Of His Music
Jamaican music is home to a host of different types of artists, from Deejays and lyricists to supreme vocalists, and those who have worked hard to be well-rounded in all areas. We’ve had an amazing culture of crooners from Alton Ellis, to Berris Hammond and even unsung cover artists like Ghost. Nowadays, such artists like Kranium, Dexta Daps, and Qyor have been waving the banner for melody and vocal creativity in Jamaican music.
Racquel Jones Escapes Pitfalls Of Local Mindset With Experimental New Album 'IgnoRANT'
Very often, the discussion about the definition and distinction of Dancehall and Reggae from offshore genres, is predicated on the idea that a particular sound is the core of our genres. Yet, in all my conversations with music insiders and stakeholders, the shared idea that our artists define our music is perhaps the most sound. How many musicians does it take to make Jamaican music? The answer, at least one Jamaican.
Dalaz’s Grasp Of The Digital Landscape Is Contributing To His Rise In Dancehall
In today’s sea of musical talents, tools exist that can help artists to stand out with ease. While the most obvious is controversy, underused implements like discipline are very key for longevity. Dalaz, St Catherine’s very own, is one of the very few using such a tool to put himself in the minority of artists that achieve mainstream looks. His hit single White Tees and Polo, springboarded him into the homes and streets of Jamaica without a proper introduction.
Conservation solutions in paradise: Jamaica’s Oracabessa Bay Fishing Sanctuary
A group of local fishermen and tourism industry stakeholders established a fishing sanctuary several years ago in Oracabessa Bay in response to a decline in vital Jamaican coastal life like coral and herbivorous fish. Surveys indicate an increase in reef health due to the efforts despite challenges, and the conservation model is set to be replicated at multiple other sites in Jamaica. The coastal ecosystem of the Caribbean is as unique as the region’s year-round humid tropical climate.
Meet Yeza - The Rude Girl Rebel That's Next Up From The East Side - DancehallMag
Jamaica’s eastern parishes are known for the musical talents they’ve produced, like the King of Reggae himself Bob Marley, Popcaan, and Dancehall’s youngest giant Skillibeng. The community of Bull Bay for instance continues to birth new stars for every generation. Yeza, is one of Bull Bay’s best-kept secrets on the cusp of notoriety, and her musical prowess is no joke.
The unstoppable rise of Skillibeng
Skillibeng is Jamaica’s hottest artist. He’s loved by the hardcore dancehall audience, and his famous fans include the likes of Drake and Bobby Shmurda. Right now, the prolific 24-year-old’s music can be heard blaring on streets everywhere, from Port Antonio to Peckham. If you’re to judge by YouTube views, Skillibeng is the most popular dancehall artist since Popcaan and even Vybz Kartel. His most-viewed slaps, Crocodile Teeth and Coke, currently have a combined 39 million views.
What Shaneil Muir, 10Tik, Yaksta And Nation Boss' Rise To Prominence Says About Jamaican Music
In recent times, the Jamaican Government, specifically the Prime Minister has voiced concerns that Dancehall music is the cause of the country’s surge in violent crimes. Many are in support of his argument as the saturation of violent music is a fact. Many artists like Bounty Killer have come out in support of dancehall to denounce the Prime Minister’s statement. As the debate rages on, one thing is certain, all of us share the same concern for the country.
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