FanDuel, WWE, Yadier Molina, and Miss Pat Make This #ReggaeFriday Plus Reviews Of Anuel AA & Ozuna and Zulu Bob

Volume, 1 issue 20

Originally published, here: reggaefriday.life/news

#ReggaeFriday is intended to expose, elevate, educate, celebrate, and expand an appreciation of the people, culture, influences, and music of the Caribbean. It's both a physical and mental destination for those who already love, or want to explore, some of the best parts of a Caribbean-based life-- with a heavy dose of reggae and reggaeton music. It's all captured on my website reggaefriday.life.

The 4'-11" Grandmother That Harnessed The Spark And Fanned The Flames To Help Turn Reggae Music Into Into A Global Fire

A new autobiography telling the story of pioneering record shop, studio, and label owner Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin, called My Reggae Music Journey, is being published via her own VP Records this March. I received an advanced copy last weekend (thank you Richard Lue) and I can not put it down. For a little context, today VP Records is the largest independent reggae label in the world.

My Reggae Music Journey spans six decades of music history, from the rise and development of Randy's Record Mart, the famed music shop and recording studio in downtown Kingston, Jamaica, founded with her late husband Vincent 'Randy' Chin in 1958, to the family's migration to New York City, where in the late 1970s, VP Record Distributors was established. The book shares personal insights about the rise of the Jamaican music industry, and nuggets of wisdom on business and life. Through decades of transition Miss Pat has triumphed over adversity, both personally and professionally. My Reggae Music Journey testifies to the indelible spirit that is Patricia Chin.

Born in Kingston during 1937, Miss Pat co-founded the legendary Randy’s Record Mart, Studio 17, and VP Records with her husband, Vincent “Randy” Chin. Nurturing and releasing artists spanning generations – from Bob Marley & the Wailers to Augustus Pablo to Toots & The Maytals to Barrington Levy to Beenie Man to Lady Saw to Sean Paul to Marcia Griffiths to so many others. Plus, she remains active today. The VP label has remained a pivotal reggae imprint since its inception.

In case you were wondering, her maternal and paternal grandparents migrated to Jamaica, respectively, from China and India, seeking better lives. Yes, in Jamaica.

Many who meet Miss Pat will surely think to themselves, "who is this Chinese lady with this big Jamaican accent?" Thanks to Chris "Mannix" Schlarb, I was fortunate enough to have met Miss Pat years ago inside the VP Records warehouse. Due to my youth and lack of reggae education at the time, I didn't appreciate it then as much as I would now.

Documenting her 60-year-career in music, the book presents previously unreleased family photos and archival images, alongside original illustrations by the late Michael Thompson and book designer Maria Papaefstathiou. Ultimately “it is a book about family, love of home and homeland, perseverance, and business agility.”

In 2020, The Today Show (NBC) produced this 8-minute feature on Miss Pat. There's no better way to hear the story of this 4-foot 11-inch grandmother than through her own words combined with those of her family, colleagues, and artists. Click HERE to watch the segment or click on the image below:

Pre-order Miss Pat – My Reggae Music Journey Book HERE in advance of its 17th March publication.

FanDuel Plans Expansion Into Caribbean

FanDuel has partnered with the CAGE Companies to expand its sportsbook into the Caribbean and South America. The deal will see the partners operate retail and online sportsbooks in regions where CAGE is licensed for sports betting, or seeking permission.

CAGE and FanDuel expect to launch the network sometime in 2021, with Bermuda and Barbados as the first two locations. An affiliate of RLJ Companies, CAGE Companies is registered in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with licenses to operate Video Lottery Terminals in six countries in the Caribbean and South America.

Bad Bunny to Perform Live at WWE Royal Rumble

WWE has announced that Bad Bunny will perform “Booker T,” his hit single from his most recent album El Último Tour Del Mundo, live for the first time at Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31st. The performance will stream live at 7:00 p.m. ET on the WWE Network.

“Performing at the Royal Rumble is a childhood dream come true,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “I have been a lifelong fan of WWE and I am excited to take the stage and entertain fans around the world.” He’ll be performing wrestling tribute track “Booker T” off El Último Tour Del Mundo. Experience the video, that features the actual Booker T, HERE or by clicking the image below:

In case you didn't know, Booker T is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling promoter, colorist and color commentator. He is currently signed with WWE. He is also the owner and founder of the independent promotion Reality of Wrestling (ROW) in Texas. Booker is a 6-time world champion, having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five times (the last of those wins occurring in the WWF), and WWE's World Heavyweight Championship once. He is the first non-mixed race African American to become a world champion in WWE, and was voted the greatest World Heavyweight Champion in a WWE viewer poll.

Dwayne Wade, Gabrielle Union Enjoying Jamaica

January 17 is retired NBA icon Dwayne Wade's birthday. To celebrate his 39th lap around the sun, he and his actress wife Gabrielle Union went to Jamaica for a vacation getaway.

