Jamaica!

I spent almost 8 hours on this post, so you guys better read all of it. It probably will be my favorite post ever just because of it being about Jamaica. I have been procrastinating this post for so long, because I knew that this would be an everlasting post, I'll try to keep it short though. JAMAICA is where my parents come from, my whole family. Though I was not born there, I call myself Jamaican because I have only Jamaican blood flowing through my veins, and more importantly because I was raised in a Jamaican culture though my family lived here all my life. A lot of my mom's side (her mom and her dad's side) live in Boston, New York, Connecticut, and Florida, but many are left back home in Jamaica. She grew up in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, aka the country. Though that place lacks the city vibes, I LOVE IT. You feel so free, and I met so many people who really have to struggle, and struggle is something that I admire. Nevertheless, Jamaica knows how to party, so with that struggle always comes a celebration, always, and they've carried that trait to the Americas.

My mommy!

My dad grew up in St. Anns, Jamaica. I have absolutely NO family of his in Boston, none, but my mom's side and a lot of other people consider him family and have always given him the utmost respect as Mr. Earl Rose. The majority of my dad's side (his mom and his dad's side) live in Florida, New York, and CT, and a lot living in Jamaica. My dad's family's name on both his mom's and dad's side carries a prominent reputation of success in Jamaican politics and entertainment. I am very proud to be Bianca Rose. My dad is a retired innovator, manager, and promoter of many Reggae artists including Richie Spice, Everton Blender, Frankie Paul, Alpheus, and many more. My little brother and I were raised in the Reggae industry, touring from state to state with him and his artists, though not around the world since we had school and my mom wouldn't let us. If you want to know more about my dad, just ask me about him. I have to move on to what really goes down in Jamaica. We'll take a look at the "Everyday Life, Food, Music, Popular Events, Attractions, Nightlife, Sports, and Dancing".

My dad on the right with my uncle Bigdon (one of my mom's little brothers), owner of Bostonreggae.com

Everyday Life:

Jamaicans are known as very hard-working, bad attitude, covetous, and ambitious people, which is true for a lot of people unfortunately, an awkward mix huh? They carried that unforgettable bad ass attitude to the UK and America. They have and still have left their footprints in major America cities like Brooklyn, with their never ending restaurants, the influence Jamaican people had on rap and hip-hop, and even drugs. Through the years people have learned not to mess with Jamaicans, and I leave no exaggeration there. Proven influences can be famous Rap artists today that hold special relationships or made music with Jamaicans such as 50 Cent, Lil Kim, Biggie Smalls, Foxy Brown, Jay Z, I can go on. How Jamaicans live in Jamaica is also how they live in other places, in some cases without the sun. One notable characteristic Jamaicans have carried all over the world is how they party! Honestly, without Jamaicans, what would your nightlife be like? Just rocking to some Kanye West? How about not! Jamaicans have proven to dominate themselves in the nightlife area. Back in Jamaica, there are parties everywhere, at anytime, and everyday. From the beaches or even to a wide area of unused land (where "dances" are usually held), there's always something going on. Jamaicans work hard during the day, and party in the night until morning light. Yeah you get my point.

Food: 

My mom raised us on Jamaican food, that's all I can eat. From bammy, to rum cake (Christmas cake), to bun and cheese, to curry goat, oxtail, curry chicken (my favorite), fish tea, grater cake, gizada, mannish water, rice and peas, red peas soup, UGHH you all need my mom's cooking right now! I could go on and on and on, but I'm going to elaborate on three main dishes I feel are more popular than the rest. Ackee and Saltfish, Jerk Chicken, and Patties, shown below respectfully in that order.


Ackee and Saltfish: Known as Jamaican's National Dish, this delicious meal is prepared with salt cod sautéed with boiled ackee, onions, Scotch Bonnet peppers, tomatoes, and spices, such as black pepper and pimiento.


Jerk Chicken: The best damn chicken there is to eat! With its hot spices usually cooked freshly off the grill, it is seemingly probably the most popular in Jamaica. Anywhere you go in Jamaica, you see a Jerk Chicken stand, whether it's on the side of the road or in a market. This is all I eat when I go to Jamaica, along with patties! And my grandmother can second to that! I always waste all of my money on it.


Patty: I think out of all three, the Jamaican beef patty is probably the most popular in America, they even sell it in corner stores. The patty can be eaten with coco bread, as shown above. This is also another favorite of mine.

