The CPL has described “How We Play” as a dance song that promises to have T20 cricket fans jumping Caribbean-style.

The song was written and produced by Trinidad and Tobago’s Marlon Chen of MRI and Precision Productions and features leading Trinidad soca artiste, Kes, and Jamaican reggae star Konshens.

“When it comes to West Indies cricket, everyone rallies round. Whether it’s on the pitch, in the stands, on the stage or watching TV, and the Caribbean Premier League will take the game to a whole new level,” said CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe.

“It’s much more than a sport, it’s an amazing party experience where everyone comes to play, and ‘How We Play’ embodies that.”

“How We Play” features elements of three genres, soca, dancehall and techno music.

“It feels good to be a part of anything Caribbean, especially cricket, which is such a big part of our West Indian culture, and it’s a great achievement for me,” said Konshens.

The first ever Caribbean Premiere League begins on July 30 with 24 matches across six Caribbean countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Rihanna swept the R&B slate at the prestigious event, winning an award in all three R&B categories — Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Album (“Unapologetic”) and Top R&B Song (“Diamonds”). A fourth win for Top Radio Songs Artist left the “Stay” singer tied for the second most awards of the night with Gotye.

Nicki Minaj continued her rap reign with awards for Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album (“Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded”), adding Top Streaming Artist to her swag bag. With three awards, Minaj tied with the tallies of Justin Bieber, the evergreen Madonna, and pop duo One Direction.

The night nevertheless belonged to Taylor Swift who won eight out of the 11 awards she was up for,

including Billboard Artist of the Year.

Swift also copped Top Country Artist,Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Female Artist, and Top Digital Songs Artist — the last one a tie with singer Carly Rae Jepsen. Swift’s album “Red” won in the Top Billboard 200 and Country Album categories and her single “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” collected the trophy for Top Country Song.

In a ceremony filled with thrills and spills, R&B singer Miguel fell hard for the music – literally – landing on a fan and clobbering another in the process.

The singer accidentally crashed on top of a woman in the audience during a performance of his hit song “Adorn” while attempting a jump that went wildly wrong. Luckily, the fan appeared to be fine and the singer kept right on singing.

Justin Bieber also had an unwelcome surprise when he attracted a chorus of boos while accepting the first ever Milestone Award. The incident caused the show’s host, Tracy Morgan, to quip, “Hey, don’t be booing anybody here. This ain’t no high school.”

Speaking of which, Nicki Minaj enthralled the crowd when she “twerked” on Lil Wayne during a performance of her song “High School”. Wayne (who appears on the track) nevertheless seemed to have no problem with the “movementations”.

One of the biggest surprises of the night nevertheless came when Prince took  the stage by storm with a new look and celebrated being presented with the Icon Award with a medley of his hits “Let’s Go Crazy” and “FixUrLifeUp.” The crowd took his advice and did, indeed, go crazy.

Check out the full list of winners:

TOP RAP ARTIST: Nicki Minaj

TOP DIGITAL SONG: Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe

TOP RAP SONG: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop

TOP TOURING ARTIST: Madonna

TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM: Taylor Swift, Red

TOP MALE ARTIST: Justin Bieber

TOP HOT 100 SONG: Gotye featuring Kimbra, Somebody That I Used to Know

TOP DUO/GROUP: One Direction

TOP NEW ARTIST: One Direction

TOP EDM ARTIST: David Guetta

TOP FEMALE ARTIST:  Taylor Swift

TOP HOT 100 ARTIST: Maroon 5

TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST: Rihanna

TOP SOCIAL ARTIST: Justin Bieber

TOP STREAMING ARTIST: Nicki Minaj

TOP POP ARTIST: One Direction

TOP R&B ARTIST: Rihanna

TOP COUNTRY ARTIST: Taylor Swift

TOP ROCK ARTIST: fun.

