Rihanna’s New video “We found love” is SMOKING Hot! and when I say smoking I mean just that….

Our Cultural ambassador in her latest video production features several scenes where she is seen lighting up along with her new boxer boyfriend Dudley O’Shaughnessy sharing smokes.
And when I say “Smokes” I mean “SmokeS” in the most plural sense of the word.
There’s one scene where Rihanna’s boyfriend smokes not one or two but four cigarettes one time which Rihanna lovingly lights them for him, then he lovingly blows the second hand smoke into her mouth which she willingly receives, it was breathtakingly romantic. Somebody blowing smoke into your mouth has to take your breath away, once you don’t suffer from asthma.

The anti smokers campaigners are coming out saying the Rihanna video is glamorising smoking and they are right.
It symbolises a return to the golden era of movies back in the 50s where all the major movie stars were paid to smoke throughout all their movies.
“Actors from the golden age of Hollywood were paid thousands of dollars by tobacco companies to smoke and endorse their products.

“A study reveals how more than 200 stars, including matinee idols John Wayne, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, all benefited and one firm paid more than $3m (£1.6m) in today’s money in a year.”

After the deadly outcome of smoking became known it was a practice that was scaled down.

Some people see Rihanna’s cigarette touting as an innocuous activity, but you need to understand the American marketing machinery.
In today’s paper you see a picture of Rihanna wearing a Snuggie talking to talk show host Ellen.
The Snuggie makers would be beside themselves with joy as Rihanna wearing their product would be sure to influence the teen market to buy it. which is exactly the same reason you will see smoking being so glamorously embraced and endorsed in the new Rihanna video, because cigarette makers want to push up their sales to the teen market. Its just business.

As for the people who go on about “Rihanna Haters” if you don’t blatantly lap up everything Rihanna does. I like Rihanna bad but that dos nt mean every bad thing she does I must close my eyes and pretend I don’t see it because I love her so much.
I like Rihanna bad and she does bad things but I still accept her because sometimes we love bad things, U know U do too.
I believe Rihanna’s people deliberate put bad stuff in her videos to rile up people so then we talk about her like what is happening right now.

I will not focus on the other scenes in the video where her ass is marked “mine” by the man where people say she is portraying women as sex objects, nor focus on the popping pills endorsement scene nor the scene where she shoplifts. Next people would say I am a Rihanna hater, so I will close my eyes and pretend I didn’t see them.

Love the Song, I love the video, Love in the end how it tries to redeem itself even though it fails and I love Rihanna too, our self confessed “Good Girl Gone Bad”.

p.s; Loved the English Accent Lady Rihanna does in the beginning

*Note; John Wayne died of cancer in 1979,he had both stomach and lung cancer, any one for a smoke?

>спални комплектиd to curse Walter Maloney for this a few months ago and now I see the Deputy Prime Minister doing the same thing. Obviously I cannot carry along our esteem Dep PM the way I cah long Maloney, so instead I will “speak” to the matter.
In the press yesterday in an article entitled “Fete Addicts” Deputy PM Freundel Stuart made some comments about how there was “far too much entertainment” happening in Barbados. He then went on to describe our local entertainment schedule as “a worrisome ugly little sign” as Barbados prepares for independence.

I got real problems with them statements especially with the word “ugly”; I am damn good looking, Alison, Rihanna and Keann beautiful as heck so where does the Deputy PM Stuart get off using the world “ugly” to describe anything entertainers connected to.

Why is it that when times are hard the only industry that they keep telling people to cut back on is entertainment, what have we done to deserve this?
The image that comes to mind when the Stuart uses the word “ugly” gives the impression entertainment is some sordid business which as he said is “contributing to a galloping decay in national standards”. Seems if he had his way, the Police would be set on us.
All of a sudden Barbados being seen as the “entertainment capital of the region” is seen as a disgusting and negative thing according to Stuart.