Music: 

Probably the most associated thing you want to say when you hear Jamaica is "Bob Marley." We all knew who he was, and he was just one of many who paved the way for Jamaican Reggae artists. Reggae was first developed in the 1960s with a rhythmic style characterized by regular beats on the off-beat, known as the skank. Reggae song lyrics deal with many subjects, including religion, love, sexuality, peace, relationships, poverty, injustice and other social and political issues, a music that distinguishes us from the other different cultures. My dad being born in the rising of Reggae music, has taught me a lot, and I now understand why his love for music has become so great, and why he decided to pursue it on the side for fun. So, I will teach you what I know. Reggae has many different subgenres, including Roots Reggae, Dub, Rockers, Lovers Rock, Toasting/Hip-Hop & Rap, Reggaeton, and Dancehall. I can elaborate on Roots Reggae, Lovers Rock, and Dancehall seeing that those were my father's focuses.

Roots Reggae is the name given to a spiritual type of music whose lyrics are predominantly in praise of Jah (God). Recurrent lyrical themes include poverty and resistance to government oppression. Many of Bob Marley's and Peter Tosh's songs can be called roots reggae. The creative pinnacle of roots reggae was in the late 1970s, with singers such as Burning Spear, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, and Barrington Levy, some of which are friends of my father, and of whom's music I love. I recommend my readers who are interested to download Burning Spear: House of Reggae and As It Is, Gregory Isaacs: Night Nurse and Number One, Barrington Levy: She's Mine and Substitute Lover, Everton Blender: Lift Up Your Head.

Down below is a picture of Joshua Blood, Everton Blender, and my father from Heartbeat Records.

All of these artists can also be put under the Lovers Rock subgenre, along with Maxi Priest, Dennis Brown, and Beres Hammond. The lyrics are usually about love. I love the vibes of Lovers Rock, and Beres Hammond is my favorite Lovers Rock artist without doubt. Recommendations? Maxi Priest: Wild World and Baby I Love Your Way, Dennis Brown: Money in My Pocket and Halfway Up Halfway Down, Beres Hammond: Tempted to Touch, They Gonna Talk, Groovy Little Thing, What One Dance Can Do, and Putting Up a Resistance.

Probably the most popular among the younger generations, Dancehall is characterized by a deejay singing and rapping or toasting over raw and fast rhythms. Notable artists are Buju Banton, Shabba Ranks, Beenie Man, Yellowman, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Lady Saw, Super Cat, and Shinehead. There are many more, but I can't list all, some still evolving today. My dad has done shows with Shinehead, Nadine, Lady Saw, and Chaka Demus and Pliers, good memories. Recommendations? I'll keep it short. Shabba Ranks: Ting A Ling, Buju Banton: Boom Bye Bye, Murderer, and Destiny, Chaka Demus & Pliers: Murder She Wrote, Nadine Sutherland: Action, Lady Saw: Sycamore Tree, Beenie Man: Romie and Who Am I, Yellowman: Zungguzungguguzungguzeng, Shinehead: Who The Cap Fits, Super Cat: Dolly My Baby and Don Dada

Toasting is a style of chanting or talking over the record that was first used by 1960s Jamaican deejays such as U-Roy and Dennis Alcapone. This style greatly influenced Jamaican DJ Kool Herc, who used the style in New York City in the late 1970s to pioneer a new genre that became known as hip hop or rap. Mixing techniques employed in dub music have also influenced hip hop.

Reggae music today has continued to take a powerful influence on people and other music. It has been and will always be my favorite type of music, and I recommend all going to a concert or a Reggae music festival. I know the Vermont Reggae Festivals are really good, though I haven't been in years.


Popular Events:

Jamaica holds some of the most prominent yet sizzling events of the world every year, here's the inside scoop.

Reggae Sumfest: Ahhhhhhh the Sumfest! The largest concert festival in Jamaica, it takes place each year in mid-July in Montego Bay. Sumfest, started in 1993, is officially sponsored by Red Stripe. All I'm going to say is some of the past celebrity performance line-ups then I'm done with this part lol. Beres Hammond, Baby Cham, Rihanna, Capleton, Buju Banton, 50 Cent, Frankie Paul (great family-friend), Lady Saw, Freddie McGregor (great friend of my dad's). The line-up gets bigger and better every year!


ATI/RTI Weekend: ATI weekend, aka Emancipation weekend takes place during the week of Jamaica's Independence Day in Negril. It recently formed an alliance with RTI weekend so all the events will consist in one weekend, which is probably the craziest thing that could ever happen to Negril. It consists of four nights of straight partying. It's smart to rent hotel rooms, trust me! With the beach, the booze, and the bikinis you will NEVER get bored. Thousands of people from all over Jamaica and other Caribbean islands come every year to become part of Negril's premier event. It usually attracts 18-30 yr olds.

Some girls at ATI


Tease: Proving itself not once, not twice, not three, not four, but FIVE times every year to be a success, Tease is a popular party hosted by its founder, my uncle D, for a Jamaica Jazz Festival Edition (January), Miami Spring Break Edition (March), Jamaica Summer Edition (June), Miami Summer Edition (July) and Jamaica Christmas Edition (December). Thus, there are three that happen in Jamaica, two in Miami, pick one at least guys! Tease is a must-go, I'm not only saying this because he is my uncle, but because of the results in show ups by masses of amount of people, including celebrities.