TOP LATIN ARTIST: Jenni Rivera

TOP DANCE ARTIST: Madonna

TOP POP ALBUM: Adele, 21

TOP R&B ALBUM: Rihanna, Unapologetic

TOP RAP ALBUM: Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday:Roman Reloaded

TOP COUNTRY ALBUM: Taylor Swift, Red

TOP ROCK ALBUM: Mumford & Sons, Babel

TOP LATIN ALBUM: Jenni Rivera, La Misma Gran Senora

TOP DANCE ALBUM: Madonna, MDNA

TOP EDM ALBUM: Skrillex, Bangarang

TOP RADIO SONG: Gotye feat. Kimbra, Somebody That I Used To Know

TOP STREAMING SONG (AUDIO): Gotye feat. Kimbra, Somebody That I Used To Know

TOP STREAMING SONG (VIDEO): Psy, Gangnam Style

TOP POP SONG: Carly Rae Jepsen, Call Me Maybe

TOP R&B SONG: Rihanna, Diamonds

TOP COUNTRY SONG: Taylor Swift, We Are Never Getting Back Together

TOP ROCK SONG: Gotye feat. Kimbra, Somebody That I Used To Know

TOP DANCE SONG: Baauer, Harlem Shake

TOP EDM SONG: Baauer, Harlem Shake

MILESTONE AWARD: Justin Bieber

BILLBOARD ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift

One of  Jamaica’s best known musicians, Desmond Dekker, who  died of a heart attack in 2006, will be remembered for his musical contribution to the reggae genre. 

A ska, reggae singer and songwriter,  he recorded a number of hits including the first international Jamaican hit, “Israelites” and  was the first Jamaican performer to enter U.S. markets with pure Jamaican music.

He is best known for “King of Ska,” a track that made him one of the island’s biggest stars.

The prolific singer will be honored  on Sunday, May 26th at Los Globos night club, 3040 Sunset Blvd, in Silver Lake CA 90026.

More details are available at 323-666-6669.

“Our father’s music inspires people around the world,” said Grammy Award-Winning artist and producer Stephen Marley. “With ‘Uprising,’ we carry on his spirit to support creativity and give voice to a new generation of artists that are following in his footsteps.”

From May 1 to May 15, artists will submit original music via marley.sonichub.com to win a series of prizes including digital downloads, live performances at major summer festivals and the ultimate prize, a recording session at the legendary Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica and a track produced by Stephen Marley.

Members of the Marley family, including Cedella Marley and Ky-Mani Marley, will select 25 artists or bands from all submissions to be featured on marley.sonichub.com. Fans across the country will vote throughout the summer to select the top three bands to advance to the final round and perform live at one of three major music festivals – Sierra Nevada (Mendocino, CA), Gathering of the Vibes (Bridgeport, CT) and Caribbean Fever (NYC, NY). The live performances will be captured on video and featured on the website where fans will elect a winning act for the grand prize Tuff Gong recording session.

“Marley’s Mellow Mood is inspired by the music and message of Bob Marley – peace, love, happiness and tolerance,” said Kevin McClafferty, CEO of Marley Beverage Company. “In a fast paced world, Marley’s Mellow Mood stands to remind us all to take time to enjoy life. Through Marley Music Uprising, we are proud to celebrate the creative spirit and the legacy Bob has given the world.”

In addition to the band competition, Marley Beverage Company is running a consumer promotion to send lucky fans for a Marley Uprising Getaway in Jamaica.

About Marley’s Music Uprising
Marley’s Music Uprising is a national search for the next great musical artist or band in the tradition of Bob Marley. Built out of the Marley family heritage, the competition honors Bob Marley’s authenticity, Jamaican roots and passionate commitment to the world.

About Marley’s Mellow Mood
Marley’s Mellow Mood is a line of natural relaxation beverages created in partnership with the family of legendary musical prophet, Bob Marley. With it soothing ingredients and great taste, Marley’s Mellow Mood is designed to reduce stress and soothe the mind. Marley’s Mellow Mood is a proud supporter of 1Love, a public charity created by the Marley family to further Bob Marley’s commitment to youth, planet and peace. Find Marley’s Mellow Mood at convenience, grocery and mass merchant stores nationwide.

“I am over the moon about this new music, and I am proud to be able to share it with my Los Angeles family first,” says Young.

Young is known throughout the Hollywood circles for hosting lavish themed parties attended by the “who’s who” in Hollywood causing media frenzies from coast to coast. He also authored a memoir, “Getting Back to My Me”, where he writes about his journey filled with success, failure, love, hate, drugs, abuse and getting back to his music.