One of the most notable takeaways from the numerous Instagram posts and stories are the photos of Union posing beachside with a bottle of the popular Red Stripe beer, and also Wade enjoying his own bottle of the well-known lager brand with a Jamaican flag on his arm. Truly a marketing manager’s dream!

Puerto Rico Declares State Of Emergency To Combat Gender-Based Violence

The governor of Puerto Rico declared a state of emergency on Sunday in response to the high rate of violence against women and transgender individuals.

Governor Pedro Pierluisi, who took office earlier this month, issued an executive order to combat the high rates of gender-based violence in the territory. In addition to declaring the state of emergency, the order establishes several other mechanisms to respond to the issue, including the appointment of a Compliance Officer to monitor the implementation of the order, the Committee on the Prevention, Support, Rescue and Education of Gender Violence (PARE Committee), and a mobile phone application. According to a press release from the governor’s office, the phone app will allow victims of gender-based violence to request emergency help and hide the messages so that the victim’s aggressor will not see them.

The governor also mentioned the need for “an educational approach” to combat the problem, which he said has “permeated our society for a long time.” The claim that gender violence is a systemic and long-time issue is backed by numerous reports by local groups. 

Yadier Molina Is Among Other Latin MLB Players to Join Serie Del Caribe (Caribbean World Series) That Starts January 31

For baseball fans like myself the Serie Del Caribe, or Caribbean World Series, is a welcome prelude to MLB Spring Training. Serie Del Caribe is the highest tournament for professional baseball teams in Latin America that dates back to 1949. Six nations will be represented at the event, in which 18 games will be played in a seven-day period beginning Sunday, January 31 and concluding with the championship game on Saturday, February 6. 

The Caribbean World Series 2021 tournament will be played in Mazatlan, Mexico this year (Pacific Ocean side of Mexico, north of Puerto Vallarta and across the gulf from Cabo San Lucas). The location is rotated annually among the participating countries and is normally played in February after all of the leagues have ended their national tournaments.

Joining the Mexican Pacific League champions will be pennant-winners from traditional Serie del Caribe countries Venezuela, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic along with relative newcomers Panama and Colombia, which replaced Cuba in the lineup last winter after the Cuban National Series champion Matanzas Cocodrilos pulled out weeks before the tournament, citing visa problems prevented them from entering Serie del Caribe site San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

The best part for baseball fans is the caliber of talent on teams' rosters playing in the tournament. MLB players with family lineage in one of the participating countries can qualify alongside strong up-and comers from those countries. In the past, MLB greats including Bobby Abreu, Melky Cabrera, Reggie Jackson, and Frank Robinson have played in the Caribbean World Series. Find a full list, HERE.

For 2021, it appears that Gio Urshela (Yankees) will represent Colombia; Moises Sierra (Nationals) will represent Dominican Republic; Ramiro Pena (Padres) will represent Mexico; Severino Gonzalez (Phillies) will represent Panama; Yadier Molina (Cardinals) will represent Puerto Rico; Alexi Amarista (Phillies) will represent Venezuela. And, I only scratched the surface of MLB talent expected to play.

Caribbean Travel Options For U.S. Citizens Now

Starting January 26, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will begin to enforce that international travelers arriving in the U.S. would be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days before the flight.

Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix/Thomas/John) are U.S. territories and visiting is considered domestic travel, which means there are no coronavirus testing requirements for returning to the mainland. The CDC does recommend getting tested 3-5 days after arrival and staying home for seven days post-travel.

Travelers planning a visit to the island must complete an online Travel Declaration from the Puerto Rico Health Department’s online portal and demonstrate a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before a flight. Vaccinated travelers will still need to provide a negative test.

Tourism officials also revealed tourists and locals are still required to wear masks after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, with Puerto Rico continuing to enforce mandatory face coverings in public areas. While there are restrictions, the islands' public beaches and natural reserves are open with social distancing guidelines and masks. Restaurants in are also open, but operating at 30 percent capacity, with reservations recommended.

Royal Caribbean To Launch Cruises from Barbados To Elude U.S. Restrictions

Royal Caribbean, the Miami-based cruise giant, announced on January 13 that it soon would launch its first-ever sailings to the Caribbean out of Bridgetown, Barbados. The home of Rihanna Fenty and Mount Gay rum. (Mount Gay Black is a favorite of mine.)

Unlike Caribbean sailings out of such traditional Royal Caribbean hubs as Port Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida, Caribbean cruises out of Barbados are not subject to U.S. regulation, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) current, coronavirus-related ban on cruises. Only cruises that touch U.S. waters are subject to such regulation.

