Surf’s up for Mighty Crown

CECELIA CAMPBELL-LIVINGSTON Observer staff reporter livingstonc@jamaicaobserver.com

JAPANESE sound system Mighty Crown has teamed up with Hawaiian singer J Boog to record Surfer’s Anthem, which revisits the classic reggae instrumental Double Barrel.Sami T, chief selector with the Mighty Crown, spoke to the Sunday Observer about the song, which has enjoyed steady rotation at their dances as well as in Europe and Asia.“It was recorded in January in Hawaii and mixed in Jamaica. Double Barrel is one of the ‘riddims’ that I always wanted to remake,” said Sami T.Done by Dave Barker and Ansel Collins, Double Barrel made the British national chart in 1972.J Boog is part of a massive reggae movement in Hawaii and the Pacific Rim. In February, he performed alongside Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley and others in a Bob Marley tribute at the Grammy Awards.The Mighty Crown is currently on its Driving Force Tour which started in March. They will play in 50 cities on three continents; today, they are scheduled to ‘string up’ for their Reggae SAI concert in Kawasaki.In addition to Sami T (real name Samuel Tse), the Mighty Crown’s selection team comprises Rohan Henry (Ninja), Koji Ishii (Koji) and Simon Tse (Masta Simon).According to Sami T, being on the European circuit has taught he and his colleagues not to be predictable.He warns that a “top 10″ playlist is dangerous, especially for Jamaican ‘sounds’ playing outside of Jamaica.“Them run go play the top ten songs them and can’t dig out a forward without those songs,” said Sami T in his best patois.The J Boog collaboration marks a new phase for the Mighty Crown, that of music production. They have produced reggae and dancehall songs by leading Japanese artistes such as Fireball and Guan Chai for their Lifestyle label.Founded in 1991 by friends from the city of Yokohama, Mighty Crown built their impressive resume by playing in clubs and selling self-produced mix tapes throughout Japan.In 1994, they started ‘clashing’ with other Japanese sound systems and became the country’s undisputed sound clash champion in 1998.The following year, on their debut appearance in World Clash, they defeated ‘sounds’ from Jamaica and the United States to become the first Japanese sound system to lift the World Clash Trophy.Members of the Japanese sound system Mighty Crown.

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Surf’s up for Mighty Crown

Gina Hargitay wins Miss Jamaica World crown

MONTEGO BAY, St James: – EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD Gina Hargitay, wearing the sash Miss Nirvana Magazine, was announced winner of the coveted Suzuki Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Sunday evening.

Hargitay took top honours from a field of 25 contestants at the event’s 37 staging.Jenaae Jackson, 23, was first runner-up, while Amanda McCreath, 23, finished second runner-up.The newly crowned Miss Jamaica World said the competition was fierce.“I came into it trying very hard to win it. Tonight (Sunday night), there were points where other girls were amazing, other girls have been wonderful, but I am really, really happy that I came out on top,” she told the Jamaica Observer.The 18-year-old not only secured the top prize and a 2013 Suzuki Kizashi motor car, she also walked away with three sectional prizes — Most Aware, Most Sociable, and Best Smile.The three, were among the final 15, who also included Ashley Miller, Stephanie Bignall, Shana Simpson, Jessica Campbell, Sheree Tomlinson, Arriel Brown, Sara-Kay Webley, Shanice Rerrie, Vanassa Metzger, Latoya Johnson, Joanna Sadler, and Arriana Bartley.Hargitay had a large crowd support, some bearing placards while others chanted her name.She was greeted with thunderous applause when she responded to the question that the person she admired most was 95-year-old Nelson Mandela, who was jailed for 27 years.“After being incarcerated for almost three decades in South Africa, he did not retaliate with violence though he must have been angry and frustrated. He took the route of non-violence,” she answered to wild cheers.“I think that is an act of intelligence and it showed the world that you can succeed without being violent, and can make your point without violence,” she continued, after the cheers subsided.She expressed confidence in repeating her triumph in the Miss World Pageant slated for Indonesia in September.“I am very confident. I think it is about time that Jamaica had Miss World and I hope that I can be the Miss World for everybody,” she expressed .Jamaica won the Miss World title on three occasions with Carole Joan Crawford (1963), Cindy Breakspeare (1976), and Lisa Hanna (1993).Deanna Robbins, Miss Jamaica World 2012, expressed her appreciation for the opportunities and support she got during her reign.The evening also saw a delightful set from Jimmy Cozier.The 25 contestants Suzuki Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in St James on Sunday evening. (PHOTOS: ACEION CUNNINGHAM)Winner of Suzuki Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant Gina Hargitay.Winner of Suzuki Miss Jamaica World Beauty Pageant Gina Hargitay (centre) pose with runners-up Jenaae Jackson (right) and Amanda McCreath.

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Gina Hargitay wins Miss Jamaica World crown