Issue 7
EDITOR'S NOTE

Music is Life.... From time immemorial, this has been the idiom for people of the world as music is the one single element that can unite the globe, unconditionally. So, when a lyricist puts pen to paper, draws on all that's natural about life and then finds a rhythm that complements this, we have history in the making. A good song will grace many a music appliance internationally for years to come. Moreover, songs of love never fail to capture the imagination as it appeals to the heart, mind, body and soul. And, you dun know the effect a good love song has on its audience. In the Reggae arena, Tarrus Riley's 'She Is Royal' is a case in point.... it seems the song has taken up permanent residence on the airwaves and dance-floors... well over a year after its release; it's still the most in demand tune. Hence, he's our cover artist!

But... although our 'man of the moment' is red hot right now, the focus of this edition is centred on the ladies. From all music genres, arts and sports, we bring you stories of some of the women that have been making crazy moves in the entertainment world. Repping the R&B/Hip-hop store is the UK's Estelle who's all grown now and stepping to the USA big time. Reggae's portion is dished out by the new Roots starlet Etana whose conscious lyrics are truly effective. Yolanda Brown is our surprise package as she's a saxophonist who's young and truly gifted. Turning to sports, we salute the tennis pioneer Althea Gibson who broke down barriers back in the '50s/'60s and inspired the likes of Serena and Venus Williams.

Elsewhere, the women represent handsomely on the Lifestyle wing with a 'Ghana At 50' fashion spread; their presence is felt in the 'African Gold' column as well as in our re-installed 'Visual Arts' segment. Of course, the men are here in numbers... new R&B sensations J. Holiday and One Oak are all up in da grill posing with Neo Soul king Rahsaan Patterson. The UK's Roots commander Aaron Kedar locks down the Reggae spot profiling alongside USA veterans Hopeton Lindo, Sea B. Marrah and Benaiah. There's also regular stuff like the 'Poets' Corner', the series on Marcus Garvey, 'Industry Info', book reviews, charts and competitions galore. But hey, don't forget to catch us on the 'Lifestyle On BEN' TV show on Friday mornings as we continue to crane the mag all up in your building! Yuh dun know!

One lOve,
Melissa C Sinclair (DJ Cameo)
Editor, Publisher