I guess it’s because I am just an igrunt ugly entertainer but I am sorta loss, which is it?
One minute Government is bigging up the Rihannas, Hal Lintons and Shontelles and talking about “exporting our unique cultural product to the world”, the next we are a nasty, “ugly” and “worrisome” industry, which is it?
To be honest I find the statement condemning our entertainment to be a reckless as coming from a Deputy Prime Minister, in his official capacity you should be more conscious of how you speak about a legitimate Barbadian industry.
The thing is I know Prime Minister David Thompson to be a lover of local and regional entertainment. Not only does he support by attending events but I have been in situations where it was only with the PM’s support that they were able to come off. Therefore I find the apparent anti entertainment position the government seems to taking puzzling.

The final point I wish to make in this “ugly” ass post is this; the United States of America is still in recession, spending is down, homes are being foreclosed on, still I have never seen President Obama saying Americans should stop from going to see the latest movies and reduce the millions of box office dollars they are generating, I guess he mistook entertainment for an industry.

On November the 30th 2009, the Bajan artiste you have been waiting for has finally arrived, and this time, “she’ll be sweeter” It’s the great Bajan songstress Wendy Alleyne in Concert at the Gymnasium on Independence Day.

Remember songs like “He’s so fine” “Stand by Love” “Midnight Blues” “I can’t control my emotions” to mention a few.

Wendy will be backed by the Rickey Aimey Band. Performers will include Tanya Clarke, Richard Stoute, Tony Grazette, Carolyn Leacock, Adrian Clarke, Desmond Weekes, Dwayne Husbands and Cherish Breedy The event will be under the patronage of Prime Minister David Thompson and his wife Mara. November 30th

What is also interesting about the Wendy Alleyne show is the promoter, a young guy by the name of Andre Craig who looks like he is not old enough to have seen a star pitch or he still has “he mother features”.
It’s really good to see a young promoter like that staging a show with a great like Wendy.
He has been able to do what others have tried and failed to do, woo Wendy and get her back to do a concert here. Over the years major promoters have been trying and Andre has done it, kudos to him.
So make it your business to be at the Sir Garfield Sobers Complex on Monday 30th November to celebrate independence in grand style, the local show of the decade, “Wendy Alleyne in Concert” “this time it will be sweeter” “you will not be able to control your emotions”.

Just the other day I was writing a post entitled �Happy Birthday Michael Jackson� who would have thought �that a few short months later that I would be writing a post on his death.When I first heard a news flash come over on the radio saying Michael had been hospitalised I thought it was one of those publicity stunts to bring attention to MJ�s tour.

Next I heard it announced, Michael Jackson was dead, which I took in unbelievable stunned silence. Michael Jackson can�t die, I mean he is Michael Jackson; can the Smooth Criminal Thriller Billie Jean MJ really die?Then the tributes and music started confirming the saddening news.

He was the indisputable King of Pop and one the greatest entertainers in the world. He was a visionary who revolutionized the entertainment world with his videos and music. His immense popularity broke through demographic barriers of age class and colour. He was loved by all. Except those who hated him, and to hate him would mean you had to know of him, such was the extent of his fame.

I have been doing a comical vocal imitation of Michael on radio for the past 20 years. If I did an impression now of Mc Hammer who was big in the 80’s, people would be “Mc who??” But an impression of MJ never failed to entertain the masses because everyone knew who he was. Now on the eve of his comeback concert, he is gone, space walking to that musical studio in the sky, reflecting the words of one of his own songs, Michael Jackson is �Gone Too Soon.�

The Cottage Studios, a subsidiary of Good Vybz Inc launched the cd singles by the 2008 winners of the 6-12 Cherish Breedy and 13-20 Quinn Belgrave categories of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent at the Garrison Secondary School on Friday February 20, 2009 at a special extended assembly at 9:00 a.m., at the time of the launch at the school, all radio stations across Barbados were sent a copy of the songs to be played at 9:00 a.m.

During the 2008 RSTTC, Good Vybz Inc., provided material for give-a-ways, members of the management team attended all of the preliminaries, semis – the semi-finalists were showcased at the Ship Inn every Thursday night during the Strategy performances, leading up to their final performances to give the contestants exposure, in a quest to making them comfortable in preparation for their big night, as well as presenting Mr. Stoute at the finals with a cheque for the cost of the full package promised which served as their commitment to the sponsorship package offered. 

Quinn is a past student and Cherish is presently a student of that school.

