Entertainment

Updated 5 hours ago by Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer

Festival song ‘the pulse of Independence celebrations’ - Roy Rayon

There were a few moments of laughter and high excitement over at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Saturday night as more than 30 semifinalists sang and danced their hearts out hoping to impress the judges enough to secure one of the 10  slots available in the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition. 
Staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the semifinal show for the 2026 Jamaica Festival Song Competition was free to  the public, but attendees comprised mainly family members and friends of the contestants who travelled from across the island to lustily cheer them on.

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Pop star Shakira acquitted in Spanish tax fraud case
A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case, ordering the government to return more than 55 million euros (US$64 million) in wrongly imposed fines, a court document seen Monday by The…
May 17, 2026 by Nicola A. Cunningham

Sharon Marley soars with ‘Firebird’
Renewed. That is the best way to describe Sharon Marley’s energy as she brings new music, new collaborations and new vibes to the table with her new album, Firebird.  “The title itself, Firebird, is…
May 17, 2026

IRAWMA rolls out red carpet today - Major honours for Burning Spear, Marcia Griffiths, Mavado and more
The annual International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) widely recognised as the premier awards celebration honouring reggae and world music excellence, celebrates 43 years with a ceremony at…
May 17, 2026

GATFFEST celebrates 14 years of film with Rewind event
The Greater August Town Film Festival (GATFFEST) will celebrate its 14th anniversary with an expanded programme of screenings, workshops, and special events, reinforcing its position as one of…
May 17, 2026

Trials, retrials and mistrial of Harvey Weinstein 
NEW YORK (AP) — Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial ended in a mistrial last Friday after the jury deadlocked in the closely watched #MeToo-era case that another jury failed to decide last year.
May 16, 2026

Norman Espeut goes 'Stress Free', eyes Kotch reunion
Veteran singer Norman Espeut  is promoting health and wellness with his latest single, Stress Free. "The concept of this came from my thinking about what meaningful contribution I may make…
May 16, 2026

Samory I ready to unveil ‘Revelation’

Reggae singer and songwriter Samory I is set to release his highly anticipated third studio album, Revelation, on May 29, via independent production house and label TunUp Squad Entertainment. 
May 16, 2026

Chaka Khan, Vince Gill, Beyoncé enter National Recording Registry
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Albums and songs from Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Chaka Khan and The Go-Go’s are joining America’s audio canon. The new inductees into the National Recording Registry at the Library of…
May 15, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

5 Questions With … Shaggy
wo-time Grammy winner and diamond-selling reggae-dancehall artiste Shaggy can easily spin his recording studio into a make-believe casino, and when he does, the stakes are high. But he is confident…