ON THE SCENE: Stephen Marley + Michael Cuffe + Maya Wilkinson + Regina Beavers + Damian Shaw + PM Portia Simpson-Miller

THE BRIGHT SIDE: May 26, St. Andrew. Hosting the proceedings at the Miss Jamaica World sashing of the 2012 finalists at Sovereign Centre on the weekend, FAME FM buddies Regina Beavers and Michael Cuffe look like fresh tropical produce ready to be devoured. Yum. (Photo: STUSH).

WIPE ME DOWN: May 23, Kingston. With her sharp eye for detail, PM Portia Simpson-Miller gives the bust of National Hero Marcus M. Garvey a royal cleaning as part of her Labour Day duties at the National Heroes Park on Wednesday. (Photo: OPM).

THE SON ALSO RISES: May 16, The Netherlands. At a recent sold-out concert in Rotterdam, Grammy winner Stephen Marley invited rising reggae star Joe Mercer, to join him on stage for a brief father-son moment. The resemblance is uncanny! (Photo: Stephen Marley).

LEAN ON ME: May 26, Kingston: No doubt one of the best dressed 'pairs' of the night, Damian Shaw and Maya Wilkinson brought a classy touch of elegance to the Style Week after-party inside the Fiction nightclub on the weekend. (Photo: STUSH).

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WITHOUT LIMITS: A Letter from the Editor

It’s that time of year when Caribbean fashion takes centrestage and our luminous style talents put their best foot (hand, leg, toe…) forward. And who is more luminous or talented than Mr. Calvin Whilby, more famous as Prodigal Son, that superstylish ‘radikal’ who is not only putting out an excellent new album, 7699, but is also busy taking his philanthropic endeavours to a whole new level?

As you will read in “Prodigal Power,” Calvin is an admirably driven and family-minded man, who is intent on testing the boundaries of what he can do and who he can be – including how he dresses.

As a curtain-raiser to the CFW June collections, TALLAWAH brings you “The New Guard,” a brief meditation on (some of) the next big names in regional fashion. One can only sing the praises of people like Pulse’s Romae Gordon and Keneea Linton-George of Mission Catwalk, who’ve made it their business to help young and emerging designers find their place in the fashion landscape. Kudos.

Elsewhere in this edition, it is a pleasure to witness the grand return of the Calabash Literary Festival after a year-long absence from the cultural scene. Enough cannot be said of the hard work of organizers Justine Henzell, Kwame Dawes and Colin Channer, who insist year after year on staging a world-class event – and always succeed.

Very much like Prodigal, Pulse and Mission Catwalk, Calabash reminds us that Jamaica is full of infinitely talented people who continue to show what can be achieved when you put your mind to it.

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PRODIGAL POWER: Artist, sex symbol, fashion icon…Calvin Whilby continues to blaze his own trail

A SUITABLE MAN: The music star cuts a modern figure in Carlton Brown.

On a postcard-perfect May afternoon in Kingston, Prodigal Son is laughing his head off. We are sitting at a small table for two at his breezy, al fresco restaurant Eleita’s Soup & Grill (located off Constant Spring Road), whose many patrons today include lunch-crowd regulars. Sporting a rather laid-back look of grey tee-shirt, jeans and flip-flops, the gregarious proprietor (né Calvin Whilby) is unsurprisingly the main attraction.

We are here to discuss his new album, 7699 (an amalgam of the year he was born and the year he got “saved”), but the conversation quickly metamorphoses into a lively riff on his mission to give back to society, being the world’s greatest dad and, of course, his legendary passion for fashion.

Meeting up with him, after quite a few years, there’s something decidedly different about Prodigal. In fact, the most striking thing about his look today is an aspect we don’t normally associate with the stylish star and big man of dancehall gospel: a scruffy beard and a mass of woolly hair atop his head. “It’s an image change. We’re changing the image,” he tells me, grinning mischievously and checking one of his two shiny Blackberries on the table. “The market that we’re going for this time around is young but middle-aged. So I have a youthful dress code but a more mature look. And we’re upping the fashion, as well.”

Indeed. The artwork for his new CD (dropping June 2 locally, and June 12 worldwide) features the 36-year-old in a series of eye-popping outfits from such exquisite labels as Aldo and Louis Vuitton. “I love Italian clothes. The Armani, the Fendi, all of them. I love Louis Vuitton,” Prodigal confesses. “But from a local perspective, Carlton Brown is my designer and you have this kid called Mark Anthony, who is doing extremely well.”


