Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Left: Pulse supermodel Nadine Willis with the model agency's head honcho Kingsley Cooper.   Right: Christelle Harris - file photos

By now y'all should have heard about the fabulously glorious Independence weekend and all the absolutely marvellous happenings between Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay, all over there in the garden parish of St. Ann!

Pumpkins, make no bones about it, Jamaica's 44th Independence celebrations were a blast and nothing but! And we are not talking about the official celebrations here, as indeed, while those civic ceremonies and galas stirred the nationalistic passions of this here thriving nation, it was the celebrations of the people, by the people and for the people, we are talking abut, and honeys, they were sensational!

Reggae sunsplash

To begin with, after almost a decade absence, the fabulous and legendary reggae festival, Reggae Sunsplash, was back, and in no other parish than fabulous St. Ann, coinciding with all the fabulous hoopla that has already made it the preferred parish for the lovers of fine entertainment, and sun-worshippers!

We are talking hot people here and a hot destination!

Now, not really into the 'murder-music', as has been advocated by the largely illiterate or socially challenged few, who dominate this sub-cultural genre of this still evolving music, so stayed away from what is referred to as 'Dancehall Night'.

But from all reports, missed nothing here, as it was the same-old, same-old, by the same tired acts, who with no talent and scarcely any learning, took to the stage and bashed and 'fire' our womenfolk, authority, the church, education, success.

Those ignoramuses (and their followers) aside, the musical offerings of the festival were something awesome and we are talking entertainingly and inspirationally so here, but none more so than on Saturday night/Sunday morning, when the oh so talented and prolific, Buju Banton, took to the stage, just around 7:00 a.m. and gave one of the most captivating and electrifyingly absorbing performances ever, by a reggae artiste anywhere!

Dovecakes, Buju Banton, was phenomenal!

Honeys, the artistry, the message, the sheer talent and majesty of the artiste, made him shine like a beacon for his nearly 90-minute long performance. And we are talking nothing but sterling here - the very best and oh so moving, that the tears flowed freely and uncontrollably from this here scribe.

It's not been an easy road for Buju Banton, as there were those who thought him the heir to the throne of reggae, left vacant with the early demise of its king, Bob Marley, but with his interjection of the venomous Boom-Bye-Bye, and the worldwide anger it generated, his was a very promising career interrupted by protests and anger by the advocacy of very same class of people, the song advocated their murder.

To be sure, the song Boom-Bye-Bye did, in the strictest sense of its interpretation, advocate the murdering of homosexuals, but here in Jamaica, where the language is largely allegorical or metaphorical, there are few who would take anything said, in that strict literal context.

The song, however, and the international controversy it generated, speaks to the fact that what may be popular in the sub-cultural text of our dancehalls, will not necessarily 'dance abroad'.

Noteworthy enough, the song was not included in Buju Banton's repertoire on his Sunsplash performance at Richmond - a fabulous venue - two Saturdays ago, and it made for a more thought-provoking and awe-inspiring message-laden delivery. And there was no escaping the fact that Buju Banton has a destiny with greatness as a reggae artiste, as against being some flash-in-the-pan, also-ran, would-be homophobe.

Meanwhile, Reggae Sunsplash was the talk at the resort for the young and fabulous, Hedonism III near Salem.

Dearhearts, on Sunday, August 6, just a day after celebrating her something fabulous birthday, the oh so enchanting Nadine Willis was not only a guest at the fabulous property, honeys, the much celebrated model was being inducted into hotel industry hall of fame (as it were), as the resort's owners and managers having decided on naming one of its preferred suites in honour of the achievements and indomitable spirit of Nadine Willis, hosted the champagne-laced function for her.

Nadine is hot

My daahlings, Ms. Willis is a star, her star quality shining through with each and every outing, her latest triumph being her signing to the Banana Republic campaign, where she's all set to win over a whole new range of fans, not just to the Banana Republic line, but also her ever increasing fan base, because my dears, Nadine Willis, is hot!

To his credit, Pulse King and Founder Kingsley Cooper, spotted that talent the minute she walked into his Trafalgar Road offices almost three years ago, fresh off the stage as a burlesque dancer, and while others would have dismissed the fab Nadine for not only daring to dream of becoming a model, but to also take a concrete step in seeking to concretise that dream, Cooper embraced her and provided the guidance that took her from the ghetto to Gucci.

It was that, that afforded Nadine Willis the opportunity to chalk up a number of firsts, and sensationally so, in the world of modelling, and as she continues to chart new firsts, the SuperClubs chain chalked up yet another first in its very own roster of impressive firsts, by naming one of its more coveted suites for her.

The function to name the suite in her honour was really a love fest, really! It was honouring one who pulled herself up from her humbling circumstances to grace the runways of the fashion capitals of the world, not to mention landing some enviable modelling contracts and assignments along the way.

It was her spirit of commitment and determination which so resonate with the entire staff complement of the resort, and her ability to connect with people, that saw staff and guests turning up in droves for the naming ceremony and amidst the sipping, ribbon cutting and partying, made it one fabulous affair!

No real ceremony here, just an order of progression, that saw the resort's manager, the lovely Donna Grant-Clarke, welcoming guests for the occasion; entertainment manger, Nichel Lindsay, smoothed the process that included an overview of Nadine's accomplishment and development by Kingsley Cooper. There were thank-yous by the honouree; and toasts and confetti, shared in by well-wishers and onlookers alike, thus making for a fabulous do!

And when asked when she would be first sleeping in her bed, the rather affable supermodel replied: "Haven't you heard, these beds were not made for sleeping!"

And honeys no, they are not!

Now, the very best of wishes to the fabulously lovely and beautiful Christelle Harris, going into tomorrow finals of the Miss Jamaica World pageant, as this young lady who transformed herself from a really chubby teenager into a beautiful world-class beauty, has demonstrated that indeed, she is made of the right stuff!

And congrats to all the other finalists as well, as indeed, it has been one good competition.