Down below is a picture of Dougie Rose, Bounty Killer, and Jazzy T from Renaissance.


The crowd

Sting: The greatest one night reggae show on earth, Sting takes place on Boxing Day each year, the day after Christmas, and incorporates everything that a hardcore reggae fan could wish for - an incredible line-up, electric atmosphere, amazing performances and a few on-stage clashes. One night can make or break your career, the show is that important. Since Xmas time in Jamaica is the time everyone goes back to Jamaica to visit their home and family, Sting always sells off, from the artists to the people.

Again, there are hundreds of other popular events, but these ones always attract my eye.

Attractions: 

Okay I'll keep this one short. Probably the most notable attraction in Jamaica is Dunn's River Falls. The falls empty into the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the very few rivers in the world that actually fall directly into the sea. This is very near my dad's house so I like to go there on a regular day. The prices are really cheap.


Lovers Leap: Located in St Elizabeth, the area grows most of the mellons, peppers, scallions, tobacco and corn for the rest of Jamaica. Yet it has low rainfall, so they mulch the ground with grass to retain the water. Lovers Leap is a 1700 ft cliff from which a couple of slave lovers leaped to escape their master who wanted the girl for himself, true story (hence, "LOVERS LEAP"). It has a restaurant and a small museum with Indian and more recent artifacts.


Rick's Cafe: Located in Negril, with the first public bar and restaurant of its type on the West End Cliffs, Rick's Cafe offers an alternative to Negril's majestic seven mile beach. From the cliffs, countless visitors and locals have jumped or dived into the crystalline water below. The highest platform jump is 35 feet and ensures the thrill of a lifetime. I have never been here but I want to!

Unfortunately, people have made a website downgrading Rick's Cafe due to personal experiences. :/ This doesn't stop me, but check it out. Please be careful guys.

http://www.rickscafenegril.com/

Mystic Mountain: Jamaica's newest attraction located in Ochi, Mystic Mountain consists of different attractions like "Bobsled Jamaica" and "The Rainforest Sky Explorer". I have been, and I LOVE IT! The Sky Explorer is kind of scary though, it goes REALLY high, you can see the whole ocean!



Again, there are COUNTLESS other festivities to engage yourself in, if you're looking for attractions. You have Ruins Restaurant and Green Grotto in Mobay, Martha Brae in Falmouth, Doctor's Cave and Aquasol Theme Park in Mobay. You can also research on Google, I'm sure a lot of attractions will come up.

Nightlife: 

Jamaica has the best nightlife! I don't need to explain myself. When you are in Jamaica you are guaranteed to have a good time at any given day of the week. I've been to beach parties, dances, foam parties, and I've been to clubs. A lot of Jamaica's clubs consists of go-go girls, which is odd to have at a club in America, but very normal in Jamaica. The nightlife in Jamaica has relocated itself in London, New York, Florida, Boston, LA, and many more places all around the world. Jamaica's nightlife reputation will continue to carry on through generations.

Margaritaville: Located in Ocho Rios, Negril, and Mobay, it is a very hot tourist spot, but you will also find a lot of residents partying there also. Hailed as the place to party on Montego Bay’s “Hip Strip” Gloucester Avenue, Margaritaville is perfect for anyone looking for exciting entertainment, a lively atmosphere and delicious food.


Quad: Located in Kingston, celebrities pass thru all the time. It is a must-go! Quad is the nightclub of choice for many uptown Kingstonians. The concept of Quad is four different nightclubs in one building.


Jungle: Located in Negril, the Jungle was the hottest thing talked about while I was there. International celebrities are also seen a lot in this hot night club.


There are many more hot spots that I've heard of or been to. Plum Pack and G-Spot in St. Elizabeth, Triple X and Scrub-A-Dub in Negril. Strawberries and The Roof in Ocho Rios. Traditionally the best nightlife is simply "yawdflex". It doesn't have to be at a venue, just throw your own! That's how it has been done for years and it never fails. If you are ever going to visit Jamaica, let me know, I'll give you the most updated 411 I know of.

My sister and Freddie McGregor

Sports: 

Finally, the second to last memo for this post. Jamaicans carry their pride through their music, their food, even in their attitude, but prevailing excellence in sports never ceases Jamaicans to jump, scream, and shout on how wonderful Jamaica is. Jamaicans have been excelling in Boxing, Netball, Bobsled, Cricket, and Soccer for many years.

In cricket, Jamaica has produced many of the West Indies’ Team and the world’s best players, so bragging rights still remain.