The CDC has blocked Royal Caribbean and all other lines that operate ships that carry more than 250 people from operating cruises out of U.S. ports since March. When asked if the CDC’s current rules were a factor in the decision to move a ship to Barbados, a spokeswoman gave a straightforward, one-word answer: “No.”

I ask, "Is Royal Caribbean doing the right thing?"

#ReggaeFriday Weekend Soundtrack

If you need a music soundtrack for the weekend, then visit my custom playlist HERE that I update weekly. Otherwise, this week I cover two album releases that includes a joint album by Reggaeton music's omnipresent Anuel AA and Ozuna. Also, I cover Reggae's own Zulu Bob's new album. Plus, there's some buzz brewing around Selena Gomez.

Anuel AA & Ozuna / Los Dioses (The Gods)

Two of Latin music’s most consistent chart-toppers--Anuel AA and Ozuna-- have joined forces for their joint album Los Dioses that has been released On January 22. The 12-track album has no special guest vocal appearances. Only Anuel and Ozuna’s versatility, musical evolution and, most importantly, bromance. The two have been friends for decades now. Experience their camaraderie on their lead single "Antes" ("Before") by clicking HERE or the image below.

Reggaeton lovers will delight to “Antes,” “Nunca” and “Dime Tú.” Trap fans will revel in “RD” and “Perfecto.” Crossing into the unexpected, Anuel AA and Ozuna experiment with balladry on “Contra el Mundo,” a rap vibe on “La María” and string and wind instruments on “Municiones.” Experience "Municiones" ("Ammunition") by clicking HERE or the image below.

Committed to creating an album that would surpass everyone’s expectations, Anuel AA and Ozuna hunkered down in Miami recording studios for long sessions in which they pushed themselves to the limit, breaking new ground in songwriting, arranging and recording the 12 songs that comprise Los Dioses. For me, the special guests on the album are the producers who include Tainy and Mambo Kings along with Hi Music Hi Flow, Ovy on the Drums, DJ Luian and Súbelo Neo. If you study these producers' resumes, you might think that they collectively account for close to 75-percent of the reggaeton hits today.

What has caught my attention with this album release are the number of music videos released within a week of its debut: nearly every single song on the 12-track album has a music video attached to it. Only "Dime Tu" is missing a video as of this writing. Hard to believe in this pandemic era. The music videos add so much context, flavor and culture to the album as they would any album. I notice Anuel regularly holding a large coffee cup in his hand in these music videos. Funny.

Having two solo Latin music icons create and push a joint album is not unusual in this genre. J Balvin and Bad Bunny released OASIS in 2019. Rumors swirl that Daddy Yankee and Nicky Jam will revive Los Cangris. I predict that we'll see this influence pop music in a big way. Could you imagine a Beyonce and Alicia Keys joint album? What about a Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran?

Zulu Bob / Road To Reggaeville

Earlier this week, a nice little gem of an album from emerging artist Zulu Bob was released. Road To Reggaeville is a 9-track album that includes a strong mix between Roots Reggae, Dancehall, and Afrobeat and features Blvk H3ro ("Victory"). I find this entire album a suitable addition to any playlist if you're looking to create your own #ReggaeFriday weekend vibe. Experience the official visual of "Ms. Joy" by clicking HERE or the image below:

You might like the remix version of "Ms. Joy" more like I did.

Zulu Bob hails from the twin Island of Antigua and Barbuda. Moving to China for studies he jumped in the entertainment scenes. Zulu Bob spends his times working as both a deejay and MC in Beijing under the alias of "Norrisman."

Zulu Bob released his first solo album co-produced by DB Bros Records and Island Trap Records One Way in 2019. The song “Feel The Vibe” hit the reggae charts in USA, and the track “Life Nuh Easy” in collaboration with Lutan Fyah went #5 in New York Brooklyn Reggae Charts.

First Selena Gomez Album en Español Is Coming

Selena Gomez announced on Instagram this week (Jan. 27) that she's dropping her first ever Spanish-language album, titled "Revelación", on March 12. Earlier this month, Gomez released her first single from the album, titled "De Una Vez" that includes a distinctive, yet subtle, reggaeton beat. Her second single "Baila Conmigo," dropped today (Jan. 29). Experience "De Una Vez" by clicking HERE or the image below:

Released today is a second single "Baila Conmigo" ("Dance With Me") featuring Latin Grammy winner Rauw Alejandro and produced by none other Tainy. Experience it by clicking HERE or the image below:

I am expecting her to make a hard push into reggaeton on this album. All. The. Way. I think she can do it credibly without losing her fan base yet distance herself from her peers.

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My #ReggaeFriday posts are part of a self-created commitment (and a self-indulgence) that started in early June 2020 with the intention to expose, elevate, celebrate, and expand an appreciation of the people, culture and music of reggae and reggaeton-- a slice of Caribbean Culture.