Girl With a Purpose (GWAP)

Common sense at Nationwide Radio,Queen Ifrica's "Layers of Soul"

 

Today, I was very happy to once again hear the radio programme, At Your Service, on Nationwide Radio - a signal that Nationwide Radio is returning to common-sense programming.

 

I say common sense, as Nationwide seems to have forgotten who its core audience is... people who want to listen to unbiased radio commentary, and who aren't necessarily turned on by adult material (in a time slot for children), on radio.

 

(At Your Service is hosted by Vernon Derby and is aired at 11:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m.

 

It allows Jamaicans to air grouses they have with utility companies and also air other community concerns, whilst allowing relevant government agencies to address these concerns).

 

Nationwide has been forced to reorganize its programming with the exodus of the infamous Dr. Kingsley "Ragashanti" Stewart, who was last month booted from the airwaves by the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica.

 

The Commission acceded to pleas by listeners to change Ragashanti's time slot (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m), since his programme was considered unfit for airplay at a time-slot when children would most likely tune in.

 

Nationwide initially resisted, after complaining that they weren't given enough notice to re-organize themselves without Ragashanti, but eventually had to give in to the Broadcasting Commission's demands.

 

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Layers of Soul, a cabaret-like Musical programme that will feature famous Jamaican artistes, made its debut on Television Jamaica last night, with Queen Ifrica.

 

It was great to see and listen to 1.5 hours of real Roots Rock Reggae on Jamaican television:

 

So often we are bombarded with the jarring sounds of the negative aspects of Dancehall music, that seem to get preferred air play....

 

...It was refreshing to hear  the soothing sounds of Queen Ifrica's songs from her 3 albums.

 

It was also great to hear music from other guest artists like Etana and Alaine.

 

Classy...

 

Just what was needed to help create great entertainment on Jamaican television.

 

Gillian

 

Sources Include

 

1) Nationwide Radio's "At Your Service", April 11,2011, 11:00a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

 

2) Television Jamaica's "Layers of Soul", April 10,2011, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m.

 

3) Article,"Nationwide hits back against Ragashanti ban", via JamaicaObserver.com, March 17,2011

 

4) Article, "Ragashanti kicked off Radio; 18 Strikes against Nationwide",via ChattyChatty.com, March 14,2011

Buju Banton Retrial Update: Buju Found Guilty on 3 out of 4 Charges

buju banton
Originally uploaded by urbanislandz

The jury in Buju Banton's retrial deliberated for over four (4) hours today. They returned a guilty verdict for 3 out of 4 charges:

1) Conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine

2) Possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense

3) Using a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

 

He was acquitted of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine.

 

GWAP Blog will keep you updated re when Buju's sentencing will commence.

 

It is said that he could get a minimum of 5 years for the firearm possession charge to a maximum of 40 years for all three charges.

 

Gillian

 

Sources Include

1) Power 106 FM, February 22,2011

2) Nationwide Radio, February 22,2011

3) Article,"Singer Buju Banton found guilty in cocaine case", Associated Press via stltoday.com, February 22,2011

 

Buju Banton Grammy and Retrial Update

buju banton
Originally uploaded by urbanislandz

To the delight of Reggae fans at home and abroad, Buju Banton was awarded the Reggae Grammy on Sunday, for his Album - Before the Dawn.

 

However, the next day he would face his accusers in his retrial. He's been charged with drug trafficking.

 

Two major Jamaican free-to-air television stations, Television Jamaica and CVM Television,  have been reporting from the Florida Federal Court where the proceedings are taking place.

 

On Wednesday, the defense seemed to score a small victory when the State's witness, Alexander Johnson, seemed to backpedal on a statement given earlier.

 

It seems that he had taken a statement made by Buju out of context, in recalling a conversation between the two of them and had interpreted it to mean that a drug deal had gone down, but in fact Buju was referring to a record deal in Altlanta.

 

This, Mr. Johnson revealed on Wednesday morning.

 

The jury deliberated for seven (7) hours on Friday, but failed to reach a verdict. They should be continuing these deliberations on Tuesday, as Monday is a public holiday in the USA.

 

Girl With a Purpose (GWAP) Blog will update you, as soon as a verdict is known.

 

Gillian

 

Sources Include

 

1) Television Jamaica, February 14-19, 2011

 

2) CVM Television, February 14-19, 2011

 

3) Article,"State witness makes about face at Buju retrial", RJRNewsOnline.com, February 16,2011