The single is written and co-produced by Norwood young and Grammy Nominated, much sought after, musical director Adam Blackstone.

Errol Dunkley photo by Sista Irie

Dunkley will be backed by the lively and exhilarating Amalgamated from San Diego, and vocalist Queen P from Los Angeles, whose career dates back to Ocean 11

A multiple award-winning reggae artist who was born in, what is now known globally as the Reggae Mecca, West Kingston, Jamaica in 1951, Dunkley was one of the biggest child stars of the ska era.

Over the decades he has emerged as one of Jamaica’s leading and most respected artist, having scored eleven Top Ten songs that include;  “Movie Star,” “Black Cinderella,”  “Baby I Love You,” “Darling Ooh,”  “You’ll Never Know,”  “A Little Way Different,” “Happiness Forgets,” and “Betcha By Golly Wow.”

The former backing singer for Alexander O’Neal, who was born and raised in Leicester, has already previewed a number of well received tracks over the last few months, including “Sunshine”, and “Leave Me Alone” which are both available to listen to online.

Thomas will also be touring to accompany the release of the single and EP later this year.

During his tenure, the Temptations released a string of hits including the 1972 chart-topping classic “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” and “Masterpiece” released the following year.

“For more than 20 years, two-time Grammy winner Richard Street was a member of the iconic Motown group the Temptations whose sound reflected social change, politics, love and a unique connection to its audience making them one of music’s most influential R&B groups.  The soulful vocal act was known for hits such as “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” — which earned Street and the group two Grammy Awards  and has been inducted in to the Grammy Hall Of Fame. We have lost a wonderfully talented performer and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends and fans,” shared Neil Portnow, President/CEO, The Recording Academy.

When that aspiration proved fruitless, she took a different tack, getting her message across in a moving rendition of “Stay,” a stripped-down ballad from her latest album “Unapologetic” that brought Brown and many others to their feet in a standing ovation at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Taking the “less is more” approach for her performance, Rihanna ditched her usual skimpy outfit and sharp hairstyle in favour of a simple black gown and soft flowing curls. Instead of the usual backdrop of a bevy of gyrating dancers and strobing lights, the Diamonds girl was accompanied only by the song’s writer and featured singer Mikky Ekko, moreover, and as fans and music pundits agreed, the result was dazzling.

The contrast was thrown into sharper relief by the knowledge that Rihanna seldom lends her talent to emotional songs. Her album titles alone – 2007′s “Good Girl Gone Bad,” 2009′s “Rated R,” 2010′s “Loud” and last year’s “Unapologetic” – speak volumes about her tendency to be more tough than tender.

Smash hits like “Rude Boy,” “Talk That Talk” and “S&M” also lend weight to that impression, but the singer turned that all around with a touching performance that assured those watching why she was worthy of her six Grammys, the last of which she took home Sunday for Best Short Form Music Video with “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris.

Rihanna’s night was an overwhelming success, with her soulful performance of “Stay” counterbalanced by a fun, high-energy collaboration with Ziggy and Damien “Junior Gong” Marley, Bruno Mars and Sting, paying tribute to reggae legend Bob Marley.

When she wasn’t on stage, or peeling off clothes in swift wardrobe changes, the We Found Love girl was occupying a place that was dear to her heart – seated in the audience next to longtime love Chris Brown.

Long in coming, but well worth the wait, the award came almost 30 years after Cliff’s first Grammy triumph in 1986 with Cliff Hanger.

The vintage hitmaker has been nominated for a Best Reggae Album Grammy seven times, with Reggae Nights (1985), Club Paradise (1987), Hanging Fire (1989), Breakout (1993), and Black Magic (2005).

Rebirth, Cliff’s first album in several years and said to be his best by many music pundits, contested this year’s Grammy honours with Miracle by the Original Wailers (MRG Recordings); Tomahawk Technique (VP/Atlantic Records) by Sean Paul; New Legend: Jamaica 50th Edition (Mondo Tunes) by Sly and Robbie & the Jam Masters; and Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged On Strawberry Hill (Metropolis Recordings) by Toots and the Maytals.

Last year’s winner was Stephen Marley, who took home the award for his Revelation Part 1: The Root of Life.