On a long list that no doubt includes superdad, award-wining recording star, and minister of the word, the title of fashion icon surely ranks high among Prodigal’s credentials. What does he make of that? “I think I just put on clothes and people say, You look good. I’m not so sure that I’m fashionable. They would have to say that.”

You have to excuse Prodigal. He’s suffering from a case of Momentary Modesty. I teasingly remind him that it’s been lab-tested and proven that he’s one fellow with a near full-blown obsession with fine menswear. “Nah sah, I just like clothes and wear it and people say I’m a fashion icon,” he persists, chuckling. But, in truth, Prodigal knows fully well that if a national poll were to be conducted to identify the most fashionable man in Jamaican music, he would probably top the list. After all, when it comes to major public appearances and concert performances, he always makes a point of presenting a glamorous, highly polished image.

So to onlookers, in addition to his family, his music and his ministry, stylish attire seems paramount to the gospel deejay. “Alright, alright. I love fashion and I would say I have good taste,” he concedes at last. “I don’t know if I’m a fashion icon though. People consider me to be that. But I don’t mind it.”

Okay, we’ll accept.

Prodigal is great company. Throughout our hour-long chat, he is candid and doesn’t beat around the bush. He laughs. A lot. He’s attentive and perceptive and his responses are refreshing and often peppered with a wisdom he no doubt honed over the course of his eventful rise from Kingston street hustler to globe-trotting superstar.

Whether he’s speaking about his insane workload (managing his Radikal Yawd record label, for example), or his charitable endeavours (like the upcoming Freedom Fest), or his music’s impact (“bridging the gap between Christian and secular”), an unmistakable sense of determination to make a difference shines through.

Then there’s his greatest real-life role as a father. “I adore them,” he says of his kids, a thriving 13-year-old boy and a daughter, 8. “It’s fun being a dad and it’s also challenging, but it’s more fun than challenging. When I look and say, yeah, ah my kids that, it’s a good feeling.” Asked what he does differently as a father, Prodigal responds, “My kids know that Daddy ah dem bredrin, but yet still I’m a disciplinarian. They know that Daddy is their hero, and they see me that way. Whatever they need, whatever they want, they can call upon me.”

He says his late grandmother is a constant source of inspiration for how he lives his life. “One of the things I’ve learned from [her] is that I want to give my children everything that I never had in life. So I really work and live for them and for the people I can give something to,” he says. “Nothing I have for myself is mine.”

I tell him he sounds like Bob in a memorable scene from Kevin MacDonald’s Marley documentary. Prodigal laughs.

>> NEXT TIME: Prodigal talks about charity, memorable concerts, and what makes him cry.

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THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING: 5 Smart Ways to Improve Your Life

CLEAR AS DAY: Simply staying positive can be the key to success.

“Whatever a man thinketh so is he.” That’s a wise old saying that basically means, if you believe in being successful, you will be. But if you believe you will fail then you will fail too. Adopt these motivational tips to help you overcome any obstacle that’s hindering your positive attitude – and keep you on the path to success.

1. Surround yourself with positive people: They say that success is built on the foundation of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals in business. The same reasoning can be applied to positive thinking. Positive energy is contagious, so keep your environment and entourage filled with positive people.

2. Be persistent: Michael Jordan missed over 9,000 shots during his career and Thomas Edison performed 50,000 experiments before he succeeded in producing a light bulb. Failure is the biggest downfall for most people where they give up too easily. Success is only failure turned upside down; we learn to be the best by learning from our mistakes and growing from them. Do not give up, push yourself to the limit, and go above and beyond that. Stay focused on the goal at hand and don’t miss out on opportunities by giving up. That extra effort may be the winning ticket to success.

3. Be a Leader: Don’t just sit on the sidelines waiting for the world to change and expecting others to change for your benefit. Grab success by its horns and take charge. Go out and inspire others to become positive and productive too. Being a role model for excellence and inspiring others will help you in surrounding yourself with successful people. Don’t wait for things to happen; go out and make things happen.

4. Set goals: Have a plan for success. Jot your goals down on paper and plan out your priorities from top to bottom. Finish each task before starting another. As for long-term goals, plan out a vision board and business scheme for the rest of the year. Having goals outlined will give you the drive and motivation you need to become happy and successful.

