Stories by Mel Cooke

As Hurricane Matthew seems sure to affect Jamaica extensively between today and tomorrow, even if there is not a direct hit, 'breeze blow' tunes come to mind.Of course, there is the famed Wild Gilbert by Lloyd Lovindeer, which is about the category...

There were patent connections between the late Prince Buster and performers at Saturday's tribute concert which followed his interment at May Men Cemetery, Spanish Town Road, St Andrew.Some links crossed generations; the leader of the Mystic...

As a martial artist, Chuck Norris has loomed large in the movies and on television. There are those who would remember him from classic martial arts flick, Way of the Dragon, directed by and starring Bruce Lee. It was released in 1972, a year after...

The two songs currently on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in which United States performers do a snippet of a Jamaican recording are Torey Lanez' LUV and Fifth Harmony's (featuring Fetty Wap) All in My Head (Flex). LUV has lines from Tanto...

The placement of the song, Where Does Slackness Come From, on Shabba Ranks' 1991 album, As Raw As Ever, indicates that addressing the matter of his penchant for salacious lyrical content was a priority.The song is the album's second track,...

So here I am, going to pour a cup or two of cold water on Jamaica's presence in a couple songs which currently have a Billboard chart presence.For Drake's sampling of Beenie Man's Tear off mi garment in Controlla; the lines from Tanto Metro and...

Red - the colour of rage and extreme ardour, blood and part of the Rastafarian tri-colour - is utilised in multiple ways in Jamaican popular music. From Super Cat commenting on the levels of violence in the inner city with Ghetto Red Hot, to Beenie...

Last week I wrote the first of a two-part article about the need for entertainment journalists to be trained for a specialised field. Today is the conclusion.Since I have been covering entertainment - overwhelmingly Jamaican popular music - one of...

In another two weeks, the FLOW Skool Aid back-to-school event will be held once again. Up to last year, when it was used for the coming-out party of the unified telecommunications company, the combination of a concert, fun park, and preparation for...