Congratulations to the winners at the Second Annual Soca Awards. Soca Performer of the Year - Female: Destra; Soca Performer of the Year - Male: Machel Mantano; Overall Soca Artist of the Year - Female: Destra; Overall Soca Artist of the Year - Male: Rupee; Soca Artist Album/ CD of the Year: Thisisrupee.com; Soca Song Writer of the Year: Rupee. Ragga Soca Artist of the Year: Bunji Garlin.

The October issue of Essence Magazine has paid tribute to Jamaican music with a full page tutorial called “Jamaican Vibes”. Journalist Patricia Meschino talks briefly about the roots of Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae, Dancehall, and don’t forget Dub. It is always interesting to find Caribbean Culture where you least expect it.

Two Jamaican reggae singers have lost nominations for the Music of Black Origin awards after failing to apologize in writing for anti-gay lyrics. "We'd asked them for written confirmation of their apology and that they'd moved on and this was not forthcoming," said a MOBO spokeswoman. The artists, Elephant Man and Vybz Kartel, were nominated for the category of Best Reggae Act at the awards due to take place on September 30 at London's Royal Albert Hall.

October will be a busy month at VP Records with the upcoming releases of Glen Washington’s “Wanna Be Loved” due out October 5th and Capleton’s latest album “Reign of Fire”, October 26th. Also, in addition to the launching of their new Riddim Driven Clothing line, VP is continuing its 25th Anniversary celebration with a group photo exhibit. The exhibit, called Riddim Driven is being held at Eyejammie, a downtown Manhattan gallery and features the work of artists like Ajamu Myrie, Peter Dean and Paul Coote. See twenty five years of reggae history unfold in living color through November 1st. For more information see www.eyejammie.com.

'Jiggy Praise' is the name of the first in a series of what is called "Jesus Parties," being hosted in Kingston by the religious label, Main Street Music. "We want Jamaica and the world to know that Christians are real people who serve a true and living God. 'Jiggy' is a street word used to describe anything that is new and exciting and, like the Jesus Party, is on the cutting edge. The music will represent the jiggiest gospel music anywhere," said a label executive.

The Grammy Awards Voting Committee (GAVC) has confirmed that Soca will now have its very own category at the Grammys. Says Sonata Smith, an Aruba born member of the GAVC, “This is it folks. We are on our way, but you all have to get involved by becoming members and voting. The next step is to get Soca music playing on every radio station across the United States and the world.” – Hardbeatnews.com

Red Rat has been staging a steady return to the forefront of dancehall music. After his performance at Irie Jamboree he said, “I am just doing it. Working hard and trying to stay in front of the people.” Well it shows, his voice is all over VP’s Riddim Driven series. Recently at the number 10 spot on Florida’s Mega Jamz 98FM Top 20 Dancehall chart was his amusing song “Hush”. The song, which is a take off from Eamon's “Don't Want You Back”, was released on the Big N Mighty label.

Compiled by Odette Flemming