Cliff’s 2013 Grammy fulfils the promise of last year, when the artist made the top 50 albums of 2012 with Rebirth on both Rolling Stone magazine and ABC News’ lists.

On Rolling Stone’s table, Rebirth came in at number 12 and was in good company placing behind Bruce Springsteen in top position with Wrecking Ball, Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange at number two, and Jack White’s Blunderbuss in third place.

ABC News listed Rebirth in 48th position, with the station’s website naming favourite tracks from the Tim Armstrong-produced album as Ruby Soho, Children’s Bread, World Upside Down, Outsider, Bang, and Guns of Brixton.

More recently, the 64-year-old star was chosen to cover The Partridge Family sitcom theme song, Get Happy, which featured in the controversial Super Bowl Volkswagen television ad and went viral on YouTube.

It was also the night that confirmed, if indeed confirmation were necessary, that the Grammys are all about suspense, with the set dedicated to the Jamaican reggae icon kicking-off with an almost bewildering absence of Marley’s music.

Set against a backdrop dominated by images of Jamaica’s most famous and revered son, the tribute began with Bruno Mars performing his “Unorthodox Jukebox” single “Locked Out of Heaven,” the Rasta vibes delivered by flashing red, green and yellow lights.

Next came Sting, guitar in hand, joining Mars for a smooth transition into “Walking on the Moon” by his hitmaking group The Police.

But finally, a true taste of the Caribbean arrived via Barbados’ pop princess Rihanna, in a simple but stunning white and gold crop top outfit, quickly followed by the real deal in island royalty in the shape of the late reggae king’s sons, Ziggy and Damien “Junior Gong” Marley.

The performance immediately gathered steam, going on to climax on a spectacular note with a joint reggae blast featuring Bob Marley’s classic “Could You Be Loved.”

The tribute conjured up the inimitable Marley mega-magic, with the entire Staples Centre audience on its feet, most notably Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban who were jamming throughout the entire set.

Bob Marley, who died from cancer at the age of 36 in 1981, would have celebrated his 68th birthday last Wednesday.

In 2001, the reggae giant was posthumously bestowed with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Grammys is the music industry’s highest honor, so it’s normal to expect designers to trot out the best of their brands and services to entice the celebrities, after all celebrity endorsement can easily translate to profits for any retailer.

From jewelry companies to liquor makers, items included a free home makeover consultation by Seyie Design; hoodies, T-shirts and fedora hats from the family owned company New Era – items which proved a hit with Travis Barker, Sting and The Wanted.

Also up for grabs were Khana Sutra Candles created by recording artist Chaka Khan; crystal bottles filled with liquor from Bonita Spirits; guitars worth up to $1,200 from Gibson Guitars and Solstice Sunglasses.

There was jewelry by Simone L. Smith (wife of LL Cool J.), a high-end brand influenced by Simone’s hip-hop adolescence in Queens, N.Y which donates $10 from every purchase to The American Cancer Society and chemical free products such as make-up, teeth whitening tools.

LL Cool J., Chaka Khan, Sting, Ashanti, Chuck D and Jimmy Jam are just some of the many celebrities who visited the Zen garden-inspired lounge designed by Seyie Design

Pictured: Ashanti in Kate Spade Brenna sunglasses at Solstice suite (Photo by Amanda Edwards/WireImage)

Hosts Jordin Sparks and Mario joined other performers such as Lil’ Mo, Terrell Carter, J Rome, Mateo, Frenchie Davis, Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell and others during Grammy Week in remembering the singer at the club located on Argyle Ave., Hollywood.

A powerhouse ensemble of female Gospel artists are scheduled to perform.

Former Gerald Levert back-up vocalist CoCo McMillian who appeared on BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel and TV One’s The Gospel of Music amd Tawanda Robbins lead the list of already confirmed artists that will appear.  They will be joined by Memphis based artists

Music Choice plans to celebrate Black History Month On Demand with a month long campaign entitled “The New Classic,” a collection of videos, video playlists and brand new original content showcasing Black Music.

The month long On Demand celebration began on Monday and runs through Sunday, March 3rd.

Whitney Houston will be a featured Artist (On Demand Premier Date: 2/4/13)  and Music Choice will showcase her talent as one of the world’s best selling artists the entire month, which coincides with the 1st anniversary of her death.