Capleton's management has responded to attacks on the reggae singer by gay-rights groups in the United States.

Last week, his appearances on three shows in California were cancelled due to pressure from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. Renegade Productions, which booked Capleton for the shows, announced the cancellations on its website.

A release from Capleton's manager, Claudette Kemp, said the artiste was saddened that he did not get the opportunity to perform for his many fans.

"They have once again used their strong-arm tactics to intimidate concert promoters and venue owners, putting misinformation in the public about the artiste to further their own agendas. Capleton is very disappointed that his many fans, who cross all races and creeds, have not been able to see him at his scheduled shows in California this past week. He has performed at the same venues and festivals over the last two years with no incident bringing a message of love for all through Reggae music," the release said.

"The barrage of protest from these groups is unwarranted and has been addressed many times in the media in the past. The artiste has a forgiving heart for what has been done to him and will continue on the high path. Capleton will continue to spread a positive and spiritual message through music to the four corners of the Earth and continue to stand firm that universal love can unite all mankind."

The release further stated that Capleton will be performing at the Annual Bob Marley Day/ Caribbean
Festival 2010 in Miami on Saturday. There, he will be performing his new song, Haitians, a tribute to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Other dancehall acts including Buju Banton, Sizzla and Beenie Man, have come under attack from gay-rights groups in recent times.

Source: Jamaica Star.com

Portmore Empire head Vybz Kartel has described his former protégé, Blak Ryno, as a confused individual after his recent departure from the crew.

Speaking to THE WEEKEND STAR yesterday, Kartel discussed his reaction to Ryno's abrupt departure from the Portmore Empire on Wednesday, of which he has been a member since January 2007. Kartel said: "Ryno is, in my analysis, a confused individual going through some sort of post-adolescence trauma, where in his pursuit to find himself, he's getting his priorities mixed up and as a result, is making decisions in a subconscious, bewildered state of mind."

The deejay further said that: "Portmore Empire and Gaza will continue to grow from strength to strength merely because I am Gaza." According to Kartel, persons can look out for his newest member Gaza Slim and his protégé Popcaan. The Portmore Empire started in 2007 after Kartel's departure from the Alliance in 2006. The Empire have consisted of members such as Popcaan, Singa Blinga, Dosa Medicine, Lisa Hype, Shawn Storm, Gaza Indu, Sheba, Jah Vinci among others.

Blak Ryno was an original member of the Portmore Empire and was seemingly one of the closest to Kartel, often citing him as a major influence and called him 'daddy' on numerous occasions. Ryno is the third deejay to have departed the Empire recently, the first being Lisa Hype, now called Lisa Hyper. Hyper was dismissed from the Empire late last year shortly after a compromising picture of the deejay began circulating on the Internet.

In January newcomer to the Empire, Gaza Kim - now known as Kym, willingly left the Empire after an incident which took place in the 'Big Yard' community off Mannings Hill Road. Kym was severely beaten on what sources say were orders by Kartel. Kartel later denied any involvement.

Source: The Jamaica Star.com

ANGELS, St Catherine - Munro College's Dexter McKenzie was western Jamaica's only double winner at last Saturday's 32nd staging of the Milo Western Relays, which was held for the second year at GC Foster College in Angels, St Catherine.

McKenzie, an Upper Sixth Form student at Munro, set a meet record 7.34m to retain the Men's Long Jump title before anchoring an injury- riddled Munro team to a pulsating win in the High School Boys 4x400m relay.

Without Kaneil Harrison and Rolando Reid available, Munro fielded a team of Delano Williams and 400m hurdlers Jodi-Rae Blackwood and Patrick Campbell and McKenzie, who battled Holmwood Technical on the anchor leg in driving rain.

McKenzie went in front on the backstretch but Holmwood regained the lead with about 70 metres to go but with about 40 metres to go, McKenzie surged to the front as Munro won in a meet record 3 minutes 14.86 seconds to win for the third straight time in the Milo Junior Grand Prix series.

McKenzie's teammate Wendrico Seymour won the high jump Open with 2.00m, beating Herbert Morrison's Demar Wood- 1.95m with TAPS Track Club's Shagorey Smith third.

Petersfield High had their first-ever win at Western Relays when the Class 1boys team of Tafari Green, World Youth Championships representative Waynee Hyman, Dean Turner and Omar Samuels ran 1 minute 28.98 seconds to win the high school bys 4x200m event.

TAPS track club were also winners, taking the Men's Clubs/Institutions Men's 4x200m in a new record 1 minute 26.07 seconds.

St Elizabeth Technical Boys Class1 team took the 4x100m title in 41.75 seconds while Mt Alvernia High swept the Prep School races for boys and girls.

Barracks Road Primary also won the boys Primary School director's race while neighbours Corinaldi Avenue Primary took the girls' Primary section.

Source: Jamaica Observer

It appears that dancehall artiste KipRich has now turned back on his decision not to clash music counterpart Merciless, or even appear on this weekend's stage show, The Settlement, set to take place at Links in St Thomas.

The slick-talking deejay, born Marlon Plunkett, is now demanding $1.5 million from promoter Tommy Thompson after previous media reports had linked the deejay to a potential clash at the event.

"My management and I are asking for $1.5 million. Him mus' can find dat easy, easy because a dead him bury and him dun seh him will do anything fi mek him show happen," said the deejay via the telephone.

However, an infuriated Thompson scoffed at KipRich's demand saying he would not consider it, as the deejay had allowed his ego to get the better of him.

In a story published in this newspaper last Friday, Thompson, who owns Brite Lite Funeral Home, accused the Party Time lyricist of chickening out of a potential clash, even though no real arrangements had been made between the two parties.

"My only conclusion, cause everything has been going on well, is that he's afraid of the possibility that a clash might happen. But the show must go on," said Thompson in a previous interview after KipRich had disclosed he wouldn't attend the event.

However, according to KipRich, after he initially agreed to perform a normal set, of the news of a possible 'lyrical showdown' began circulating.

He said this could affect his career negatively should he maintain his stance not to attend the show. "Mi would love to perform only for my fans yes, but when a man a put things ina di paper seh mi a run, mi haffi defend myself," he said.

The deejay believes that Thompson is trying to lure him into a clash by using the influence of the media. KipRich performed for free at Sting 2009 when he engaged in another lyrical showdown with General B.

But, the deejay said he's not prepared to make such commitments again. "Laing (Sting promoter) got a Christmas present cause dat (General B) duppy dead fi free, mi never get nuh money fi dat," he said.

He added: "But mi nah gi nuh man nuh Valentine's gift. Laing get a present but mi nuh gi man gift." KipRich also said he received a phone call from Thompson on Saturday morning regarding the numerous rumours circulating.

"Him (Thompson) call mi and a tell mi seh things get outta hand with di media and that he was upset with it because people been talking about it," he said.

The Settlement is advertised as the burial ground for graffiti artiste L.A. Lewis and deejay Mr. G as well as Queen Paula versus Lisa Hyper. Should Thompson reach KipRich's asking price, the deejay said he would be ready and waiting.

Thompson, however, said he would never pay KipRich such a sum. "He has never in his entire history worked for that amount. Why should The Settlement, a new event, pay this amount?" asked Thompson.

He added: "I would be unfair to everyone else on the show if I pay him that. That didn't even cross my mind because, ultimately, KipRich is not the main attraction on the show," he said.

Thompson said he would only pay that amount on one condition.

"Of course, he could make that demand. But, is there any logic in that? Where does the ethics come in all this? The only way I could consider that is if he could guarantee 15,000 (people) inside that venue. Then I would pay him like the $9 million," he said.

Source: Roxroy McLean, Star Intern