The song “I’m The One“ which Cherish sings, was written by a Garrison Secondary School old scholar, Toni Norville and produced by Matthew “Fewwture’ Ashby, Shane Forrester and Lori Worrell at The Cottage Studios.

This was the first time such an event was held at the school and the Principal, Mr. Matthew Farley and Master of Ceremonies was extremely proud.

It must be noted that Malcolm X, Kareen Clarke, Daddy Mark, as well as writer of Cherish’s song Toni Norville were present at the launch which was a grand affair and very inspiring for the entire school students pas t and present and teachers alike, also present was the first principal Mr. Sealy and from the legal profession two of a long line of attorneys Junior – Allsopp and magistrates and Ian Weekes. Ministers Michael Lashley and Chris Sinckler also attended.

Quinn’s song  “ Wit’ Me “ was written and produced by the latest addition to the Good Vybz Inc, team Michael “B-Roca” Holder, and it also features Kirk Brown whose initiative, through his interest in culture generally, has been primarily responsible for this effort. 

Cherish Breedy also celebrated her 13th birthday on February 20th making her the youngest and first teen talent winner to be recorded at this age (12).

Merle Niles presented two photos of the performers. Cherish and Quinn to the school to launch the opening of a photo gallery and announced that these photos will are the first in a long line of photos to be given to the school of persons who excelled.

Check  out the Garrison School Old Scholars on Facebook.

If you desire to be a professional and “qualified” entertainer musician my buddy and associate Chris Harper has teamed up with the prestigious Berklee College of Music to offer barbadians an opportunity to be qualified.

Note use of the that word “qualified” that is something I find those of us in entertainment don’t pay enough attention to. Since no compulsory educational qualifications are needed to be an entertainer we can just say “I is an entertainer” and that’s it. Sometimes I read in the court pages an entertainer is charged for something and its someone that in all my 30 years in the business I have never seen them yet, but them pulling we down claiming to be part of our industry.

Thats why it would be good if it were mandatory that to be deemed an entertainer you needed some qualification, not only for that reason but because we have something to fall back on should times change.

That’s why its important to take advantage of this opportunity that Chris is offering us and I would like to publicly compliment Harper on his laudable efforts to uplift and educate the industry.

Over the past five years Berklee College of Music has partnered with Notes to Note Inc. to conduct the Barbados leg of their annual scholarship tour. This year the project has been strengthened and is an official project of the office of International Programs which will allow students to access more of the college’s resources through addition scholarships and financial aid.

 The scholarship office released the follow statement on the scholarship tour.

 ”Berklee travels the globe visiting over 40 cities annually seeking those talented musicians who we feel are an excellent match to the college.  By participating in a live audition and interview, applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships towards the full-time program or the Five Week Summer Performance Program.”

 The scholarships auditions will take place on Saturday 21^st February from 9:00am at the Barbados Community College.                 

Persons from Barbados and the region who wish to take part in the audition process need to complete the application for admission online at https://www.berklee.edu/apply/.

  On Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^{th of} February at the Barbados Community College at 5:00pm each day there will be a lecture on the admissions process and a pre-audition workshop respectively. These will be conducted by Vice-President of student affairs Steve Lipman and Professors John Pierce and John Marasco of the Berklee College of Music.

For further information on auditions please contact:

Chris Harper  

Managing Director

Notes to Note Inc.
phone (246)427-2555
email: notestonote@caribsurf.com 

Monday is the night I go to the movies, 8.30 pm the Globe Cinema is the choice of P Boyce.

My Face book friends often query this “strange” behavior “wha I see that movie weeks ago I coulda burn that for you” or  “you could have gone on www see movies free.com and watch that for free on your computer, why you wasting money?”

Well let me tell you why I leave home go to the movies, for the “entertainment experience”.

I enjoy the anticipation of simply “going to de theatre” looking forward to a night out.

I enjoy viewing the poster displayed outside the cinema promoting the movie which helps to heighten your anticipation of seeing the same film.

I look forward buying my theatre pop corn, hot dog and soda to snack on as I view the flick.

Then the cinema darkens and they pull the curtains the night’s entertainment begins with the “Coming Attractions” wetting your appetite for the flicks to come.

Sometimes the coming attractions are better than the movies them selves.