If you watched "Cool Runnings", then you know very well about our Jamaican Bobsled team. The performance of the Jamaican Bobsled Team over the years has been a phenomenon due to the fact that Jamaica is a tropical island and has no snow.

Jamaica has also produced the world's greatest boxers whether it was from Jamaican birth or Jamaican parentage. Examples, Michael Bentt, Trevor Berbick, Simon Brown, Frank Bruno, Lloyd Honeyghan, Lennox Lewis, Mike McCallum, Teddy Reid, "Razor" Donovan "Razor" Ruddock, Marshall Simpson, Bunny Sterling, Teofilo Stevenson, and Alex Stewart.

Lennox lewis


The Reggae Boyz is the national soccer team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. Through many ups and downs, we still continue to have optimism in winning a World Cup.


Last but not least, we have track. Some people speculate on how such a tiny country can produce the fastest runners in the world. My father even joked that Jamaicans are so fast because they learn as a youth how to run fast when running from cops or if they did something bad. From Asafa Powell to Usain Bolt, and from Veronica Campbell-Brown to Shelly-Ann Fraser, we continue to set world records. Usain Bolt's many wins in August 2008 flurried extreme pride throughout Jamaica. The wins probably caused the most amount of parties ever held in a month, especially considering the fact that it was Independence month. I can proudly say, with many witnesses and media sources, that Jamaica is the fastest nation in the world.

We took gold, silver, AND bronze in the 100m with Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson, and Kerron Stewart. Shelly-Ann Fraser (on the far left) is now the fastest woman in the world.


We took gold in the 400m Hurdles with Melanie Walker.


Usain took gold in the 100m and 200m setting a world record.


And lastly we took gold in 4 x 100m relay with Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt, and Asafa Powell.


Here's a video of Jamaicans in London, I'm telling you, this country's pride is crazy.


Here is a link to BBC's cover in Kingston while the Jamaicans were winning. You will see a video of BBC'S amazement of Jamaica's patriotism.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7577997.stm

Many more medals were won but I'm too tired now, and I'm sure you watched the Olympics.

The best.


Dancing:
Dancing is becoming a new spotlight, sparking Jamaican's rep insistently. With its founders who have paved the way for dancers today, Bogle (RIP), Keiva, and John Hype being three of several, dancing is another uplifting talent Jamaica hones. You may know of popular dances like the "butterfly", the "bogle", "pon de river, pon de bank", "signal di plane", "chaka chaka", "dutty wine", and even more relatively new "nuh linga". Dancers like Ice (RIP), Sadiki, Black Blingaz, Shelly Belly, and Marvin have continued to pursue the dancing prophecy. Always popular in Jamaica, it is becoming more popular in other Caribbean countries, Asia, Europe, and America, having influences on other dancers like Skerrit Bwoy, Crazy Hype Family, Atomik Dancers, and many more who do not reside in Jamaica, some not even born of Jamaican heritage. That alone shows you the powerful influence of what Jamaica alone can have on a people, dancing being one of them. From experience, the closest you can get to Jamaica's dancing scene in America is Florida and Brooklyn, New York. If the BK had Florida's weather, they would own it.

Jamaica has been known for the production of its Dancehall Queen contest every year for over a decade now, starting in Jamaica, and spreading its contest to almost every continent besides Antarctica. You may have also heard the hit single "Dancehall Queen" by Beenie Man and Chevelle Franklin and maybe even seen the movie.

Dancehall Queen Shisha from France

I am a huge advocate for dancing, not only because of the crazy style Jamaicans made for themselves in their appearance and their dancing, but because dancing is often something in Jamaica that people, usually younger people, run to, due to not wanting to be apart of the infamous violence, or due to being the only pastime one can enjoy if one is in poverty. Dancing holds a very special place in my heart and is currently making it's mark in the Jamaican culture.


The dancing Jamaica has produced is like no other. From males jumping off of speaker boxes onto girls, daggering (a new form of dancing) them, to girls wining and shaking their ass on their head top, you have to prove yourself ready for this type of dancing before you get into it. It is wild and crazy. Even solo dances like the "nuh linga" requires unique skills. If you are willing to break out of your shy side, let me take you to this place called Jamaica. I'll take to you "Hot Mondays", "Weddy Wednesday", "Passa Passa", some of the hottest street events in Jamaica. If you're not all into the hype, well there's nothing wrong with the classic rocking and wining to sweet Reggae, it's something every Jamaican has instilled in them. Regardless, we're taking "dancing to di world!"


I'm proud to be a Jamaican!

Sources:
Wikipedia
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/events/jamaica05/gallery/sting/1x.shtml
http://www.imagesoftheworld.org/jamaica/loversleap.html
http://www.dunnriverfallsjamaica.com/
http://www.rickscafejamaica.com/history.php
http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/destinations/kingston/quad.html
http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/sports/