SO2
First Up…
It was him after all! Shaggy that is! Virgin Holidays has appointed two-time Grammy winner and global reggae icon, Shaggy as Chief Caribbean Officer to proudly represent his home area and ensure tourists enjoy the best of the region. What’s that adage about can’t keep a good man down?
Proper Shaggy! Proper!
And…
Island 60 Hits The Museum
As part of the label’s 60th anniversary festivities, Island Records originator Chris Blackwell and current chief Darcus Beese travelled to L A’s Grammy Museum on the afternoon of November 23 for a fascinating conversation about the storied record company’s history and direction, a performance by buzzing Island artist Jessie Reyez, and a reception at which everybody wanted to take a selfie with the guests of honour.
Grammy Museum luminary and longtime Blackwell friend Bob Santelli conducted the interview, which saw Blackwell recall the origins of the label in Jamaica, the discovery of Millie Small (whose My Boy Lollipop became an early monster for the company), the evolution of Bob Marley, working with Jimmy Cliff, how he got Cat Stevens out of his Decca deal in order to sign him, how he first came upon Steve Winwood, his early encounter with U2, and more. Beese, for his part, detailed his youthful stint as a “tea boy” at Island before his ascent to A&R man, UK chief and finally head of the overall label, his admiration for the man he calls his mentor and his own artist discoveries, notably Amy Winehouse.
It was an enlightening and often playful conversation that underscored how similar these two executives are in spirit.
Off the starting blocks…
It’s clear that the fascination with, and reverence for, Olympian Usain Bolt is not about to wane any time soon. The Fastest Man in the World starred alongside American track and field phenom Allyson Felix in a campaign for US retail giant Sam’s Club which hit the Internet earlier last week. The Fastest Shopper of All Time advertisement plays upon the friendly rivalry between the athletes. Fun fact: In September of this year, Felix eclipsed Bolt to become the most decorated athlete in the World Athletics Championships. The ad also allowed Bolt to show viewers his humorous side. SO would not object to a comedic Bolt series on Netflix.
Still on the topic of Olympians, Mommy Rocket Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, ahead of an official book signing, donated 99 signed copies of her illustrated children’s book I Am A Promise to students of Penwood Basic School. The Olympian and founder of the Pocket Rocket Foundation noted that she hopes the book will inspire children to develop a strong sense of self-esteem. All proceeds of I Am A Promise will support the Pocket Rocket Foundation, which provides scholarships to student-athletes so that they can remain in school while training.
Now on to fashion…
Move over, diamonds, this holiday season Fenty will be every girl’s best friend! Rihanna revealed the Fenty Trouble sunglasses online last week and editors, stylists, influencers, fashion writers and It-girls all went ga-ga! You, too, can cop a pair for just US$250.
Australian fashion brand UGG turned to none other than Ziggy Marley and family to add some heat to its 2019 holiday campaign. The campaign oozes the familial themes of One Love and unity. Joining Ziggy in the campaign are his eldest children Bambaata, Zuri and Justice, wife Orly and their four children Judah Victoria, Gideon, Abraham, and Isaiah.
Speaking of reggae musicians…
After enduring a cancelled flight, a Lufthansa strike and multiple connections to make his last show in Paris, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry arrived in the French capital to discover that he wouldn’t be allowed to take the stage. Quelle dommage! Thankfully, fans waited outside his hotel for Perry to sign memorabilia.
Finally!
Dancehall’s favourite snack, Popcaan, currently has fans on tenterhooks as he told them to stay tuned for a “fire tune” on which he’s collaborating with Buju Banton. And, last Thursday, British rapper Kano (of whom Louis Vuitton menswear artistic director Virgil Abloh is a fan) released the official music video for Can’t Hold We Down which features Popcaan.