5. Work out and eat right: In order to take care of yourself on the inside you must also reflect wise decisions on the outside. Eating healthy and working out aids in your goal to be more productive and help in maintaining an active mind. You will become less groggy and the ability to focus becomes heightened. A great cure for writer’s block, for instance, has always been going for a long walk, run, or hitting the gym. (Source: JustifiedLions.com)

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THE KING’S SPEECH: Beenie Man declares, ‘I’m NOT gay’

TOUGH TALK: The dancehall vet has a lot on his mind.

We can always count on the good Doctor Beenie Man for a healthy sound byte.

In the wake of the backlash over that popular video message he recently posted on YouTube aimed at the international gay community, Beenie made a guest appearance on E-Prime to clear up a few things – and set the record, ahem, straight.

Above all else, there were two major points, Moses sought to make abundantly clear: (1) the video message was not an apology AND (2) he’s not a homo.

Over to you now, Doc:

“I never said I’m sorry. I said, Do not have us up for something that we did 20 years ago because nobody is who they are from 20 years ago. Everybody becomes man and grow up and big woman and grow up. I said this and Bounty Killer is on tour now. He has not been on tour for six years. He’s on tour because of what I said. I am the king of the dancehall. If them chop off the head of the snake, dancehall done.

“I nuh sell drugs. I nuh sell gun. I sell music. I am not gay. I do not love man, but I do not hate people regardless of what you do. I love people and I sing for people, and people come out and support. So anybody who waan seh weh dem waan seh, seh weh unoo waan seh. Mi done seh weh mi seh already. But I did not apologize for nothing. Dancehall music free up now. (Claps). Congratulations to me.”

So there you have it. One more thing, does this mean Beenie won’t be doing Canada’s Next Top Model next season? Tears..

>> STORY: Beenie on his latest career crisis

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THE NEW GUARD: The Ones to Watch in Caribbean Fashion

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS: Who are the region's future stars of fashion design?

While the Caribbean fashion scene doesn’t exactly lack for fresh faces these days, one has to be encouraged by Pulse’s intention to put the spotlight on new and emerging designers during June’s 12th anniversary staging of Caribbean Fashion Week (CFW). No doubt it’s a huge boon for up-and-comers who are giving serious consideration as to how they intend to grow and become the next Claudia Pegus or Carlton Brown.

The CFW 2012 roster includes, in addition to regional heavyweights, young designers from Barbados, Belize, The Dominican Republic, The United States, Haiti, The United Kingdom, The Turks and Caicos, Trinidad and Suriname. “Designers from all parts of the Caribbean and beyond have consistently presented collections to the largest contingency of international and regional media and fashion influencers,” Romae Gordon, CFW’s fashion director, has noted. “And it is for this reason that CFW is on the list of a growing set of new designers who are intent on generating interest for their brands.”

Fashion watchers, consider getting familiar with names like Blond Di, Tigerlily Hill, Jhaniel Smith, Juanita Reid and Rae Williams.

It goes without saying that it’s hard out there for struggling designers, a truth that doesn’t factor into the images of wealth, influence and fame we often conjure when we think of fashion, whether on a regional or international scale. So kudos to Pulse and other such laudable initiatives as Mission Catwalk and Style Week Jamaica for leading the charge.

In the particular case of Mission Catwalk (whose top three designers will show at CFW on June 8), the highly successful fashion reality series continues to offer its rising stars a terrific platform to gain early exposure. And if their impressive Season 2 exploits are any indication, the likes of Gregory Williams, Crystal Powell and Rebecca Stirm are destined for greatness.

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DRUGS, FEDS & INTRIGUE: Busy Signal is in for the fight of his life

HOT WATER: The deejay runs afoul of the law.

In 2007, Busy Signal released a hit single in which he defiantly declared, “Mi nah go ah jail again,” but the truth is that the 33-year-old entertainer has found himself in a real sticky situation following his May 21st arrest by US federal agents at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston upon his return from a stint in Europe.

If the reports are to be believed, the dancehall deejay (born Glendale or Reanno Gordon, take your pick) is a fugitive wanted in the United States on drug-related charges and is presently the target of an extradition request. Even more shocking, Busy is suspected of travelling under false identification and fled the United States sometime ago after a pending conviction.

Insiders tell TALLAWAH that the troubled star, who released his most recent album Reggae Music Again in April, is now facing a real prospect of time behind bars and possible fallout with his corporate sponsors like Pepsi Jamaica.