I love to sit back and view my movies on a big screen and I don’t tell me you got a 60 inch TV, I mean the massive cinema scope larger than life dimensions you get only in the theater.

I love my Dolby stereo and surround sound where the audio brings you into the movie.

It is a total escape, you don’t have your wife telling you the T.V to loud or your kids vex cause they want to use the computer.

You get away from your worries, bills and ringing phones, well if you turn your cell off.

It is the social interaction as you and the audience become as one, 

It is entertainment experience that I am after, stop home and view movie down loads on an 18 inch computer screen? I think not!

Jamal Woolard plays slain rapper Notorious B.I.G. in Notorious

I have not updated Boyce Voice for over two weeks and deserve licks….
I will make a pledge not to repeat such behavior again and apologise to Tracy Fyahkros, Asiba and all the readers.

Let me digress back (if there is such a term) to my topic “The Notorious Industry”.
I am referring to the Rap music Industry which has its roots in the United States of America.
Notorious would be an apt description because of the new movie release on rapper Biggy Small based entitled that, “Notorious”.
What caught my attention recently was an online news item where four men were stabbed at the after party for that same movie.

It reminded me of the asininely violent behavior which is a norm by practioners in the rap music industry.
Rappers usually “diss” one another in the lyrics of their songs, which is ok, but then they go a step further.
That rivalry continues off stage sometimes resulting in rappers shooting and killing one other.
It’s the equivalent of our calypsonians not only singing about one another but killing one another too, so Gabby might go looking for RPB to take him out if we followed the example of the rappers.
Rappers sing gangsta lyrics and then turn round and live gangsta lives for real.
Let’s look at a white parallel, Who appears in more violent mafia and gangster movies that Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, but when the movie is over the role is over and they become movie stars living a glamorous life of luxury.
You don’t see them going around town toting guns shooting at one another and the police.

It is unfortunate that the section of the entertainment industry that is so deviant happens to be black.
The Rap Industry is now responsible for misleading a generation of young black males into believing being a gangsta is the “life” and going to prison is a badge of honor.
The “Notorious” Industry is therefore an apt title.

By the way, in case you didn’t know “Notorious B.I.G was gunned down in Los Angeles in 1997 reputedly by a rival rap gang. Ok then…..

I saw this play when it came out last year and wrote about it on Boyce Voice, it was pretty damn entertaining!Bajans living in Canada should not miss out on this opportunity to experience our culture in fact everyone should see it regardless of where you are from..

It is very significant that Andy Armstrong and A and W Productions are exporting a Bajan entertainment product, usually when exports are spoken of it refers to Pepper Sauce and Sugar and tangible products, that now needs to be redefined. So when the Government is looking to put incentives in place to encourage exports, they must also remember the entertainment entrepreneurs who export the intangible cultural products.

By exporting to other territories also gives the play a longer revenue generation life, instead of depending on our small local theatre market “Going For Love” can now experience renewed financial vigor that an result in even more potential profits being recognised by the producers.

In Closing; If in Canada, Go and see “Going for Love” you will not regret it…..

one criticism I have of “Going for Love” the title should be more Bajan and it should be “Gine for Love”

Local politics just got more entertaining….

With the news that entertainment lawyer and artiste manager Santia Bradshaw is now taking entering the political arena. Santia will be running to represent the Barbados Labour Party in the St Michael South East constituency aka “The Pine”.
The same way you know about Obama and McCain you should know that Hamilton Lashley resigned from the BLP to become an independent and so Santia is looking to take over that position.
Ms Bradshaw aka Santia has been involved in entertainment for some years now, her company Pyramid Entertainment manages Peter Ram, Lil Rick, Mr Dale Philip 7 and numerous other artistes that if you are a regular reader to Boyce Voice you should know.
Santia is also well versed in copyright and intellectual property being a well studied British trained lawyer.
She has used her legal knowledge on behalf of the industry to help bridge the perennial gap which seems to exist between local artistes and the National Cultural Foundation.

Santia’s father Delisle Bradshaw was also in politics which according to political pundits gives her an advantage, it will be most interesting what Santia Bradshaw brings to the political table with her in-depth entertainment background and the perspective which will be presented as it relates to the industry.