Since Monday afternoon, the case against Busy Signal has rapidly developed into a bonafide hot-button issue that brings to mind the trials and tribulations of ‘Dudus’ Coke and Buju Banton. Recent history has shown that once the American feds get their claws into you, there ain’t no letting go. Is that what’s in store for the deejay, or can his lawyers get him out of the mess and help him clear his name?

Either way, you can be sure of one thing: he’s in for the fight of his life. Keep your head up, Busy.

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SIMON's NEW DAY: Planning his post-TV J comeback

THE LAST LAUGH: Crosskill (right) with Al Barnes, Jazz & Blues 2011.

It seems we’ve come to the end of the Simon & Neville era.

Broadcaster Simon Crosskill sent shockwaves through his loyal Smile Jamaica audience last Friday morning when he announced that Wednesday, May 23, would be his last day on the show as he’s leaving TV J for greener pastures.

Will the a.m. magazine programme be the same without Crosskill? Highly unlikely. But the remaining co-hosts look like they can hold down the ship though the captain has bailed – and so close to the Summer Olympics at that.

Meantime, don’t cry for Simon, Jamaica. He’s keeping a bright outlook. In fact, sources tell TALLAWAH that he already has his new gig lined up: spearheading SportsMax’s extensive Olympic coverage. Both Crosskill and the RJR Group’s Gary Allen have declined to comment on the real reason(s) for Crosskill’s sudden exit. But a hardly-ever-wrong inside source informs me that “finances” was a major factor in the grand scheme of things.

Says a friend of Crosskill’s: “It’s TV J’s loss. Simon will be doing big things at SportsMax.”

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JAMAICA @ 50: The Greatest Reggae Album of the Past Half-Century

Movements of Jah people! The best reggae album of the past 50 years has got to be, hands-down, Exodus by the late great Bob Marley and the Wailers.

The ninth studio album by the legendary group, Exodus was released on June 3, 1977, via Island Records. Much of the album was recorded in London, while Marley recuperated from bullet wounds. The album’s success propelled him to international stardom, and a re-mastered version was subsequently released in 2007 in the United Kingdom, as a full-length book chronicling Bob’s retreat into exile after the assassination attempt and the making of the album.

Such cuts as “Jammin’,” “Waiting in Vain” and “One Love/People Get Ready” were all major international hits. The album peaked at #20 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, and reached #15 on the Black Albums chart. Across the pond, it stayed on the UK charts for 56 consecutive weeks, peaking at #8.

Importantly, Exodus has been recognized by some of the world’s most influential critics and publications as one of the greatest records ever made. In 1999, TIME named it the best album of the 20th century. In 2001, VH1 named it the 26th greatest album of all time. And two years later, the album was ranked number 169 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

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HOT TICKET: Calabash 2012 lights up Treasure Beach this weekend

Calabash is here! Here are the five things TALLAWAH is most looking forward to at the May 25-27 literary fiesta in easy-breezy Treasure Beach: (1) Chatting with Nigeria’s Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Jamaica’s very own Olive Senior… (2) Browsing the on-site bookshop for exciting new titles to add to my booming collection… (3) Witnessing the length of the bathroom line set a brand-new record… (4) Readings full of life, wit and wisdom…. (5) Watching that glorious Saturday-evening sunset.
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Food, glorious food! Jamaica’s biggest culinary bash, The Food Awards (put on by the Jamaica Observer), will take over the lawns of Devon House on May 31 for its 2012 incarnation. Those attending this year’s extravaganza can expect gastronomical delights, as always, from some of the food industry’s most creative and award-worthy souls. Salut!
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In homage to our Golden Jubilee, organizers are planning a Miss Jamaica World series of activities with a difference. Stay tuned.

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CULTURE CLUB: Watch The Great Gatsby’s new film trailer

Another beloved literary classic is months away from hitting the cineplex. The flapper-era sensation The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (Tender Is The Night) is getting the page-to-big screen treatment and the trailer has arrived! To say the least, it’s one of the most highly anticipated feature films of the year. With a star-packed cast led by Leo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey McGuire, the film is the latest effort by Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann and is slated for release this Christmas. Check out the trailer:



>> Also pay some attention to:

God’s Way: The Dahlia Harris-penned gospel drama returns to the Kingston stage for a limited run at the Pantry, starting June 1. In addition to Harris, the award-winning opus stars Sabrena McDonald, Trudy Campbell and Ainsley Whyte. Tickets: 352-6180.

Monty Alexander: The consummate piano man will be giving a special concert performance (and birthday bash) in New York on June 6, with special guests Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser. Info: (212)-501-3330.

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